Korg to release ARP Odyssey

depulse · Post by **depulse** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:50 pm

http://www.korg.com/us/news/2014/0217/

KORG INC. is proud to announce that a faithful recreation of the legendary 1970s analog synthesiser, the ARP Odyssey, is being developed by Korg for release later in 2014.

The ARP Odyssey was released in 1972 by ARP Instruments, Inc. and quickly became famous for its unique rich sound and innovative performance controls. It was a staple for many recording and performing musicians worldwide and was used on countless hit records over many years. The Odyssey was one of the highlights of the ARP company and became a long selling product. With slight updates and improvements it was sold through to 1981.

Korg is also proud to welcome Mr David Friend as our chief advisor on the Odyssey. David Friend established ARP Instruments, Inc. along with Alan Robert Pearlman and is a past president of ARP Instruments, Inc. He was also the lead designer of the original Odyssey in addition to designing or co-designing many other products.

Bachus · Post by **Bachus** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:07 pm

When i read the title, i was thinking it might be a new engine for the Oasys/Kronos...

Glad for people that are still intoo the authentic Analog stuff... For me the emulations these days are close enough to the real thing.. And i would have loved to see an Emulation of that specific machine on the Kronos..

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm

Wow the hairs in the back of neck just went up. Please, please let this lead to a Korg/ARP 2600!!

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:31 pm

Please, oh please do not put mini keys on it. Give us a fully assembled product with full size keys!!!

Francois · Post by **Francois** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:35 pm

Fab news. I hope they sell bucket loads, because I want them to move to recreating another ARP, the 2600 !

Mind you Mr Korg, if you're in the mood to carry on after the MS-20 and the Odyssey, I wouldn't say no to a new PS-3400 !

djcactus · Post by **djcactus** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 5:47 pm

yeah saw this news about 15 minutes ago, had to stop over here but of course the cats already out of the bag. Unbelievable.

el_hombre · Post by **el_hombre** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:31 pm

So excited about this I could s**t.
This is just nuts!
I don't think I'll be able to not buy one of these...

Ahnyxrik · Post by **Ahnyxrik** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:56 pm

The gum just fell out of my mouth....OMG OMG OMG!! YESS!

Broadwave · Post by **Broadwave** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:00 pm

Unbelievable news!!!

There's a pic of the prototype on the page… a copy of the MKII, and it looks like there's a switch next to the VCF res slider (maybe to select either the 4023 or 4075 VCF??)

I can't see them recreating the 2600 as there's already a DIY version currently doing the rounds… as well as the one I built, of course

Although I'm not in the market for one, it will be interesting to see what the price will be.

el_hombre · Post by **el_hombre** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:51 pm

I'm definitely going to be watching this space. I have my sights firmly set on a dotcom modular this year but with this sort of notice period I like to think I can put aside some coin for when this drops.
Korg I hate you right now. Why can't you just leave my wallet alone!
I think that now there can be no room for argument that there isn't some sort of analog nut making some calls at Korg.

Kevin Nolan · Post by **Kevin Nolan** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:03 pm

Why are Korg doing this; and why have they announced it now?

NuSkoolTone · Post by **NuSkoolTone** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:16 pm

Meh. No disrespect to the past (I remember playing an Axxe and it being really cool), but what 's the point in 2014? I would have much rather seen this as an EXi for the Kronos!

Oldretro · Post by **Oldretro** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:27 pm

At long last! Finally the ARP brand is being pulled out of the mothballs. If Korg will be doing just as good a job recreating the Oddy as with the MS20 mini and kit, then I forsee a golden future for the new Odyssey. And who knows what is still to come (may I dream, a 2600 perhaps?). Add the 4023 2 pole bi-quad filter, and I can finally sell my aging Whiteface for this new one. And please no wallwart!!

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:52 pm

Kevin Nolan wrote:Why are Korg doing this; and why have they announced it now?

Seems they've chosen to do this right after AIRA's been unveiled, to steal back some thunder.

el_hombre · Post by **el_hombre** » Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:54 pm

NuSkoolTone wrote:Meh. No disrespect to the past (I remember playing an Axxe and it being really cool), but what 's the point in 2014? I would have much rather seen this as an EXi for the Kronos!

A fair enough call. But it could be argued that there is a sufficient portion on the market (particularly the portion that this announcement is aimed at) that would much prefer to play something closer to the original product but without the issues of maintaining a vintage synth.

I wouldn't be surprised if they release something for the Kronos though. I mean why not if you've got a development team working on it anyhoo.
What would be involved in installing it on the Kronos? A software update?