He Hates This Synth Because…

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"In this video, I pick one thing I think I hate about 12 classic synthesizers—and then follow that feeling wherever it leads.
We’re talking about legendary instruments:
Minimoog, MS-20, Prophet-5, Jupiter-8, ARP 2600, Moog IIIc ('Plantasia'), Oberheim 4-Voice, Oberheim OB-X, Synclavier III, Elka Synthex, and Yamaha CS-30.
What starts as frustration with a workflow choice, a knob, or a design limitation slowly turns into something else entirely.
Along the way, I realize this video isn’t really about hating synths at all. It’s about relationships.
Every one of these instruments has limitations—and so do we. In any good relationship, not everything is perfect. But when you stop fighting what something isn’t and start understanding what it is, those limitations can become the very thing that leads you somewhere creative and unexpected.
Instead of endless options, boundaries create focus.
Instead of frustration, they create identity.
And in learning to understand these instruments more deeply, I ended up learning something about myself.
This is a video about synthesizers—but it’s also a small morality tale about creativity, acceptance, and finding freedom inside constraints.
Let me know in the comments:
Which synth do you love… even though it drives you crazy? 🎛️"

https://anthonymarinellimusic.com/pages/about

ARP Foundation NAMM & Buchla & Friends Pics

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation newsletter:

"Our West Coast Whirlwind!

Still feeling the synthesizer love from last month’s California visit to NAMM / Buchla & Friends!

At NAMM:

Anthony Marinelli visited our booth
The Blue Meanie was at our booth for a whole day!

ARP 2600: Drew Schlesinger demonstrated patches using the 2600 software included in the Korg Collection VST 6. 2 Lucky folks won a signed CD and poster from Martin Gore

And Congratulations to Violet Burns who won the Korg Collection 6!

Then it was off to Buchla & Friends – January’s biggest two-day collection of hands-on synths on the West Coast!

Remember: The Most Creative Part of an ARP synthesizer is You!

NAMM 2026 would not have been possible without the help of the following people and companies:

Thank you to Korg, Inc for the Korg Collection Giveaway and helping us make NAMM possible.

Thank you to Sean Weizmann of Arturia for the midi controller

Thank you to Beyer Dynamics for the headphones

Thank you to Ryan Hawkins of Hawkins Restorations for use of his Blue Meanie, Tonus 2600, OMNI and Odyssey, and for being the best Booth volunteer along with his assistant Miles.

Thank you to Julie Lewis for volunteering at the booth and for her donation last year of a rare ARP Soloist that was owned and played wonderful late husband synth legend Don Lewis.

Thank you to our Board Member and booth volunteer Stephen DeJesus for selfless assistance at both NAMM and Buchla & Friends.

Thank you also to Chris Cardone, Joe Castronovo, Tom Cusimano, Deanna DelVino, Rich Formidoni, Martin Gore, Andy Joyce, Brian Kehew, Ruperto Ifil, Mary Lock, Anthony Marinelli, Mark Marshall, Mike Metlay, LaMar Mitchell, Tony Notron, Drew Schlesinger, James Terris and Brianna Tortino,

View our West Coast photo dump!"



Pictured:

Top: The great Stevie Wonder w/ ARP Foundation's Dina Pearlman-Ifil.

Middle: "Richard Devine giving the Blue Meanie a run for its money." Check out the video here.

Bottom: ?! :)

Serviced ARP Omni 2 Synthesizer with Synthchaser MIDI, LED Sliders & Road Case

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"Here's a nice, restored ARP Omni 2... with MIDI!! This synthesizer has just been fully serviced by Synthchaser, the United States' top ARP specialist - recapped, new key bushings, new LED sliders, clean, fully functional, calibrated, in tune and sounding great. And best of all, this has been fitted with the Synthchaser MIDI Adapter! This keyboard is the sound of Joy Division and is all over The Cars' "Moving In Stereo", and many other late 70's/early 80's albums. It produces the lush Solina/String Ensemble sounds plus has a polyphonic synthesizer section with a voltage controlled filter, LFO, and ADSR, and a dedicated bass synthesizer section.

Excellent condition, with some marks on the right leather side panel. Includes a road case that needs new foam and to be aired out as it smells musty. See photos for condition. This synth was serviced by Synthchaser (the top ARP specialist) in February 2026. Work done included:

Synthchaser MIDI Adapter - Supports MIDI IN and THRU (only an "IN" jack has been fitted on this synthesizer). Configurable MIDI channel and starting key on your MIDI controller.

Synthchaser Precision LED slider upgrade. All 15 of the old original sliders have been replaced with new, smooth, high precision LED illuminated sliders (purple color--think Prince!). The difference in the way these sliders feel and perform compared to the originals is a huge improvement.

Power supply rebuilt - All tantalum and electrolytic capacitors in the power supply have been replaced, and high quality, high temperature 105 deg C capacitors have been used for the power supply filter capacitors.

All tantalum capacitors replaced - The tantalum capacitors in ARP synths are ticking time bombs. All of the over 100 tantalum capacitors in this synth, including the power supply and filter submodule, have been replaced with electrolytics to help provide stable operation for years to come.

Synthchaser 4075 Filter Enhancement Kit Installed - The ARP Omni uses the same 4075 filter submodule found in the Odyssey, Quadra, Avatar, and Pro DGX. This has been recapped, and enhanced to provide superior frequency response.

Keyboard rebuild - New key bushings installed, buss bar & key contacts cleaned and adjusted, keybed leveled, keys cleaned

Oscilloscope calibration - Fully calibrated to factory spec using oscilloscope and frequency counter."

CLICK FOR MORE »

RetroSound Studio Tour: Classic Analog String Machines from the 70s and 80s

video upload by RetroSound

"Step inside RetroSound Studio for an in-depth studio tour focused on classic analog string machines from the golden era of the 70s and 80s.

In this video, I showcase my collection of vintage string synthesizers, legendary analog ensemble keyboards that shaped the sound of disco, prog rock, synth-pop, ambient, and early electronic music. These iconic instruments are known for their lush chorus effects, warm analog tone, and unmistakable vintage character.

From rare string machines to well-loved classics, this studio tour is a deep dive into the history, sound, and vibe of analog synth technology that continues to inspire modern music production today.

Whether you’re a synth enthusiast, producer, collector, or just love retro sounds, this tour of RetroSound Studio highlights why analog string machines remain timeless.

Stringmachine list:
0:07 Logan String Melody 2
1:30 Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus Mk2
4:38 Crumar Performer B
7:53 Korg EPS-1
10:03 ARP Quadra
13:50 Rmif Opus
15:29 Elektronika EM-26

The analog string machine playlist:"



Shop: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com/
Bandcamp: https://retrosound.bandcamp.com/"

Couple's night - Synth style

video upload by Mutt Retro

"Maybe one day I'll record this track...."

Ambient electronic Meditation 04 - winter sonata - #arturia #minifreak #moogsynthesizer #solina

video upload by RandomVoltage

"Instruments/ setup

Arturia Minifreak - pad sounds

Moog dfam - bass rhythm

Moog mother32 + Moog subharmonicon - brass lead Patched back and forth for filter modulation/ also used the mixer and lfo from Moog labyrinth

Moog spectravox - mainly using the lfo to modulate the solina vca/ noise rhythm to the end- triggered with Moog labyrinth

Behringer Solina- String Sound played with Arturia keystep (vca lfo modulation)

Arp2600 - self running percussion rhythm

Analogue Solutions Nyborg- noise fx

Effects

Eventide Blackhole, strymon bluesky and el capstain, Boss Space Echo

Recorded live with Zoom livetrak l6"

Richard Devine on a Tonus ARP 2600 (1971) #namm2026

video upload by SynthAddict

SWITCHTRIX ELECTRONICS KS SEQUENCER WITH INTERFACE/ARP ODYSSEY

video upload by SWITCHTRIX ELECTRONICS

"Our recreation of the classic KS sequencer using the output interface to connect to an ARP ODYSSEY.

This allows the KS to connect to 1V/oct synths or MK1 EMS Synthi/VCS3

For more info contact

mail@switchtrix.co.uk"

Red version in previous posts here.

ARP Pro-DGX Monophonic Analog Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"This ARP Pro-DGX is a thirty preset monophonic analog synth with digital controls. The 37-note keybed has aftertouch for volume, brilliance, vibrato, wow, growl, and bend effects - and even all at once if you desire! A few basic filter, envelope and LFO controls allow some tweaking of the preset sounds. Get your classic Tony Banks sounds with this unique Arp - no other synth sounds quite like it."

CLICK FOR MORE »

ARP Odyssey Mk II 2813 with Sub-Oscillator Kit Installed SN 1157

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"The Odyssey was Arp's competition to the Minimoog in the 1970s. It is a 37-note two-oscillator analog synth, and it has a duophonic keyboard, meaning that you can play two notes at once (for which the Odyssey assigns one oscillator to each note). This Odyssey also has our Sub-Oscillator Kit installed which gives it square-wave sub-oscillators for each of the Odyssey's VCOs, and a control potentiometer for mixing in the amount of each sub. The resulting sound is monstrous!

This Odyssey is a Mk II model 2813 and it is in good condition. It was serviced by our technicians and is ready for many more years of use. It really is a perfect addition to any stage or studio."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage ARP SYNTHESIZER Brochure Catalog

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

ARPf returns to the West Coast!

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation

ARPf returns to the West Coast!

Yep - we're headed back to California for NAMM - and more! Here's the scoop:

Events

Thursday January 22:
Registration opens for our NAMM giveaway!
Friday January 23:
Anthony Marinelli at our booth

Blue Meanie All Day: See the rarest ARP there is! Nicknamed the "Blue Marvin" after ARP's CFO, Marvin Cohen, due to its bright blue metal case and unique features - while the actual name was "Blue Marvin," the nickname "Blue Meanie" stuck! Only about 25 were made in 1971, making them highly sought after.

ARP 2600: Drew Schlesinger demonstrates patches using the 2600 software included in the Korg Collection VST
Saturday January 24
Artists at our booth - TBA

Giveaways at 4:00pm:

Poster signed by Martin Gore
Soul of the Machine CDs

And one lucky person will win the full Korg Collection 6:

Magical sounds, authentically re-created by KORG.
The ultimate synthesizer suite for the ages.

The KORG Collection is a suite of software synthesizers that methodically and accurately recreates the authentic sound and behavior of legendary KORG synthesizers for the present day and beyond. The KORG Collection project began with analogue synths such as the MS-20, Polysix and Mono/Poly, and has steadily evolved to include digital synths such as the world’s most popular synth, the legendary microKORG, the workstation classics M1 and TRITON, and physical modeling synthesis from the renowned Prophecy. The KORG Collection even includes the ARP ODYSSEY and ARP 2600, both revived for the 21st century by KORG.

In 2025, KORG added three legendary instruments to the KORG Collection – each an icon of its era, celebrated for their distinctive presence and heard over decades in countless classic tracks. The TRINITY, PS-3300 and SGX-2.

As if NAMM weren't enough all on its own - there's Buchla & Friends on Sunday, January 24.

Buchla & Friends is January’s biggest two-day collection of hands-on synths on the West Coast! If you love creative sound, you need to be here. With a pre-party on Thursday, afterparty on Saturday, and two days of exploring all the greatest gear, Buchla & Friends is an essential start to the new year.

They're gathering over 90 synth makers in one awesome Downtown Los Angeles location so you can learn, listen, and live the latest in electronic music sound production. This hands-on, headphones-only gathering gives you a chance to hear the best sounds science has ever created. From additive to subtractive, analog to digital, keyboards to breath, audio to visual, modular to full-size polyphonic, eurorack to Serge to Buchla, you’ll meet synth makers and synth enthusiasts alike.

Register on eventbrite: https://bnf26.eventbrite.com

NAMMSALE!

We're celebrating NAMM with a sale - up to 15% off everything in the shop!

14-pin ARP Synthesizer Ribbon Cables

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

Synth art?

"Lot of 6 used 14 pin ribbon cables from ARP synthesizers. 5x 6" cables and 1x 24" cable. Some pins are bent, but not broken and they should be able to be bent back with some tweezers."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Recreating String Ensemble sound with Poly Synth

video upload by George B.

"Today I used my OBX8 to recreate the ARP string Ensemble sound. By breaking down how the String Ensemble worked internally, I used what I learned to simulate the ensemble effect. Also I have a three channel ensemble board from an 80's organ that I built into an effects box. So I could compare my settings. Hope you like it!

0:00 Chapter 1 Intro
1:29 Modulation
3:12 Settings
5:12 Double Mode
6:20 Demo - Check this out...playing the string sound over a sequence."

Distortion Spectrum for VCS3, Arp 2600, Moog Voyager, Mellotron and Percussion

video upload by R. Reger

"Most of the instruments on this track were run through a Fairfield Circuitry 20% More Slew Limiting Distortion pedal, which facilitates an enormous range of distortion options, from the familiar to the very unfamiliar."

Antonus Step Brother DIY - Test Drive w/ A2600, SR-909 and Fractal VP4

video upload by Tumeni Knobs

"It took a couple of months, spending a few hours on weekends, but I got it done! And it's very cool. This demo is pretty rough, but highlights a bunch of the key features of the Step Brother and the "performability" it offers.

See my full build log here: https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/view...

In this setup, the Steda SR-909 is sending midi clock to the Step Brother and the VP4 to keep them in sync. Step Brother is configured to run 2x8 step sequences on channels A and B. Channel A quantized CV output is sent to the 2600 mult and then routed to the CV inputs of oscillators 1 and 2. Channel B quantized CV output is sent to the CV input of oscillator 3.

Step Brother Gate Bus 1 is routed to the 2600 main gate input and triggering the 2600's ADSR envelope. SB Gate Bus 2 is triggering the envelope on the Step Brother and audio out of Osc 3 on the 2600 is routed to one of the VCAs on the Step Brother which is controlled by the Step Brother's envelope. That is then routed back to the 2600's mixer.

Audio out of the 2600 is routed to the VP4, and then routed to the ALA Bartender along with the audio of the SR-909. Output from the Bartender is sent to the iRig Pro and recorded on iPhone with the video.

Cheers!"

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"Just thought I would try a little something fun...the title says it all. 0 to 80's in 80 seconds. Enjoy. Certified AI free and no traces of softsynths!

Drums - Oberheim DX Stretch, Korg DDD-1 - just a snare on 2 and 4 with mostly just the reverb return from a Roland SDE-330 non-lin setting, Roland TR8S - some perc and a ghost snare from the 707 kit.

Oberheim OB-8

Korg DW-8000

Bass - Roland D-50 patch also triggering a Roland JX8P and Korg Polysix to fatten and double it

Ensoniq ESQ - A nice PPG Wave patch from a sound cartridge I have for it.

Sequential Rev 2 also triggering a bell patch on the Yamaha TG33

Yamaha DX7iiD - nice dual patch one a rhodes type and the other a tine from the many banks on the Hypersynth card to finish it off and play out on."

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 2

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"80's in 80 Seconds Episode 2 has landed! The first one was a bit fun so let's keep the theme going. This one starts off with a nice "groove" and builds with some synths spanning the decade. If you listen past the 80 seconds the Arp Odyssey briefly shows off its duo-phonic capabilities with a few 2 note chords that almost have a vocoder like effect with the phaser on it just after the 2 minute mark.
The following instruments were used and recorded as a 2 track with no editing or overdubs with each part being played into a pair of Arturia Keystep Pro sequencers. As always, AI free and made with real ingredients. Thanks for watching!

Oberheim DX Stretch - main drums
Korg DDD-1 - perc
Roland TR8-S - additional high hats, rim shot, crash
Berhinger - Model D - Bass
Roland Jupiter 4 - Arp
Korg PolySix - Synth Brass Pad 1
Roland Jupiter 6 - Synth layer 2
Yamaha DX7II - Bell 1
Roland D-50 - Bell 2
Arp Solina - Strings
Arp Odyssey Mkii 2810 - Lead"

Matt Barber - 80's in 80 seconds - Episode 3

video upload by Matt Barber - Sounds from The Sandbox

"80's in 80 seconds episode 3 is here to start of the New Year! I thought something "new" should be in 'order' after the busy holiday period. Several familiar sounds in this one that can most likely been dialed in on many synths of the era but this one builds with the hardware listed below. All natural...Certified AI and VST free. Thanks for listening!

Drums -
Korg DDD-1 to start with the first hi-hat
Oberhiem DX Stretch - Main kick, beat kick, snare, additional hi-hat, clap, and rim shot
Roland TR-8S - a little kick for attack, snare ghost notes, and high hat movement

Pad 1 - Oberheim OB-8

BASS - Berhinger Pro 1 and Poly D played with the arpeggio on on the Keystep Pro

Pad 2 - Roland D50 layered with Roland JX-8P and Korg DW8000

Bell - DX 7 ....of course it is!

ARP Chords - Roland Jupiter 4."

Stranger Things 'Kids' Synth Cover using Prophet-6 and T-16 (based on ARP 2600)

video upload by Nitecaller.

"#StrangerThings has given me so much life and inspiration over the last decade, but maybe more importantly it gave us one of greatest soundtracks ever, composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein.

I’ve been learning the parts and playing this theme for years now and it never gets old. Feels good to finally put together a proper cover of it. Using only two synths; the Prophet-6 (which the composers use heavily) and the T-16; my custom-built synth also inspired by the gear of the composers (ARP 2600). [see the Nitecaller label for more]

Prophet-6: Lead parts and SFX
T-16: Bass and outro arpeggio

Hellfire Lives.

#strangerthings #strangerthings5 #synthesizer #cover #prophet6 #arp2600"

The Sound of Berlin ~ Masquerade ~ Vintage Synthesizer Recreation

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-26 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

One of my favorite tracks from the early 80s.
Masquerade by Berlin from the album Pleasure Victim (1982)
Produced by Daniel R. Van Patten


Featured the Sequential Pro-One and the ARP Quadra Synthesizer
The guitar parts I made with the E-MU and EHX Big Muff, Memory man Deluxe pedals

Shop: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com/
Bandcamp: https://retrosound.bandcamp.com/"

And the original:

Berlin - Masquerade

video upload by snidelywhiplash

"Promotional video for Berlin's 'Masquerade,' off the amazing 1982 album 'Pleasure Victim.'"

The Alan R Pearlman Foundation's Year in Review

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"From a Compilation to a Concert Celebration, our year celebrating our namesake's Centenary has been amazing! Share our journey!

Music by Lisa Bella Donna & Shawn Johnson

Purchase Soul of the Machine at https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandc...

2025 Sponsors:
Korg, Cherry Audio, Moog Music, Manny Fernandez, Tom Rhea, Rosen Sound

2025 Partners:
Bell Tone Synth Works, CMS, CatSynth TV, EMEAP/MMT, Eric Crawley/Dan Gilbert, Interage MediaWorks, Knobcon, Korg, Anthony Marinelli Music, Antonus, Mashina Bristronica, NAMM Museum of Making Music, Vito Nandi, New England Synth Fest, Projekt Records, Steve Roach, Round & Wound, the SynthCave, SynthCube, Synthtopia, Synthetic Dreamscapes, The Record Co. (TRC), Sharon Wasko Designs

Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, interns, friends and partners including (but not limited to) Alex Ball, Antonus, David Baron, Lisa Bella Donna, Chris Cardone, Jon Carin, Alison Cassidy, Nick Carlisle, Phil & Linda Cirocco, Mike Cushing, Tom Cusimano, Eric Crawley, Stephen DeJesus, Rich Formidoni, John Foxx, Dan Gilbert, Patrick Gleason, Herbie Hancock, Martin Gore, Rupert Greenall, Ryan Hawkins, Mary Lock, Mark Marshall, Machina Bristronica, David Mash, Steve McQuarry, Bill T. Miller, LaMar Mitchell, Chris Meyer, NE Synth Festival, Nicola Joss, Ruperto Ifil, Brian Kehew, Anthony Marinelli, Tom Piggot,TRC (The Record Co). EMEAPP/MMT, Mary Lock, David Mash, Matrix Synth, Michelle Moog-Koussa, Tony Norton, Jim Michmerhuizen, Mike Metlay, C. Carl Peters, Rob Puricelli, ProSynth Network, Drew Raison, Steve Roach, Sam Rosenthal, Drew Schlesinger, Don Slepian, Steve Smith, SynthTopia, the NAMM Museum, the MiDI Association, Real World Studios, Gerson Rosenbloom, Collin Russell, James Thirlwell, Pete Townshend, the Townshend Studio, and Andrew Ward"