"Made in the late 70's, this company Mediamix made these awesome joystick controllers that could be interfaced with Moogs, ARPs and Oberheim synthesizers. This one had been used with an Oberheim TVS-1 Two Voice Synthesizer. The controller is in excellent physical condition, but is untested and sold as-is. Obviously from the circular connector, it would take some modifications to the synthesizer to interface this, it's not plug and play."
"As you can see from the pictures, a MediaMix aftermarket kit was installed in this synth. The kit features 3 separate master CV (control voltage) adjustment knobs connected to each SEM, a knob to adjust pitch bend intensity, and a knob to adjust VCF bend intensity. Pitch bend is on the X axis and Filter CV (control voltage) is on the Y axis. The small switches turn on and off their related features. The large switch is not connected. The 5 1/8 in jacks are not connected either.
The 4 switches on the top rail of the synth are part of a kit that is still installed, but no longer connected. The 4 switches could potentially add sine wave capabilities to each SEM, but I am not sure if the kit is working properly."
"Along with the owner's manual and Patch Book, it has a copy of a 2-page hand-written note detailing setup, trim, VCO and VCF calibration and keyboard calibration. The best part of this is the sloppy market notation at the bottom of page 2,
"IF YOU GET IN TROUBLE, CALL:
CLARK FERGUSON OR PHILIP DODDS
965-9700"
Clark Ferguson was ARP's service department manager, and Philip Dodds was VP of engineering. These notes are likely written in Philip Dodds' hand. He was an interesting guy that ended up having a featured role in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" after Spielberg saw him setting up a 2500 to do the big "dum dum dum DUM DAAAAA" thing.
MECHANICS
It is the 2601 V1.0, with the improved jacks that won't flake out and the better sliders. It is the most mechanically advanced ARP 2600 model that still contains the legendary 4012 ladder-type filter that was built too close to Moog's patents for their comfort (an actual lawsuit was never filed)
It comes with the duo phonic 3620 keyboard. Serial numbers match and are in the low 300s.
There is a broken slider at the bottom center of the main panel, although it works and can be adjusted by hand. I am looking for the replacement slider and knob I purchased and hope to include it in the auction. See pictures for detail.
A few of the sliders have scratch. See the video for an example of that.
ELECTRONICS
As just mentioned, it has the 4012 filter. Now, some of these are epoxied and gross. Some of them are copper clad but with sloppy brazing. But some … well, some glow like a beating heart pumping astounding signals through its soldered veins and arteries. This one is like that.
It also has the UN-encapsulated 4027-1 VCOs, which are necessary if you plan to do certain mods.
It also has a mod for a Mediamix Joystick, which I just learned thanks to Phil at CMS and have never looked for one. I have a picture of one for the winner. Owning a Synthi AK I can tell you joysticks are pretty nice to have on your synthesizer!
The capacitors on the power supply are 35 years old and should be replaced soon, according to a bunch of people that seem to feel very strongly about it. CMS sells a power supply you can install yourself, if you're into that kind of thing, for $169."
