ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GIVING TUESDAY INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

Press release follows.

The Foundation Announces the First Publicly-Accessible ARP 2500 in the USA

STONE RIDGE, NY, November 28, 2023: Thanks to a generous donation by former ARP employee Bruce McLendon, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is welcoming a 2508 Wing Cabinet into its collection of legendary ARP synthesizers.

This 2508 cabinet was assembled as a complete self-contained 2500 synthesizer featuring original oscillator, filter, sequencer, envelope and mix-sequencer modules, all linked by the flexible 2500 patch matrix system. It also contains a new oscillator module designed and built for the Foundation by Phil Cirocco of CMS (Discrete Music Systems).

The ARP Foundation is launching an IndieGogo campaign to raise funds to complete the restoration of what will become the only publicly-accessible ARP 2500 synthesizer in the USA, and to bolster its ARPs For All Program in preparation for the 2500’s arrival.

View the Campaign!

About the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation:

The ARP Archives & The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Its mission is to celebrate the legacy of inventor, musician, entrepreneur and engineer Alan R. Pearlman, by making his innovative inventions publicly accessible, and by inspiring future generations to imagine and create. Alan R. Pearlman was a pioneer in the electronic music world, and the founder of ARP Synthesizers, a leading synthesizer manufacturer in the 1970s. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving his legacy, and is committed to creating opportunities for emerging artists, sound designers and electronic music entrepreneurs.

Among their missions is enabling artists and designers to use rare, vintage ARP synthesizers, as well as recording and production equipment - which they’ve successfully accomplished with the ARPs For All Program in cooperation with their partners at The Record Co. in Boston, MA

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Side note for synth history's sake: The New England Synthesizer Museum supposedly had the first ARP 2500 on display, but it was non functional when I visited, and the museum no longer around. The owner/curator David Hillel Wilson passed away back in 2010.

ARPs For All! // The ARP Foundation at Knobcon 2023 with Dina Pearlman & Chris Meyer

video upload by DivKid

"Here I talk with Dina Pearlman (Alan R Pearlman's daughter) and Chris Meyer (a new board member) from the ARP Foundation. We find out about what the ARP Foundation is as well as a new venture with arps for all, which through a partnership with TRC (The Record Co) they're amassing a collection of historic ARP instruments to make them accessible to everyone, based out of Boston, Massachusetts, USA."

ARP Foundation // https://bit.ly/ARPfoundation
The Record co (partner in Boston) // https://bit.ly/RecordCo

A Conversation with Alan Howarth: A Halloween Watchparty!

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

Note: "For those attending the watch party on Monday if you make a donation during the premiere, your name will be put into a drawing for a poster or tee shirt from our shop (don't forget to check out new merch!) The winner announced on Halloween."

"Right in time for Halloween! Join d'ARP (Dina Pearlman-Ifil) as she chats with Alan Howarth about his life and work as a Music Composer, Sound Designer and Producer!

Alan Howarth’s award–winning film work started on Star Trek–The Motion Picture, launching him as a sound designer for the following 6 Star Trek feature films. Next was 'Escape From New York', collaborating on music with director and composer, John Carpenter, and scoring for 'Halloween sequels 2–6″, 'Christine', 'Big Trouble in Little China', 'Prince of Darkness' and 'They Live'. He has since composed music for over 50 films with his most current score of “From the Shadows” set to release in this fall of 2023. (read more on his website: https://alanhowarth.com/)

Stick around after the Interview for a special Demonstration video with Alan discussing and makeing some of his sound-making techniques. Not to be missed! You'll have time for a short break, then go right to the video!"

Alan Howarth - Demonstration! (premiers at 3:30 PM after the above show)

video upload by

"After the initial visit with Alan Howarth, d'ARP (Dina Pearlman-Ifil) and Alan met once again where he shows how he created patches for his new and upcoming films! Celebrate Halloween and learn how to make some really cool sounds!"

"Other details...
The watch party is FREE, however, if you choose to donate during the watch party, your name will be put into a drawing for a poster or tee shirt from our shop (don't forget to check out new merch!)The winner will be announced on Halloween."

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

"Prize details:

For those attending the watch party on Monday if you make a donation during the premiere, your name will be put into a drawing for a poster or tee shirt from our shop (don't forget to check out new merch!) The winner announced on Halloween."

The First Ever all ARP 2500 Album Opens for Preorder Today on BandCamp

via the Alan R Pearlman Foundation

It's BandCamp Friday, and we have a treat for you!

The first ever all ARP 2500 album opens for preorder today on BandCamp!

Check out the album Now!

The ARP 2500 by David Baron
Distrubuted by Here & Now Recordings

About the Album:

Although it went largely unnoticed at the time, the 2500 became one of the most famous synthesizers in history when it was featured prominently in the film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, where it was used to communicate with an alien spaceship.

ARP instruments founder Alan Robert Pearlman was a Nasa scientist. Between 1970 and 1981 only 100 ARP 2500's were ever made, each a custom order, no standard configurations. ARP 2500 one of Jean-Michel Jarre's favourite instruments. All the sounds are completely unique. You pretty much need a degree in physics to operate one!

Pete Townsend "Mine plays six notes at once, can have 20 sets of preset control voltages available, six audio signals mixed and instantly usable at various levels. The most incredibly subtle tone colours can be produced using the multimode resonator in conjunction with a normal filter, and the sequencer will provide exhilarating cascades of arpeggios."

David Baron "The Arp 2500 was the only sound source. I sequenced one or two patches at a time and then built the compositions in layers. A lot of the audio FX were created through the use of pedals. The reverberation came from the Bricasti, EMT 240 Plate, Roland Space Echo 501, and a Vermona Spring Reverb. The Arp 2500 always ran through the Avedis Key Pre. I used very little dynamic compression/limiting. Time delay effects were mostly created ‘in the box’ but also with rack mount outboard including the AMS Tape Phase Simulator, an Eventide Instant Flanger, and a MXR Flanger/Doubler. The instrument stays in tune (for the most part). The filters can distort so some care has to be used when gain staging. The envelopes are very snappy. The sound is beautiful and creamy yet percussive and forward."

About David Baron
Record producer, film composer, musician, arranger, engineer located in the historic Woodstock, New York area. An avid collector of vintage analog synthesizers and recording gear. He owns a private recording studio called Sun Mountain Studios located on top of a mountain overlooking the Ashokan Reservoir.

Some artists he has worked with: Lumineers, Shania Twain, Jade Bird, Shawn Mendes, Vance Joy, Meghan Trainor, Lenny Kravitz, Jeremiah Fraites, Josin, Matt Maeson and Lana Del Rey.

He blends retro and modern, orchestrated and raw. The contrast that brings out the emotion of a scene or in a song.

David releases his own music on UK-based Here and Now Recordings.

Album Credits
Releases November 17, 2023

Written recorded and produced by David Baron

Album cover designed by Dina Pearlman-Ifil derived from an old ARP 2500 brochure originally designed by Margaret Shepherd in 1970 for Tonus, Inc / ARP Instruments.
Photograph courtesy of the Alan R Pearlman Foundation
alanrpearlmanfoundation.org

About the Alan R Pearlman Foundation
The ARP Archives & The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is a small, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our mission is to celebrate the legacy of inventor, musician, entrepreneur and engineer Alan R. Pearlman, by making his innovative inventions publicly accessible, and by inspiring future generations to imagine and create.

DONATE TODAY

ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Press release follows:

The ARP Foundation Strengthens its Mission

Kingston, NY, AUGUST 31, 2023– The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation has welcomed three new appointees to its Board of Directors: Chris Meyer, Collin Russell, and Andrew Schlesinger.

Chris Meyer
As a teenager in the 70s, Chris Meyer took lessons on piano, bass, and modular synthesizers. He went on to write code and help design products for Sequential Circuits, Digidesign, Tom Oberheim, and Roland R&D where he was chief engineer. He is perhaps best known as the creator of Vector Synthesis. >

Chris also taught synthesis at UCLA Extension, wrote numerous articles for Music Technology Magazine plus a column for Keyboard Magazine, and was technical chairman of the MIDI Manufacturers Association where he authored several additions to the spec including MIDI Time Code.

After a two-decade detour in the video and film industry, he recently returned to modular synthesis, creating videos, courses, and articles under the name Learning Modular, and co-authored the popular book Patch & Tweak. Proving that one who teaches can also “do”, most recently he has been focusing on composing and performing sweeping, emotional electronic music under the name Alias Zone which combines synthesizers, samplers, field recordings, and percussion instruments.

Collin Russell

Collin Russell is a composer, sound designer, and educator specializing in modular synthesis and through-composed electronic music. In addition to creating sound libraries and scoring music for films, Collin releases his own personal music in genres ranging from ambient to harsh noise. His process is rooted in the melding of traditional harmonic and rhythmic structures with organic modulations, bridging the gap between familiar and explorative sound.

Synth Gems 1 and Inspire the Music – 50 Years of Roland History.

Andrew Schlesinger

Drew Schlesinger is a renowned professional sound designer who has been involved in creating patches for synthesizers, effects and software products beginning with the Casio CZ-101 in 1984. He’s developed internal presets for over two hundred devices from thirty different manufacturers including Roland, Korg, EMU, Kurzweil, Alesis, Sony, Yamaha, Eventide, Lexicon and Sound Toys among many others.

He's recognized as one of the most prolific and accomplished sound programmers in the MI industry and has created seminal sounds and effects that include “Crystal Echoes” (Shimmer), the “Black Hole” reverb for Eventide and “Prophetic Steps” for Korg’s Prophecy synthesizer.

Drew was recently presented with the Golden Knob Lifetime Achievement Award at the Knobcon 2022 for his work in synth sound design and the contributions to the electronic music community. He’s also included in NAMM’s Oral History Series and is a frequent podcast guest.


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"We’re very excited to welcome these talented professionals into our Board of Directors," said Dina Alcalay Pearlman-Ifil, founder and Executive Director of the ARP Foundation and daughter of Alan R. Pearlman. "These three new Directors are well-recognized in their fields and we’re looking forward to their contributions bringing the Foundation’s efforts to the next level.”

The ARP Foundation continues its work with contributors, collaborators, vendors, manufacturers, venues, and synthesizer owners to provide music students with access to vintage ARP synthesizers to explore the endless possibilities of electronic music. The Foundation relies on donors to continue its mission, and encourages everyone who understands the importance of music education to visit https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org to learn more and pledge their support.

1970's ARP Demo featuring Tom Piggott & Conversations with Tom Piggott & Greg Phillinganes

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"PLEASE NOTE: The beginning of the video is glitchy... both the sound and video will resolve at between 1:30 and 2:07.

Originally aired on WOVB-TV, in association with The Ohio University Telecommunications Center, this is one of several UMATIC demo tapes found in a box when d'ARP (Dina Pearlman-Ifil, Alan Pearlman's daughter) was going through her father's effects.

Tom Piggott was one of several educators that worked at ARP Instruments in the 1970s. He worked closely with Al, helping write the classic: 'Learning Music with Synthesizers' David Friend, Alan R. Pearlman, Thomas D. Piggott)."

A Conversation with Tom Piggott


"d'ARP had several conversations with Tom over the past few years. This interview highlights some recent footage.

Tom Piggott has been a product specialist and clinician for numerous companies, including ARP, CRUMAR, SYNERGY and more, and worked with Peter Nero, Stevie Wonder, Nyle Steiner, Linda McCartney, Vangellis, John Entwhistle, Klaus Schulze,T Lavitz, Wendy Carlos, Dr. Richard Boulanger, Mike Bergeman, Donald Fagan, Edgar Winter, Tom Coster, Jimmy Page, Roger Powell, Jerry Kovarski, and many others.

Tom Piggott was one of several educators that worked at ARP Instruments in the 1970s. He worked closely with Al, helping write the classic: 'Learning Music with Synthesizers' David Friend, Alan R. Pearlman, Thomas D. Piggott)."

A Conversation with Greg Phillinganes


"D'ARP has a conversation about ARP Synthesizers with Greg Phillinganes, who has recorded or toured with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, George Harrison, the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Anita Baker, George Benson, Karen Carpenter, Eric Clapton, Donald Fagen, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Michael Jackson, Richard Marx, Paul McCartney, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, and Stevie Nicks (whew!)!"

Alan R Pearlman's Birthday Celebration!

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Celebrate Alan R Pearlman's Birthday!
New Merchandise in Store
New Lost ARP Tape
Exclusive video interviews
Our Five Dollar Challenge

Consider a small monthly donation. Many of us are feeling economic pressure these days. A monthly pledge of as little as $5 dollars a month would enable us to not only maintain our ARPs for ALL instruments, but also pay for digitizing Alan Pearlman’s archives, remastering the Lost ARP Tapes and launching our Artist-in-Residency program.

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/d...
https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/a..."

A Conversation with Lisa Bella Donna and d'ARP Watchparty!

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Join us for a YouTube watch party to celebrate the new release Systers of Synth / Medusa from Lisa Bella Donna with Dina Pearlman-Ifil. Recorded in the summer of 2022, in Lisa's remote Appalichian studio, this full-length album showcases Lisa's talents using multiple ARP synthesizers and featuring d'ARP on two pieces.

This interview discusses all aspects of synthesis, pairing ARPs with Moogs, the influence of these instruments on modern music, celebrates the process and joy of collaboration, influences of our elders and how these instruments are as vital today as the day they were first made!

For those attending the watch party on Tuesday, if you make a donation during the Pemiere, your name will be put into a drawing. Two prizes will be given, a CD download and a poster, printed on fine art paper using the Giclee method.

Stick around after the show for a chance to ask Lisa and Dina questions.

DONATE: bit.ly/arp-foundation-donation
Purchase CD on BandCamp: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandc..."

LISA BELLA DONNA AND DINA PEARLMAN-IFIL ANNOUNCE ALBUM RELEASE “SYSTERS IN SYNTHS

March 8, 2023, Kingston, New York In conjunction with International Women's Day March 8, 2023, we are happy to announce a new music release featuring all-new works by Lisa Bella Donna (multi-instrumentalist and Sorceress of Synthesis) with Alan's daughter Dina Pearlman-Ifil (keyboardist and bassist.) All proceeds to benefit the Alan R Pearlman Foundation

Systers in Synths / Medusa was recorded in Lisa's Appalachian Mountain studio over the weekend of July 29-30th, 2022. This full-length album features one composition by Lisa Bella Donna, and two collaborations between Lisa and Dina. The instruments used in recording and production are almost entirely ARP vintage or ARP inspired instruments and reissues including the ARP 2600 (original and Korg), ARP String Ensemble, ARP Odyssey, Antonus Step Brother, Moog Sequencers, ARP Omni, and a Multimode filter by Lower West Side Studio.

To purchase, go to the Foundation’s BandCamp Page (all proceeds go to the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation)

For more information about the Foundation, visit alanrpearlmanfoundation.org

DONATE TODAY

The Glorious ARP Quadra from 1978!

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the famous ARP Quadra from 1978.

Huge thank you to Andrew "The Quadra" Ward for the loan!
https://www.instagram.com/arpquadra

Download the song (all proceeds to the Alan R Pearlman Foundation):
https://alexball.bandcamp.com/track/a...

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

ARP Quadra Playlist:

• ARP QUADRA SONGS

0:00 Intro Jam
1:17 Talk: The Quadra
1:37 Demo 1: Skeleton Dance
2:47 The Four Sections
4:40 Talk: It's Very Simple
5:49 Demo 2: Legit Carpentry
6:51 Talk: Memory?
8:08 Demo 3: Band Member
9:05 Talk: That Keyboard
10:51 Demo 4: Fresh Lineup
12:05 Summary
14:06 Feature Track: Make It Happen"

A Conversation with Herbie Hancock

video upload by

"On October 18th of 2022, Herbie Hancock sat down with d'ARP (Dina Pearlman-Ifil, daughter of Alan R Pearlman, the creator of ARP Synthesizers) and gracefully shared his time with her to discuss a myriad of subjects: from his early years of Crossings (Mwandishi Sextet) to the Head Hunters album, to sound tracks; from Civil Rights to Covid, to the state of the planet and the future generations of music. A wonderful glimpse of a creative giant who got his start in electronic music using ARP Synthesizers.

DONATE: bit.ly/arp-foundation-donation

For those attending the watch party on Thursday, if you make a donation during the premiere, your name will be put in a drawing for a Software download!!!"

Haasan Barclay demos the ARPs at ARPs for All!

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Haasan Barclay (@HaasanBarclay) for ARPs for All! Check out ARPs for All on the Alan R Pearlman website and learn more about this project that brings rare, vintage ARPs into the hands of composers, performers and designers at Boston's own TRC (The Record Co) https://www.therecordco.org/"

Herbie Hancock :Trailer PSA by Dina Pearlman-Ifil

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"A short introduction to the 2023 ARPchives LIVE! Series by Executive Director Dina Pearlman-Ifil. We are proud to kick off the series with A Conversation with Herbie Hancock."

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

"On October 18th of 2022, Herbie Hancock sat down with d'ARP (Dina Pearlman-Ifil, daughter of Alan R Pearlman, the creator of ARP Synthesizers) and gracefully shared his time with her to discuss a myriad of subjects: from his early years of Crossings (Mwandishi Sextet) to the Head Hunters album, to sound tracks; from Civil Rights to Covid, to the state of the planet and the future generations of music. A wonderful glimpse of a creative giant who got his start in electronic music using ARP Synthesizers."

Twenty synth pioneers, three signatures: one historic calendar

via The Bob Moog Foundation

Get your calendar here

"Synth icons Dave Rossum, Roger Linn, and Tom Oberheim have all signed select copies of our "Synth Pioneers" 2022-2023 18-month calendar!

Our epic Synthesizer Pioneers 18-month calendar honors 20 innovators from over the past 60 years, and keeps time through June 2023.

It's the first calendar celebrating the achievements of synthesizer pioneers from all over the world. Each one of these iconic creators is mentioned in our calendar:
Harry Olson
Herbert Belar
Raymond Scott
Harald Bode
Bob Moog
Don Buchla
Peter Zinovieff (EMS)
Alan R. Pearlman (ARP)
Ikutaro Kakahashi (Roland)
Felix Visser (Synton)
Fumio Mieda (KORG)
Dave Smith
Wolfgang Palm (PPG)
Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogel (Fairlight)
Ray Kurzweil
Makoto Fukuda (Casio)

Many of the pioneers contributed photos (some of which are suitable for framing) from their private archives for this collector's item. Also included are dates of historic importance from the timeline of synthesis, many of them provided by the pioneers themselves.

As of publication, there are
just 14 signed copies left.

Tom Oberheim signs a Synth Pioneers calendar at NAMM 2022

All sale proceeds from Synth Pioneers
benefit our work!

CLICK FOR MORE »

New England Synth Fest Set for February 23 at the Boston Museum of Science

"New England Synth Fest presents live music, immersive visuals, and exhibitors at the Museum of Science in Boston. Performances in the Planetarium by ximena with visuals by Ziaire Trinidad Sherman, Mesmers with visuals by Allison Tanenhaus, and the The Square Root of Negative Two. More performances on the Lobby Stage by Black Potion, NoizCode, and Collin Russell. Plus lobby exhibits with our friends Stompbox Sonic, coolpics.biz, synthCube, Circuit Happy, Electronic Audio Experiments, Alan R. Pearlman Foundation, and more.

Lobby experience starts at 7:00pm. Planetarium show at 7:30pm. Get tickets at the Museum of Science website. $15. Last summer, June, July, and August were SOLD OUT. Act fast."

The Alan R Pearlman Foundation 2022 End-of-year recap!

video upload by

"Take a look at what we've been doing this past year! From our special Fiftieth anniversary of the ARP Odyssey celebration to acquiring not one, but TWO vintage ARP Odysseys for ARPs for All and a 16-Voice Piano. We've interviewed Odyssey users from Herbie Hancock to Billy Currie, and were hosted from the UK to LA.

We've also created started some new relationships with SynthCube, SynthPlex, The Museum of Making Music, Beats by Girlz and the New England Synthesizer Festival, visited GForce in England and many friends in Los Angeles.

Next year we are finishing the first round of archiving, and focusing on fundraising for our first Artist-in-Residency and acquisitions of instruments for the ARPs for All collection.

Soundtracik used with permission and composed by James Martin
Spiritual Beings by Golden Temples (https://goldentemples.bandcamp.com)
performed, composed, arranged, mixed and mastered by James Martin
Art direction and graphics: James Martin"

Happy Holidays From The R. Pearlman Foundation

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"from A Christmas Yet to Come by Joseph Byrd
Orchestrated and performed on an ARP 2600 with an Oberheim Expander Module, a Graphic Equalizer, a Lamb 420 Mixer, and recorded on Sony 850-4 and 850-2 tape recorders © 1975 Takoma Records

Cover Art Stephani Pyron"

via The R. Pearlman Foundation "The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation wishes you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season!"

The Story of a Blue Meanie -- um, Marvin

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"The Story of how a Blue Marvin was rescued. by an unsuspecting guitarist in New Jersey and ended up with a new life in California. Demonstrations, details of the restoration, lore of the famous and rare instrument and more. With Ryan Hawkins and Dina Pearlman-Ifil."

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

Alan R Pearlman Foundation Black Friday Sale

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation

"Own a classic! The ARP logo tee with orange/red ARP is a classic that is instantly recognized in music circles... hand-silk screened on quality cotton, get yours in classic tee, tank top, women's cut, or a soft, soft hoodie. Last order of the year being printed next week. 10% off for all till November 30. Check them out at our online shop.

Shopping and supporting a cause

All money goes to the ARPf, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, which is creating music-making opportunities on rare vintage keyboards and synths through our ARPs for ALL project and preserving the founder of ARP Synthesizer's legacy!

We are also selling new Pete Townshend posters, and new Odyssey tee shirts and prints."

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Be sure to check out the banners on the right, here on MATRIXSYNTH, for additional Black Friday sales.

Lost ARP Tapes Channel 5, 1974

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"A rare glimpse of Alan R Pearlman in the ARP Instruments plant in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, June 9, 1074. With David Friend, and images of the ARP production team making the legendary synthesizers!"

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/