via this auction
"This is the original M5 with the black & orange colour scheme, as used for the ARP2600.Note that whilst it ‘looks’ like an ARP2600, the M5's 'sound' is more Moog and Oberheim. (The original ARP2600 stole the Moog filter design of course, hence epoxy sealed units, lawsuit, etc...)
IMO it is sonically much more powerful and versatile than the 2600, based on the dual filter design alone, as outlined below. It has both a Moog 'based' (and classic) transistor ladder 24dB/Oct filter for VCF1, PLUS an Oberheim 'based' State Variable 12dB/Oct filter for VCF2.
As well as dual VCF's, I often used the CV controlled Stereo Pan Amp + Spring Reverb for Stereo FX of one or other, or even a VCF MIX, such that I had 4 audio ‘stems’ per patch for mixing.
A glimpse of the huge flexibility on offer here and that's only on the output... There are more modulation & audio paths possible than I care to mention... 1000's basically!
It has a total of 70 sliders which makes it easier to see the settings at distance for many of the functions, as well as allowing for easier ‘patch mixing’ as one might do or have done on a classic analogue mixing desk. It could be a great educational tool in that regard, or else any synth fan could simply get lost in the possibilities and enjoy the sonic adventures... There is no manual for this synth, so it is assumed you are not a beginner to analogue synthesis & CV control...
As well as using as 2 separate mono synths, the M5 has ‘per Oscillator CV’, allowing you to play 3 note polyphonic chords with the right CV/Gate set-up and opens up another whole area that analogue monosynths can’t access... In Mono mode you can of course easily detune to play ‘fixed’ chords shapes from one note in any case and is great fun to experiment with this alone.
As pictures shows this is a huge synth. As well as the sliders it has 23 rotary/switchable pots and over 100 ¼ jack sockets- not 3.5mm mini-jacks as on the 2600.
I planned to buy as a synth 'for life' but a new venture now requires serious funds. I have had 9 years of sonic fun on this amazing synth and now it can be yours..."
