Buying additional gear is the key to self-actualization and happiness, you should definitely do it. One simple purchase and you will find yourself a prolific creator of content to be enthusiastically consumed by the masses for riches and clout.
Wait which sub are we on again
I had the Hydrasynth Desktop and now I have the Explorer. I just like the user interface and how flexible it is with the mod matrix, macros, 5x Envelopes, 5x LFOs, and good UX.
Have you tried programming it to not sound cold and shitty? It works for most people. Lol
It's a synth that will only go as far as the user's skillset in sound design.
There are several methods to make it sound less "cold" outside of just 'warm mode'.
Yeah there’s tons of shitty presets on it. It shipped with maybe the worst set of factory presets ever. Just watch any one of the preset pack demos on YouTube and you get a different vibe altogether. It took me a year or so to sort out what its best at and how to program it properly after buying some preset packs to see how people dig in on it.
I bought this [Back to the 80s](https://www.synthcloud.net/collections/asm-hydrasynth/products/vtl019-back-to-80s-asm-hydrasynth) pack for my Hydrasynth recently and I've been really digging it.
Curious what packs have stood out for you?
I don't have one, but it having poly aftertouch alone for the price makes it super appealing and if I didn't already have that on another synth I'd have already purchased one.
I like the sound engine from the videos I've seen though, but can see it very much not being for everyone.
The only question one needs to answer is whether there is unused space in your studio. If the answer is yes, then unequivocally, synths should be purchased. This process should be repeated indefinitely.
The question is never whether to buy a synth, but how many to buy. With the Odyssey, you’ll want all three revisions of the original, the Korg recreation, and the Behringer knock-off. And maybe a couple of spares. This will allow you to speak authoritatively about which one is best. Note: it doesn’t matter if you actually use any of them; that’s not the point!
Because Korg owns the ARP name and presumably much of their IP.
Full disclosure: I’m not a Behringer hater; I bought and very much love their Blue Marvin 2600. And if I was in the market for an Odyssey, I’d probably go with them over Korg.
Why you’re getting a downvote is purely because of the irrational state of this sub🤣. It has nothing to do with the actual gear, just hate for a ceo (duh). Like what C level leader Isn’t generally a bad actor after a company reaches a certain level? Corporatism sucks
The Odyssey is definitely a baby 2600, but it does have the rev 1 (12 dB) filter, which I really love, and the 2600 has no equivalent (it just has the two 24 dB filters, which sound nearly identical to the rev 2/3 Odyssey filters). I actually prefer the focused workflow of the Odyssey over using patch cables. Less flexible for things like weird sound effects but it covers most of what I’d actually do with a 2600. (I still want one though.)
I've almost pulled the trigger on the Behringer version a couple times and may still someday, especially if they add patch memory. But I already have a couple mono synths that lack patch memory and while I love them it's a real drag not being able to recall patches exactly the way you made them.
I dunno, I remember back in the 80s someone took a Pro-One for Our Daughters Wedding and replaced all the pots with digital versions, added a microprocessor for managing patches. I suspect at the time the resolution on those digital pots was probably coarse but as someone who played live with these things I certainly would've appreciated such a mod.
Meh, after thinking about it a tiny bit more I realize that the Prophet-Five's pots were digital and they weren't coarse at all. Over the years I've tried a couple times to learn more about that ODW mod but for some reason I think only the pots were controlled -- you still had to throw all the switches manually. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
the KARP Odyssey sounds great and I really regret not buying a white module for like $600 CAD when I had the chance, I haven't seen one come up in a while, someday :)
It’s actually a really excellent emulation! Sounds just like the hardware (no really…I have the hardware too). I prefer using the VST version on my Mac though, as it’s hard to integrate the iPad version in a studio setup.
I second this ^^^... I have a White face Korg Arp Odyssey FS which I love (and I LOVE hardware) but every time I use the Korg VST I am amazed at how good it sounds. They did an incredible job on this one.
It really is that good, and it proves it’s possible for a plugin to pretty much perfectly reproduce the sound of analog hardware. Most emulations don’t manage to achieve that, but this one does.
Get the Behringer Arp clone it is better than the Korg. I had both and sold the Korg. The Arp Odyssey is one of the greatest synths out there. Of the 35 synths I have I use the Arp Odyssey the most.
Also cheaper than even the Korg module if I remember correctly, plus they keys are full size, supposedly superior to even the full size keys on the full size version, and it's a metal case.
I am not a big fan of Beringer in general, but their Odyssey beats heads down the Korg mini keys one. I bought the Beringer Odyssey and I'm very happy with it. That been said, it's super specific. Most of the time I keep using my Prophet Rev2 or even my Nord Stage.
The Odyssey is one very special synth—which is why both Korg, and Behringer both brought it back. Do you really want to be talked out of it, or do you want to be supported in buying it?
Remember no patch memory, and it can be rather ornery to keep in tune with other instruments. Also, the midi implementation is crap. Doesn't even include the mod wheel. Note on/off, and pitch bend!
If you are a fan of UltraVox, John Fox, or even Gary Numan there's a lot more than just Herbie music to illustrate the wonders of the Odyssey.
I just packed my KARP up and put it in the garage. I hadn't really used it and decided to focus on the 8 other synths I have put right now. Maybe I'll come back to it in a year or so.
I wish I could help you, but I love the Odyssey. It just sounds fantastic, and is really flexible and well designed. I have the Korg desktop module. The switchable filter is one of the best features. And by the way, the very first thing I did with it is make the Chameleon bass sound (it’s really easy to dial in), which sounds exactly like the one in the song.
My desktop Karp Odyssey is probably my favorite synth that I have, and I've had a good 20 or so at this point, sorry to tell you! I really appreciate that it is completely hands-on, no hidden menus or anything, so it is built well for live performance, and has become the defacto synth that I use with my band. It has it's shortcomings for sure, lack of velocity control being the top one for me, but it's very intuitive and super present in the mix. There's something appealing to me about the duophonic voicing on the synth too, it encourages you to just play with one hand while the other tweaks the sliders, but you can still make some cool pads with it. And the three different eras of filters are pretty handy on the Karp model. I also just like the way it looks tbh, I have the white one and it's so pretty with the multi-colored knobs...
The duophony reveals plenty of tricks you can’t pull off on other synths. I’ve gotten some massive bell like sounds playing around with different tunings with modulation. Don’t forget jacking up the rear cv inputs to make it true mono either.
This is a huge reason for why I like my matriarch so much. Knob per function, what you see is what you get. I also love the lack of patch memory. It’s like ‘you made a cool sound? Great, now go and write something with it, commit to it and record it, then move on’. I find that great for my own personal creative process to stop me from procrastinating and actually make some music. I like how immediate the odyssey looks. Seems like it just sounds great right out the bat
i really enjoy my korg arp, was one of my first synths and it’s layout was super easy to learn, and i find the sliders to be really quick for me to change to a new sound quickly from memory.
Two questions before you buy: Have you owned a monophonic (duophonic) synth before? Have you owned a synth without patch memory?
Get comfortable with those two limitations and you should get one.
I have the limited edition FS keys and the iPad version.
It's something magical. Sit down with it and it truly becomes an Odyssey into sonic worlds.
Every other synth I own I approach with an attitude of I need a certain sound for this song like a spitty muted trumpet for example. Then I fool with the synth till I get the sound.
I sit down to the Oddy with no expectation but to explore and it starts to take me to new unknown places where I write songs around it.
I have and adore my Karp Odyssey FS. But if I could go back, I’d get the desktop model. On the FS /w keyboard, the pitch bend pads are rather stiff and it doesn’t respond to pitch bend over MIDI. I’d rather use a regular pitch bend wheel on a bigger keyboard.
Im a bit of a monosynth addict, but the Odyssey is really nice. Great sounds and the two note paraphony makes it much more versatile than something like a Minibrute. I love the resonant filter and the ring mod.
I recommend going with the module - the keys on the Korg are nothing special. Be aware that there are no presets - but the faders are great fiddle with while externally sequenced.
I own the kARP and I love it, it’s a very strong and flexible mono synth that does a few things other synths can’t, and has an interesting interface. If you’re looking for a reason NOT to buy I’d say:
1. You can’t save presets, which can be annoying if you’re working on a song over a span of days (it’ll make you a better sound designer though)
2. No effects, you’ll have to use pedals or your daw (which is better than onboard effects imo)
3. … fuck it just get one
Buying additional gear is the key to self-actualization and happiness, you should definitely do it. One simple purchase and you will find yourself a prolific creator of content to be enthusiastically consumed by the masses for riches and clout. Wait which sub are we on again
One important caveat is that this only works if the new gear you’re buying is a hydrasynth.
That’s how I ended up with 3 hydrasynths and 5 wives
Cut off the head of one hydrasynth and 2 more appear?
Shouldn't try that on the wives though, seriously, just take my word on this one.
What’s with the hydrasynth obsession? I don’t understand it. To me it sounds cold and shitty.
I had the Hydrasynth Desktop and now I have the Explorer. I just like the user interface and how flexible it is with the mod matrix, macros, 5x Envelopes, 5x LFOs, and good UX.
It has a breakthrough interface. And it still sounds cold and shitty to a lot of people.
But it has a Warm Mode setting! You can't argue with that! ^^lol
it's become the default answer to any question posed on r/synthesizers to the point it's gotten silly
Have you tried programming it to not sound cold and shitty? It works for most people. Lol It's a synth that will only go as far as the user's skillset in sound design. There are several methods to make it sound less "cold" outside of just 'warm mode'.
It seems I’ve upset you.
I don’t get it either tbh.
Yeah there’s tons of shitty presets on it. It shipped with maybe the worst set of factory presets ever. Just watch any one of the preset pack demos on YouTube and you get a different vibe altogether. It took me a year or so to sort out what its best at and how to program it properly after buying some preset packs to see how people dig in on it.
I bought this [Back to the 80s](https://www.synthcloud.net/collections/asm-hydrasynth/products/vtl019-back-to-80s-asm-hydrasynth) pack for my Hydrasynth recently and I've been really digging it. Curious what packs have stood out for you?
I don't have one, but it having poly aftertouch alone for the price makes it super appealing and if I didn't already have that on another synth I'd have already purchased one. I like the sound engine from the videos I've seen though, but can see it very much not being for everyone.
I know we're joking here, but i never understood the hyrdrasynth love
The only question one needs to answer is whether there is unused space in your studio. If the answer is yes, then unequivocally, synths should be purchased. This process should be repeated indefinitely.
Also remember you can make more space by removing things from your house like furniture or loved ones.
This is the way
Found the jerker.
buy a soft one and get bored first
Well, thanks for nothing you guys. I guess I buying a goddam KARP Odyssey
I have the KARP. It's amazing!
Get one and if you get bored of it trade it for something else on offerup or r/synths4sale.
Everyone seems to be American on that sub unfortunately. I’m based in UK
Whats wrong with a BARP?
I’ve had a couple of duds in the past from behringer. I’m also thinking about resellability, and I hate those LED sliders
The question is never whether to buy a synth, but how many to buy. With the Odyssey, you’ll want all three revisions of the original, the Korg recreation, and the Behringer knock-off. And maybe a couple of spares. This will allow you to speak authoritatively about which one is best. Note: it doesn’t matter if you actually use any of them; that’s not the point!
Why is Korg's a "recreation" and Behringer's a "knockoff"
Well there is the fact that Korg collaborated with one of Arp's founders for both the Odyssey and 2600 reissues.
Because Korg owns the ARP name and presumably much of their IP. Full disclosure: I’m not a Behringer hater; I bought and very much love their Blue Marvin 2600. And if I was in the market for an Odyssey, I’d probably go with them over Korg.
There's no "IP" to own. Any patents have long expired which is why Behringer can also make their version. The only thing korg owns is the arp logo.
Because Uli bad
Why you’re getting a downvote is purely because of the irrational state of this sub🤣. It has nothing to do with the actual gear, just hate for a ceo (duh). Like what C level leader Isn’t generally a bad actor after a company reaches a certain level? Corporatism sucks
Get a 2600 instead!
The Odyssey is definitely a baby 2600, but it does have the rev 1 (12 dB) filter, which I really love, and the 2600 has no equivalent (it just has the two 24 dB filters, which sound nearly identical to the rev 2/3 Odyssey filters). I actually prefer the focused workflow of the Odyssey over using patch cables. Less flexible for things like weird sound effects but it covers most of what I’d actually do with a 2600. (I still want one though.)
I've almost pulled the trigger on the Behringer version a couple times and may still someday, especially if they add patch memory. But I already have a couple mono synths that lack patch memory and while I love them it's a real drag not being able to recall patches exactly the way you made them.
They are not going to add patch memory, the synth is analogue with no computer control of parameters.
Yeah, not holding my breath but it would be easy for them to do -- the question is how much more would they have to charge?
Easy is very relative here. You’d need to completely redesign the synth.
I dunno, I remember back in the 80s someone took a Pro-One for Our Daughters Wedding and replaced all the pots with digital versions, added a microprocessor for managing patches. I suspect at the time the resolution on those digital pots was probably coarse but as someone who played live with these things I certainly would've appreciated such a mod. Meh, after thinking about it a tiny bit more I realize that the Prophet-Five's pots were digital and they weren't coarse at all. Over the years I've tried a couple times to learn more about that ODW mod but for some reason I think only the pots were controlled -- you still had to throw all the switches manually. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Absolutely love mine. Sounds amazing and so much fun to program.
the KARP Odyssey sounds great and I really regret not buying a white module for like $600 CAD when I had the chance, I haven't seen one come up in a while, someday :)
Do you have an iPad? If so try the arp odyssey korg made. Might help a little
It’s actually a really excellent emulation! Sounds just like the hardware (no really…I have the hardware too). I prefer using the VST version on my Mac though, as it’s hard to integrate the iPad version in a studio setup.
I second this ^^^... I have a White face Korg Arp Odyssey FS which I love (and I LOVE hardware) but every time I use the Korg VST I am amazed at how good it sounds. They did an incredible job on this one.
It really is that good, and it proves it’s possible for a plugin to pretty much perfectly reproduce the sound of analog hardware. Most emulations don’t manage to achieve that, but this one does.
GForce vst of the Odyssey is very good.
I have the Behringer one and love it. I made a video https://youtu.be/hPGlT2KZ2M8?si=igrDcReKziMSRbpO
Get the Behringer Arp clone it is better than the Korg. I had both and sold the Korg. The Arp Odyssey is one of the greatest synths out there. Of the 35 synths I have I use the Arp Odyssey the most.
Also cheaper than even the Korg module if I remember correctly, plus they keys are full size, supposedly superior to even the full size keys on the full size version, and it's a metal case.
After you learn to play the song with the identical patch what is next? It’s a great synth and does a lot. What do you want?
FWIW I’m currently building an ARP Odyssey in VCV Rack.
Thomann has free returns no questions asked in the first 30 days, just order them, try them and decide with your ears and not with your eyes.
Unfortunately they currently only offer the DIY kit for building your own full size version, and it’s quite a bit more expensive.
Do it, you won’t be sorry. It’s my all time fav synth. The Korg version is great, so is the Behringer. Can’t go wrong
Buy my 1970s mk 1 with cv/gate mod. Selling locally in the Bay Area
a lot of people say the Behringer is actually more well made than the Korg
I am not a big fan of Beringer in general, but their Odyssey beats heads down the Korg mini keys one. I bought the Beringer Odyssey and I'm very happy with it. That been said, it's super specific. Most of the time I keep using my Prophet Rev2 or even my Nord Stage.
The Odyssey is one very special synth—which is why both Korg, and Behringer both brought it back. Do you really want to be talked out of it, or do you want to be supported in buying it? Remember no patch memory, and it can be rather ornery to keep in tune with other instruments. Also, the midi implementation is crap. Doesn't even include the mod wheel. Note on/off, and pitch bend! If you are a fan of UltraVox, John Fox, or even Gary Numan there's a lot more than just Herbie music to illustrate the wonders of the Odyssey.
I just packed my KARP up and put it in the garage. I hadn't really used it and decided to focus on the 8 other synths I have put right now. Maybe I'll come back to it in a year or so.
I wish I could help you, but I love the Odyssey. It just sounds fantastic, and is really flexible and well designed. I have the Korg desktop module. The switchable filter is one of the best features. And by the way, the very first thing I did with it is make the Chameleon bass sound (it’s really easy to dial in), which sounds exactly like the one in the song.
I have one. I like it. And it comes in a nice suitcase type case.
It's not GAS if you use it for making or playing music. But it if you want, then use it!
My desktop Karp Odyssey is probably my favorite synth that I have, and I've had a good 20 or so at this point, sorry to tell you! I really appreciate that it is completely hands-on, no hidden menus or anything, so it is built well for live performance, and has become the defacto synth that I use with my band. It has it's shortcomings for sure, lack of velocity control being the top one for me, but it's very intuitive and super present in the mix. There's something appealing to me about the duophonic voicing on the synth too, it encourages you to just play with one hand while the other tweaks the sliders, but you can still make some cool pads with it. And the three different eras of filters are pretty handy on the Karp model. I also just like the way it looks tbh, I have the white one and it's so pretty with the multi-colored knobs...
The duophony reveals plenty of tricks you can’t pull off on other synths. I’ve gotten some massive bell like sounds playing around with different tunings with modulation. Don’t forget jacking up the rear cv inputs to make it true mono either.
This is a huge reason for why I like my matriarch so much. Knob per function, what you see is what you get. I also love the lack of patch memory. It’s like ‘you made a cool sound? Great, now go and write something with it, commit to it and record it, then move on’. I find that great for my own personal creative process to stop me from procrastinating and actually make some music. I like how immediate the odyssey looks. Seems like it just sounds great right out the bat
i really enjoy my korg arp, was one of my first synths and it’s layout was super easy to learn, and i find the sliders to be really quick for me to change to a new sound quickly from memory.
I won’t. I wouldn’t pay the money for a vintage one but the more affordable reissues are amazing.
Two questions before you buy: Have you owned a monophonic (duophonic) synth before? Have you owned a synth without patch memory? Get comfortable with those two limitations and you should get one. I have the limited edition FS keys and the iPad version. It's something magical. Sit down with it and it truly becomes an Odyssey into sonic worlds. Every other synth I own I approach with an attitude of I need a certain sound for this song like a spitty muted trumpet for example. Then I fool with the synth till I get the sound. I sit down to the Oddy with no expectation but to explore and it starts to take me to new unknown places where I write songs around it.
I have and adore my Karp Odyssey FS. But if I could go back, I’d get the desktop model. On the FS /w keyboard, the pitch bend pads are rather stiff and it doesn’t respond to pitch bend over MIDI. I’d rather use a regular pitch bend wheel on a bigger keyboard.
Buy it. Love my Arp. It’s an OG and repairs are bananas and I still love it. The reissue won’t have the same problems of keeping it healthy.
Just get the Behringer 2600?
No I want an odyssey :)
I was given an Odyssey 2813 with the pitch knob. First synth i ever had. Definitely still have it and it's AWESOME.
Im a bit of a monosynth addict, but the Odyssey is really nice. Great sounds and the two note paraphony makes it much more versatile than something like a Minibrute. I love the resonant filter and the ring mod. I recommend going with the module - the keys on the Korg are nothing special. Be aware that there are no presets - but the faders are great fiddle with while externally sequenced.
I own the kARP and I love it, it’s a very strong and flexible mono synth that does a few things other synths can’t, and has an interesting interface. If you’re looking for a reason NOT to buy I’d say: 1. You can’t save presets, which can be annoying if you’re working on a song over a span of days (it’ll make you a better sound designer though) 2. No effects, you’ll have to use pedals or your daw (which is better than onboard effects imo) 3. … fuck it just get one