ARP ODYSSEY

Name: ARP ODYSSEY
Price: 99.99 USD
Author: KORG

by KORG · Synth · Duophonic analog synth emulation

Not rated yet

A software version of the 1972 ARP ODYSSEY analog synth, modeled with KORG's Component Modeling Technology.

It covers all three filter revisions and adds 16-note polyphony, an arpeggiator with step sequencing, a DRIVE function, six effects and 200 presets, for $99.99.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Rock & Indie, R&B & Soul.

Keywords: hardware emulation, arpeggiator, analog, 70s, polyphonic, sequencer, classic, component-modelled, preset-driven, basses, extreme, leads, licensed emulation, aggressive, circuit-modelled, gritty, smooth, sound design, subtractive, vintage.

What it does

ARP ODYSSEY is KORG's software version of the 1972 ARP Odyssey duophonic synth. It uses KORG's Component Modeling Technology (CMT) to recreate the original circuits, then adds polyphony, a sequencing arpeggiator and effects the hardware never had.

Three filter revisions: the filter designs of all three hardware generations, Rev1, Rev2 and Rev3, switchable as skins, so you can pick the smoother or more aggressive early or late Odyssey tone.
DRIVE: a drive stage the developer pitches for "extreme and wild sounds".
Velocity: velocity can modulate the VCF and VCA, which the original could not do.
Polyphony: a polyphonic mode with up to 16 notes, plus several voice assign modes beside the classic duophonic playing.
Arpeggiator: programmable, with step-sequencer-style control over parameters per step.
Effects: six effects for shaping and widening the sound after the synth engine.
Presets and MIDI: 200 factory presets with favourite tagging, MIDI CC control of every parameter, and LFO and arpeggiator sync to external MIDI tempo.

KVR lists version 1.5.3.

Source: KORG product page

When to use it

ARP ODYSSEY is the pick when you want the specific bite of an Odyssey: thinner and sharper than a Moog-style synth, great for sync leads, squelchy basses and effects. Compared with Arturia Mini V, it trades fat, round Minimoog lows for that brighter ARP edge. Unlike Diva, which mixes oscillators and filters from many classic synths in one engine, it models one instrument, but it gives you all three of that instrument's filter revisions. Next to Arturia CS-80 V it is a much smaller, simpler synth, better for monophonic lines than for big polyphonic pads.

Best for: sharp leads, sync and cross-mod sounds, funky basses and sound effects.
Genres: electronic, synth-pop, rock, funk and R&B.
Look elsewhere if: you want warm, fat pads or a modern multi-engine synth; Diva, Polysix or Serum 2 suit those better.

What producers say

Users praise the sound as close to the hardware and forgive an awkward interface for it.

Plugin Boutique buyers rate it 4.6 out of 5 from 26 ratings.
KVR user review (5 out of 5, one review) called it "one of the best VSTi money can buy", praising the grit and presence of the original and the added polyphony, sequencer and effects.
Criticisms: the same reviewer found the layout unintuitive, disliked having to scroll to reach the effects and sequencer, and rated the effects "useful, if not outstanding".

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $99.99

Tutorials and reviews

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