Korg ARP Odyssey

The ARP Odyssey was an analog synthesizer originally produced in 1972 by the American manufacturer ARP Instruments, Inc. and quickly became ARP's highest selling synth. In 2015, Korg reissued the Odyssey in cooperation with the original designer and ARP co-founder, David Friend, creating a faithful reproduction that has been downsized to 86% of the original ARP Odyssey.

Key Features

The Odyssey stands out as a two-oscillator analog synthesizer, and one of the first with duophonic capabilities (the ability to play two notes at the same time). The ARP Odyssey provides all three of these different filter circuits, and allows you to select one of them with a single switch. TYPE I (Rev1) is a 12 dB/Oct circuit that produces a sharp, punchy sound. TYPE II (Rev2) is a 24 dB/Oct filter with great-sounding lows. TYPE III (Rev3) maintains excellent stability even when resonance is raised.

Sound and Workflow

Its most distinctive feature was its sharp, penetrating sound and its rich range of tonal variation. The synth excelled at seriously funk-laden bass lines and snarling, in-your-face leads, with an aggressive sound that cut through raucous guitars like a hot knife through butter. With a variety of functions and modulation possibilities provided by oscillator sync, sample & hold, pulse width modulation, high-pass filter, two types of envelope generator, and pitch bend using the PPC, it was able to create a versatile range of sounds.

Modern Improvements

Korg's reissue maintains the analog signal path similar to the original, with several updates like MIDI input and USB MIDI connectivity, a separate headphone output and balanced XLR output, and a "drive" switch to add distortion to the voltage-controlled amplifier. 37-note Slimkey keybed (no velocity sensitivity, no aftertouch - just like the original) maintains the authentic playing experience.

Who Is This For?

• Studio producers looking for authentic analog character in leads and bass lines
• Electronic musicians who need the distinctive ARP sound for genres from funk to industrial
• Live performers seeking a compact, road-worthy duophonic synth with stage presence
• Synthesizer collectors wanting a faithful reproduction of this legendary instrument
• Sound designers who appreciate the unique filter switching and modulation capabilities

The Odyssey was used by a veritable who's who of artists, including Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Gary Numan, Tangerine Dream, Elton John, Jethro Tull, Nine Inch Nails, Vangelis, Ultravox, DEVO, Kansas, Jean-Luc Ponty, Brand X, and many, many more. If you're seeking that signature ARP bite and versatility in a modern package with contemporary connectivity, this reproduction delivers the goods. The three switchable filter types mean you get multiple vintage Odyssey variants in one instrument.