Korg celebrates Star Wars Day by bringing back the ARP 2600 FS synth – AKA the voice of R2-D2.
The Korg ARP 2600 FS – their high-end reissue of the full-size version it’s ’70s classic, which sold out as soon as it was announced – is available again, in limited quantities.
Korg has listed a limited number of brand-new ARP 2600 FS synths in the Korg USA Reverb Direct Shop for $4,499.99.
Korg introduced the ARP 2600 FS at the 2020 NAMM Show
ARP 2600 synth also does have a connection to the Star Wars universe, as this was the instrument that was used to create the distinctive voice of R2-D2. Korg shone a light on this fact a few years ago when it created a video that showed you how to create an approximation of the patch that sound designer Ben Burtt created in order to make the peppy little droid speak.
This limited-edition release is a loving reproduction of the 2600, handcrafted in Japan and includes USB and DIN-style MIDI connections, XLR audio outputs, plus the improved ARP 3620 Duophonic Keyboard with an added arpeggiator / sequencer. Your new ARP 2600 will arrive in a custom-branded hard shell case, complete with casters.
Behringer today shared a sneak preview of their CZ-1, a portable synth inspired by the classic Casio CZ-1 Phase Distortion synthesizer.
It is a 4-voice polyphonic synth in Behringer’s Mini line, a set of small desktop synths designed to compete with the Korg Volca line. While some might consider the Behringer CZ-1 to be a knockoff of the Casio CZ-1, the mini-synth is so stripped-down that it’s more akin to what Korg did with the Volca FM, a new design that takes inspiration from vintage synths, but doesn’t really copy any specific vintage synth.
The Casio CZ-1 was the company’s top-of-the-line CZ keyboard, featuring a 61-note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, 16-voice polyphony and some interesting features, like 8-stage envelopes.
Details on specifications and availability are to be announced, but Behringer says that they are targeting a $99 price point.
Analogue Solutions has introduced Colossus Quartz Synthesizer Expanders, a new range of add-on synth expanders for their Colossus range.
Colossus Quartz is essentially the Colossus Slim, but divided into four equal parts. This allows users to gradually build a complete system or use individual sections as an expander for Colossus or other modular systems.
Analogue Solutions says that “There are no gimmicks – this is pure synthesiser. A huge sound enclosed in a solid metal case wrapped in wood. No expense has been spared to bring this incredible machine to life.”
Features:
AS250-VCO This has a bank of 12 vernier VCOs, plus 2 Noise Generators, Random Voltage, Sample and Hold, Matrix Panel.
AS250-Mod This features 4 VCAs, 4 Envelopes, 2 LFOs, LCD Dual Channel Oscilloscope (can be upgraded to single channel CRT), Touch Keyboard / Sequencer.
AS250-VCF This has 8 Filters (4x SEM type, 4x Moog type), 8 VCAs, 2 real Spring Reverbs, 2 Ring Mods, 2 Slew Generators, Matrix Panel.
AS250-Seq This features a 64-step analogue sequencer, 4 Moving Coil Meters, Stereo Mixer, 2 Joysticks, 2 Multiples, and 2 Sub-mixers.
All systems feature a full set of 3.5mm jack sockets for patching.
All the voice and modulation circuits are 100% analogue. There digital elements to the sequencer control, similar to the design of the original EMS Synthi 100 that the Colossus is inspired by.
Colossus is large scale, featuring large knobs that control metal shaft potentiometers. VCOs have multi-turn verniers. The two enormous pin matrix panels dominate the panels are expensive Swiss-made broadcast-quality signal routers.
There are two spring reverbs, a touch keyboard, a step sequencer, moving coil meters, joysticks and “an immense expanse of jack sockets for additional patching within or without the system.”
