User Manual

ARP 2600 FS
- 4 -
Introduction to the ARP 2600 FS
About the ARP 2600 synthesizer
The ARP 2600 was manufactured and sold from 1971 to 1981, and was a notable
product of ARP Instruments, Inc. Except for the very early models that used a metal
body, the 2600 is well known for its suitcase-style configuration which separated
the synth module from the keyboard module.
In an era when large modular systems were still the mainstream, the ARP 2600
went on sale as a semi-modular synthesizer that could be transported. The main
modules are internally pre-connected so that sound could be immediately produced
without patching, and extremely complex sounds could be designed by patching.
Its wide range of sound design potential meant that the ARP 2600 was used in
recordings by numerous musicians, production of music for films, and in education.
Other notable features were its built-in speakers and spring reverb.
Main Features
ARP 2600 FS
• Equipped with VCOs, VCF, and VCA that use the analog circuits of the original
ARP 2600, this instrument provides sound design capabilities far beyond a typical
analog synthesizer, allowing flexible and highly improvisatory synthesis.
• The included patch cables allow highly flexible patching. Since each module is internally
connected by default, the unit can also be used without connecting patch cables.
• Two types of VCF (early and later models) are provided, and can be selected by a
single switch.
• Two types of envelope generators are provided: ADSR type and AR type.
• Since an external audio input jack is provided, you can also process sound that is
input externally, such as a guitar or microphone signal.
• A USB port and MIDI connectors are provided, allowing the unit to be connected to
a computer or MIDI devices.
ARP 3620 keyboard unit
• Equipped with three types of LFO: triangle wave, square wave, and sine wave.
Used in conjunction with the ARP 2600 main unit, this allows production of a
variety of effects such as vibrato and tremolo.
• Also provided is an arpeggiator not found on the original, capable of recording and
playing back patterns.
• An aftertouch sensor is provided, allowing you to apply vibrato to the sound by
pressing down on the keyboard. Patching allows keyboard pressure to produce a
variety of changes.
Table of Contents
Introduction to
the ARP 2600 FS
............ 4
About the ARP 2600 synthesizer ....4
Main Features
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Block diagram .............. 5
Panel description and
functions
.................. 6
Front panel (PREAMPLIFIER,
ENVELOPE FOLLOWER,
RINGMODULATOR section)
........6
Front panel (VCO-1 section)
........7
Front panel (VCO-2 section)
........8
Front panel (VCO-3 section)
........9
Front panel (VCF section)
......... 10
Front panel (ADSR EG/AR EG section)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Front panel (VCA section)
........ 12
Front panel (MIXER, REVERB section)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Front panel (NOISE GENERATOR,
VOLTAGE PROCESSORS section)
.. 14
Front panel
(SAMPLE & HOLD section)
........ 15
Front panel (SPEAKER section L,
SPEAKER section R)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Side panel L
(MIDI, USB, MODE SWITCH)
Side panel R
(power, main output jacks)
....... 17
ARP3620 keyboard unit
.......... 18
Getting started ............20
Connections ..................... 20
Turning the power on
............ 21
Turning the power off
............ 21
Auto power-off function
......... 21
Let’s make some sounds ...22
Basic settings .................... 22
Tuning
.......................... 22
Arpeggiator settings
............. 23
Voice assign mode settings
....... 23
About MIDI ...............24
Connecting MIDI devices ......... 24
Connecting a computer
.......... 24
About the MIDI implementation
chart
............................ 24
Troubleshooting ..........25
Specifications
.............25