Month: January 2020

In this video, I explain how polyphony is achieved on the ARP Omni 1, Omni 2, and Quadra synthesizers using a master oscillator, top octave divider and frequency dividers. I discuss how this type of polyphony is different from the type of polyphony on the type of synthesizers with fixed number of voices, like the Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-X, and Memorymoog.

I also introduce 3 of my new retrofits–a drop in replacement for the Master Oscillator, a replacement for the TDA0470/TDA0470D gating IC chips, and a replacement 4075 voltage controlled filter.

00:00 Polyphony discussion
03:40 Master Oscillator replacement
09:10 TDA0470SC
10:06 4075 VCF Replacement

The pushbutton switches on the ARP Omni 1 synthesizer suck. The mechanical latch often breaks, leaving us unable to turn on sections of the synth. Other times, we need to press the switch at just the right angle to be able to get it to latch. And yet other times, the switch contacts get dirty and the switch gets stuck off or stuck on.

The originals have been obsolete for decades and are unobtainable. So I’ve created a drop-in replacement switch, that fits the old switch cap! Check it out!

ARP Omni 1 Replacement Switch