Category: ARP

ARP Synthesizers

Posted on by

Synthchaser MIDI Adapter for ARP Quadra – Synthchaser #152

Supply chain issues are finally easing up and I’m able to produce another run of the MIDI Adapter I designed for the ARP Quadra back in 2021. It is the first and only MIDI interface for the ARP Quadra synthesizer! This MIDI adapter is user installable and requires no soldering or permanent modifications to the synthesizer to install (other than perhaps holes to mount MIDI jacks). Simply replaces the existing keyboard electronics board. Provides MIDI In, Out and Through capabilities! Supports aftertouch In and Out (via MIDI In, aftertouch will be applied to the full 5 octaves of lead synth instead of just the upper 3 octaves as limited by the original hardware). Supports duophony in the lead synth section and is compatible with the Quadra’s internal sequencer/arpeggiator.

In this video I show how easy it is to install, and how it allows you to interface with all 4 sections of the Quadra.

Synthchaser MIDI Adapter for ARP Quadra

 

Posted on by

Quick repair for Dead ARP Omni? – Synthchaser #142

I have yet another dead ARP Omni in for repair and decided to take a moment to dispel some myths I see, primarily perpetuated by people trying to sell their broken ARP synthesizers (“powers on, no sound”, “power supply issue”, “probably a quick and easy fix”). So we try to fix this Omni the “quick and easy” way, and in doing so, hopefully demonstrate why there is such a huge price difference between a restored ARP Omni and a parts/repair ARP Omni.

Posted on by

ARP Pro Soloist Dead Presets Repair – Synthchaser #140

It’s very common for some of the presets on the ARP Pro Soloist (and Pro/DGX) to be dead or just not sound like they should. It’s also common for people to blame these problems on the Pro Soloist’s ROMs, when they are rarely, if ever, what really has failed. In this video we track down and repair 4 dead/incorrect voices including the ubiquitous Fuzz Guitar I so the customer can get his Tony Banks back on.

Posted on by

Synthchaser Update May 2021


NEW VIDEOS: I’ve got a new video finished up, and I’ll be making a brief appearance on another YouTube channel that’s much more exciting than my own.  Both videos go live Friday May 7, will post links then.  For now, this screen grab is the only clue.

ARP QUADRA MIDI:  Over the last couple of months I’ve spent a lot of time developing a really awesome MIDI adapter for the ARP Quadra.  Unfortunately now that the design is done and the prototype has been perfected, we find ourselves in a global microchip shortage and I can’t get it produced!  If you’re interested please be sure to let me know.  When microcontrollers become available, I’ll try to grab enough for those on the waiting list.

SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES:  Besides the Quadra MIDI, the microchip shortage has put my ARP Omni MIDI adapter out of production.  I have 1 unit left and no ETA when they can resume production.  Also, our replica slide potentiometer manufacturer is having manufacturing delays due to COVID, and we are backordered 2 months on replica ARP sliders.

LED SLIDERS FOR MORE SYNTHESIZERS: Because I’m backordered on regular sliders, I’ve made LED slider sets available for more synthesizers, including the ARP Odyssey and ARP Avatar.  These come pre-assembled for less than the cost of “Lumina” which comes unassembled.  There are multiple sliders on each assembly so your sliders come out straight and parallel, as opposed to some fiddly hard-to-assemble adapters people have been using.

ARP QUADRA WITH MIDI FOR SALE: I’ve got a very nice, restored ARP Quadra for sale on my website.  Besides being meticulously restored by yours truly, it’s equipped with the prototype MIDI adapter, so it may be the only ARP Quadra in the world with MIDI!  While at one point not too long ago I had 5 ARP Quadras, this is the last one I’ve got.  So if you had been considering a Synthchaser ARP Quadra for your studio–this is your last chance!

Restored ARP Quadra Synthesizer Keyboard with MIDI

Synthchaser Precision LED Slider Upgrade Kit for ARP Odyssey

Synthchaser MIDI Adapter for ARP Omni 1 & 2

 

Posted on by

Synthchaser Update September 2020

Lots of exciting things brewing! First, I’ve dusted off my ARP Omni MIDI project and have just about finished it up. Hardware design is finished, a couple prototype boards are currently in production and I expect to finalize the firmware and make the adapters available next month.

Another project I’m working on is replacement voice cards for the Oberheim OB-Xa (later I’ll do ones for the OB-SX). I got my hands on a 4 Voice OB-Xa and it was just begging for more voice cards… So I’ve made a faithful recreation of the OB-Xa cards. These will begin shipping in early October–stay tuned for an announcement with more details.

This month I finished restoring a pair of ARP Quadras (pictured here at the back of this trio of red, white & blue Quadras). One for a customer in blue, and one of mine in red which is now available to purchase on my website. With this latest Quadra, I added a pot (inside the synth so no drilling was done) to dim or even fully turn off the illumination. With the fader caps I installed and the LEDs turned off, it looks very close to original, but performs way better than original.

Finally, I have a bunch of ideas for new videos, and now that I’m close to finishing a bunch of longer-term projects, I should have a little more time to film some new videos for you guys!