# ARP Sequencer 1621

1621, ARP @ 17 June 2009

“Up for auction is one of the most sought after analog sequencers, the ARP 2600. It’s in fully working order and in mint condition. This is the opportunity to fulfill a dream and finally own a legendary classic synthesizer accesory, a very musical sequencer and in many ways THE musician’s analog sequencer by excellence. If by reading this your heart rate is accelerating you know which sequencer is up for sale here but if not, let me explain.

This device is used to trigger or play analog synthesizers and drum computers automatically through CV signals (from the pre-MIDI era). Before the heyday of sequencers in computers this was the device that musicians used to play sequenced loops on synthesizers way back in the seventies and early eighties. This sequencer is regarded as one of the finest analog sequencers and actually, as the only viable analog sequencer for musicians as other models including Moog’s 961 sequencer, were hard and unmusician-like to operate. It was very popular from the time it was conceived up until this date which is a honor that’s that only shared by synths as the Moog Minimoog or the ARP 2600. In many ways this sequencer was the model for many sequencers built to this day. It has a very expansive feature set, it is very ruggedly built, semi modular, it has 16 steps with 16 sliders for each step, although it can also be used as an 2 times 8 step sequencer, no less than 3 switchable gate signals per step (!!!), quantized or unquantized CV signal and pulse-width modulation (PWM) to provide “swing” to a sequence (yes, it even does that!) and an external input to synchronise to a pre-MIDI drum computer or a MIDI-CV converter with click per 1/4 note capability (any multiport Kenton MIDI-CV-Gate converter supports this). In addition to this (yes, the feature list goes on an on) on slow speeds it can even act as a waveform generator in which you can sculpture the waveform with the sliders. If you hook up a second ARP sequencer to (I have a second one for auction as well) you can make song arrangements with the loop programmed on the other sequencer or control the filter of your sequencer while the other one controls the oscillators. Well, as you can see this sequencer (by itself or in a pair of them) can be a whole world waiting to be discovered just as the ARP Odyssey and the 2600 can be for the adventurous musician which is willing to look beyond the obvious and face value.

This ARP Sequencer is of the rare last second version of the black orange panel versions which was built in the early 80s. I bought this instrument 3 years ago from a well-known synthesizer broker which had it serviced prior to the sale where it was confirmed to be 100% original without any modifications. This ARP2600 has a 220 Volt power supply so if you are going to use it in Japan or North America you need a step up converter which can be had for cheap in any hardware store to be able to connect it to your power outlet at home.

The front panel is totally mint. All the sliders work effortlessly and have their caps fitted which look like new. The sliders and switches work without any noise on the synth’s sound. The tolex on the synth and the cover lid looks clean as a whistle. I’ve tested all modules, inputs and outputs and found all of them to work. I would give this instrument a 9.5 out of a 10. This is one of the most beautiful looking ARP Sequencers you’ll ever find. To add to the spoils I’m adding the owner’s manual, the original power cable and a set of Mogami high grade patch cables to the auction.

I’ve used this sequencer sparingly on recordings and have never gigged it.” Link


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