***A couple of things I never demo'd here*** 1. Patching the ADSR into the AR routing on the VCA mixer gives a much greater max release.. from around 4s to over 20s! The 2 inputs to the mixer are labelled as linear and exponential, so give different results, but I hadn't realised quite how ,much ;) 2. The electric switch works both ways sending C to A then B as well as sending A then B to C. I think that's about it... but will add anything if anyone spots other omissions.
Kudos to you mate! Thanks for this in depth walk through. I just got a Blue Marvin version. I was lucky enough to spend some time with a friend's 2600 back in the 70's, and I owned an original Odyssey, so I kind of knew my way around the ARP but you're the first person to explain the voltage processors in a musical way that I could finally understand. I never thought of using the envelope follower with a drum machine from my iPad modulating the VCF. Simply brilliant! Also thanks for using musical examples. It really shows the usefulness of some features that I never understood, or thought of using before. You've given me a lot of new avenues to explore.
For those concerned with how it looks it's worth noting that with this version of the 2600 the Halloween orange labeling seems to have been changed to brown. As far as I can tell this doesn't seem to be officially announced anywhere and many vendors are still showing the orange version in their pictures, so keep it in mind if you're thinking of buying one.
Yes totally. I have seen two recently and they are different shades of darker orange and the other is brown. Almost 2 different shades of brown. odd to start with then after a while I much prefer the not orange versions.
W00t - been waiting for your review. So worth it! I got the Blue Marvin version, going through the patch book. While I've been synthing for awhile now, this would be a great first synth.
Great review. Nice, friendly and informal but with a lot of technical depth. Usually you get one or the other but seldom you get both. So well done :-)
I received a B2600 y'day for my 69th birthday from someone very close to my heart -ME. It's still unopened cos I was too pissed from celebrating to carry it in my cave so will try it later today. By the way are you Blue or Red ??
great timing!- just bought one off ebay tonight- was looking at new and there where + 10 in stock at a uk seller but that seems to have changed litraly in days to pre order- weirdly , anyway great video as always- hope some one lends you an origional id like to here a comparison
I’m making too many comments, but that was a great vid. I’ve had the 2600 since November so it didn’t tell me much I didn’t know, but it’s a really good intro to the way it works. Nice job.
Just wanted to say thanks Starsky and really enjoyed the demo. Reading the comments has made me sad, mostly for you mate as there are some out of touch/ungrateful people wasting their/your time typing attention seeking nonsense. They are the exception- not the norm...keep smiling and don’t change what your doing.
During this winter I bought two relatively expensive quality instruments from an actual store, which were constantly out of stock over at thomann - and I didn't pay any extra. People should support their local dealerships.
@@Stopinvadingmyhardware Yeah, I don't know why you are asking from me but isn't it obvious - synthesizer. Music made with synthesizers is a product of various forms of synthesis for example from mixing voltage controlling and various waveforms together to make sounds, or synthesizing analogs for various instruments. There is a whole heap of guitar effects, which do exactly the same thing.
Great overview! I hope someone loans you an ARP or KARP version. Did anyone else here see Biting Eye's 3-way ARP/KARP/BARP comparison before he took it down? In his case, the BARP sounded closer to his original than the KARP did. For someone with all 3, he seems to be using the BARP most in his recent videos, I would guess because it is more self-contained and sits on the table without having to have a keyboard attached, so it seems more convenient to sequence and modulate than the others.
I know a person who’s a total 2600 freak who was asked by Korg to check out their version, they said Korg got it surprisingly wrong with the envelopes and filters. For that price, there’s not really an excuse for getting it wrong.
Man this one is really fun to mess around with.. slide up saw VCO3 (only) in mixer.slide FM control from VCO2 on VCO3 all the way up. slide FM control from VCO1 on VCO2. slide S&H FM Control on VCO1. mess with S&H rate. This is R2D2. have fun.
These videos are my own version of meditation. Thank you sir. :) Dumb question: what exactly is different in the Blue Marvin & Grey Meanie? Is it just the reverb unit?
Yeah, just the reverb really. They say there are better capacitors in the filter but I tested and couldn’t hear much if anything. I’ve made a video comparing you can search for
Hi Starsky, a good tip for vibrato via the mod wheel... if your controller keyboard has a mod output plug this into one side of your RingMod input. Take the vibrato out from the 2600 to the other RingMod input. Set RingMod to DC. Now take the RingMod output to the 'Ext Vib in'. Your Mod wheel will now control the amount of the LFO send to the oscillators as the RingMod is now effectively a VCA with the two input signals
man my focal shape 65's didn't pick up on that low frequency until it was closing in on 40hz. I went back out over my 18" JBL subwoofer pair that I have for PA and *those* sure as hell made the concrete slab I'm on shake though. lol! Great video, thanks for covering the basics. I got a Gray Meanie 2600 mounted today, damn thing is intimidating me! :)
0:59 at Sweetwater here in the US, we get a little packet of sweets. Whenever I buy anything from them, I usually bypass the synth or whatever and go after the sweets 😂
oh ma, I'm half way through and I have a serious question . how did you get the audio out of the iPad? is that an old one with the 1/8 jack? and do you think that the input sound and the 2600 sound are muddied from being mixed together? I find that thing going on in my Soma Pulsar 23. And let me say, that in the few hours I've had with it, the Pulsar 23 and 2600 go together really nice. I'm already realizing that the 2600 stands in its own place in a mix. that is one of the difficult things of using a bunch of synths and drum machines , to get them to stand on their own. but killer vid bro.
I never realised my iPad was so old! but yes, it has a standard audio output. The sounds definitely aren't muddied by being mixed in the 2600... but if you mix 2 muddy sounds then yeah ;).
I recently purchased TD-3 and Crave to create some kind of hardware version of Rebirth RB-338, still missing the RD-9 and then an additional lead synth. I have looked at Pro1, K-2, Neutron, CAT and whatnot but then I found this review. I was ready to add the K-2 but this is kind of next level device. Sounds as angry as the K-2 but adds oscillator sync and lots of other things. Thank you!
The two VCA inputs are different. The one on the left is linear and the one on the right is exponential. If you want longer sweepier release tones patch the ADSR to the left VCA input and whack up the release. The EXP input on the right is better for quicker attacks. This is the same as the original. (Also the second input into the VCA (the one normaled to the Ring Mod) is a secret inverter)
Nice info. The exp and linear are labelled, but the ring mod input inverter on the VCA isn’t. Took me ages to find that, but I demo it in my HP/BP video. It’s so useful but quite hidden.
Behringer has announced they will be LOWERING the prices of all of their synths by up to 60%. Behringer is insane. Just think about the stark contrast between Behringer and a company like Teenage Engineering who is doubling prices. Behringer is probably the coolest synth company on earth.
@@ogasi1798 :) can't complain with Subsequent 37CV and Polybrute on my table, but yes, a real ARP2600 and MoogMini is a pair I'd would love to play what Depeche Mode did decades ago :) (also a common pairing in my tracks)
@@peterldelong hehe, and for us programmers, only poking screen with a finger, korg gadget app on the phone :) btw, i don't mean any insult for the behringer users (as to behringer itself ripping off, chasing easy profit, I don't support for several reasons), but yes, anyone can choose there own poison :)
@@samprock as in Behringer, bringing extremely overpriced instruments and equipment to the average person to explore sounds without spending 5 to 10 grand.
I'm eagerly waiting for my Blue Marvin so show up... I'll be waiting until July, sadly. Awesome demo, I'd love to see an all 2600 jam vid!! That thing sounds amazing!
@@StarskyCarr I figured out something that I feel is important! If you have the 2600 face up under a ceiling fan, the VCOs will never stay perfectly in tune! You can actually just wave you hand in front of the VCO sliders, you can hear them fluctuating. Was driving me crazy, and I thought I had a defective 2600. Gotta love VCOs! I have learned so much from your videos, and plan to hit the patroon page next. Thanks again for the wonderful and informative videos! I watch them nightly! Cheers!👍
Note that the panel graphics are misleading - you can't use an external clock on the electric switch. It's internally clocked only, although I gather it's fairly easy to modify the circuit.
The panel graphics were wrong on the first batch, as they also are on the Korg version and all but the last ARP versions. They have redone the labels on the blue and grey and also the latest Xmas tree versions.
Hi I watch all your videos I really enjoyed them and you are very good with the synths brilliant, can I ask you Im looking to buy another synth what do you think between the behringer 2600 or poly d, I allready got an odyssey can you help I'm confused thanks 👍🎼
Thanks :) That's a tough one. I'm not surprised you're confused! I've had more fun with the 2600, and as you've got a keyboard you can use that to play the 2600... but the PolyD would give you a different tone. Overall I find myself leaning more toward the 2600.
I'm watching this with my BRAND NEW BEHRINGER 2600!!! it's still in the box !! I'm watching this as I unbox with you hahaha. I waited about a year for this!!
Ooh that formant filter sound is lovely. I hardly ever use the hardwired source on that filter input, I always patch something like the sample and hold into it, but it’s a really nice sound.
The long decay/release time has to come from the eg controlling the volume. If the filter envelope is set long decay/release but the volume one is set to LESS release time then the release time is governed by the volume envelope times and not the envelope controlling the filter.
I’ve got a more in depth tutorial on the envelopes on its way - recorded it today. Best way to increase it is to use the linear VCA input with the ADSR ... over 20 seconds of release.
... (the patch inputs) ..."basically override the text in the box???" Sorry, I'm a bit confused on that comment. Are you referring to the reference manual?
Thanks a lot for this amazing walkthrough! One question that I have, is the Blue Marvin and Grey Meanie versions worth it over this? I can only get my hands on the black and orange version I want to know if the extra 100$ is worth it including the wait. Thanks
It just so happens I’ve made a demo comparing them: Behringer 2600 Blue Marvin and Gray Meanie vs Black & Orange: review, and comparison ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7OGgBPVMoCQ.html
@@StarskyCarr I saw it not long after i made this comment! You're the man! You've sold me a Deepmind 12, Behringer Odyessey and now a Black and Orange 2600 is on the way! Thanks for all the hard work that you do!
It just depends where you are in the list I suppose. I tried Andertons but their waiting list was even longer in Jan. I wonder whether people drop off when they find another etc?
@@StarskyCarr I think they must have had a series of deliveries, and they must have fulfilled their waiting list. Thanks for the video. I'm still learning how to get the most out of the 2600 and there's a few nice and clear examples of patch options in your video that gave me new ideas to try.
OH just another little comment :) With the electric switch, A, B and C can all be inputs or outputs. You can send an input to C then it will alternate outputting it to A or B. Can be used for some really interesting effects! You can of course use audio or modulation signals for any of these or a mix of both!!
Yeah.. I think I edited the sentence out where I remarked on this at the end of that section. Probably a cat crying in the background or something had to go!! then I forgot to add in my annotations duh!. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the great video but is there any way you can reduce the frequency of the adverts? This one kinda felt like a series of commercials with synth breaks in between. :-(
its really not up to Starsky...Those damn Zoot´s has the ungodly Utubular Ball´s to take us all for commercial prisoners , OR pay 10 quids a month, to be freed of there evil planet wreaking propaganda,-of "Buy more Useless crap" or else....
How do people patch up that preamp kick drum effect, as used by Vince Clarke and Depeche Mode amongst others? I have got as far as output of the VCF into preamp, but I'm not sure where next...
Enjoyed that. Cheers. It looks like this does a fair bit more than an odyssey, so will probably grab this over the korg/arp odyssey module. Seems to be better value overall. Just curious, there is no way to sync the odyssey to a DAW no?
There’s a section showing a workaround near the end. Nothing via MIDI. If you send something from the DAW into the preamp you can use that as a trig/envelope/LFO. I use a drum loop to demo the basics
Hi Starsky, Thanks for a great review and walkthrough of the Behringer 2600. I also just bought one but I can’t figure out how to NOT let the synth make Sound all the time. In your video the synth only sounds when you play the keyboard, Can you help me out?
Initial gain should be down... as should the VCF input to the main out. The VCF is patched into the VCA - so turn it up there.. and modulate with the AR or ADSR.. then only turn up the VCA to the main output.
@@StarskyCarr Thanks a lot! I have been struggling with this issue since I've got the synth. Just saw your video on the Ring Mod section and it was also very inspiring and usefull, please keep them coming :)
@@StarskyCarr well it arrived today :-) The first filter in the Korg Odyssey is quite a beast. And this filter is not on the 2600. I may keep them both. After an evening of playing with it I’ve heard the complete Depeche Mode Speak and spell and A broke frame album replicated. Those albums where mostly done on the 2600.
Hey Starsky - great review. You looked at and demonstrated sections which other reviews didn't. I lusted after an ARP 2600 back in the day but I've been getting into modular and have a Moog Grandmother semi-modular and I'm wondering if this would bring anything new to the party. Got any thoughts on that?
It'd be a nice addition to the GM. especially as this has no sequencer or arpeggiator. I've had a little play with the 2 of them together... just t check how they played together.
@@StarskyCarr Oooooh, that sounds great. Video please :-) I think the Grandmother would fit into any modular system but I was mainly wondering about the benefit of adding a 2600 to an existing modular system. Yes, it depends on what's in your modular :-) but I have Oscs and filters, etc. Possibly the biggest benefit is that you get lots of 'modules' in the 2600 for your money. Decisions, decisions...
@@IanWaugh I you're looking to add extra functionality to some semi modular and modular bits, I'd take a look at what you could get for a similar cost. It might bring more adventurous patches... but could also be the start of a slipper slope!
@@StarskyCarr Too late! I'm half way down the slope already :-) For the £££ I could get maybe 2, possibly 3 modules which is why the Behringer is attractive. In terms of functionality, though, I guess it doesn't add anything. I think I'm looking for an excuse to buy one :-( I should have practised more with my guitar... :-)
Difficult. I love the Pro1 but wish they had a full sized version. The Monopoly to me is ‘special’ as I now have a MonoPoly! I have the Minimoog so Poly D lacks the excitement - although I’m planning on putting the Poly D against the MinoPoly. So this or the MP for me. I have an Odyssey so leaning toward the MP. lucky me :)
There's no companion app as far as I'm aware - unless you're taking about the synthtribe app that works with all the Behringer synths. I simply use a free iPhone app for tuning all my analogs.
I have a TTSH which I built myself and it sounds pretty much the same to me, and Mate, its a 2600 for £500. Buy your own patch cables with the £4k you didnt spend on an original one.😂 You can also take those green and blue leds out and swap for all reds if you want it to look more authentic..
Haha you’re right about the patch cables... just thought I’d mention it as some folks might not have them. I really like the orange LEDS... I might have a look at how to do that at some point.
I'm new to patching stuff with analogue synths. Just bought a couple of the amazing Behringer toys. Always wondered if you could damage them by patching the wrong things together... Anyone know? Also, thanks Starsky. Another really helpful video!
There’s not really any issues especially with new stuff. Patching an output to an output was never advised in case of damage, but I’ve never heard anyone doing any damage. I think any module you’ve ever heard of will be fine. Some things work. Some don’t. But you’d be hard pressed to break anything.
@@StarskyCarr Thanks for the reply. And for the tips and reviews. It's a great time to be getting into analogue synthesis. Some of these sounds I've lusted after since I was a kid listening to Rick Wakeman and Vangelis. It's a joy to finally be able to own some of this stuff - even if they are clones. :)
You will only ever be able to control note on/off and pitch. You can use MIDI - simplest way - or the CV outs from the Odyssey. Gate out to S&H trig on the envelopes CV out to the mult - and 3 cables to the VCO KYBD CV ins.
got this as software does the behringer have the sequencer cause i do actully like this bit of kit as much as i like the arp odessy as much as i dislike analog there are a couple of peoces i do like i just been stung with bad analog synths so thats prob why i don't like it but if it does have the sequencer and these are resonably priced i'm getting one or an arp odessy its a tough one
As I feel this, using Eurorack modules to extend or replace parts of semimodular synth, is an area which is not covered too extensively in RU-vid community. My friend bought GrandMother, is looking at 2600 but is also planning a very small Eurorack Set just to be able to say replace GM's Moog Filter with ARP type filter or to add wavetable osc. He wants small setup with two semimodulars he can cross-patch +few modules. I think that's a great idea and I might follow his example. 2600 would be perfect for that, IF it's Eurorack compatible.
37:50 - I've almost gone to sleep until this LOUD moment :)))) I think it's better to check audio tracks (at least graphically) in your video editors before rendering the whole video.
I did.. then again.. then again... Every time I watch through takes 45 minutes... No idea what happened there. very annoying. This was about draft 10.. and none of the others did this...Aaargh :)
@@StarskyCarr oh! ) Maybe you've accidently touched some point in the volume's graph. Or maybe you've accidently doubled the audio track. Depends on the editor... probably some of them makes this mistake very possible.
@@KiR_3d Stuff like this normally happens when I'm adding the annotations. I start typing and FCPX hasn't caught up yet.. and every letter I type is a shortcut key!! so all sorts of madness happens and I have to undo until it all looks normal!! A right pain once you've finished and are adding little extras.. because as I say to find everything takes another 45 minutes ...urgh!
I own the Blue Marvin with the real spring reverb. IMHO it follows in a more rigid/metalic/detuned way to changes of the melody - in other words it follows not as "beautiful/pady" as the digital one does in this video. i might be wrong since i can only compare mine to yt-videos.
they put special big yellow capacitors in the filter section in place of the standard SMD caps. i saw that the circuit boards are the same and you could mod a stock2600 into a meanie by replacing those caps. IMO it isnt worth the bother. this sounds just fine to me. also, there is a place for the spring tank. they planned ahead for sure. the designers also said this was a fairly easy circuit to re-create on a single board, so it really is cheap to make. gotta love it.
Hmmmmmmm?! So, IF there’s a “quick start guide”, is it safe to conclude from this the existence of a proper “user’s manual”? As in, one with more than 12 pages?! Eeeeeehhhh. The APP??! I’ve forgotten the APP! I counted 78 of those sliding faders on that one, so I’ll go ahead and order 80 of the great covers for those LED sliders that make them much less fragile and a little less visible. Now I WAIT, as I have been informed that for now, my 2600 isn’t shipping until middle of June?!! The horror!! I’ll watch your video and play pretend to myself that I am you!! THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING!!
Download the original Arp2600 manual it’s basically a guide to synthesis and runs through about 100 pages. Read that cover to cover before June and you’ll already be an expert when you open the box :)
@@StarskyCarr AAHH. HA HA!! That’s right!! David Friend, Thomas Piggoti, and Alan wrote a textbook titled ‘Learning Music With Synthesizers’ that was quite comprehensive because they were selling the things to schools. So the aim there was to publish a book, and the textbook serves as a sort of bait to sell the synth to the music department at some college, where in those days synths hadn’t been experienced, even by many musicians. So I easily found facsimiles in pdf format of the textbook, user’s manual, service manual, and patch book!! THANKS for the suggestion!!
No ideaZ you need to check if the tip is positive or negative - I can’t remember what the 2600 uses. The ampage is the amount of power it can supply … so as long as it’s at least the minimum it’ll work. But you can’t use a 12v power supply in a 9v synth etc. Is voltage and positivity need to be the same the milliamps or amps need to be at least the stated value (more is no problem).
