Great video as usual Mark - loving all the teardowns. I also greatly enjoyed the Maplin 5600S restoration (still hankering after one of those). A couple of comments on the KARP teardown: Those pressure "switches" on the PCB are miniature strain gauges. The ball on the gauge and the metal bits in the buttons are to ensure a single point of contact and avoiding transmitting anything but the pressure in the vertical direction. The digital (obviously) USB controller also does the duty of scanning the keyboard, so the internal CV and gate are digitally generated (sorry analog purists, there's no resistor ladder in the keyboard, only "dirty" digital CV :-p )
+Trottelheimer Thanyou for that information especially about the pressure switches. it all helps other people and I get to gain information from you guys posting things here. Many Thanks from Markus
Thanks for showing the guts of it. really eager to see the next video ;) This channel deserves more views/likes ,definitely I'll promote this to my friends.
Im just pleased it is actually analog. it shows that a full analog synth can still be made with modern processes without the need for a big processor emulating everything.
the door is now open for companies to remake some wonderful old synths. I want the elka synthex and maybe a CS-80 . actually when i think about it theres lots of old synths i would like remaking. I need a bigger house and bigger bank balance :-(
I'm so thankful you delve into the controversy surrounding the key size Markus. All the complaints about it equate to crying over spilled milk, especially since there's now a tabletop module on the market. If I get this bugger, it'll be the module. Then again, people still complain that the module doesn't contain rack ears or the right dimensions. Shouldn't they go fix the leak in their kitchen?
The next video's the one I'm waiting for! I'm resurrecting the Maplin synth that I built back in the 80's. It's how I got into synths. Happy memories. 😃
Hi Markus, It's the exact same model as you showed in the video, a 5600S. Ah, yes, the patch plugs. Now that's got me thinking...ok, I've found them, but I've only got 12. You are welcome to borrow them but will need them back at some stage. I'm busy starting up a new business, so I will not have time to do the 5600S resurrection for a while. I've still got the build manual which I can scan if you need it. Bob
Bob Fuller Hi Bob. Thats a very generous offer, I am going to look into it today and see how much of the thing has been completed as there are 3 holes in the back with sockets missing so I do not know if everything has been completed. But yes I would love to try out with the pins if i get the thing to light up. and would of course send them back insured special delivery as i know they are quite expensive. I will try and send a private message later today and give you my details. Thanks Bob from Markus.
markusfuller at 6:06 once you get the main board out, what is that epoxy/glob of glue clear looking stuff? whats its purpose? Plus I love love love love love your videos sir!!!!
Hi Marc, Im not absolutely sure but it may be to keep out any humidity around those few components which would help in keeping the oscillators more stable. (possibly). ?
Hello Markus, i got a question about this very synth. I have one of those with me, and it doesnt turn on (no led, no sound, nothing). When inspecting the power board, i found the 54240 IC (step down converter) to get really hot, but only after trying to power the unit up. Its way too hot to be normal, and its the only thing that looks suspicious in the board. What do you think?
Brilliant Markus - thanks for that! Been dying to see the insides of this (not that I'd know what Im looking at!) - really appreciate your bravery/curiosity! Enjoy the synth mate!
Hi mCKENIC . Thankyou. I always wanted one of these (original ones) but this is just as good . even better as theres midi on it. some incredibly big sounds in this little thing.
Nice channel, just found it browsing some synth demo vids. Didn't expect to find something that could also trigger my electronic engineering interests ;) You're basically the Dave Jones(EEVBlog) of the synthesizers. Subscribed!
Hey i've got a question! I have the Korg Odyssey FS and I love the synth but I hate the keys. They are very cheap feeling.. So what would be my best bet on upgrading them? Should i replace each key and see if that helps? Or buy a whole new three octave keyboard and try and get it wired up. I've never torn anything like this down before. Thanks for any suggestions!
I'm a bit disappointed that they used single turn pots for vcos scaling. I have to scale mine, and I'm afraid that it will make it harder. Maybe I should upgrade these to multiturn ones? ;)
+milky michael Hello Milky. I think it is something to do with sealing those components from the elements ( humidity etc ) so as to make that part of the circuit more stable. .. thats just a guess.
Hey mark , just wondering how big a job it would be to add CV mini jacks to this and make it semi modular 2600 ish or like the mods the axe used to get,
Hi is it normal to feel a slight vibration when the power is connected if you lightly touch the back panel? Something to do with grounding. I just noticed it on mine after it fell over accidentally. No idea if it was like that before but I never noticed it until now. Is there anything I could check inside to make sure some damage wasn't done.
@@markusfuller I have an old Macbook that does the same. It only does it if I barely touch it. Since the psu is two prong doesn't that mean there is no grounding or does it do it through the 2?
Hello Markus. Great video teardown yet again ! Thanks ! One question: I've noticed some hot melt glue spots around the VCOs area, do you have any idea what is that for ? Obviously not to hide the components, like they used to do back in the day to protect design secrets, since the glue is transparent. Maybe for some temperature stability ? I don't know... What do you think ?
Hi Alain. I think (only guessing) maybe its there to keep out Hygro moisture changes out so as to keep the vcos steady. sort of sealing them from atmospheric moisture changes. just a wild guess
I just bought mine yesterday, and it does sound like would expect from a proper analogue synthesizer. And it has a lot of odd design details - some which probably aren't entirely desirable for everyone, so I was wondering if it could be modded. And thanks to your splendid video, I know at least what sort of challenge I would be facing: Tiny tiny SMD components! Too small for my big clumsy fingers to weld anything on to. ;)
@@markusfuller they are next to each other! If you can somehow video chat with me I can show you first hand. I’m not sure exactly what happened but it happens all at once
I no longer have my odyssey so cannot open it up to guess what may be wrong with yours. there may be a small crack on the copper track on the board under the keys or even a fault on the ribbon cable that connects it to the main board. I am only guessing but i had a keyboard that worked until i pressed a certain key and then several keys next to that would stop suddenly but it starts working again, I found there was a small crack on the copper circuit and i had to solder across the crack to reconnect it. i remember it was very hard to find because a multimeter would test the track as ok until i pressed hard on the key which slightly bent the board and then the multimeter would register a fault again. look at the tracks that come from that key and see which one is shared with the other 3 keys that stop working then there is a chance that the fault may be somewhere along that.
Hi Jacob. the desktop mod would be easy for roland to make as the pitch/scatter board is a separate board already. it would be just a case of remodelling the plastic box. and I'm sure they would sell better as the keys on this thing are the worst i have ever played. i just midi into it with a proper keyboard. the synth in itself is really quite good.
markusfuller Yeah I can't imagine it's a particularly tricky mod to do, at least in terms of the electronics, just more of a fabrication job than anything. Roland might be doing it already though, apparently: www.synthtopia.com/content/2015/03/30/roland-aira-mystery-box/
Great stuff, Markus! There's a really interesting interview by sonic state's nick batt at namm 2015 where he asks the official korg demo guy on modding the new odyssey...the response is extremely cagey, i think this korg guy envisaged loads of wrecked odysseys as obviously this surface mount technology is not so easily mod'ded as with the old original....
Hi Gary. Im sure this could also be Modded. Yes the components are tiny but theres several places on the tracks where you could hack into them and solder your own ideas in place. Just a bit smaller but that gives you a little more room also. interesting to see what people will do with these in the near future.
+markusfuller absolutely Markus, I don't get the hate in any direction, embrace or walk away, it's pretty easy. Seeing inside these modern weapons is an eye opener. I haven't opened mine up but appreciate you doing it, I would like to know if there are any option son the board for future hacks though, you mentioned nine in the video, do I assume there are none?
But Don't forget who Helped Bring the Odyssey Back. "David Friend" The Same Guy who helped to TANK ARP in the first place. At least in this role he was a consultant.
wow, thx, i'm thinking of modding my fs to make it semi modular (with the ttsh/2600 could be even cooler than usinfg two 2600's like a lot do, because of functons present on ody and not on 2600, sq/st osc's being very close nevertheless). i'm surprised ppl didnt think about that b4, it's an easy task (okay "easy"; you'll need basic knowledge but it aint complex or a long job), especially the way arp synth are implemented with those rows of inputs on the 2600, and the same exact row but with swtiches instead of in jax on the ody. the idea is to catch ins and outs (audio and mod) from the switches (or else, there must be some pots here and there), and add mixers and splitter wherever they might be needed (allthough it's doable without i'm just thinking up loud) mixers are there alreeady so maybe on some ins a resistor is just enough. once conections via clean cables done, tidy the cabling as nice as you can, shield the audios if needed, and bring it al to the backplate, we might use a fancy connector, or find another option, because then, i'd like to make an external panel in a box to put behind the ody; my ttsh is 80% of full size 2600 witch is exactly the width of the ody FS, so if i make that panel in a way that the box it's fitted on canm get the ttsh to be installed on it, the istalatiuon will be real practical. then i just might offer that mod to the public if anybody interested... I'de like, if i can, to keep the original switches in place and get the ody to stay just like original once "mod kit) is unplugged (thus the fancy connector/plug), but if i cant that would not be the end of the world... for conveniance though, i would rather put connection as i explained rathjer than replace the switch row with a jack ins/outs row, because cabling in combination with another modular would be way less confortable as cables would have to go across the faceplate, witch i always try to avoid on units i design, mod and audio connectors should be on sides or borders (like those moog boxes that's neet) imo...
Another excellent and valuable video! And pleeeeease don't tell me you found that Maplin synth at a car boot sale!!! I look forward eagerly to the video :)
Hi Reuben. Im really sorry but yes it was from a car boot sale. It was still costly £450 as theres a few jack sockets missing on the back so I was not sure everything would be inside. Mad as i am I took the gamble and the innards do look fully boarded. will i get it going though thats the big question ?. fingers crossed........
markusfuller Hi Markus, thanks for the reply :) What a find! Do the car boot sales you go to happen to have a high concentration of musical instruments, or is it pure luck and persistence that pays off once in a while? I also wanted to ask whether you would dare mess around with any of the trim pots in the Karp Odyssey?
Hi Reuban. I go to 4 car boots every week one is 25 miles away, Its just persistence that sometimes pays off plus some dealers know i want this type of thing so save bits for me. but i can go for months finding nothing at all. as for the pots in the Karp no way will i move any of those without any knowledge of what they are for. theres 5 that can be accessed from the front panel by removing rubber grommets but the rest inside No chance :-(
Great vid Markus! i just ordered the module rev 3,can you by any chance explain how to hook midi up to this? I am pretty new to synths, but don't have a clue how to do this, i have a korg ms-20 and moog stage two phatty,and it's confusing to say the least. Excellent vid! Convinced me to buy the module!
MyBichSustained Hi I believe the midi is note only and will only control the keyboard as in notes played, it will not control any fader settings. unless theres been an update that i dont know about.
Thanks for quick reply!i hope to figure it out, main reason i got it is it has a External Audio Input,hoping i can send my keyboard that way! Again thanks for reply, love the vids!
I own one of these, and I have a problem with the design: 1) Key trigger always resets LFO phase 2) With an envelope set to LFO Repeat and Auto Repeat, the trigger occurs part way through the LFO cycle, not the beginning These 2 things together mean that if the LFO is busy triggering the envelope and then you press a key, the rhythm is interrupted. If you trigger the keyboard repeatedly, you can even cause the envelope to never fire. This makes it near impossible to use LFO repeat musically (rhythmically) while also changing notes. How difficult would it be to: a) Disable the key trigger LFO phase reset, or: b) OR the LFO trigger and the key trigger together to feed the envelope when set to LFO Repeat? Either of these would allow me to play in rhythm.
I found a better explanation for the behavior. When in LFO repeat, the LFO square wave positively gates the envelope. When this gate is high and a key is pressed, the gate from the keyboard is effectively missed as the gate never went low. Could we XOR the LFO-based gate signal and keyboard TRIG signal to force the gate low momentarily? What's the easiest way to accomplish that with the KARP?
Markus, can you tell if the sliders are stock sliders? They have mounting holes at the top and bottom which aren't used. So I assume they are stock size?
Ni5ei Hi They do not look like anything especially made for this product so I guess you should be able to find something that should replace these if need be without buying them directly from Korg.
Great, thanks! I was asking because someone was talking about replacing them with sliders that have an LED in the tip (like the Lumina slider kit for the original Odysseys). If these are available in the right size and resistances then it should be doable.
Hey Markus. I've enjoyed your videos. I have a question about the Korg Arp Odyssey. Does the power button on yours feel wobbly? I just received mine and it doesn't seem solid. Just wanted to see if that is indeed standard. Thanks! Keep up the cool videos!
unimaxer Hi Yes the power button does feel a little bit wobbly, but so does the range switch and faders. Im enjoying using it but I'm being careful as i think some of the parts would be easy to break.
Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if the sustain of the AR could be made switchable (on/off). But seeing the board I think I'll wait until somebody publish the modification :-)
Great video! I love tearing things apart. About the Roland, I think the same thing about most keyboards. I wish they made a module version of every synthesizer. :) there are only so many keys I need laying around. I always just use one master keyboard anyway.
I agree. there was a time when lots of successful synths were remade as modules. I think the system-1 would be an easy rework as the pitch/scatter board is already a separate board so it could just be moved to the side of the synth board.
Yes the Plugout system has been a bit of a flop for many users in that it will not load any plug-out synths unless you go through an up to date DAW first. so in my case i have Logic 9 so I cannot load the SH-101 unless i buy Logic x. I think Roland should work on this as many people do not have up to date DAWs so they are not going to purchase any plug-outs unless Roland sorts this issue out. The System-1 is a great little synth in its own right (apart from the keyboard)
same here I have Logic 9 and I'm not prepared to pay another £200 just to update to Logic-X I never use a DAW anyway I was hoping the system-1 would be No PC required. That was the original reason I was interested in it in the first place. but to pay £200 then around £79 for each software synth I'd rather save my money and buy hardware.
Do these tend to have any issues with overheating or anything like that? The Analog circuits look super simple and efficient - making me question why modern analogs is seemingly a 'new' thing...
there does not seem to be any overheating issues, the PSU is separate not built in like the original. modern analog isn't so new its always been around being made by other companies and eurorack etc I just think like fashion tends to do a full circle then analog synths is also making a comeback. I'm sure in the next couple of years all the big companies like roland yamaha korg etc will be making some more interesting true analog gear again. theres certainly enough interest in the buyers market to remake this gear again.
Great video Markus! I'm curious to know what you'd think about mods - most importantly the LFO free run mod I had on my long gone MK2 Odyssey. I remember it being rather easy to do on that synth - just cutting a trace and installing a toggle switch. Do you think it could even be conceivable on components this small?
calyx93 Hello, Im sure it can be done on these mini korg versions. the components are small but the tracks can still be got at. though I'm not sure where to start looking for the right place. there is bound to be people modding these eventually, mines back in its case at the moment as I'm stuck repairing my old maplin 5600 and its taking all my free time up at the moment.
is it possible to have a midi keyboard and take the keyboard and build a case and have a organ emulator and have it all in one case so basically the keyboard and organ emulator are attached
JacobRivard Hi, Yes I have seen where people have made their own organs that are actually midi keyboards with built in PCs running synth and organ emulators. the Korg Kronos is an atom computer in a case with the midi keyboard and midi controllers on it and touch screen.
A few years ago I saw a whiteface on eBay that had been modded with multiple patch points on the front panel. I thought concurrently "How cool" and "What a shame". It will be cool to see how people hack this thing up (think Monotron, Monotribe, etc.). I'd love to be able to patch it into a modular or TTSH or (dare I say) a 2600...
Chris Nowak he did tear down a kronos in a past video. Inside there is nothing more then a old celeron cpu, some RAM memory and an SSD disk. . In fact it is just an old computer, programmed by Korg using a Linux dialect, with a keyboard...
Thank you for making! Maybe just a suggestion but possibly have some arp sounds as a backing track. Would be better for those of us with add. Still like though. Thanks again!
Hi Jonathan. I am starting to add sounds and music to my later videos. I never consider myself as a good musician so was always reluctant to add my music to my videos. but I am learning as i go along.
markusfuller yep I know that I had an odyssey years ago. but korg could have mounted them nearer the sliders to make them easier to see. lfo led is not to bad but the gate led is nowhere near it. 🤔
As I expected there's more than enough room inside to have the power supply inside the unit. I really wonder why Korg decided not to to this and use a stupid wall wart (as if we don't have enough of those already).
Would you be able to tell me how to make a patch called g-funk/funky worm etc. It is used on a lot of rap songs like "Gin and Juice" "Dre-Day" and several others. Kind of like a sine wave sort of whistle. Thanks!
Hi Dee , sorry Im the wrong person to ask. when it comes to making sounds Im really lazy and often just use presets with just a few little changes then maybe guitar effects pedals from the outputs and into the mixer. the most interesting sounds I have made and saved are completely random where I have made something by accident. sorry about that. have a great new year. from markus.
i think Dre used the minimoog for a lot for these sounds. so probably look for moog and dr.dre combo or something like that. Other than that and to come down to the minikeys. I HATE MINIKEYS. WHYYYYYYY are there minikeys? i have never heard a good argument.
Frankly, these are not mini-keys. Compared to the micro korg/micro brute/JD-xa these are pretty big. They are actually called slim keys and they are much longer and a little narrower than standard. If you want the full size keys then buy the Korg Arp Odyssey Full size for a grand more this year. :) Honestly, the value of this synth makes up for the 14% smaller keys. Yeah, the mini moog did it originally but I think the Ohio Players created the patch on the "Funky Worm" track in the 70's. That's the first time I have heard that sound. :)
i have a minilogue. has slim keys. still don`t agree with their existence. Vest value odyssey would be the desktop version for me. Dre i mentioned cause since the sound are similar it might be easier to find his patches since he is-was not that long ago. was just a thought
roberto carlos . oh ok i checked with google and it said a poder board was for ski-ing on snow :-) . but yes power board what seems to be the problem ?.
Count the trim pots on the mainboard. All of those have to be set by a tech. And now you know why no one does true analog anymore. (also is why it's so expensive. people are expensive)
my guess korg pays big royalties to ARP because there is not alot going on in there for a 1000 euro mono synth , great little synth but still different sounding to the original ,less bite and grunt , i payed 200 euro for a mint white MK1 1972 original when nobody wanted these.
+AlainRaes67 I had so many wonderful synths in the past and sold them on cheap as they were not worth anything and were just taking up room. oh if only I had saved them there was some god ones as well as the ARP original (though i found it a little hard to understand at the time)
yes everybody that first encounters an ody or a 2600 keep scratching their heads why it keeps on outputting sound when they up the vca level slider and NOT touching the keys, until they notice you have to set it at 75 percent as anything above it is auto hold mode HA!
Hi Markus, Thanks for your reply, my name's mike, the youtube account is just a user name...i would be very nervous about trying to mod a synth with surface mount technology...perhaps it would be better if people were to wait until the warranty on their new arps was up???
to my mind the newer korg odysseys do not sound quite as 'tasty' as the old ones - my best guess is that the difference is largely due to to the higher capacity power supply and MUCH larger cross sectional area in the solder-flowed traces on the original which are capable of carrying far more current.... but it's just a theory... it's a feature unique to the old arp synths - and they have a dynamic range that is only shared by the EMS synths .
THEMASCHINER talking to me? i have both.... the older one is a Mk.III. iit's just my impression - could be age of components - but they sound different to me... the new korg one more 'raspy', less 'deep'...
Joan Rue Hi, Sorry I have been really busy trying to repair the damn thing and theres so many things wrong with it I'm having to almost rebuild the entire synth.
OK, I know the problem .... Good Luck .... it is definitely worth it and I have to wait, for so many things, so .... what is one year or one month .... If you see the result, working for the first time ....
Thank you loads for this very insightful teardown, Markus. At ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4p4NUiKwxpo.htmlm14s you show the LFO section. Did you or has anyone else attempted to put a switch in there to disable LFO sync to keyboard, when needed? Similar to this original mod www.arpodyssey.com/iotech-arp-odyssey-lfo-free-run.htm ? Thank you for any hints and keep up the great work.
Markus, well, i didn't find any obvious mode yet. I'll keep on searching, but i suppose, that the SMD layout kind of stops a lot of mod attempts. Thanx for answering in any case and greets from berlin.
+skyprop Hi Yes it is a modern analog version of the original with all the good and bad things that the original had. Korg even had David Friend as a consultant during the design and manufacture of this K-ARP. the only thing i dont like about it is the external power supply unit. I think they could have put that in the unit like the originals. but yes it is very close to the original by about 83%
+HatredPrime I think it has to do with EMF testing. It's easier to have an external PS that is used on a few products tested than it is to have every product tested. Either that or they're forced by regulation to use a switching PS and don't want to have to deal with proper shielding to prevent the PS from producing interference in the synth voice.
+HatredPrime I can think of several other reasons for external power supplies. It reduces the weight of the unit (no need for ac-dc transformers), it makes the instruments easier to maintain (fixing power supplies isn't the most fun in the world - much easier to just replace the wall wart), and quite probably reduces cost since the companies probably have a bulk discount on the external psu's instead of making boards to fit each synth. Really I don't see the positives of having an internal power supply, unless you need to have multiple different voltages (and some ac power) and it's impractical to make a custom built external supply.
Only time will tell how this new printed circuitry will last. Made in china (Build time about 1 hour) Should be about the same price as there MS20 mini.
