Odyssey Shootout: Korg vs Behringer rematch 

Well, after a couple of years I found a good deal on a slightly-used KARP (mini). I've been using the Behringer for some time now and I really like its sound. However, even though when testing individual oscilators, they may sound similar, I find the KARP sounds more like an analogue (mono)synth should. It has a faster envelope, so it produces a more appealing and complex sound. The Sample and Hold works way better and yields really interesting results. In general, I like both synths, but not until I got the Karp was I able to understand why Moog was worried about the ARP's filter as I can create very Model-D Moog-like sounds with the KARP, not so mush with the Behringer. I also find that the KARP keeps itself in tune more easily, I can play with the (de)tuning of the VOCs and tuning them later very quickly. The latter is a harder task on the Behringer, as it tends to remain out of tune longer and it's harder to control. In summary, having tried both, I think the KARP is better-built (not by much) but it works more consistently. I'm really considering selling both and try to find a used KARP FS as a I like the ARP sound more than Moog's. Another difference is the subbass. I've found the KARP produces a deeper and more define subbass (Moog-like), the Behringer with its softer and slower attack produces a more rounder undefined subbass, it doesn't respond so quickly. The KARP offers more versatility in that regard.

Thanks for taking the time and care to do a great side by side comparison.

You are doing Gods work here. This was a perfect comparison. Well done sir!

Been saying it for some time since the Behringer Model D. Behringer isn't playing games. They are out to prove that this old technology doesn't need to cost an arm an a leg. That it can be made available to the public to cherish and enjoy. I can't wait to get my hands on the 2600, System 100 and System 55. They will all sound like the original. Behringer might well rule the synthesizer world for years to come.

Another great presentation. I have the Korg desktop Odyssey and I'll never part with it, but I also have the Behringer Odyssey pre-ordered and I anticipate loving it just as much. Bless both of these companies for, as you said, making available an instrument that I'd never have the $$ or sheer will to acquire. There's no loser here - they're both great.

Thanks for the comparison. I have the Korg FS and I never looked back until now. It looks like I could have saved a bit of gil with the Behringer. But, I'm just happy to have one, so I won't complain. What a time to be alive!

One of my bucket list synths for many years. I’m loving the Behringer odyssey but I’m sure I’d also love the full sized korg just as well. Really good workflow. No issues getting great sounds.

love your reviews behringer should employ you!!-ive bought 3 of their synths now due to your comparisons!

Very nice video. Glad I have my Karp Odyssey! No need to think about the Behringer as they sound just as good as one another.

Thank you so much. Aside from the sequencer and FX, I think it comes down to cost and appearances. If I followed my heart I'd chase a full-size white Korg, since I used to own a Odyssey 2800. Otherwise, the Behringer seems well capable of filling that void.

The non-linearity curve difference in the ramp is usually in-detectable in audio. The slew in the rise and fall IS. (As well as overshoot) The FSA is the tool to watch.

Oo they're friggin IDENTICAL sounding!!!! Never seen/heard such a thing in my life.

I'll take either one, but I have to give the nod to Korg because they managed to get co-designer David Friend on board. If anyone would know how an Odyssey is supposed to sound, it'd be him.

Great video. Thanks you. I hadn't heard any Behringer Odyssey videos that sounded as nice as the Korg Odyssey but you've shown that Behringer really nailed the sound. I also found the Korg fits in the limited space in my studio where the Behringer wouldn't. I use the module with the Arturia key step, which has a great arp and 64 step sequencer.

I'd like to see a 3 way shootout between the Korg, Behringer, and original ARP. Just to really set the record straight.

I just wish that Behringer would release a rack/tabletop version like Korg did for people who have way too many keys in the studio. Having full sized keys on a synth is great and all but give us options. Some people aren't gigging musicians and space is at a premium.

Thanks to all who sold their KARP to buy the BARP. It brought the price down on the KARP so I got it for the same price but more compact for my studio. Thx and great vid! 😊

Very nice! Thank you for sharing this! I've had a few Korg ARP Odyssey's and I am very excited to try out the Behringer version! A+++++++++++++++++++

Thanks! Great vid. I sold my korg a few years ago... No need to miss it any longer.

Can you do Ultravox - Vienna, haunting patch on this, selling point for me which Odyssey can do it better please?

Super test merci mec !

I care a lot about space so I kinda wish the behringer was smaller haha. if I were to get one it would probably be the behringer for the sequencer and price, but there's something nice about knowing Korg got the man himself on board, and in the miniscule differences I could hear, the Korg was a bit nicer, but the price difference is really a bit more significant.

wearing headphones and not actually watching the video, I thought the first two key hits were from the same synth. it sounds exactly the same.

Hey Starsky how about a four way comparison? The Behringer, the Korg, Korg's Odyssey VST and the GForce Odyssey VST? How about a couple of blind tests where viewers have to guess which one of the 4 the sound is made by?

Def behringer. Full size. Sequencer, effects and cheaper

Great video, thanks. Can the Behringer output polyphonic notes from its midi out? The reason I ask is that I'm thinking of buying an AKAI Force and an Odyssey as a writing rig. I would need the Odyssey to be able to output 5 or six notes for triggering chords on the Force's instruments.

Great comparison. I took the plunge on a Korg Odyssey FSQ being sold for a great price as i ultimately preferred the more faithful look (Plus it was the Rev1 livery which Behringer don't offer!). Pleased to hear they sound almost identical, a very slight louder bottom end to the Behringer, but conversely an ever so slight bit of extra clarity to the top end of the Korg. They need to hurry up with their Jupiter 8 clone, the money is burning a hole in my pocket!

I have the Behringer Odyssey. Very happy with the purchase. The full size keys were a big plus for me, plus the onboard effects are nice to have. Lighted faders, sequencer, the Behringer is a no brainer. The full size Korg cost 1,300.00 or more. I got the Behringer new for 499.00.

Sawtooth 2:13 Square 3:44 PWM 5:06 Low Pass 6:24 High Pass 16:46 Drive 18:12 LFO 19:33 S&H 20:23 Sync 22:15 FM 22:30 RIng Mod 23:06 Envelopes 24:56 Conclusion 25:42 Some Sounds 28:10 Post Script 31:51 :)

Trying to watch motogp here man and this crap notification pops up on my iPad aaarrrgggghhhh what to choose now, so thanks a lot starsky 😂

The Korg Arp luckily also comes in a full size version, for the ones who prefer that. Nice to have the option of the different sizes.

Oh! Indeed the buzz in the Korg square wave wasn't pleasant on my headphones (vintage Grado SR60s). Before you mentioned it, my face went "ouch" :)

The Behringer does not only sound almost identical it also has a lot more features.

Does the Behringer version have an arpeggiator?

It's nice to see somebody give a fair comparison without the "Behriger hate " clouding the results. No two synth sound exactly the same. So I would expect small differences here. But Behringer and Korg both made nice sounding synths. You have two options, different price ranges, both worth buying for different reasons.

Crazy they sound so similar!

Can't wait to get my Odyssey!

behringer team researchers would have done several times comparing the arp odeysey to the new clone. wondering they might slept in lab cloning stuff like days to weeks. super nerd. i'm ordering one . about to recieve it next week aboard to southeast asia

Damn those oscillators sound damn good!

I now have both in my studio. I wanted larger keys but not the pricetag of the KARP FS so I bought the Behringer mostly for the key size with a plan to sell on the KARP and replace it with the Pro-1 or MS 101 for some variety. But that plan died the first night the Behringer Odyssey was in the studio. Here's why. 1. Your video already shows that these two can be set up to sound nearly identical. In the hands of a good patch programmer I have no doubt you could get what you need out of either. 2. That said: I do find my KARP has a different character. It is subtle, but it is there. The Behringer is a little more modern sounding (hard to explain) and the KARP sounds a bit more vintage Arp to my ears in very simple patches. This is not a bad thing at all. It means you can have both in your rig and not see them as simply duplicates of the same palate. They can each go into spaces a little different than the other. 3. I had long considered a module to expand the KARP, but I have now abandoned that idea in favor of having the two keyboards. They eat up a lot of space collectively, but they are wonderfully complimentary. The first night I lost 3hrs a Blofeld ambience and the two arps playing various lines. I wish I had recorded that magic. 4. In Japan the KARP new is 78,000yen (About $710 US) new/ used (if you can find one) 48,000yen ($440 US) and the Behringer is 55,000yen ($505 USD) / none on the used market yet. So price wise the Behringer is a no brainer. For key size the KARP FS is nearly $1,400 in Japan, 3x the Behringer price. So if you only want one and you want full size keys, the Behringer wins. If you want small and portable with a great case then KARP. Either way you get an Arp. 5. Space. Both fit in my space, but the Behringer is 8cm or so wider, is deeper and taller. So KARP wins on space if you are cramped. All that said, I thinking having both is a great solution for those who want to do ambient or retro electronic music. They are different enough to provide two strong duophonic synths while being the same enough to double up for the exact sounds. And with keybeds on both, they give you a lot of live potential. So in the end it looks like the MS 101 is now off my list and the KARP will stay. But the Pro -1 is still at the top of my list since it is 4th in my list of vintage synths I wish I had owned. The Arp was #2 and the Prophet 5 #3. I think most synth maniacs are waiting for someone to make a CS-80 for us, which has been #1 on my list for decades. Let's see if Behringer can nail it at a price we can afford and a weight we can actually carry.

IMHO this is a no brainer: Fill size keys, price, build quality, sequencer, leds, fx... would fully understand a sentimental choice if it were for an original ARP, but the KARP is a clone, too.

I think it’d be interesting to see a side by side comparison of the hardware fundamentals vs Korg’s iOdyssey app for iPad. iOdyssey is easily in my top 10 synths on iOS., seems very close to the real deal.

To me there is a tiny little space where the korg excells and the behringer just stays there trying to be the same sound but it's not. This is something I notice with all behringer clones, it's like having an mp3 version of the original and I don't mean that in a bad way because the gap is reeeaaally small but if I can notice it, then the magic belongs somewhere else, thanks for this comparison!

Seeing as the Korg reissue is also technically a clone I think I'm leaning toward the Behringer for the added features and the lower price tag.

Thanks for another great shootout! Very usefull. Imo, the square sounds better on the Behringer, plus it's cheaper, bigger, has fx and a sequencer. I sold my KARP.

Thanks for this. It's a shame the Behringer doesn't come in a module version.

Can you by any chance pleeeaaaase test theses tunes: Dr Who Tom Baker/ Peter Davidson theme as this was done on an Arp, also the spooky bit which was also done on an Arp Odyssey on Vienna--Ultravox. As this would make at least one of the Odysseys sold as I can't make up my mind!

I own the original ARP Odyssey. The Korg version sounds a bit clearer in the high frequency and has less of the bottom end of the Behringer, which is beefier. For this reason, the Korg is more similar to the original ARP Odyssey, which has a very clear, very sharp sound that cuts through the mix. So ym vote goes to the Korg reincarnation.

crazy jealous of that rack with the MS-20, Odyssey, SV-1 and the two beastly 6 voice machines from DSI/Sequential, god damn!

I'm saving up now.

Really helpful comparison, they're virtually identical. Now if only you can locate an original Arp Odyssey and then compare all three...

Long DC cables sometimes warm and get hot really quickly, I think it should be better to just have the AC to DC converter inside the synth at least if it is full sized

Behringer is knocking it out of the park lately. They have totally rebuilt there brand image from the ground up. Great casings with the innards to back it up!

Not having full-sized keys is a deal breaker for me. Korg has standardized on non full-sized keys on these kinds of synths, like that of the Wavestate.

Awesome comparison. I think the snappy envelopes on the Korg are very important to the replication of the original design. Why they had to come out with some ridiculous price for the full size version though??

Another great review....how is the keyboard on the Behringer? I've read that the keyboard on the KARP full size is disappointing

very interesting video - thanks for that - just one thing i found pretty annoying: the volume of the synths is much louder than the voice of the speaker - so when i pull up the volume to understand him, the sound samples are much too loud - also the voice is not very clear - maybe use a lavalier headset next time ?

What is the build quality like? I found the arp faders are quite wobbly (side to side play) and I was told they have plastic stems. Are the behringers metal and more solid?

One thing you missed that I would have liked to see is putting raw external oscillators into the Behringer Ext Audio Input. And combining them with the onboard ones too. 👍🏻

Nice Video!

Does the Behringer have longer sliders giving increased accuracy / range? Do either correspond well to the original patch sheets? I'd love a white face korg just for the look of it. I kind of wished the behringer didn't have the screen to keep it looking authentic.

one of the coolest synths to look at

does the Behringer have slider shafts of plastic or metal? The Korg version is plastic like the original as far as I know...

Both Odysseus models are beautiful in purpose of the original. I wish my original Korg mono/poly had some of these added capabilities. The mono/poly had effects as modulation options but not reverberation and delay. The Mono/poly creates sinusoidal resonant feedback, and with the thickness that can rattle the windows of a house.

They do sound very similar. To me the Behringer is slightly more modern sounding and has a slightly bigger sound but the Korg has a slightly smoother warmer filter. I like the look and full size of the Behringer better and it is a little more affordable. I'm just wondering whether to get that one or wait for the 2600.

I think I liked the “click” in the HP better 🤓 gave it attitude 😎

Love the strange music intro ! Very creative !

Must have watched about 5 of your vids today mate. Not interested in buying any synth in particular, just enjoy the vids ha. Tell me this, how many synths have you got altogether? Still have the moogs etc? You should do a run down of all your synths.

the behringer seems to have slightly thinner low end, is that correct?

I wonder if we have a coming lawsuit on our hands in the near future. I know Behringer is well known for beating the case when it comes to their “clones” getting lawsuits thrown at them but this and the X2 are just laughably similar especially in the physical design. I’m not complaining however, the competition is great and it’s about time someone made a cheap competent clone of an instrument that’s just shy of 50 years old.

If you are a collector and want an Odyssey with the ARP logo (and also have a maintenance agreement with a vintage repair workshop), get the original ARP. Otherwise the Behringer seems to hit the perfect spot. (Edit 2023: Or buy the Korg Odyssey FS. Which I ended up getting.)

Sounds so similar that you tweaked the wrong keyboard lol

There are two deal breakers here if you forget the price difference. _I hate mini keys_ because my muscle memory is trained to play piano keys & nothing smaller. Secondly the Behringer mono synths can be interfaced with Eurorack & all have additional in's & out. That's a brilliant idea! Why don't many other companies do that too?

I love the "modules" eurorack from Behringer (like de D and the K-2 for example). One of the reasons I prefer the K-2 over the MS20 mini is the form factor! I don't care about embedded keys because I far prefer to play with my full size hammer action midi controller. That is the reason why I got the KORG ARP Module instead of the Behringer Odyssey. I would LOVE if Behringer released the Odyssey in a Eurorack format (can take off the effects and the sequencer, I don't care), but they didn't, so, KORG it is :(

I think the effects on the Behringer are more smooth and pronounced. On a track you probably couldn't notice a difference and can hide a lot of the crimes, but when you're searching for a specific sound, that little bit of smoothness and response can be a dealbreaker. Just depends on your use case. Not factering in cost, I'd go with Behringer not only for the looks but the performance as well. Cost wise, you get more for less, and that's a deal in the music world.

I have had both, the Korg is the better synth by a country mile. It stays in tune far better than the Behringer, and it is altogether better quality. O.k. the Behringer has a sequencer, but is a pain to use. And why the heck Behringer clipped the effects to mono only, goodness knows. In any case, I should never have bothered with the Behringer and gone for the Korg straight away. Chalk and cheese.

Maybe I'm missing something I bought the Korg Arp full size 1st generation copy (white)

Seriously sounds like an identical circuit board in each unit.

Question for Starsky, or any other Behringer Odyssey owner: Does anyone else's octave switch have a TON of play before it engages? Mine works, certainly, but feels really jiggly; like there's about a centimeter of play before it actually switches octaves.

Seems these Behringer clones are nothing to scoff at.

hi can you tell me which oscilloscope you were using cheers

Around 27:44 you mention a soulsby synth? Which one do you have and when are you going to demo it?

As a Behringer owner(Neutron, td3, rd8) always bear in mind reliability.. My neutron and Rd8 have a flaws which occured in less than a year.. Thanks God Td3 works flawless..

11:06 esa diferencia que noto es en que el denla izquierda se escucha el armonico 4 y el de la derecha el armonico 5

I’m for sure getting this. But it’s a bit more expensive than I originally thought. Haha I must’ve been living under a rock or something.

I have the Behringer. Wish it had patch memory presets and stereo outs. But then of course it wouldn’t be faithful to the original.

For the price of the Behringer odyssey the sequencer and the effects are a nice little detail

I’m going to write a letter to Behringer tomorrow to let them know because of your channel I bought 3 of their synths.

Thanks Starsky! Second watch, I think!

Korg sounds brighter and more authentic but I like the beefy sound and looks of the Behringer.. those faders are pretty cool looking plus the bigger keys are definitely nice to have..but if u need to save space go with the Korg

Sound so similar. Be interesting (but obviously impractical) if you had the original Odysseys next to them too.

In a mix, I wouldn't give a damn

The Korg Odyssey is available with full size keys.

8 months down the line and at least Thomann in Europe is offering Korg Arp Odyssey module Mk3 with same price than Behringer Odyssey. Many of us have several keys already and it's quite small that way - I think that is a great option to Behringer Odyssey for us needing to think about the budget. So if you skip the keys, suddenly money is not a factor anymore. I had a listen at KARP on a local shop and it sounded absolutely stunning - so raw and untempered, something I do not get from Behringer Odyssey demos. I *think* I hear the same difference in this video, especially on bass notes. But I might be imagining, here they sound very similar! But by choosing KARP, I would miss the effects, my signal path does not have it easily available - I cannot decide! Perhaps I just buy both eventually *facepalm*

To me the Behringer wins. I like the LEDs on the sliders, and built-in FX are super handy too. It's also less expensive. Kind of a no-brainer really.

Just so you know mate, on your cover photo..you have the Korg name above the Behringer and the Behringers logo above the Korg.

I'd like to hear two patches matched, and then a song played on each.

My Bodyssey was faulty, one oscillator have always go out of tune, and can't fix it in any way Behringer suggested. Sux. I can't understand why the fxes are mono. Unbelievable. Sound is good, for sure, but my Karp Module is stable, more durable, and more authentic sounding.

Hi! Thanks for a good comparision but which filtermode are the synths in for most of the test? Like the raw waveformtests? Is the behringer brighter in filter1 mode even when the filter is fully open and the resonance is 0? I have had the B and have the K module now and I remember the B having less of a ”pillow over the speaker” symptom than the korg has in type1 mode, almost makes me want to return the korg. It feels more ”polite” soundwise. Or am I imagining things?

Thanks a lot for this comparison. The KORG gets my money. I trust their quality control more than Behringer's and the Korg version can carry the name ARP as it was one of the last instruments Alan R. Pearlman consulted on and endorsed. That may not mean much to many but it surely means something to me.