ARP 2500 Modular Comes To Mac OS X

NicomSoft has introduced G2500, a Mac OS X version of the classic ARP 2500 modular synthesizer.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

The G2500 is made from in-house developed proprietary and optimized virtual analog modules to reproduce the unique and fat analog sound of the original bringing it to your desktop.

All the original control features from the ARP 2500 are there, and because you can now save your carefully programmed patches, the G2500 is even better than the real thing!

Features:

  • Ten different virtual modules also found in the original:
    • 1002 Power Control
    • 1004-T Oscillator
    • 1005 Modulator Amplifier
    • 1006 Filter Amplifier
    • 1016 Dual Noise / Random
    • 1027 Ten-Position Sequencer
    • 1033 Dual Envelope Generator
    • 1036 Sample & Hold / Random Voltage
    • 1047 Multimode Filter / Resonator
    • 1050 Sequential Mixer
  • A new 1102 I/O Control virtual module not found in the original
  • A virtual version of the 3001 Keyboard also found in the original
  • Play notes using 16 keys on the computer keyboard and selecting octave with two additional keys
  • Audio input from any system sound input device selected in the Preferences
  • Audio output to any system sound output device selected in the Preferences
  • MIDI input from any MIDI input device connected to the computer and selected in the Preferences
  • Recognizes MIDI all note off, note off, note on, and control changes
  • Save pieces of audio directly to disk in WAV format by the press of a key
  • Setup is fully user configurable, so you choose what modules to use, and how many of each
  • Choose between two skins, Vintage and Black
  • Option to display tooltips for many controls
  • Use patch cables for even more connections than possible using the upper and lower matrix
  • Load requester to load new patches from disk
  • Save requester to save your own patches
  • Patches are stored as text-files in directories on disk, so they are very easy to manage with operating system tools
  • Zoomable user interface to easily go between a full overview and a detailed view of modules and controls
  • Studio quality 24bit/96kHz audio in and out (*)
  • Audio is easily sent to e.g. a software DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) using software such as “Soundflower for Mac”
  • The G2500 is easily controlled from e.g. a software DAW using the IAC Driver found in the MacOS “Audio MIDI Setup”
  • Five banks to store patches in memory, which is a benefit when creating new patches
  • Choose between Even Temperament and Bach-Lehman Temperament
  • Toggle bandlimiting on and off to stay below the Nyquist frequency (half the sample rate of 96kHz)
  • An optional post-filter for more smooth acoustic transients

No audio demos are currently available at the company’s site. But a demo version that disables patch saving is available as a free download.

Pricing and Availability

G2500 is available now for US $100.

If you’ve used G2500, leave a comment and share your thoughts on it!

15 thoughts on “ARP 2500 Modular Comes To Mac OS X

      1. it gets better
        “Patches are stored as text-files in directories on disk, so they are very easy to manage with operating system tools”
        this means “we didnt bother to do proper preset managing, things can be all over the place, figure out yourself”

        I dont know, but all of this looks half finished and not ready for the market.

  1. It would be fun to hear the reasoning that lead them to the conclusion that they should make this standalone only? And not make it cross platform either? I mean it’s 2019, and there are plenty of options to support most plugin formats and operating systems with a pretty minimal effort by the develeoper (JUCE, for example).

    1. Hello, G2500 developer here.

      It is standalone at this time. The goal is to see, how close I can come to a real ARP 2500. The G2500 has high resolution dial knobs for example, not 7-bit control values, as you have with basic MIDI.

      The source code is highly portable, and the Windows verison was just released:
      http://niclasen.name/G2500/G2500.html

  2. Pity no AU/VST option. Installed it, not the easiest thing to read the display. So far not that impressed but great to finally get to play with an Arp 2500. Hope to see a more polished version in the future

  3. I downloaded it not knowing it needed an iac driver and Soundflower. I got a pretty picture of a 2500, very hard to read GUI (on a 27″ iMac Pro) that made no sound.
    I also agree that this needs to be an AU. Too much trouble to use as is.

  4. I used to have regular access to an ARP in early 70’s. Just barely touched it so far. Has some ironing out go. But I used to LOVE this instrument. I want to stay informed of your progress.

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