KORG ARP 2600M Review & 26 Patch Ideas For ARP 2600 Synths

In the latest loopop video, host Ziv Eliraz takes an in-depth look the KORG ARP 2600M, described as a “Genuine ARP 2600 In A More Convenient Size”.

Korg worked with ARP co-founder David Friend, to reintroduce the ARP 2600 as a full-size reissue, which was a limited edition and almost immediately sold out. Korg followed this up with the 2600M, which uses the same analog circuitry and components as the full-size reissue, but in a smaller size. It also includes some updates to make it more compatible with modern workflows, including: plug and play support for Class-Compliant USB MIDI controllers; Pitch-bend, Modulation and Portamento ON/OFF controllable via MIDI CCs and 5V trigger voltage to make it more compatible with modern gear.

Beyond reviewing the Korg ARP 2600M, though, Eliraz explores 26 patch ideas for the 2600M, which should work with original 2600 synths and its various reissues, clones and knockoffs.

Topics covered:

‘0:00 Intro
1:25 Overview
5:05 Analog bitcrush
6:55 LFO as arp
7:35 Preamp relocation
9:35 Modulating depth
11:55 ASR env to AD
12:40 Snappy trig env
13:45 Fourth LFO
14:20 Proper PWM
15:25 More cables
15:50 The two filters
16:50 Filter overload
17:25 High pass filter
19:10 Chords
19:50 Useful dummy
20:10 Duophony
21:30 Mod wheel
22:20 Mod fade in
22:55 Portamento
24:35 More mults
25:10 Patch randomizer
26:15 Explore curves
26:55 Switch 2 to 1
27:45 Switch 1 to 2
28:50 Neg ramp LFO
29:55 Complex LFOs
30:45 Be recording
31:40 Pros & cons
33:55 Outro

36 thoughts on “KORG ARP 2600M Review & 26 Patch Ideas For ARP 2600 Synths

      1. Ummm….Yeah, better than the cheap, crappy build quality that is the MS-20 mini. Other manufacturers made/make better build quality analog synth gear at the price point and less. Although, I do like my MS-20 mini and use it often, but it is cheap feeling. I’d hate to pay the $$ for the more expensive 2600m only to get the same/similar cheap build quality.

        1. “Other manufacturers made/make better build quality analog synth gear” yes but they did it much later,
          the ms20 mini was one of the first analog synths with this kind of “price to value” ratio we now “use to”. off course some improved on it later 🙂
          but it’s not that bad quality, (keys aside) the knobs are reliable, they works and not noisy, they just feels loose so it makes the all synth feels flimsy

          1. Much later? My brother has a Novation Bass Station 2 that he got before I got my MS-20 mini. The Bass Station not only was less $$ but it has much better build quality (and also patch memory).

      2. ms-20 mini has awful quality knobs, similar or the same to korg nanokontrol. No resistance at all. And good knobs are not that pricey and it’s just wasn’t worth to cheap out on.

      3. My MS-20 mini’s knobs were awful, my Behringer Model D’s are great. Thanks god Korg doesn’t make “knockoffs”, as synthopia’s staff likes to call them: I’m happy to know that users can still pay more and get less in order to keep feeding lazy brands.

        1. I think you’re confused about what ‘knockoffs’ are and what they represent.

          Knockoffs are unofficial copies that have been changed to make them cheaper to manufacturer.

          The MS-20 is a Korg product, made with the input of the creators. Does that mean the build quality good? No – it’s an official MS-20 that’s been designed to be inexpensive.

          The Behringer K-2 is an unofficial MS-20 knockoff. The design has been changed to make it cheaper to build (no keyboard, tiny form factor). Does that mean it’s poorly made or sounds bad? No – it’s a knockoff that’s built well for the price.

          Knockoffs give people a budget alternative to more expensive products. Not sure why you and some other readers are so hung up on the idea that this is bad, or that this is something that “synthopia’s staff likes to call them”.

        1. You seem angry that you don’t understand the definition of what a knockoff is.

          “an unlicensed copy of something, intended to be sold at a lower price than the original.”

  1. If you wanted an LFO, early versions of the ARP 2600 required you to give up one of the three oscillators and use it in low frequency mode as an LFO. Later, ARP added a separate, dedicated LFO that was with the detached keyboard. This setup no longer required giving up an oscillator as an LFO. This is how the full size Korg 2600 reissue is as well. With what comes with this mini version, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Since there is no separate, dedicated LFO on the mini version (at least I don’t believe there is), do you have to give up one of the three oscillators on the mini version in order to have an LFO?

  2. On the topic of build quality mentioned earlier in the thread. To me it seems like nowadays there is no significant difference on the build quality on cheaper and top end synths – apart from the choice of keyboard perhaps.. although I find that most of them are crap on top end synths as well.

  3. The sliders look like the ones on the Odyssey, which are generally fine, not amazing. How much was this thing supposed to cost? $1500?

  4. Some good patches here….excellent stuff by loopop. Thanks loopop. I just got a 2600 recently….simply love it. Been wanting a 2600 since they came out in the early 1970’s….endless fun!!

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