|
Over the years I've owned and sold 20 + analogue synths including a black and orange Odyssey, Avatar, Minimoog, Prophet 5, etc, etc.
After a long break I'm getting back into making music and the only analogue I've bought again is the Odyssey - I've got a 2813 black and gold with the 4075 filter.
Everyone seems to refer to the Ody as the Minimoog's poor relation. Having owned both, my view is that the Arp is every bit as good and in some respects better - it is certainly more flexible. The Minimoog feels more like a musical instrument (all that wood!) but there is no way they are worth the cash they command these days. You can literally get 3 or 4 Odysseys for the same money!
Things the Arp does well: it wails and sings! The portamento sounds like NO other synth. It will sound warm if you want, but it can also sound very clean and bright, unlike the Mini. It has an ext audio in and a filter that is worth feeding things through. The bass end of the Ody will shake your window frames and the Oscillator synch will rattle your fillings!
Things the Arp does badly: it wails and sings! Those coarse tuning sliders are not good for live performance and if you're not careful can turn a subtle moment into a wildly out of tune embarrassment.
The black and orange later versions have PPC (which I like but a lot don't) but they also have the last inch of the keys completely unprotected -bash or drop it at your peril.
I think the Odyssey is without doubt the best of the 70s/80s monosynths (all right, duosynth). If you see one for less than �600, BUY IT! It has warmth and character like a Mini, but still manages to retain sparkle and clarity. Compared to the insipid Korg MS20 (�1000 + ?? Yeah, right..)it will move your dancing trousers like no other synth..
|
