The UK-based music shop GAK has leaked the KORG ARP 2600 replica with USB-MIDI, expanded keyboard functionalities including aftertouch and onboard arp/sequencer
That came as a surprise. The English shop GAK leaked the Korg ARP 2600 replica a day before the official launch. According to the leaked information, the (K) ARP 2600 will be only available in a one-time-only production run. The new version includes USB and DIN-style MIDI connections, XLR audio outputs, plus an improved ARP 3620 duophonic keyboard with aftertouch.
Two other additions to the (K) ARP 2600 are a new built-in arpeggiator and sequencer. It will arrive in a custom-branded hard-shell case, complete with casters. The price is also now confirmed. It will cost £3499 equal to $3900 USD.
New 3620 Keyboard
As already mentioned, the Korg replica has an improved ARP 3620 keyboard like aftertouch, portamento and more. GAK writes:
3620 Keyboard While faithful to the original design, the functionality of the 3620 Keyboard has been greatly enhanced for this limited ARP 2600 release. The 3620 Keyboard contains 49 full-size keys, aftertouch, portamento, and is also duophonic, allowing two keys to be played at once – Single or Multiple Triggering is available. In addition, the duophonic keyboard can use an optional foot switch to lock the interval between any two notes, without retuning the oscillators during performance.
Vibrato can be added via a dedicated circuit controlled by aftertouch, or by the onboard LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator), using any of three available waveforms. Most noticeable is the addition of a flexible Arpeggiator that allows a user-defined pattern to be manually sequenced and played back. Still present are the original Pitch Bend knob and the Two Octave Up / Two Octave Down Transpose switch. Connecting the keyboard to the main unit now uses a secure eight-pin din cable.
Processing Powerhouse
The ARP 2600 reveals its modular nature by the unique assortment of valuable, esoteric, and individually patch-able modules it contains. To begin, there are a set of parallel-wired Multiple jacks that enhance the patching possibilities – allowing the same control signal to be sent to multiple locations, for example. Three independent Voltage Processors provide scalable control voltages, or can act to attenuate any control signal.
Use the Lag Generator to delay the start of any control signal. The Noise Generator is tunable to deliver White, Pink, and Low-Frequency noise, plus everything in between. A series of three Inverters can reverse the polarity of any signal. The Electronic Switch can be sync’d to either the internal clock or any external clock signal, as can the Sample & Hold rate. Most importantly, the Arp 2600 includes a dedicated Preamp and Envelope Follower for processing an external audio signal.
Korg has also improved the ARP 2600 in several places. However, there is no precise information about what was changed on the circuitry.
More information will follow here: Korg
That price… Lets just wait for Behringer
Of course Behringer will do one but it won’t be anywhere near the same. This seems so detailed not just a mockup. Cheap will be good for people who only care about money, but for those of us who have been waiting for a real reissue – the price is bad but fair.
Rick, Behringer has already shown their prototype and… It’s a 2600. Though smaller, no keyboard, and features lights on the faders. If your “nowhere near the same” is referring to sound, well, all of their clones so far are near exact in sound. It’s safe to assume they’ll do a good job. The 2600 was the 1st thing Behringer said they were doing like 5 years ago. Definitely a passion product… Despite what some snooty people say.
Also, “the price is bad but fair”?? Pick one or the other man. Nobody expected the KARP 2600 price to be that high.
Behringer is a scumbag 🙂
Sounds like another case of BDS.
$3,900 USA ??
Price point is targeted for professional musicians and programmers. Hoping MSRP drops to about $2,900 more affordable for us collectors and hobbyists.
WIll it at least bea full sized keyboard, or is this one of those mini-keyboard things like they did with the Odyssey and MS-20?