Maker

ARP Instruments, Inc.

Manufacturer of electronic musical instruments

ARP Instruments was an American maker of electronic musical instruments founded in 1969, a leading synthesizer manufacturer of the 1970s known for the Odyssey, the 2600, and its string ensemble.

Models

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Quadra

    ARP Quadra

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Quadra, released in 1978, is a four-section performance synthesizer combining bass, polyphonic strings, a polyphonic synth, and a lead synthesizer in one keyboard, designed to give a single player multiple layered voices.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Chroma

    ARP Chroma

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Chroma (Rhodes Chroma), released in 1982, was ARP's ambitious microprocessor-controlled polyphonic synthesizer, completed and marketed by Rhodes after ARP's collapse. With sixteen voices and computer control, it was an advanced and forward-looking instrument.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP 2500

    ARP 2500

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP 2500, released in 1970, was ARP Instruments' first product: a large modular analog synthesizer that routed signals through a sliding matrix-switch system instead of patch cords. Aimed at studios and universities, it helped establish ARP as a major early synthesizer maker.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Little Brother

    ARP Little Brother

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Little Brother is a compact monophonic expander module designed to add an extra oscillator voice to other ARP synthesizers, extending an instrument's sound with an additional analog source.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP String Synthesizer

    ARP String Synthesizer

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP String Synthesizer is an ARP keyboard that combined a polyphonic string-ensemble section with a monophonic synthesizer voice, letting players blend lush strings with synth leads and basses.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP String Ensemble

    ARP String Ensemble

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP String Ensemble is a polyphonic string synthesizer that ARP marketed by rebranding the Eminent Solina String Ensemble. Its rich, chorused ensemble strings became one of the defining 'string machine' sounds of the 1970s.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Avatar

    ARP Avatar

    Electric guitar · United States

    A guitar synthesizer released by ARP Instruments in 1977, pairing a hexaphonic guitar pickup with the company's analog synthesizer circuitry so a guitarist could play synth voices. Plagued by tracking problems and a high price, it sold poorly and contributed to ARP's financial decline.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Pro/DGX

    ARP Pro/DGX

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Pro/DGX is a preset monophonic analog synthesizer, a later version of the Pro Soloist offering selectable instrument voices and performance controls for live lead playing.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Omni

    ARP Omni

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Omni, released in 1975, is a polyphonic synthesizer that combined a popular string-ensemble section with a polyphonic synth and a bass voice. One of ARP's best-selling instruments, its lush strings were widely used in 1970s pop and rock.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Pro Soloist

    ARP Pro Soloist

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Pro Soloist is a preset-oriented monophonic analog synthesizer from the mid-1970s, offering a bank of ready-made instrument voices plus aftertouch-based expression, designed for live soloing.

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Odyssey

    ARP Odyssey

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Odyssey, introduced in 1972, is a compact duophonic analog synthesizer that became ARP's most popular instrument and a key rival to the Minimoog. With two oscillators, a distinctive resonant filter, and a slider-based panel, its punchy leads and basses appear across rock and electronic music.

Sources

Categories

  • Technical line drawing of Synthesizers

    Synthesizers

    Hardware synthesizers, synth model families, and related electronic instruments.

  • Technical line drawing of Electric Guitars

    Electric Guitars

    Solid-body, semi-hollow, and hollow electric guitars.

  • Sound Modules

    Standalone electronic sound generators without a primary performance keyboard.

Representative model

  • Technical line drawing of ARP Odyssey

    ARP Odyssey

    Synthesizer · United States

    The ARP Odyssey, introduced in 1972, is a compact duophonic analog synthesizer that became ARP's most popular instrument and a key rival to the Minimoog. With two oscillators, a distinctive resonant filter, and a slider-based panel, its punchy leads and basses appear across rock and electronic music.