I think the CA2600 is one of CA's best synths.
It sounds great !
And another +1 here for full polyphony.
With the help of a Unify-ing companion product - I often use this in poly mode.
However, having poly mode built in would be very much appreciated.
silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
"The ARP 2600 is a modular, monophonic synthesizer that was manufactured by ARP Instruments in 1971."
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
While I understand the 'keeping it original' idea, I have to say that an optional poly mode would make this the perfect synth. If people don't want to use it then they can switch it off.
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
To be fair, if one desires polyphony and/or a 1601 sequencer, it's all there in the Arturia version of the 2600. There is also some built-in effects and a few other goodies. You just have to pay for it 
Personally, I much prefer the CA experience for my 2600 needs; I find the Arturia a touch too complicated - and I had the Arturia first. The CA version just hits the spot perfectly for me and sounds amazing. A big part of that experience (for me) is working as closely as possible to the original hardware, without too much added complication.
I do believe that CA think very hard about where to extend the experience of the original hardware, with its limitations. I always wanted an ARP 2600 and I knew what I wanted to do with it, so I accept that my viewpoint is maybe a touch old-fashioned. Equally, I know what I wanted to do with the VM900 modules, for example.
As the saying goes, "Your mileage may vary"
Personally, I much prefer the CA experience for my 2600 needs; I find the Arturia a touch too complicated - and I had the Arturia first. The CA version just hits the spot perfectly for me and sounds amazing. A big part of that experience (for me) is working as closely as possible to the original hardware, without too much added complication.
I do believe that CA think very hard about where to extend the experience of the original hardware, with its limitations. I always wanted an ARP 2600 and I knew what I wanted to do with it, so I accept that my viewpoint is maybe a touch old-fashioned. Equally, I know what I wanted to do with the VM900 modules, for example.
As the saying goes, "Your mileage may vary"
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
I, too, own that "A" version one also, yet enjoy the CA one more. Yeah, A has poly, so I can reach for that as needed...
just dreaming how the CA2600 COULD sound with a poly mode. nice nice. oh well.
just dreaming how the CA2600 COULD sound with a poly mode. nice nice. oh well.
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
I realize its different since no jumper wiring modular stuff, but doesn't Cherry's ARP Quadra synthesizer basically give us a lot of 2600 type sounds in poly?
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
Good news for the "I want a poly CA2600" crowd. I can be done with Plugin Guru's Unify product. CA2600 in full 8 voice glory!
They include a handful of "poly-ized" presets that can be used as templates to convert any mono preset you want. You can even pan each voice like OB-Xd. They do it by running 8 instances of CA2600 and a trick midi router plugin, but since Unify threads each instance to own its own cpu core, the cpu isn't straining a bit. I'm running 4ms latency on a ten year old Xeon no problem at all doing 8 instances of CA2600, cpu barely even cranking. Even has macro presets for using single knobs for controlling ADSR, filter cutoff, mod wheel etc. for all 8 instances so it can be played like a true 8 voice.
Granted its a PIA compared to a natively poly CA2600, and unfortunately Unify costs more than CA2600. But for me, it adds so much value to all of the Cherry synths (as well as many others), and does so many other things that it was really worth it to buy it. BTW on sale until Apr 17.
They include a handful of "poly-ized" presets that can be used as templates to convert any mono preset you want. You can even pan each voice like OB-Xd. They do it by running 8 instances of CA2600 and a trick midi router plugin, but since Unify threads each instance to own its own cpu core, the cpu isn't straining a bit. I'm running 4ms latency on a ten year old Xeon no problem at all doing 8 instances of CA2600, cpu barely even cranking. Even has macro presets for using single knobs for controlling ADSR, filter cutoff, mod wheel etc. for all 8 instances so it can be played like a true 8 voice.
Granted its a PIA compared to a natively poly CA2600, and unfortunately Unify costs more than CA2600. But for me, it adds so much value to all of the Cherry synths (as well as many others), and does so many other things that it was really worth it to buy it. BTW on sale until Apr 17.
Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
I just downloaded the demo of the CA2600 and also the Arturia ARP2600 V. The Cherry Audio GUI is so much better it's not even funny. I love how patch points expand like a flower to reveal multiple patch points (this is genius), and how incompatible patch points are grayed out, which for someone who is learning is a very useful feature. The UX is just a lot better. The only thing is it's not polyphonic. This thing wants to play big chords. The Arturia has 32-voice polyphony. I'd be happy with just 8 (16 better though 
). I don't see the point in trying to recreate the original hardware and all its annoying limitations, and to be fair the CA2600 isn't exactly like the original anyway if you compare the front panels. The CA2600 with mono, unison and poly modes would be incredible.
). I don't see the point in trying to recreate the original hardware and all its annoying limitations, and to be fair the CA2600 isn't exactly like the original anyway if you compare the front panels. The CA2600 with mono, unison and poly modes would be incredible.Re: silly user question: full polyphonic mode?
Yes that would be a PITA, I imagine you'd have to set each instances/voice individually. With poly you create one patch like you would normally, then you press multiple keys on your controller and it just plays them all without any extra work.sekim wrote: ↑Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:14 am Good news for the "I want a poly CA2600" crowd. I can be done with Plugin Guru's Unify product. CA2600 in full 8 voice glory!
They include a handful of "poly-ized" presets that can be used as templates to convert any mono preset you want. You can even pan each voice like OB-Xd. They do it by running 8 instances of CA2600 and a trick midi router plugin, but since Unify threads each instance to own its own cpu core, the cpu isn't straining a bit. I'm running 4ms latency on a ten year old Xeon no problem at all doing 8 instances of CA2600, cpu barely even cranking. Even has macro presets for using single knobs for controlling ADSR, filter cutoff, mod wheel etc. for all 8 instances so it can be played like a true 8 voice.
Granted its a PIA compared to a natively poly CA2600, and unfortunately Unify costs more than CA2600. But for me, it adds so much value to all of the Cherry synths (as well as many others), and does so many other things that it was really worth it to buy it. BTW on sale until Apr 17.