ARP 2600 ?

[Tom Baldwin]

I own an Arp 2600 or actually a 2601. Black and Orange.

It has seen very little use but I have a problem with either the connector in the main instrument or the keyboard cable/connector. It is a grey 6 prong cable. I get a lot of random triggering and if I jiggle the cable it sometimes connects up but most of the time it's just a problem. Any suggestions on how best to trouble shoot and repair this problem? I am not a synth builder or EE type. I do have some basic skills though and am not concerned with getting in over my head on this. I just wanted some advise to make the repair as painless as possible.

I would also like any suggestions on how to make this synth more usable. Any suggestions on a midi interface? I have used it very little over the 20 some years I have owned it and would like to incorporate it into a midi setup and would really like to use it to treat other instruments such as guitar. I can recall patching my guitar into it many years ago but recall that I got very limited treatment from it. 

If anyone has any suggestions on how to cure the keyboard interface problem and suggestions on how to utilize it better, I would be very greatful. I am also one of those types that don't want to de-value vintage equipement but realize that if you can't play it then what good is it.

Tom B.
tomb at richmond.infi.net