[sdiy] [AH] Custom ARP Avatar

[Ben Stuyts]

Thanks Tim, those are lots of interesting ideas! As I said in my other message, my main focus will be patch points. But you put out some interesting ideas. (Just like on Michael’s web page.) I agree that sequencing and effects would not be very useful if it is part of a larger setup.

Time to revisit this project. :-)

Ben


> On 22 Mar 2025, at 21:30, Tim Parkhurst <tim.parkhurst at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The Avatar is cool, primarily because of the extra room inside the case and the extra panel space. Suggested mods, in approximate order of difficulty:
> 
> 1. Additional VCF audio mixer inputs. Dedicated inputs allowing you to mix both the saw and the pulse from each VCO (rather than having to choose saw OR pulse) is a nice expansion to the range of timbres available in the Avatar. 
> 2. Dedicated FM inputs to each VCO and the VCF, wired to allow cross-modulation (VCO 1 to VCO 2, and VCO 1 to VCF at least). This allows you to do audio-rate FM without having to use the S/H Mixer. 
> 3. Additional LFOs. Dedicate one LFO to vibrato, and give it a 'mod wheel' pot on the panel that feeds both VCOs. On top of that, having another LFO for PWM or filter sweeps, and a third to clock the S/H, and you're opening up a huge range of sounds that a stock Odyssey or Avatar can't create.
> 4. Sub-octaves for each VCO (with a dedicated VCF mixer inputs). 
> 5. Distortion or wave folder. Can be very effective if used post-VCF. 
> 6. Other waveform processing for one or both VCOs (saw phase shift, additional PWM, wave folders, etc.) 
> 7. Additional VCF. Ideally with switching to choose one both VCFs, and for series/parallel with existing VCF. Now you're talking a fair amount of work. At this point, it's a lot easier to just set up patch points to allow connecting an external modular VCF. 
> 8. Patch points. An obvious choice, but might be a good idea to buffer any added outputs.
> 
> I think things like sequencing and effects (reverb, chorus, etc.) are so easy to achieve with external gear that it's not worth adding that to the Avatar. If I was going to put that much effort into one, I'd rather have a third VCO / LFO, an envelope follower, or a real ring mod (like the 2600).
> 
> Tim (or just leave it stock) Servo
> ---
> "Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM Ben Stuyts <ben at stuyts.nl <mailto:ben at stuyts.nl>> wrote:
>> Hi MC,
>> 
>> I have a stock (working) Avatar here. Can you tell me more about the mods you are doing?
>> 
>> Ben
>> 
>>> On 22 Mar 2025, at 16:22, Michael E Caloroso <mec.forumreader at gmail.com <mailto:mec.forumreader at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Run, don't walk, run very far away.
>>> 
>>> No idea who Jim Chandler is, but those mods are poorly done and no mention in the auction if schematics for the mods are included.  On top of that, I see bad corrosion on the jacks which is a good indicator that this has seen some road abuse.  Add all that to a product with a history of labor intensive restorations - replacing tantalum caps, slidepots, ripping out the useless guitar interface, fixing the PSU with the same fault as ARP Omni, other potential problems.
>>> 
>>> Did I mention that I bought an Avatar that I am currently restoring and converting into an Odyssey module with MIDI retrofit?
>>> 
>>> Other red flags "bought from estate" "don't know how to test it" are known euphemisms for "it is very broken, we don't want to put the $$$ into fixing it, so we're passing the buck onto you".
>>> 
>>> Run very far away,
>>> MC
>>> 
>>> On Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:38 PM Todd Sines via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org <mailto:synth-diy at synth-diy.org>> wrote:
>>>> Space is a premium in our place and wondering if I should let go of my ARP avatar — and then I saw this.
>>>> 
>>>> Anyone know Jim Chandler? This was done in 1982.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ARP Avatar Custom Modified Guitar Synthesizer 1982
>>>> https://reverb.com/item/25863293-arp-avatar-custom-modified-guitar-synthesizer-1982?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=25863293
>>>> 
>>>> Todd
>>>>  <http://scale.la/>
>>>> Todd Sines, director, sines at scale.la <mailto:sines at scale.la>
>>>> + SCALE
>>>> +1.646.258.5214 <tel:+1.646.258.5214> mobile
>>>> +1.646.543.3329 <tel:+1.646.543.3329> studio
>>>> http://scale.la <http://scale.la/> | http://toddsines.com <http://toddsines.com/>
>>>> Todd
>>>> 
>>>> Todd Sines, director, sines at scale.la <mailto:sines at scale.la>
>>>> + SCALE
>>>> +1.646.258.5214 <tel:+1.646.258.5214> mobile
>>>> +1.646.543.3329 <tel:+1.646.543.3329> studio
>>>> http://scale.la <http://scale.la/> | http://toddsines.com
>>>>  <http://toddsines.com/>http://facebook.com/toddsines
>>>> http://instagram.com/sines
>>>> http://soundcloud.com/sines
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