MOTM

mark scetta (10:48 AM 07/09/1999) wrote:

>i saw an old arp modular at someone's house recently that, instead of jacks,
>it had dozens of tiny sliding switches that formed a huge matrix grid. each
>position made a connection when the slider was moved into one of its 10 or
>so locations.

This is the ARP 2500.

Many pics are here, including a list of most of the modules:

http://machines.hyperreal.org/manufacturers/ARP/2500/images/


The normal "bitch" about the 2500 and the matrix is crosstalk between the
columns. This is usually more overblown that it real should be.

There *is* crosstalk between the columns, but this is actually part of the
character of the machine. It really isn't *that* bad, and most of it isn't
because of the matrix anyway... The power supply in the machine is often
the culprit of most of it.

Past that.. The matrix tends to take up a LOT of space. The pictures above
show that pretty well.

And past that... It _is_ cool. :)

>this is supercool BECAUSE instead of plugging in patchcords for desired
>routings, one could flip a bunch of switches, and in the process, flip some
>switches accidentally and stumble upon lots of new unintended sounds! very
>cool. is there an interface like this that i could DIY for the MOTM?

The problem with the matrix switches is that they are VERY expensive.
DigiKey and other folks still sell them (they're made by EDAC now) but even
a small matrix will run $300 or more.

The latest DigiKey catalog has them (Catalog 0993 pg439).

Part# Size* Cost each
151-1054-nd 20x40 341.46
151-1055-nd 10x20 215.14
151-1056-nd 10x50 341.46
151-1057-nd 48x58 763.51

*rows x colums

DigiKey online is here:

http://www.digikey.com

The specific catalog page is here as a PDF file (lower right corner):

http://www.digikey.com/CC/439.PDF


When I first got into synths (1975ish) I was building PAiA gear. At one
time, I rigged an external box with a 10 x 20 matrix switch that I had
found surplus at a hamfest. I ran a cable from the back of the box to the
PAiA cabinets and had a field day with the matrix.

Very cool...


btw... Interesting friends you got. :)

Mark

____________________________________________________________________________
Stuff: http://www.midiwall.com, Info/Reviews: http://www.midiwall.com/synths

On Fri, 9 Jul 1999, mark scetta wrote:

> i saw an old arp modular at someone's house recently that, instead of jacks,
> it had dozens of tiny sliding switches that formed a huge matrix grid. each
> position made a connection when the slider was moved into one of its 10 or
> so locations.
>
> this is supercool BECAUSE instead of plugging in patchcords for desired
> routings, one could flip a bunch of switches, and in the process, flip some
> switches accidentally and stumble upon lots of new unintended sounds! very
> cool. is there an interface like this that i could DIY for the MOTM?

Paul doesn't like this scheme, because he maintains it's not truely a
modular synth. He's right, it's semi-modular. My personal feeling is that
although the semi-modular design is helpful, it's only condusive to
getting variations on a single theme while a totally modular synth is
better for absolute madness. Semi-modularization does partially eliminate
the need for a lot of multiples and attenuators.

The main problem with getting something done up with sliders is if you're
making your own front panel, it's hard to get slots cut in the metal to
accomodate them. Getting a front panel done commerically might be more
expensive than it's worth, you might just want to go with knobs if you
have your mind set on this scheme.

> BTW he said he bought it at a Lucas' company clearance sale in california
> and that it was used on the soundtracks for close encounters and star wars.
> i don't know the model number and cannot find any info about it on the net.

Might just be synth.lore, probably no way to prove one way or another
unless somebody from LucasArts can vouch for it. Wait, wasn't the close
encounters synth a 2500 anyways??

Andrew

-| Andrew Schrock | aschrock@... |-

Oops, apologies, I read switches and started talking about sliders. Mark
already gave good advice and pricing so I won't duplicate.

Andrew

-| Andrew Schrock | aschrock@... |-

Andrew Schrock (11:07 AM 07/09/1999) wrote:

>> BTW he said he bought it at a Lucas' company clearance sale in california
>> and that it was used on the soundtracks for close encounters and star wars.
>> i don't know the model number and cannot find any info about it on the net.
>
>Might just be synth.lore, probably no way to prove one way or another
>unless somebody from LucasArts can vouch for it. Wait, wasn't the close
>encounters synth a 2500 anyways??

Nah, this one isn't lore.... I think the sale went down at the beginning of
this year; it may of been last year. Time flies.

Kevin Lightner has a good still of the specific machine on his site:

http://www.synthfool.com/ceot3k1.jpg


and, other ARP 2500 shots as well:

http://www.synthfool.com/pics.html#arp


btw, to Mark Scetta... Is your buddy Brian Carrigan?


There some info on the 2500 in the Analogue Heaven mailing list archives as
well...

Head here:

http://www.midiwall.com/aharchives/

And search on "arp 2500" (don't use quotes)


Mark

_______________________________________________________
Try the AH Archives! http://www.midiwall.com/aharchives

On Friday, July 09, 1999 8:07 AM, Andrew Schrock [SMTP:aschrock@...] wrote:

> > BTW he said he bought it at a Lucas' company clearance sale in california
> > and that it was used on the soundtracks for close encounters and star wars.
> > i don't know the model number and cannot find any info about it on the net.
>
> Might just be synth.lore, probably no way to prove one way or another
> unless somebody from LucasArts can vouch for it. Wait, wasn't the close
> encounters synth a 2500 anyways??

Taking this way OT... Wasn't that Mr ARP himself (Alan R Pearlman) that was actually playing the synth in the movie?

John Speth
Object Engineering, Inc
mailto:johns@...

i saw an old arp modular at someone's house recently that, instead of jacks,
it had dozens of tiny sliding switches that formed a huge matrix grid. each
position made a connection when the slider was moved into one of its 10 or
so locations.

this is supercool BECAUSE instead of plugging in patchcords for desired
routings, one could flip a bunch of switches, and in the process, flip some
switches accidentally and stumble upon lots of new unintended sounds! very
cool. is there an interface like this that i could DIY for the MOTM?

BTW he said he bought it at a Lucas' company clearance sale in california
and that it was used on the soundtracks for close encounters and star wars.
i don't know the model number and cannot find any info about it on the net.

mark in providence, ri

Nope. It was Phil Dodds, head R&D guy.

Dave Bradley
Principal Software Engineer
Engineering Animation, Inc.
daveb@...

> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Speth [mailto:johns@...]
> Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 10:45 AM
> To: 'motm@onelist.com'
> Subject: Re: [motm] arp matrix switches
>
>
> From: John Speth <johns@...>
>
>
> On Friday, July 09, 1999 8:07 AM, Andrew Schrock
> [SMTP:aschrock@...] wrote:
> > > BTW he said he bought it at a Lucas' company clearance sale
> in california
> > > and that it was used on the soundtracks for close encounters
> and star wars.
> > > i don't know the model number and cannot find any info about
> it on the net.
> >
> > Might just be synth.lore, probably no way to prove one way or another
> > unless somebody from LucasArts can vouch for it. Wait, wasn't the close
> > encounters synth a 2500 anyways??
>
> Taking this way OT... Wasn't that Mr ARP himself (Alan R
> Pearlman) that was actually playing the synth in the movie?
>
> John Speth
> Object Engineering, Inc
> mailto:johns@...
>
>
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> ONElist: your connection to online communities.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>