Way Out Ware TIMEWARP-2600

The TimewARP 2600 from Way Out Ware is a perfect emulation of the classic ARP 2600 analog synthesizer—and the only one endorsed by the original instrument’s creator, Alan R. Pearlman. In addition to faithful replication of every original feature, the TimewARP 2600 features up to 8-voice polyphony and extremely sophisticated velocity and aftertouch control. Mapping of MIDI controller parameters to sliders, knobs and switches is virtually unlimited, putting an unprecedented amount of control at your fingertips. And even though you can create incredibly complex sounds with the TimewARP 2600, the unit’s comprehensive preset manager ships with hundreds of patches to get you started. Standalone or RTAS, VST, and AU host operation on Mac and Windows makes this gem the ideal addition to your sound—whether as a synthesizer or a unique signal processor.

Totally Authentic
Produced from 1970 to 1981, the ARP 2600 was one of the first commercially available synthesizers. Featuring three voltage-controlled oscillators, sample-and-hold, resonant filter and much more, it was essentially an extremely flexible modular synthesizer in which “normalled” connections defining a default signal path could be overridden by inserting patch cords. The 2600 was popularized by music pioneers such as The Who's Pete Townsend, Weather Report's Joe Zawinul, Stevie Wonder and Edgar Winter. Today, these collector's items are both rare and extremely hard to maintain. TimewARP 2600 faithfully replicates every detail of this venerable piece of electronic music history (the patch cords even have the physical properties you'd expect), while adding features that make it invaluable in today's personal and commercial studios.

Other valiant attempts have been made to emulate the sound and functionality of the 2600. The TimewARP 2600, however, is one endorsed by the creator of the original instrument, Alan R. Pearlman, who provided input and comments during the product's design. “The TimewARP 2600 is an important evolutionary step in analog synthesis,” says Pearlman. “Way Out Ware's software package not only makes analog synthesis affordable, but also opens the way toward continuing evolution of functionality.”

Incredible Sounds
While there have been many innovations in synthesis since the time of the original 2600, there’s never been any other synth that completely replaces it. TimewARP 2600 adds an incredible breadth and depth to your sonic palette that you can’t get anywhere else. And you can access it without knowing a thing about synthesis, thanks to hundreds of great patches that ship with the software—leads, basses, sound effects, incredible evolving sonic textures and much more.

Extensive Patch Manager
There is no limit to the number of patches you can create and save with the TimewARP 2600. In addition to comprehensive import and export abilities, the TimewARP 2600 also includes a sophisticated Patch Manager for sorting presets. The TimewARP 2600 also responds to MIDI bank-select and patch-select commands for total control.

Extensive Performance Control
The TimewARP 2600 delivers incredible performance control by letting you assign all parameters to any MIDI controllers on an unlimited basis—including multiple parameters per controller. You can also extensively fine-tune the velocity and/or aftertouch parameters of incoming keyboard events, including linear, exponential, or logarithmic response. Options are also provided to invert the keyboard polarity and set custom range limits for any parameter. The TimewARP 2600 also sets a new standard for softsynth live performance by providing incredibly smooth sounding sliders and controls that produce no audible artifacts while tweaking.

Virtually Yours
TimewARP 2600 is designed to complement just about any electronic music environment. You can use it with most popular host applications on Mac and PC thanks to RTAS, VST and Audio Units implementation—or use it standalone with a controller live or in the studio. Under MIDI control, the internal clock can synchronize to MIDI Beat Clock for LFO and triggered effects that match the beat of your session.

Unique Effects
The presence of an audio input on the TimewARP 2600 also makes it invaluable as a unique signal processing effect. Effects such as a one-of-a-kind vocoder can be realized by routing a track or live mic or instrument input from an audio interface to TimewARP’s audio input for use an oscillator, LFO modulator, control voltage and so forth. The results are truly stunning and give you a distinctive creative edge. (Pete Townsend used this ability to drive the guitar sound in The Who's "Who Are You.")

8 Voice Polyphony
One of the factors leading to the demise of the original 2600 was its lack of polyphony. In addition to faithfully reproducing the original's monophonic operation, the TimewARP 2600 is able to create up to eight simultaneous voices by running multiple individual instances of the panel settings. The result is the ability to create complex and evolving polyphonic performances.

Synth Features:

• Faithful emulation of all original ARP 2600 features and sound
• 3 voltage-controlled oscillators operating in both audio and low-frequency bands
• Low-pass resonant filter—supports variable-depth, self-oscillation and audio band and low frequency control modulation
• Sample-and-hold modulation driven internally, externally, or via MIDI Beat Clock
• Ring modulator
• Noise generator—adjustable from white to red noise
• ADSR and AR envelope generators
• Envelope follower
• Voltage-controlled amplifier with 2 audio inputs, linear/exponential control inputs and initial gain control
• 4-plug multiple module
• Stereo reverb
• Output pan
• Electronic switch
• Lag processor with low-frequency filtering from 1.6 to 1600Hz
• 2 inverter modules with input attenuation
• Mono/stereo preamp input for use as an effect processor

Keyboard Features:

• Virtual ARP 3620 keyboard
• Extensive control over velocity and aftertouch including linear, exponential, logarithmic or inverted polarity
• Up to 8-voice polyphony
• Variable-rate portamento
• Octave switch
• Pitch bend
• LFO controls including delayed sine wave, vibrato depth, and speed
• LFO outputs including square, triangle, and sine waves
• External LFO-In - allows keyboard voltages to be modulated by any signal present on the TimewARP 2600
• Interval latch switch latches a two-note interval for single-key playing
• 2 upper voice outputs
• Multiple or single trigger/gate modes
• Keyboard repeat mode provides auto repeat or repeat on key-press synchronized to keyboard LFO and MIDI Beat Clock
• Square wave can be synced to MIDI Beat Clock

Programming Features:

• Instant access to complex sounds via hundreds of great factory presets
• Extensive patch manager with sort, import and export capabilities
• Virtual patch cables
• Incredible smooth controls in both operation and sound
• Unlimited MIDI assignment of all controls to MIDI controllers
• Responds to MIDI bank- and patch-select commands

Compatability:

• RTAS (Windows, Mac)
• VST (Windows, Mac)
• Audio Units (Mac)

PC System Requirements:

• Windows XP, 1.5GHz
• 256MB RAM, 1024 x 768 screen resolution
• ASIO-compatible soundcard for standalone operation

Mac System Requirements:

• Mac OS X 10.3 or greater, 1GHz

TMGR# TIMEWARP-2600