AIR TimewARP 2600 | Sonic Explorations with Lisa Bella Donna

In this short documentary, Lisa Bella Donna explores her passion for modular synthesis, the history of the ARP 2600 synthesizer, and how she uses the only recreation originally endorsed by Alan R. Pearlman, the AIR TimewARP 2600. If you like what you hear, we're giving away ten free presets to try.

“The best ARP 2600 song ever recorded is Black Sabbath…who are you?” is as strong an opening line for any interview we’ve published. But, Lisa Bella Donna is no ordinary interviewee.

The internationally acclaimed recording artist, composer, modular synthesist, sound designer, educator, and clinician has a vast discography while also developing extensive techniques with musique concreté, modular synthesis, analog recording and mixing techniques, microtonal music, orchestration, and film composition. Few have her track record, and few are as eligible to dive into the history of the ARP 2600. 

In this new documentary, produced by AIR Music Tech, she explains how she became fascinated by the legendary ARP 2600 and, more recently, AIR TimewARP 2600, a highly accurate software recreation.

Although the TimewARP 2600 is a faithful software replica of the original ARP 2600, it introduces several exciting enhancements. One notable upgrade is the addition of eight-voice polyphony, a significant departure from the original's monophonic design. While the classic ARP 2600 could produce multiple notes by tuning its three oscillators to different pitches, the TimewARP 2600 expands on this capability, allowing for a richer, more complex sound palette.

Another valuable feature is the inclusion of patch memory. Say goodbye to the days of painstakingly creating a patch book or relying on memory alone. With patch memory, recalling and managing your sounds becomes effortless, saving you both time and frustration.

To celebrate these upgrades, we're thrilled to partner with Air Music Tech to offer Attack readers an exclusive 50% discount on the TimewARP 2600, affectionately known as the TW2600. Simply use the discount code "ATTACK2600" at checkout. Plus, enjoy ten free presets (below) to get you started.

Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, The Who, and Black Sabbath - to name just a few - have all given us countless audio joy with the ARP 2600. They can’t all be wrong! Let’s find out why. 

JUMP TO THE FREE PRESETS!

The ARP 2600 is an iconic synth, and with some luck, you might still track one down on the market today.

Originally released in 1971 and in production for a decade, the ARP 2600 was the first semi-modular synthesizer, setting a standard for all future designs in this category. Its three highly stable VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators), capable of generating simultaneous sawtooth, square, triangle, sine, and pulse waves, allow for the creation of dense, harmonically rich tones. 

The company’s name, ARP, is an acronym for its founder’s initials - Alan R. Pearlman, a former NASA engineer. His vision was to create user-friendly, reliable, and musically expressive synthesizers. They succeeded early on with models like the ARP 2500 and ARP Odyssey. However, the ARP 2600, became their most famous product due to its innovative design, offering musicians flexibility and portability. 

While ARP dominated the synthesizer market during the early '70s, financial difficulties and increased competition eventually led to the company’s closure in 1981. However, their legacy lives on, particularly with the AIR TimewARP 2600. For an intro price of $49, you can get all the features at your fingertips for a fraction of the price; plus, you won’t break your back carrying it around in your backline! 

To celebrate its launch, we’ve teamed up with AIR to give you ten free presets from the Sonic Explorations preset expansion pack, all individually designed by Lisa Bella Donna herself. These include:

• Bass - Cybord Sequencers
• Generative - Early 1974 Sequence
• Generative - Electronic Forest
• Generative - Glasswork Organ & Celeste
• Lead - Mountain Flute
• Keys - Fascination
• Pad - In Transit of Dream
• Pad - Invisible Sun
• Pad - Pyramid
• Pattern/Sequence - Future Game

If you like what you hear, you can check out the entirety of the Sonic Explorations preset expansion pack on SoundCloud. The pack beckons you to explore 65 galactic, aquatic, and undiscovered worlds alike. Embark on a hunt for treasure in worlds evocative of Asimov, Herbert, and Dick.  The full pack includes 4 basses, 5 brass, 5 keys, 10 leads, 3 plucks, 12 pad/strings, 22 generative presets, 4 rhythm presets.

This comprehensive library of unexpected yet comforting soundscapes built the foundation of Lisa’s latest album, Hysteresis. Listen to it for some inspiration, then strap in and begin your own expedition.

Discover the TimewARP 2600, the only ARP 2600 emulator orginally endorsed by the late inventor Alan R. Pearlman. It's not just another synthesizer; it's a bridge to a storied past.

The TimewARP 2600 opens the doors of modular synthesis to all. With its in-depth guides, it’s a perfect starting point for newcomers, yet its advanced features are robust enough to engage even the most seasoned synth heads.

What sets this unit apart is its versatility with external sound sources. Plug in a guitar, microphone, or other audio gear to bring an additional signal into the mix. The TimewARP 2600 allows you to turn that input into an oscillator, LFO modulator, control voltage, and beyond, processing and transforming audio into new textures. For instance, Pete Townshend famously used this feature to shape his iconic guitar tone on The Who's "Who Are You."

Endorsed by Alan R. Pearlman himself before his passing in 2019, the TimewARP 2600 stands as the most faithful and accurate emulation of the legendary ARP 2600. Its authenticity is unmatched, offering a true-to-life modular experience. You can try it for free—and while you're at it, download Lisa Bella Donna’s free presets to jumpstart your creativity and discover the full potential of this iconic synthesizer.

Find out more about TimewARP 2600, and remember to use the discount code for a 50% discount.

Check out the full preset pack Sonic Explorations here.

Find Lisa Bella Donna on Instagram.

Follow AIR Music Tech on Instagram. 

Find out more about AIR TimewARP 2600.