Electromotive - The Story of ARP Instruments

"Electromotive is the definitive documentary charting the rise and demise of one of the world’s most influential and pioneering synth companies. It dives deep into the world of ARP and their instruments, with fascinating insights from those involved, copious amounts of previously undocumented information, and then debunks many myths. A triumph, a true labour of love and essential viewing for any synth nerd."
Chris Macleod / GForce Software
//
Firstly, thank you for watching. Secondly, I don't have enough words to express my sincere gratitude and love for the scores of people who gave up their knowledge, time and skill to make this film happen. It would have been impossible without them.
If that wasn't enough, every single person who contributed to this film did it gratis so that you can enjoy this story free and without even having to sit through a single advert. Isn't that amazing?!
Dina Pearlman has been absolutely crucial to this project and has been industrious in opening doors for me this past year, to the point that we’ve joked she’s the patch chords between the modules.
Please take a moment to check out the foundation and at the very least, give them a like, subscribe and comment of support.
The Alan R Pearlman Foundation
alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/
/ arpchives
/ alanrpearlmanarchives
Also a shout out to for the stunning opening and closing title sequences and in film animations.
Chad & Ryan: fauxcorp.com/
Chad: chadwixom.com/
Ryan: ryangriffin.media/
James: vim-vigor.com/
Title / thumbnail image credit:
Romain Segaud
www.romainsegaud.com/
Some corrections:
1:25:20 - Should read Drew Schlesinger & David Torn.
On that subject, check out the superb album that that track is from:
drewschlesinger-davidtorn.ban...
1:35:26 - The mylar membrane switches that failed were actually in the keyboard action, not the front panel. Each key had a roller mounted on it and the roller moved down and up the membrane switch when a key was depressed and released
1:50:44. The song title should read "Schismo".
// ORIGINS //
0:00 Intro
1:42 Alan Robert Pearlman
4:29 Founding Tonus Inc
// THE ARP 2500 //
7:41 Designing the Series 2000
11:14 System 2002 Demo
12:38 “Now who’s gonna sell it?”
14:56 Close Encounters
18:32 System 2003 Demo
// THE ARP 2600 //
19:29 Designing the 2600
20:34 The first sales call
21:39 The Blue Marvin
23:36 “First Look” Don Muro
25:17 The Grey Meanie & Production Models
26:04 “Correlative Moons” Lisa Bella Donna
26:30 Rebranding as ARP
27:40 2601 models
28:46 2600 Demo
// THE SOLOIST & PRO SOLOIST //
29:57 The Soloist
30:37 Jeremy Hill
33:10 Designing the Pro Soloist
36:40 Pro Soloist Demo
38:25 Pro/DGX Demo
// SELLING ARPS //
39:24 Organ donors
41:44 Patch books
43:02 “Stinger” David Frederick
44:20 The ARP NAMM JAM
// THE ODYSSEY //
46:43 Designing the Odyssey
52:23 Marketing the Odyssey
55:07 “I did not meet any rock stars”
56:33 2am call
57:34 Odyssey Demo
// GOING PUBLIC & COSMIC FURNACE //
58:52 “Wanna buy some stock?”
59:18 Roger Powell
// THE DUTCH CONNECTION //
1:00:33 The Eminent 310U
1:01:14 The Strings Ensemble
1:02:17 The Frankfurt MESSE
1:03:13 Solina String Ensemble Demo
1:04:44 The relationship works both ways
1:05:02 Solina String Synthesizer Demo
1:05:54 Ken Freeman’s contribution
// THE ARP MODULAR SYNTHESIZER LAB //
1:06:42 The “Learning Modules”
1:07:22 Don takes over the project
// THE ARP OMNI //
1:08:21 The polyphonic system
1:09:09 The Omni
1:09:35 Omni Demo
1:10:32 Omni 2 Demo
// THE AXXE //
1:10:54 The logic of the Axxe
1:11:33 “Conclusions” Lisa Bella Donna
// THE ARP SEQUENCER //
1:12:12 Sequencer Demo
1:13:13 Voltage Quantizer
// GROWING THE BUSINESS //
1:13:36 Sales peak
1:14:22 Marketing ARP to the world
1:16:47 Pretty much a normal life
// GUITAR SYNTHESIZERS //
1:17:19 Two parallel projects
1:18:23 The Centaur VI
1:21:15 The Avatar
1:23:33 Demonstrating Guitar Synthesizers
1:25:19 “Upa War Jazz” Drew Schlesinger & David Torn
1:26:27 “It fell short”
1:27:44 Alan Howarth
1:28:21 Parallel polysynth abandoned
// THE ARP QUADRA //
1:28:34 Designing the Quadra
1:30:08 The Prophet~5 and OB-X
1:30:53 Quadra Demo
// THE DEMISE //
1:31:32 Digital revolution
1:32:04 Japanese Competition
1:33:21 The 2600 endures
1:34:16 Electronic Pianos
1:34:42 The Solus
1:35:00 MU-TRON, Seil & Digital Synths
1:35:42 “The ship went down”
// THE RHODES CHROMA //
1:37:22 CBS Acquires ARP
1:38:52 Chroma Demo
// BEYOND ARP //
1:40:23 “Incredible how the tide changed”
1:41:35 Legacy and resurgence
1:43:13 “He’s sorely missed”
1:44:46 The Alan R Pearlman Foundation
1:44:52 The Korg ARP 2600
1:46:33 Epilogue
1:49:12 End Credits

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey! If you want to show some gratitude and support an awesome cause, please check out the Alan R Pearlman Foundation: alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/donate/ Also go and smash the like and subscribe buttons on their channels kzbin.info/door/QmTad5R-ZMbGzYeuEs_qTg alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/ instagram.com/arpchives/ facebook.com/alanrpearlmanarchives/ Thank you!

[@guitboxgeek]

Can't wait to watch the whole vid tonight. Love the soundtrack work, too Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Chris. Hope you enjoy it!

[@paultuffy]

I donated $100. My company (Lam Research) matches my donations so it will add another $100. I hope that others will appreciate this as much as me and help out this wonderful cause. Truly fantastic.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@paultuffy You rock!

[@apbianco]

Foundations are cool - checking the landing page, I don't see what this is all about in less than 30 seconds. Now, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but the /donate/ landing page should have a one sentence spiel about what this is all about so that folks can give without having to dig in..

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

Glad you are all enjoying this!

[@GaitaPonto]

Thank you guys for making it possible.

[@Lu_Woods]

Immensely, thanks for your work ;)

[@Munatix]

Enjoyed it very much 😊! Awesome to learn more details about the story behind the ARP legend!

[@cafzone]

Mesmerizing. :) 😍

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Got a Korg ARP Odyssey does that count?

[@Nightmoore]

Alex, you are a legend dude. We are so lucky to have content like this just dropped in our laps - for free. I’m just in awe at the quality of this. Your channel is mind blowing. There’s nothing else even remotely close to it anywhere online. Thanks for everything you do for the synth community. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Stephen, appreciate it. 🙂

[@renemunkthalund3581]

Couldn't agree more.

[@xpavpushka]

May I recommend Synthmania ?

[@BM-jy6cb]

I pay £160 a year for the BBC license tax and get nothing worth watching and then I sign into KZbin and find quality like this for free. Your documentaries are unbelievably well researched and produced. Thank you so much.

[@rachelar]

Privatise the Beeb! Better yet, get rid of em

[@jonnyhead]

Exactly right ✅ 👏

[@simonburns1055]

You need someone like Gough Whitlam to abolish that license

[@xn-triq7607]

Never pay a TV licence, it's a complete scam!

[@bettyleeist]

I alway’s thought that the synthesizer was a unique instrument!I still enjoy 😉 Wendy Carlos’music,and Rick Wakeman,too![from the late ⏰ 1970”s,now).

[@Gnenguin]

This isn't just a music documentary, it's documentary musical. Incredible work, please make more !!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers!

[@kkygeek]

"You'd have to be a monotonous nerd to go through them all... So here we go..." 🤣

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Impressive comic timing on the pause too.

[@tomahzo]

God, I love Alex' brand of comedy ;D

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

I have never commented on a KZbin video before, but I just have to say that this channel is of such quality I can't help myself and had to say so. The depth of research, attention to detail, production values, humour, cinematography and vast musical knowledge deployed, everything - it's just sublime. Thank you Alex for what you do - there are few like you!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Steve, I'm very glad the video was the cause of your first comment. :)

[@sleeplessgiant7407]

This channel is so underrated

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@RayyMusik]

True. These documentaries are on BBC level and should reach millions. And then there‘s beautiful music as the icing on the cake. You’re a fantastic composer, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@RayyMusik Thank you!

[@judpratt6632]

@@RayyMusik SERIOUSLY! They really are.

[@synthanatomy]

Alex "Crazy" Ball :) this docu is legendary :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@glenesis]

Hi Alex. 7 months have passed and this piece still leaves me choked up and speechless. Congratulations, brother. This was worth every effort you put into it. It's phenomenal and touching. Thanks for this wonderful gift to the musical community.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!!

[@orangeflipflop485]

and here i was thinking there was nothing interesting to watch

[@AlexBallMusic]

Couple of synths in this. Think I counted at least three.

[@jizzlinjay6]

My feelings. I was bored browsing YT and boom, Magic!

[@flyingcrowbar1599]

39:05 Whoever that is, it’s an absolutely brilliant take on that genre. The quality of the music you create for these things is stunning. Everything about this video is stunning. This film should be on the BBC and PBS. I don’t think anybody on this planet is making better documentaries about anything.

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's Peter Venuto at Synth Palace. Very lovely and talented guy. www.synthpalace.net/

[@annother3350]

It's a great song. Don't tell me that was made just for the documentary?!

[@annother3350]

Is there a way to watch that whole song??

[@michaelwheeler3123]

@@annother3350 I too would like to find the whole track

[@BlezzBeats]

Best synth documentaries online without a doubt. Love the work you put into this!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@Johnsormani]

Not only online!

[@billfinch4661]

Thank you for this video post. I was on the team at CBS that “received” the Chroma and the four voice piano. The Fullerton Fender plant failed to produce these, so CBS moved them to the Gulbransen Organ factory in Illinois. We were making Z80 microprocessor based organs, so the Arp equipment was a good fit for us. Our team mostly worked with Phil Dodds, and Leo Keightly. I left there in the spring of 1984 to work on scientific research equipment, but never forgot that Chroma! In looking at a hobby for retirement, I decided on electronic music. Thanks again!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hi Bill. Thank you for the back story, that's very interesting. Did you know Mary Lock in that case? She helped out behind the scenes with photos and vital information. And were you around for the Chroma Polaris or had you left by the point?

[@billfinch4661]

I left while the Polaris was still in development. The R&D team was in Woburn, Ma, and we were in Illinois. In the days before email 🤣 we usually found out about new stuff by mail. Since the NAMM show was the official intro, they usually showed equipment made by R&D, and production came later. Before NAMM, info was hard to come by. I do not recall meeting Mary Lock.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@billfinch4661 Thank you for the info! I might be able to borrow a Polaris at some point so that's interesting to know where it was developed. Can imagine it was a very different world with communications. Hearing David Frederick's accounts of sales and marketing was _very_ interesting as it was so different from what you'd do now with promo videos and social media posts etc. Although there are themes that are universal across different eras.

[@billfinch4661]

I still have a fondness for the Chroma, but a Minilogue XD makes more sense for me. Alan Pearlman was one of those guys of that generation that really had mad skills in electronics. Like Robert Moog, Richard Peterson ( who I worked for in high school), Harold Rhodes, Don Leslie, and my dad, Robert Finch, who ran the Gulbransen R&D group. Of course, these days we have Synth Chaser and others.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@billfinch4661 Yes, keeping a Chroma going is a commitment unto itself. Seems to have a cult following. A brand new Minilogue would probably be better behaved and softer on the wallet. :)

[@retrosound72]

Masterpiece. Thank you Alex. Mr. Pearlman would love it I think. 🙌 Great you used my ARP Quadra tracks and vids for this wonderful documentary.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Marko - love your Quadra stuff. 🙏

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

I think he would have loved this, too! (Dina Pearlman)

[@retrosound72]

@@AlanRPearlmanFoundation Yes. For sure. :))) In synths we trust. 🙌

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

@@retrosound72 Thanks for your help!

[@jimkovacs7]

I had the pleasure and honor of learning Synthesis from, and living in the house of JIM MICHMERHUIZEN, the man who wrote the manuals of the 2500 and 2600 in Boston, and doing frequent trips to the ARP factory in Newton Highlands, in the early 70s. Jim travelled promoting these synths world-wide, and I met him here in Caracas in 1970 when he came to demonstrate for our Instituto de Fonología Musical, of which I later was the Tech Director. Strange he is not mentioned here, but all kudos to my mentor. Great work, Alex ! So many memories....

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hi Jim. Thanks for the story, that's really interesting. Yes, Jim and others drifted under my nose whilst researching this massive topic. I had so much material to go through that it had to be cut into quite heavily. Jim has since appeared in the recent ARP 2500 synthposium with others who didn't appear here. This documentary could be made many times over with different accounts and stories. A wonderful story.

[@paultuffy]

The piece of music on the 2500 @ 11:15. A thing of sheer beauty.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! It's a beautiful synth.

[@paultuffy]

This is so fantastic to experience under lockdown. The best Easter egg in my memory.

[@carlosserrano3985]

I cannot find the words of how good is this documentary about ARP history, hats off to all the people who make a contribution to this gem. Cheers!

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

Alex was stellar to work with...making our dreams come true in telling the story.

[@ianfermor6682]

I don’t think I have ever commented on a youtube video before, but feel compelled to now. What an outstanding body of work! Congrats to you and all involved. I especially liked the part about the String Synthesiser as I used to have one and foolishly sold it! Had I known how rare they were I would still be it’s caretaker today! I only paid £70 for it too! ( A music shop was closing and had that and a Jen synth for the same price. My parents thought I had bought furniture instead of a synth!) Anyway, I enjoyed that greatly. Thank you!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Ian. Yes, I guess String Synths went out of fashion and the classic polys came in. Who would have thought that sound would then come back around decades later? Oh how I wish I could be cruising the second hand ads in 1992.

[@JayKaufman]

@@AlexBallMusic I was and ended up with a Roland JX-8P with the PG-800 programmer for $500 CAD - both of which I still own. It hasn't quite appreciated like other models. I should have bought the Linndrum I was offered for $300. I bought lots of gear in the mid-1990s for rock bottom prices and still stupidly sold it all in the early 2000s when soft-synths started becoming a thing. I have a studio full of classic kit again, but I still shake my head at some of the stuff I sold off just as the used market was taking off with the dawn of eBay. I made money on everything, but I've had many longing nightmares ever since!

[@sonicpeakstudio541]

Some of the stuff mixed and mastered by yours truly :) What a treat to get your hands on as an audio-engineer - a great performance by Alex on a fantastic instrument. Just great.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Sounds marvelous you legend. 👊

[@paultuffy]

I just donated $100 to the foundation. My company (Lam Research) matches my donations so it will add another $100. I hope that others will appreciate this as much as me and help out this wonderful cause. Truly fantastic.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you SO much Paul - that's fantastic!!

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

Awesome and a heartfelt thank you!

[@CakeHunter333]

1:32:00 Hearing him talk about Japan in the 80s sounds like how Berhinger is affecting the synth market today. I hope it doesn't hurt too many of my favourite smaller brands.

[@jmdavison62]

The thing is, Behringer is duplicating old synthesizers that are no longer on the cutting edge anyway, so good for them.

[@MakeSomething]

I love you for this! Your docs are so good I can't even imagine the time, effort and skill it takes. Just a beautiful film.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@Rhythmicons]

@@AlexBallMusic Is this available on Blu Ray?

[@Stopinvadingmyhardware]

I made something, they stole it. I made something else, they took claim of it when it became popular. I said I quit, they are thieves.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@Stopinvadingmyhardware Eh?

[@XavierRadix]

I was waiting for the "Steely Dan Odyssey" story to come around, and it did. I can sleep happily now. All jokes aside, you've made yet another masterpiece documentary about a fabulous company for us synth nerds to enjoy. Well done mate. Well done. :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, Steely were pretty brutal about gear. They were extreme perfectionists so it fits. They also smashed up a Soloist which is another story.

[@saladdays180s9]

I just purchased one of two Steely Dan Rhodes Chroma's. A keyboardist in the band (didn't ask which one) had two in his mothers attic for many years. A friend was asked by the Steely Dan member to help clean out her home after she passed. His reward was one of the Chroma's. It took over a year to a complete restore and do the many upgrades that make it more stable. I traded that fellow for an Andromeda, Neuman u87 mic, and 1k in cash. Is an amazing synth and I am so happy to finally have one.

[@tonewreck1]

Is a picture of it?

[@ArvidOlson]

Me clicking on this video: - Ah, the ARP-doc I've been looking forward too! Me seeing the runtime of the video: - **pauses video*... *writes comment*... *get's popcorn** This gonna be a treat! **looks for patreon link in description** **searches patreon for Alex Ball** **wonders where to throw my money?** **finds Alan R Perlman Foundation link**

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's a biggie! But hopefully answers many things people have always wondered. Foundation - thank you so much, that's awesome.

[@maciejlegowicz5834]

I'm just 3rd through this amazing story, locked down in the UK and now I know why "normal" television dies. Never seed something IMHO so interesting and absorbing. Great work.

[@jakehendriksen2841]

There is so much I love about this already, but David Friend's similar posture, 40 or 50 years apart, at 13:29 is just a glorious little moment.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, when I was editing in some images that happened totally by chance and it made me smile ear to ear. 🙂

[@discodave6153]

As an ARP owner and fan I thank you so much for making this beautiful film Alex. It’s a story that had to be told, and as a musician and film maker you were the right man for the job. Take care and thanks again.

[@WillieWonka928D]

I honestly think the Chroma is one of the greatest yet incredibly underrated polysynths of all time. I personally think its the best example of what ARP's R&D team was capable of; it sounds like no other polysynth other there imo. The sounds it can create are incredible even today, let alone for an analog synth released in 1982. And its such a shame that it's one of the only ARP products that hasn't been properly re-created in either software or hardware form. I hope one day we get an Arturia emulation or by chance Korg or Behringer makes a clone.

[@gus6183]

I'm going crazy for the day they take a clone out of the Quadra

[@mootbooxle]

You’ve surpassed us all, Alex...This is a flipping feature film! This belongs on television. I wish you all the best, my friend, your talent and dedication is immense...

[@subtension]

Ce film est déja entré dans la legende des meilleurs jamais produit sur l'histoire d'une marque de synthés. Rien que la musique d'introduction est incroyable, elle me donne des frissons a chaque fois que je l'ecoute. Merci Alex pour ce documentaire.👋👋👋

[@homeirotheveryfatmanwhoisa8270]

The editing on this one definitely surpasses all previous documentaries, good job!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Got some help on the really good bits. The ropey bits are my work. :)

[@homeirotheveryfatmanwhoisa8270]

Alex Ball That’s what I love about these, you get together several owners of synths, designers, editors, etc. To all collaborate on a brilliant project!

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@homeirotheveryfatmanwhoisa8270 Thanks. Yes, thats the power of the internet working for good. When that happens it's magic.

[@harrisonthacker9707]

*Morpheus turns around*: “At Last!”

[@christofferainek]

What a massive undertaking Alex. This is just amazing. That first jam at 11:45 gave me some serious goosebumps. Well done sir, you’re doing us all a service. This is Beyond Netflix and Broadcast-worthy. 👏

[@justryanreally]

Every time I get sad, thinking it'd the end of the doc... theres more! What an absolute joy to watch. Thank you, Alex. It makes me happy returning to your channel to see so many followers and commenters. And so much to watch!!

[@wajobu]

Edgar Winter's Frankenstein, Kraftwerk's Autobahn and Genesis's Selling England By The Pound were my first encounters with ARP instruments--what a fabulous legacy. Thank you for making this available to us.

[@CakeHunter333]

Never knew that 2500 existed. What a lovely looking synth.

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

Very few were made, and even fewer in existence today.

[@jayunito]

This has come at the right time.

[@AlexBallMusic]

The lockdown helped us finish it, we thought people might enjoy something positive to watch. :)

[@TheJimbothecat]

This content is fantastic. I’m a bedroom vinyl DJ who has recently incorporated Ableton into my work. I’ve been planning to add an extensive hardware setup to my kit and I found this. The knowledge that I have gained from watching these films has educated me far deeper than I first thought and has been invaluable in teaching me about the history and development of synths and hardware. It’s actually changed the direction of my music. Alex my man, you are one of the best posters on KZbin and I watch a lot of it. Can’t thank you enough for the way you tell the story of electronic music. It really is top notch.

[@G-Nation]

Wild seeing Dana Countryman here. I met him through a reply to an advert I had put out for synth repairs and modifications, particularly the Dx7 and Ensoniq models. I serviced his Dx7 and got a tour of his studio out in WA and got a CD from him. Crazy that I had never heard of him until then, and we became fast friends/fellow synth enthusiasts in the span of an afternoon. Really funny and cool guy. Overall a fantastic doc on ARP. It makes me want to break the Odyssey out again while I wait to ship my stuff across the states.

[@LETSROCK2NITE]

Fantastic video - watching and listening to the ARP synths is just mesmerising. We owe Alex a huge debt of gratitude in making this brilliant video. Combination of listening to the products and the stories behind the machines is synth gold!!

[@b.w.22]

Holy smoke is this well done or what!? Bravo! Great musical interludes, well paced and kept me interested, and never did I know that I desperately want an ARP 2500 before. I knew about the 2600, but the 2500 is just too cool. Thanks so much for your work.

[@rcz2439]

I've been waiting for this for so long... This documentary is just amazing, great work!

[@mickydireland]

Alex, that was amazing!! Well done and thank you to everyone involved with this. Awesome.

[@genx1144]

Fantastic. My oldest friend was an employee at ARP for years. He is legendary and still works on his and my synths. He’ll love this vid. Thanks Alex.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Interesting - who was that?

[@genx1144]

Alex Ball He’s the guy in the last picture at the bottom of this web page: www.discretesynthesizers.com/arptronics/history.htm

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

@@genx1144 I told Phil and Linda about the video. Phil was a great friend of my dad's.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@genx1144 Ah yes, Phil. A very talented chap I hear.

[@genx1144]

Alex Ball Actually, his name is Bill. I think the caption is under the photo.

[@TDRKB]

I was so looking forward to this. I remember trolling the music shops in the Sydney CBD during the 70's during my lunch hour and was thrilled each time a new synth arrived. I must have "played" every one of these synths. They were a bit of a mystery as they we not like the other brands. The amount of attention to detail and history revealed here staggers me. This must have taken years to complete. This should have been a documentary packaged and sold. It is too generous that we get to see it for free, I paid for the crowdfunded Tangerine Dream history dvd and its not a patch on the quality of this. Alex you are a marvel and a generous gift to the synth community. Thanks so much. Only a fanatical nerd would want to see all the variants of a model....so here we go!!! Fabulous - the best TV viewing on my isolation Easter long weekend.Thanks. I suppose Korg is next? Yamaha?

[@gideons6126]

I absolutely love these. Thanks for all the effort you put in!

[@goofball862]

I've never seen someone make more entertaining documentaries here on youtube. You really killed it again man!

[@jeffleonhardt7173]

Thank you so much for the time you put into your videos! They are fantastic!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! Got a lot of help, proper team effort. :)

[@winddealer1]

Wow, that 2 hours when by fast :) Great video. Gratefully.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you for watching!

[@mraduanemc]

Beautiful work, as always, Alex. Thanks for everything you do.

[@StanwaxLaser]

I feel I have waited a long time for this, and it was wroth the wait. A great insight into a superb company. Top production and wonderful music as ever Alex.

[@0b11000100]

This is an amazing documentary, A+!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you!

[@automaticgainsay]

Absolutely perfect, and will stand as a definitive history. Thank you for all of your great work, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank YOU Marc.

[@synthsandstuff]

What a great documentary again, made with so much passion and love and provided with awesome music! It is so special to hear all the stories of former employees from an era that is so important to us - analog enthusiasts - and yet so far behind us. You did a fantastic job again, Alex, thank you!

[@FallingIslands]

Thank you so much for making this Alex! You're a legend! :)

[@ReubenSound]

Sausage and chicken pasta: check ✔️ Can of pop: check ✔️ ARP documentary: check ✔️ Let's go!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Whoop!

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

Woohoo!

[@ReubenSound]

@@AlexBallMusic That was a fantastic watch Alex. I loved 'The Dutch Connection', and the Quadra, and the 2500, and the....! Sad that the company folded; but for the team to go on to great projects, and for Alan R Pearlman to go and work for Kurzweil, was a happy ending.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@ReubenSound A story that's still very much alive, even though the company closed 39 years ago! Quite interested in the Kurzweil thing as ex-ARP staff were very present there as was Bob Moog.

[@noiselabproject9659]

just watched all of it after a night of drinking, my geek levels must be at an all time high … ha ha

[@AndersEngerJensen]

You never fail to deliver Mr. Ball! How many hours did you put into this?! 😱😱🔥🤩🤩

[@AlexBallMusic]

1,000,000,000,000,000,000 hours. Totally worth it. A LOT of people helped pull this off so a team effort.

[@sonicpeakstudio541]

I think I alone spent about 70 hours mixing the 3 songs and cleaning up the skype-dialog. It's not for the money, haha. Such a marvel to get to work with these old machines. The 2600 stands as one of best sounding synths I ever laid me EQ' on - not very much needed. And the 2500 was equally easy to get to "sit" in a mix. Fantastic instruments. And then of course performed by stellar musicians and great songs. A labour of love - I loved every minute of it //Jakob Ole

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

@@sonicpeakstudio541 please send a message to [e-mail]. Would love to chat and THANK YOU!

[@tonewreck1]

@@sonicpeakstudio541 very good comment. I have always found this as well, great acoustic takes and analog synth from the 70s sit in the mix by themselves, you can put more or less, it is only a matter of taste but still sounds great. No need to layer or double. Hardly any EQ, enhancing or god knows what else. Modern synths (digital or analog) are always harsh and fighting with everything else no matter what you do. You did an amazing job with the soundtrack. It is the first time that it really comes across on a KZbin video. I was literally drooling over the gorgeousness of the sounds. What is that special quality that no modern equipment can ever emulate?

[@gorsefan]

I always wanted to see all an in-depth documentary on Arp, and this was just the job. Thanks so much!

[@MPHORROCKS]

Absolutely fascinating, and extremely touching; full of passion and love. Thanks soOOO much! The sounds of the ARPs are stunning! x

[@cuttingedge1987]

Last year, I wanted to create 10 mins episodes of some "famous synths" that made the evolution of what we know. but I guess I can't do any better now =)...Fucking great job!! can't much but a biigggg thank you! I think there arent enough "documentaries" in youtube about synths! I mean it is the base of what everyone listen's to...Again you should be very proud of your work! Inventors like this deserves to be heard...next step the FM with John Chowning =)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for tuning in. No plans to cover FM at the moment, maybe that could be one you cover in a 10 minute episode? Would be very interesting.

[@cuttingedge1987]

@@AlexBallMusic yes ! =) if you need anything about the dx7 i have it at home =)

[@karlmarxstadt]

"there were at least 9 iterations of the 2600 over a 10 year period and you'd have to be a monotonous nerd to go through them all. so... here we go. "

[@AlexBallMusic]

Always go full nerd.

[@rickygarciarayave]

The quality of this is just unreal. From the story and detail to the music and information. Both the Roland documentary and this have left me with such gratitude for it being able to watch and I could not praise you enough. Amazing channel, and just the best documentary one could ask for. Thank you so much for your work, too awesome!!!

[@TheSynthnut]

A massive piece of work Alex, amazing! I can only imagine the efforts needed to pull all this together, clearance issues alone must have been fun! Brilliant stuff.

[@jtmarinuk]

Me : "That wompus sounded a bit lame" Alex : Turns up the reverb and volume, plays again Me : Terrified I don't actually know what to say, this is so good. THANK YOU Alex for all your amazing work and your brilliant music and talent.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Just remember, if the kids come back in the house then the Whampus won't come for you.

[@connerrolofson1585]

The Wampus is half-man, half-frog, kind of like the Loveland Frog.

[@peter-utrblk]

What a Easter Gift. Thank you for this Video.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@naisammon4986]

Thank you! I’m totally grateful for this, pro job man. PLEASE, keep them coming. That was super comprehensive and fascinating, knocked me out completely.

[@daggersdukc]

Such a lot of love and skill plainly went into making this. Thanks, Alex. During this time of enforced lockdown, the perfect antidote! Two hours of bliss.

[@orangewiggler6838]

Thanks. What a gift!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@alleykat6273]

I noticed how they used the word "MIDI" in the 2600 ads 13 years before MIDI even existed

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes! It's funny isn't it.

[@agheoane]

@@AlexBallMusic do you know what "midi" it was they were referring too?

[@noiselabproject9659]

midi like mid sized, like a midi hi fi ?

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@agheoane It was a Tonus Inc advert advertising three products they had and referring to their size: Series 2000 Modular Studio Synthesizer - MAXI Series 2600 Synthesizer - MIDI Series 4000 Encapsulated modules - MICRO

[@SPAZZOID100]

agheoane “to”

[@jkarra2334]

Production value of this is just outstanding! Thank you so much fot this, this is just amazing piece of documentary.

[@1958TimMoore]

Wow, that was just great! The research, the production, the filming, the playing! Stunning job Alex! 👏

[@AlexBallMusic]

Some corrections: 1:25:20 - Should read Drew Schlesinger & David Torn. On that subject, check out the superb album that that track is from: drewschlesinger-davidtorn.bandcamp.com/album/summer-synthesis-1978 1:36:26 - The mylar membrane switches that failed were actually in the keyboard action, not the front panel. Each key had a roller mounted on it and the roller moved down and up the membrane switch when a key was depressed and released. 1:50:44 - The song title should read "Schismo".

[@joaquinvelazquez913]

I love Tony Banks, and i love the so overlooked Pro Soloist goddamnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[@_6581_]

You should be so proud of this. Loved it so so much!! Will watch many more times to come!

[@johnpaulpatton9786]

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for this video and the Roland video. You are actively preserving legacy and creating knowledge for new generations!

[@michaelandersson6088]

Just had to pause and ask, is this ARP NAMM JAM available somewhere? I mean the original recordoring (if there ever was one). ...and Alex, you spark my interest for synthesizer like no one else, a thousand thanks! :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

There is indeed a recording of one of the NAMM Jams that appeared a few times in the video. I got it from David Frederick so will have to ask whether it lives anywhere (or will be available).

[@michaelandersson6088]

@@AlexBallMusic That would be SO awsome!

[@trevordoolan5011]

Oh... if you where to release a hard copy of this documentary, you could maybe include extras, including the Jam / Jams, etc. Just put on tonight a 2nd-hand LP I bought few months back, and noticed they used an ARP. -- Sugerloaf with Jerry Corbetta "Don't Call Us - We'll Call You" (released 1975). The Album's front cover actually has a drawing of an ARP kinda caricatured as a piano. Played by a Skeleton❕ WeLL KooL

[@vintagesynths]

Soooo incredible. You should get awards for the best synth documentation’s. Thousand thanks for the third great story after Sequential and Roland.

[@RobertWrightOneManCovers]

Alex, I can't tell you how much your 'history of' videos are appreciated. So many questions answered, so many amazing sound demos, such fantastic production values. From the heart of my bottom, THANK YOU.

[@mongoosecollector]

Absolutely brilliant. So well put together and the interludes of modern performances with the instruments are great. Thank you.

[@titovalasques]

1:32:31 interesting! So basically Yamaha (and perhaps KORG and Roland) backwards-engineered and copied down to the circuitry everything they later became famous for. That sounds remarkably like what Behringer is doing right now while pissing off those very same Japanese companies. 🤨

[@AlexBallMusic]

That was specifically Yamaha, there isn't evidence that Korg or Roland did something that extreme, but I imagine most manufacturers had a very close eye on the competition. For example, the Roland System 700 main cab quite clearly takes influence from the Moog modulars and ARP 2600 but it doesn't infringe any patents and also adds lots of unique things that were Roland ideas. Yamaha, Korg, Roland etc all invented piles of original instruments and built their own legacies too (including after ARP were gone) so it wouldn't be accurate to view them as just copying and cloning. So whilst I agree there is a little hint of irony, taking issue with a company cloning your iconic back catalogue with the same names, layout, livery etc is very different.

[@crysstoll1191]

Behringer 🤮 no comparison to Yamaha, Roland, or Korg.

[@elijaminwlc6079]

I was not expecting Arp to have a longer history than Roland wtf

[@AlexBallMusic]

Because this time I was lucky to get access to the original people for in depth interviews.

[@AndyVonal]

...but there's already a ton of stuff out there about Roland and not enough about ARP.

[@richardalldredge9129]

I’m soooo excited! I’ve been waiting for this every time you posted a video I checked! :)

[@Fruitymasterz]

Enjoyed every second of it! So much feeling and passion must have gone into making this.

[@AndyVonal]

Brilliant, Alex. Thank you so much for making this and thanks for introducing me to the Alan R Pearlman Foundation. I will certainly check them out. A brilliant homage to a brilliant man (and his team!).

[@silverqumera]

Top notch quality as always. Thanks Alex!

[@GertBoers]

What an excellent piece to watch! Thanks for making and sharing.

[@tomtebby7408]

Amazing! You have truly excelled yourself with this film. Such a pleasure to watch. Thank you.

[@bubbaayoub825]

an instant classic. great work as always!!

[@adam872]

This video represents the best of KZbin. It's interesting, informative and well informed. I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks Alex.

[@cornerliston]

Many thanks Alex and all contributors making this possible. Many interesting things to learn. Well done and as always great music. Such a talent.

[@synth4ever]

Congrats on the release Alex! I've shared it to Reddit as well. Thanks again for putting this together, and for your dedication to the synth community and sharing these stories that would otherwise be lost to time. Keep up the amazing work!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you! And thank you for that priceless Chroma material!

[@watsonunlimitedmusic]

Great work ! Really one of my very favourite channels. Thanks for all the effort you put in !

[@jibjamjangles]

Thank you so much, to everyone who took part in making this, it was delightful and informative. I always treasured my ARP synths, watching this makes them that much more special and cherished.

[@spacejack400]

Only a few minutes into this but I don't want to forget to say THANK YOU for producing wonderful documentaries like these.

[@TobiasAsjogren]

Amazing, fantastic work, well done and thank you for having documented this important part of history!

[@zen_art_of_guardian_sudoku]

What an epic documentary. Thank you so much for the incredible amount of work you put into this. The final production is brilliant, artistic and stunning.

[@markinnes4264]

Such a fabulous documentary! LOVE!!!!

[@Munatix]

Well done Alex! Loved every minute of it. You are the first to cover the ARP story in so much detail.

[@commiebitch42]

That was absolutely awesome.. Thank you for taking you time to make this. It was by far the longest video I've watched on YT, but also the very best one.