ARP 2600 Tonus vs Korg 2600 M: Synth Showdown

[@AlexBallMusic]

Perfect comparison. The 2600m is brilliantly done, nice to hear it get your seal of approval.

[@spencerscott2044]

Your videos are a big reason why I just picked up my 2600M. This will be very useful for dialing it in!

[@nickpmusic]

The musical scientist in his lab of frequency and resonance. Sometimes Nicola Tesla comes around for afternoon tea. Frickin awesome stuff.

[@paulschilling2996]

Love this comment 🏅

[@ridge7524]

😊💯

[@kfunkenstein864]

Tesla comes by for afternoon tea 😂😂😂

[@Whistler-007]

12:06 I'm wondering if the difference with the filter cut off controls: Perhaps one has a linear sliding POT & the other has a logarithmic sliding POT?

[@dfreeman120]

Don Freeman here. Another brilliant episode Anthony ! Love it! I first landed in L.A in 76’ and met Michael Sembello who was playing guitar with Stevie Wonder at the time. The only synth I owned was an ARP Pro Soloist. Mike takes me to Malcolm Cecil’s studio and we end up recording 2 incredible songs on TONTO. I’m sure you’ve played it right. In 77’ when I did sessions with Stevie’s incredible bass player Nathan Watts, he’d bring a 2600 with him and run one signal straight to the board and another through his 2600. This was at Crystal Vine st. I’ll tell you it took time to trigger properly but it was innovative back then !!!

[@toborexperiment]

Sembello was great!

[@thirstyCactus]

Lovely that you have Jerry Goldsmith's 2600. He was such a brilliant composer and his incorporation of synthesizers into his orchestral movie scores was fresh and bold. Thank you for this comparison!

[@DanglyLingham]

The verdict. "Its a synthesizer". Great video. You are a good teacher. Please compare the Behringer 2600!

[@bovers1137]

Thank you Anthony - growing up as a kid in the 80’s and then getting into synthesis as an adult in the 90’s I never thought I’d be able to afford a 2600, let alone hearing from one of the main creators of all this incredible music and how it was made.

[@suga4all]

Man! Sick jam in the intro! I really love when people can actually play the entire synth and not only the keyboard. 🔥🔥🔥

[@DrChopz]

Ditto!!!

[@davebellamy4867]

Playing the conrols is far more fun. Unless it's a DX7.😂

[@unclejerrysworld]

Another Wonderful Video!! I just acquired the 2600M and after watching this, I'm even more excited to get busy with it!!! Just watching and listening to you helps explain so much that reading the manual won't do!! (Maybe you should offer video courses....... I can see where learning the ARP 2600 would draw a huge audience) !! Thanks again for taking the time to make and share this!!!

[@richandglorious]

I really wanted to love the 2600M, but especially with the low examples, the vintage synth has so much more flavour...

[@noisemodule]

Anthony! Your understanding and articulation of the saturation characteristic solely from the oscillator patched to the mixer was spot on. Heard it very clearly, such a literally wonderful analysis. Thank you for this. I'll check to see if you have (or will) similarly compare the ARP 2600FS with your unit. I was instructed in Advanced Analogue Modular Synthesis (among other related musical things) by John McLain Rinehart on his 1972 ARP 2600 Pv4.0 at Antioch College at the turn of the century. I was his final student before he retired and passed a few years later. My FS model is the perfect stand in, as I never had a chance to play a vintage unit, so hearing this comparison, although I'm sure it would not be too different from the 2600M, would be very interesting for me, personally. Thank you very much for sharing this, Ace work, mate!

[@dk_rd3899]

Anthony is simply the 2600 Guru. Just another great video. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge!

[@edgardvera3132]

Nice dinner vs little snack analogy was the highlight of this masterful comparison!😂

[@AlanRPearlmanFoundation]

SO awesome. This is fascinating stuff! Thank you, Anthony! Thanks for the deep dive!

[@1980VINZ]

Since I discovered you Anthony, my synthesis learning enter a new level… And you made me understanding how much I needed a 2600. I was about to order a Behringer one but after this, once again, you made me realize this instrument MUST BE built the best way possible my money can buy, and DEFINITELY the KORG ARP 2600 M deserves the financial effort, plus I discovered it’s made in JAPAN… and just that… Means A LOT to me, a lot. I’m so happy to found you on KZbin and I’m so grateful for your sharing… Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you provide me happiness for the rest of my life through your knowledge ! Big thank you from southeast France, very sincerely Vincent.

[@mathumphreys]

You are definitely the best person to compare anything 2600 related!!

[@pauliedibbs9028]

That bass from Moroder's "Chase" always gets me.... AWESOME VIDEO NONE THE LESS, you are THE legend, Anthony :)

[@stefpir]

What i don't understand in this comparison is the huge difference. I don't think the enveloppe has been done exactly identical (by identical i don't mean the same "visual" setting, more the one you do by listening)

[@WalterGalindo]

LOL, i noticed the little blue Boss DB-12 Dr beat, i have one of those, the Korg is a fine instrument when you have realistic expectations, and understand the nature of analog electronics, even more so on well used vintage trough board electronics, with a lot of hours in them, vs modern surface mounted electronics, electrically they can do the same, but they wont behave the same, its just the nature of it. the korg will get you wherever you need to go musically and its a fine interpretation of the tonus imo. Excellent Video Anthony it shows that you took the time to actually pinpoint the idiosyncrasys of each instrument.

[@herberdth]

Another top-notch video. The Q is strong with you! Thank you so much. The 2600M sounds like a clean and modern take that will last another 30-40 years in the music world.

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Love this channel! I learn SO much with each video. Thanks Anthony! Very cool to hear how my 2600M stacks up to a vintage 2600.

[@kevinsturges6957]

All your videos are so fascinating!

[@kw7865]

I am not really a vintage gear snob so I was surprised how much I prefered the original especially on those bass patches..... Still, the M is a great little machine. Thanks for the video!

[@nneeerrrd]

Awesome comparison! Thanks Anthony! A little advice if I might? It's better to put a text on screen telling which synth is being played, than announce it in voice. Sometimes the difference is so subtle it's being masked by your voice in between the two instruments sounds. Thanks again!

[@5tephenD]

I'm not a musician, but an electronics nerd by career. ARP Sales introduced me and a room full of others to the amazing 2600 at the Denver Natural History museum in early 70's. I was enthralled! Your comparo makes me want to pony up the dough for the Korg, just to "mangle the filter a little bit" 😬 Thanks Anthony, for this run through. I pushed the Subscribe button.

[@pascaldeshayes5459]

The Korg has more bite and sounds thinner to my ears. Thank you so much for putting these amazing videos together, Anthony!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Definitely. The Tonus is generating more harmonic content especially in the "balls" range than the Korg. Korg still sounds good but also it sounds like a Korg and not really an ARP hahah

[@alienlovearts]

Loved the Logan’s Run Jerry Goldsmith connection. Always loved that soundtrack and dug the hell out of the synthesizer sounds. You are incredibly talented and your video presentations are very much appreciated. ❤

[@kfunkenstein864]

ARP2600 came out in 1971. The personal computer wasn't even a thing then and now I have a super computer in my pocket. Sorry digital... You just can't beat the warmth of real analog. Love that companies are reproducing these circuits w patent expiration. Fantastic video Tony. Been hoping you would do this one. Extra points for the boxing video thumbnail : )

[@neilpatrickhairless]

half of the analog gear everyone thinks are true analog run through digital ICs and stuff anyway. real analog filter circuits and stuff are awesome but the damn gear takes up a whole garage and will heat a small logging camp hahahaha

[@INADRM]

Korg has worked on Arp recreations before with one of the creator of Arp INstruments. This isn't like what Behringer does.

[@Holodream2000]

Really comprehensive comparison! Now we want the Anthony Marinelli 2600 master class!

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Really good showdown. Thanks... and Goldsmith's original 2600. Wow! ❤That's the most impressive revelation I've seen this year! It still sounds great after all this time. Thanks again, brilliant stuff. 👍

[@carriersignal]

Thank you! Another great synth video comparison. Was listening to Supertramp's BWYB album the other day and just happened to read the sleeve notes and saw you programmed the Synclavier. A pleasant surprise no doubt. Would really love for you to talk about your contribution to programming on that album, as there are some really great sounds. It's a favourite.

[@HANGINGOUTWITHAUDIOPHILES]

Tremendous comparison. Thanks for taking the time. Thorough yet always compelling with lots of insight along the way :)

[@sonicultura]

Thanks so much for all those videos coming from you this year! All the best to you and yours! 🙏🏾

[@WoodyPianoShack]

new 2600m currently on sale for 1199 instead of 1999 whilst stocks last. US only though. thanks for another great vid anthony

[@OTOss8]

I love these videos. You're the cool uncle or older brother that I always dreamed of. I just love listening to you talk about synths.

[@scottwillingham8349]

One of the best comparisons of any two synths I have ever seen! I like how you recognize that the basic circuits and sounds are the same, or close enough, and that the important differences lie in knob ranges and tapering, and in envelope and other control subtleties. Both are great synths. My wish would we for Korg to issue a version with all the sliders changed to good-quality rotary pots and big knobs. 😊 (Preferably closer to full size too.)

[@Satiable_Time]

This is the video I’ve been looking for for a long time. Thank you!

[@enricopallazzoofficial]

I think the 2600M is a great great sounding machine. Really interesting the 2 voices thing. Thanks Anthony again for this incredible video and all the knowledge that you spread on the net.

[@furiobisotti8150]

Two real ARP 2600 40 years old would never sound the same. I got that experience comparing two 1978 Korg MS20. Analog devices get old, capacitors lose capacity. I guess that with a blind test most of the guys here would not recognize Anthony's Tonus from a plugin... So, play your 2600 (whatever model you have,VST included) and have fun. Learning from Anthony is always a pleasure.

[@dstrats]

Aw Fratello! So appreciate this comparison and your opinion on it! I love the sound of both. And I own a Korg ARP Odyssey (2nd version). Watching this amazing demo, I realize my beloved Odyssey is a bit limited. Lol But the tone is so soul warming to me. Lol Grazie mille!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Odysseys are great

[@parisgraphics]

Thank you Anthony. Given your years of expertise with the original, I really appreciated hearing your thoughts on the korg m.

[@adognamedshinji]

So far only in the intro, and I am loving how the percussion compliments everything else. Used to hearing repetitive drum machine loops on synth videos, which is fine but I'm frankly not a fan of the predictability (or the ever so common remedy of using randomization in place of intention). Awesome to hear something so intentional and different

[@nneeerrrd]

I think KZbin put too much mid-roll ads in this video. I get to 12 minutes and there were 3 2-part ads! Sometimes even in the middle of sound comparison, like, 1st instrument sound - ads - 2nd instrument sound. It totally ruined the goal of comparison since after the ads loud music I already forgot how the 1st instrument sounded. Thats psychoacoustics.

[@513BRAM]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge in an understandable language. I have a microkorg, and your videos have helped me start to unlock it potential. Keep up the awesome valuable work you do explaining complex ideas to us novices.

[@JiriTrubac]

Anthony, thank you for your in-depth analysis of these two instruments. I'm glad you've embarked on this adventure of sharing your experience, knowledge and wisdom with all of us.

[@philippezsiga1125]

Thanks a lot ; simply the BEST , by far the most professional Utube synth channel . I think, just for your channel Anthony , Utube have to be created!!!! Don t change anything, videos are always PERFECT

[@globalsquirrel]

You are a blessing to all us synth nerds, thank you! I am learning a lot along the way too. 👍

[@elwhagen]

Love this really in-depth comparison/review of the synths. You are truly a master of the 2600.

[@blenderbuch]

I could only afford a b2600 blue Marvin but for my still learning ears it is enough. I can follow your Videos with no problems! Thanks you are doing great.😊

[@festivalmiami]

Hold on..so you say, the ARP2600 of Jerry Goldsmith which was part of the soundtrack of Logans Run, was the same instrument which you used for Thriller ?? :))

[@anthonymarinellimusic]

Yea

[@festivalmiami]

@@anthonymarinellimusic can imagine that Goldsmith also used it for his brilliant, futuristic & avantgarde soundtrack of Planet of the Apes.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

The 2600m sounds amazing. This and a Moog Matriarch, quite a good combo.

[@chelikan]

Best video i've seen on the Arp2600m, thanks mate

[@williamtell1477]

Ive been following along with your tutorials on Arturia 2600V, its really good and patches are of course recalled with the plugin, BUT I am still seriously considering getting a physical 2600 clone because... well real analog rocks!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

2600s are super cool and versatile for lots of purposes, if you got the bank go get one, you'll keep the whole neighborhood awake for weeks on end

[@activelow9297]

Have you ever played with the Behringer 2600's? I'm curious what your opinion is of those machines.

[@simonjefferytaylor]

I've got quite a lot of synths, and £10k of modular. I have a behringer 2600 and you will not get more for £400 in the world of synths.... I don't expect it to still be going in 20 years though.

[@manoobahar]

loving the shows man! keep It rolling!

[@rodrigovazquez433]

It never fails. Every time I watch one of your videos I learn something valuable! Thank you!

[@kristiandawe85]

I’m listening to this on a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones plugged into a good dac amp and the sound of these synths is truly amazing, my headphones are vibrating on my head

[@lovelydonkey]

Your videos are always top notch, Anthony. Thank you for sharing your deep knowledge of these great synths. King of the 26

[@GeorgCarlson]

what an intro jam, can see you had fun with that!

[@jt_via]

Thanks for giving me practice listening for these subtle differences, and also for demonstrating the differences between linear & exponential EG curves. I'm fairly new to synthesis so didn't know that was a thing.

[@andrewmacnally8962]

Amazing video!!!!! 2600 M is my favorite between the two. Love your content!!!!!!

[@skymalctphello]

The intro is fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏽

[@IljaSj]

This is a common story when a replica of a vintage synthesizer sounds brighter than the original, like in neumann microphones, it seems to me that it’s all about the components, perhaps resistors

[@intheblink]

The patch you made to demonstrate the 2 voice mode around 25:00 is really awesome. I’ve been really tempted to snag one of these lately. I just wish they sold a better 2600 keyboard for the mini.

[@MikeUIibarri]

You got dudes 2600 from Logan's Run. That's crazy! And just another reason why I dig your thing, brother!

[@merchannel7762]

Thank you so much for making this! Comparing the unattainable synths to the ones I can afford is so helpful

[@Gerald_Daniel]

That's a great comparison also because the differences are pointed out so quickly. At the beginning my initial thought was that the KORG would have a hard time against the Tonus. Fortunately its soon revealed that both fantastic machines are way less apart than expected.👾👾

[@neilpatrickhairless]

I think they both sound great and sound similar but the Tonus has thump that the lil Korg doesn't have for sure. I almost wanna say the Korg was made for stage use more so than the big Tonus because of the bite, the size, and the keybed

[@TronDawg]

Intro is so good!! I’ll comment when I finish this epic✨

[@neilloughran4437]

I have the Korg ARP2600 FS... love it... always wanted the 2600 since I saw it on LPs in the 70s... I found I could easily get all the Zawinul Scarlet Woman kind of sounds without too much effort... both the M and the original sound wonderfu to me. Sometimes I put my ARP2600 into a rhythmic loops and mess about with patching and random settings and it's really lovely to hear Giorgio Moroder like percussion emanating a'la From Here to Eternity LP...

[@kevinpaige5746]

So many compliments coming to mind! Amazing video! You ARE the master of the art form that is so confusing to so many of us musicians. Thank you!

[@sebastianvega4576]

wow, i allways disliked the reverb on my behringer 2600 because i thought it is to prominent and everything gets to muddy. now i see how a professional does it use correctly. you use it as a send effect...never thought of that... it sounds so much better, thanks!

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Great video, it was like a masterclass on listening to sonic subtleties. Really enjoyed it, and the jam at the beginning totally rocked.

[@valleywoodstudio7345]

Excellent stuff! If you could go back in time, do you think the Original ARP may sound closer to the Korg?

[@muratselcuk6556]

Great comparison Anthony! Thanks for doing this. Btw your old Isobox had a very good second life in my studio and it keeps functioning in another composer friend’s room now!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

Beautiful didn't know this machine existed - loved hearing you do the Midnite Express line people overlook that album - thanks Anthony !

[@DrJ3RK8]

Love the videos Anthony. I don't need a 2600, but I'm starting to want one again. :D Happens every few years or so. Then i build a bunch of new modules, and forget about it for a while. The prices on the Korg M version are nice right now too. Kind of saving for a Gemini, but the 2600 is rising up in the back of my mind again. :D

[@musicbrum1]

Anthony, because of you and your passion for this synthesizer i will buy one for me . Thanks for your brillant demonstration !

[@Murray_Browne]

Really useful and interesting video. I was lucky enough to pick up a Korg200FS here in Australia when they were originally released. Had to hustle the retailers and distributor for months but finally got one. Had dreamed about owning this thing for more than half my life. So now you've given a reference point to check out where it sits in comparison to your well known Tonus and the 2600M. I have so much to learn.... By the way I would pay decent money for a detailed 2600/synthesis course/masterclass. I know that would be a lot of work to create but I don't think there are many others that can share such practical experience as Anthony. Thanks again! Feel lucky to have this channel.

[@Murray_Browne]

Also just thought. Would you guys consider making the uncompressed audio from this video available in your freebies section? Maybe overkill but I would really like to use this as reference. Cheers

[@MichaelJ-ls1ev]

Anthony, when will you upload a video on how to make the wah wah wah that appears in thriller? 1:31 of the song

[@camhyde9701]

the differences come across very clearly despite any YT compression... the ARP sounds more authentic but so it should

[@NexxuSix]

Very interesting video! I think you said it best that the differences in sound are based on the electronics. I think if you were to “mechanically” set the synths up 1:1, you’re going to get differences. Korg, with its newer electronics can probably be made to emulate the Sonus by tweaking it a bit more.

[@oxicemusic]

I could watch comparison videos like this for hoursssssss

[@phix9962]

Thanks so much for the video ! You are greate! I really enjoy the contend you are making!

[@JustinKosler]

Great comparison, Anthony! The 2600 is such a classic and versatile design that it inspires love out of anyone that gets to grips with it, all the way from the originals through to software emulations. Is it the GOAT? I don't know, but it has to be right up there.

[@nickangel6596]

What no one says: the ARP 2600 m sorely lacks presence; I compared it with the ARP Odyssey, with the same settings, and although both are made by Korg, the 2600 is left behind. At the same volume in db, the Odyssey takes up more space, sounds wide and fat. For what reason, I don't know, but the feeling can hardly be explained

[@jimlemons9231]

What a great Jamming song!!!!! Just awesome. I find different companies machines have their own flavor of sounds even if the kind of timbre is similar. Those are both cool sounding Synths with so many possibilities!!

[@liorsilverstein9802]

thx for comparing, few people can do it with moral authority and know how

[@BigGuns2024]

The a b comparison was fantastic id love to see more comparisons. Ive struggled to get some sounds out of the collection of synths i have without distortion and saturation too. With the envelope its almost like the 2600 is bring up the volume but the 2600m starts and turns up at the same time Great comparison

[@robertcrystals]

If anyones gonna compare these, it's you. I really enjoyed the natural overtones from the tonus in the waveform comparisons, sounded way more lively, which i'm sure gives a bunch more life as it hits the filters.

[@edda673]

Thanks Anthony for another great video! I would like to share what I think is an important sound aspect of the old 2600: it's the keyboard! Especially the 3620 model has a certain 'twank' as the great Joe Zawinul once called it in an old Keyboard Magazine interview. It's probably the individual cv and gate key contacts that are very uneven giving you tiny variations in gate timing, and little 'twanks' in the pitches :-) That is gone when people hook up their Arp to MIDI keyboards! That's why I always kept my old 3620 :-) What is your thought about this? So maybe make the comparison but use the 3620 CV and gate/trigger signals for both! all the best from The Netherlands!

[@typebeat2024z]

thank you for what you do, for the love you put in your sounds and your tecnik, i hope i see you in 2024, thank you

[@WoodworkerDon]

My favorite part of this video was the thematic show lighting at the start. 😁👏🚨

[@locommotionmusic]

Fellas. Stock up on bubble wrap. This man gets all the protec. Fascinating stuff Anthony. Thank you :)

[@NathanSander777]

Hell of a beginning!!! That was powerful!

[@albertdagobert9777]

I want to say with my poor engllish tath the music at the beginning is really wonderful, the combination of the drum machine and the synthesizers is all iwant to be able to,, and I thanks MR Marinelli for all the knoledge thath he shares

[@nondisgioldasis1477]

Anthony I am enjoying this, all I need is the Korg 2600 m I am new at this and you ex plane this very well thank you

[@smitlag]

Great video! Your ear is amazing. It might be interesting to see the differences you are pointing out on a spectrum analyzer. I assume you were using the filter switch that best matched the Tonus. But, the Arp 2600 back in the Tonus era was using epoxied modules, which at the time,that technology was largely matched bipolar transistors. I remember doing a mod to the latter 4075 filter on an Odyssey with the transistor pairs banded together with a copper strap. They did have integrated circuit op amps back then, but they were nowhere near what we have today in quality or bandwidth. I bought the Korg Arp M you are using. I am curious how the TTSH 2600 compares. I might build one of these. It is so great to be able to own these magnificent instruments thanks to the remakes. I think getting your hands on a semi working original 2600 is well over $10k these days, much less what will be required to bring it up to really desired spec.

[@WoolwichHouseStudio]

Terrific. I'm sure lots of us would value more 2600 videos.

[@juno6]

Great comparison Tony! I find them quite dissimilar. I think the closer to the original is the Antonus 2600.

[@CreepyT]

Comparing five month old components to five year old ones. I get that these two will sound different but the parts and signals paths differ. For me, both have great strengths. I would use either with equal pleasure, as I could a Korg 2600, Arturia V, Berhringer bARP, etc. I just absolutely love the layout/path/architecture of the 2600. Apples to Oranges. I want a fruit FKN salad. One day I hope I can afford more than a crap vst version.

[@squids1254]

This was a fantastic demonstration of the differences between them. Thank you! I feel like the Korg shouldn’t be that different sounding if they’re really trying to recreate the ARP 2600. It’s a little disappointing, but, on the other hand it’s a nice synth brother to the original offering snappier envelopes, more low end and a cleaner sound you can still saturate. Plus the price is nice. I really like their Odyssey. But, I love and appreciate the original ARP 2600 even more now. You said it so well. Even some of its errors and quirks are part of its character. It probably does have odd phase and saturation going on. But, it’s fat, bright and musical.