ARP ODYSSEY:Tutorial and Demo

Untangling the haphazard looking from panel of the Arp Odyssey.
This should help anyone who's new to the Odyssey or is having trouble getting to grips with its interface.
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[@johnpaulpatton9786]

By far the best overview of the Odyssey to be found, including how to coordinate your watch to your synth!

[@usvideowatcher]

Just got mine from Behringer. As a totally new synthi user I highly appreciate this video. Especially the overview with the graphical presentations helps a lot. For me this should be the video to start with. Phantastic job !!!

[@andrewnancarrow]

Probably the most concise, easy to understand, yet thorough explanations of any synth that I’ve ever seen. Well done, and thank you!

[@StarskyCarr]

Wow, thanks!

[@bigthey1827]

I’m actually using this video to help me understand the “Odyssey” plugin that recently came to Akai Force. I normally consider myself reasonably synth savvy, but the interface has been a real headscratcher for me. Many thanks!

[@sparrow867]

Yes! im trying to figure out the same thing on my MPC One.

[@kukulkan1717]

lol...same here for the mpc one....the odyssey sounds amazing!

[@sparrow867]

ive gotten more used to it. starting to make sense. I think the interface makes it challenging vs having the hardware and seeing the layout in front of you. but yes this synth does so many awesome things if you give it the time. It would be awesome to have virtual wires to plug in and out. but thats impossible i guess to drag a wire between screens. Would be happy as fuck though if it was a semi modular app

[@HerenBass]

Same here!

[@5tablenet]

Bless you Starsky. I have been playing with synths for a long time, am deep into modular, and have owned many synths over the years. And yet I still was not able to connect to the Odyssey on a deep level. I've just used it for some basic sounds in the studio. This got me to level 2. I love the internet. Thanks for making great content.

[@davidcooke779]

Absolute godsend! Bought one of these yesterday on a whim and it took me an hour just to get a sound. Playing beautifully now and this is exactly what I need. Worth mentioning that Korg also have a PDF of patches on their site which can be helpful too. Thank you so much for putting this together.

[@arielito.]

I just bought that synth and it's amazing. Your review has clarified several doubts I had, thank you very much!

[@mickec5245]

Thanks for an exemplary demo and otherwise trustworthy tests. Much appreciated!

[@maval4537]

This video took my frustration away after I thought I'll never understand this synth... Now I learned already the basics and start to feel it, due to your explanations, thank you so much!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@StarskyCarr]

Excellent… that’s exactly why I made - glad it was useful.

[@ihhaahhhhhaaa]

Great tutorial, especially the explanation on the S&H mixer. The Ring modulator sounds clangorous!

[@ricktaira6723]

I purchased the Korg Arp Odyssey (White) back in 2015. I was excited to get my hands on the synth I heard on so many records back in the day. Unfortunately I was lost and unable to get a decent sound out of it (however I was the go to guy whenever someone needed a sound of someone farting). It's been sitting in my studio untouched for many years but with the lock-down I decided to revisit the instrument and more importantly educated myself. I found several videos but I have to say that yours in my opinion was the most informative and easy to follow. I've been watching your reviews for years and I just wanted to thank you for such an informative video.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks, that’s really nice to hear. And I’m glad it helped :)

[@Roderick_Legato]

4:48 "... if you look at the diagram..." That's the key to the Odyssey. Everything makes perfect sense if you just follow the diagram.

[@dazzjazz]

Now I understand the S/H section. Thanks.

[@alexvozzella7571]

Great tutorial, informative and concise! Cheers from Boston!

[@TannithVQ]

This is great! I wish I'd had this to guide me a month or so ago when my Barp Odyssey arrived. Great sounds but totally different controls from any other synth I've played. There was much head scratching.

[@jroseme]

Thanks for going thru the trouble to make this. It was IMMENSELY helpful.

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks for letting me know.. it’s always good to hear they’re useful.

[@dictabeat]

Thanks a lot for your tutorials! This thing is amazing once you get the hang of it.

[@percussionboy4357]

Thanks for the summary! The Odyssey is not an easy synth to talk about. The layout is actually very natural to use, once you understand it. All the sections fall under your hands in a comfortable way when patching. It’s just different from other synths. * For new Odyssey users who still feel a little overwhelmed after watching this, take the time to go through all the Automatic Gainsay Odyssey videos. They explain everything slowly, inch by inch. After a while it all makes sense.

[@markchristopher2signal2]

this is the video that made me learn how to rock my Behringer Ody. This is the Korg but the same interface.. Starsky, what I'm getting used to is using those sliders instead of knobs. Also, I wish the Ody would have a Course Tune notch right in the middle. Tuning the Ody is work sometimes lol. BTW, the Crave(thanks for that review btw) output goes to the ext input of the Ody, therefore, adding a 3rd oscillator to the Ody. I can use the envelopes and the filter. This is the most wildest synth I ever will keep. I'm getting good at not making it sound like the 70's as it has that sound lol.

[@cinderfields6334]

Picked one up yesterday, this got me going straight away, awesome tutorial, many thanks!

[@fjfrancois]

How far do you like it.

[@cinderfields6334]

@@fjfrancois I love it, great sounding filters also very snappy envelopes for lovely vintage sounding arpeggios and sequences. It also works well with my guitar pedals which is fun. I run it through analog flangers and bbd delay. Awesome!

[@nigeltedbury5805]

Came here for the same reason as @Big They. It seems so simple now you've explained it! Thank you.

[@StarskyCarr]

Glad it helped. It’s quite simple once you e got your head around it but completely impenetrable at first glance! Hence the vid.

[@dennisristow2102]

The Odyssey is a sneaky complex synth, very flexible modulation routing, even more than it's rival the original Minimoog. I recall reviews of the original Odyssey talking about people spending hours trying to get a sound out of it. Excellent overview explaining it's quirks compared to the Moog layout everyone else seemed to adopt, and everyone generally expects.

[@rrocktoo]

I failed to get anything out of an Odyssey on my last visit to a music shop. Am now armed and prepared for the next encounter. Couldn’t agree more on your choice of words.... “Sneaky” and “flexible” indeed.

[@J-Hz]

watching this because i'm trying to learn the Odyssey synth on the latest MPC update. Really liked the sound but it was very confusing. This helps a lot but still trying to get used to it. Thanks!

[@longfade]

Well thank you for this very informative video, and especially for making me less bad about not getting my head around this synth right away. It's a great synth, but I'm still struggling with it a bit.

[@DreamlordRecordings]

Hey man thanks for the great video, lots of really useful info. This synth is totally different to all my other analogue synths..layout and terminology so this was a great help thanks. 🙂

[@koltbach]

Thanks very much for your time and energy for sharing this video!

[@vaiman7777]

This video actually helped me understand my BARP 2600 better! So bonus video points :)

[@casimirliberski]

Always so clear and didactic. Thanks man!

[@omerartuk8936]

Great tutorial for me.. very nicely organised and optimised content .. great .. Thank you :)

[@BarbieChaite]

This was helpful to understand my Bodyssey.

[@temporoboto]

Very helpful, thank you for your time.

[@ruudvincent6078]

This is so helpful. Thanks a lot!

[@AdamSpade]

Just got the Behringer today and it just so happens to be my very first synth. Maybe not the best choice to cut my teeth on eh? But I started getting sounds pretty quick. I certainly have questions though and this video is just what I needed. Thanks.

[@kavityphiller4891]

I can't tell you how awesome this video is! To have someone walk you through each feature one by one is super helpful- very well done- much respect! Now if you could do one for the wave station, or mono-poly? Cheers!

[@StarskyCarr]

Monopoly could be on its way..;)

[@waltermiraglia8134]

Excellent video, using it with my Behringer Odyssey :) cheers.

[@anthonypfranco]

Thanks for the video I was doing some head scratching with the behringer odyssey.

[@abominablemusic]

I've just gone through this video with my unit, very helpful thanks! First live performance on Saturday - what can go wrong...

[@christopherturner2479]

Many thanks for your help 🙏

[@andreievkalupniek5717]

Thanks! Just got one and it was very helpful!

[@dvuemedia]

There is a lot of info to process, good tutorial, Thanks.

[@StarskyCarr]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andersbostrom3745]

Thank you! Very thorough!

[@RRRR-bf7gy]

Thank you, great movie and tutorial!!!!!!!!

[@lasideasfugazes]

That was a nice tutorial. Cheers!

[@StarskyCarr]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lillehammerexperimental]

That was absolutely useful cheers!

[@niknayme3754]

After saving up the money, I managed to get a Behringer Odyssey. Been playing with it and experimenting. I wonder if Starsky might do a tutorial on the Odyssey to show what you can do using the audio input, i.e the modulation of filter and effects, the arp and sequencer. Also, using a CV cable to put it in mono mode, and driving the Arp with 303 MIDI and using the portamento. There's more to this synth than meets the eye.

[@goo9637]

Great demo !

[@aarondicker]

Great video, thank you!

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

I guess that's why it's called the odyssey,because its bloody odd !. I wonder how many sent there's back thinking it didn't work. Smashing walkthrough like a human manual. :-)

[@Pandadub69]

perfect ! thank you my friend !

[@sparrow867]

Such an interesting synth. i have a software version included with my MPC One. Trying to learn this synth and how to separate the Vco's like a separate track to play together at different timing. if that makes sense. idk but i love the possibilities ive seen.

[@CybreSmee]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@joer3788]

Amazing!

[@shanemorris702]

Just love the opening song you made for this video. I just wanted it to keep going. What kit did you use to make it? Drum machine? Thanks.

[@shanemorris702]

Duh, probably should have watched the whole video before I commented. Everything was at the end. Thanks.

[@godders7594]

How epic is that intro

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks for noticing :) there's a slightly longer version at the end..). it's just 3 tracks, drums bass and lead.

[@indonesiazrecords2761]

omg amazing tutorial

[@emperorbingo]

amazing, thanks

[@d_cl]

Thank you!

[@fjfrancois]

Another awesome video, thank you for doing this 👍🏻 but I’ll prefer the Karp, sorry 😐

[@karlhans6678]

I'm just looking for one thing specifically, how do i change the pattern/chord of an arpeggiated instrument (e.g., Soft Acid)?

[@alejandrohualdez5550]

After watching your fantastic demo vids I have decided to take the plunge and get the Behringer Odyssey (full size keys and a sequencer tipped me away from the Korg). Here is my noob question so please don't laugh: If I also bought a Behringer D, could I use the Odyssey's keyboard as a midi controller? Many thanks in advance.

[@MrDryqula]

Yes, you can connect the MIDI out of the Odyssey to the MIDI in of the Model D. Just make sure the Odyssey is sending on the same channel the Model D is receiving. Behringer's quick start guide even shows the Odyssey connected to a model D as an example :)

[@StarskyCarr]

Yep... what Don says :)

[@alejandrohualdez5550]

@@MrDryqula Fantasic....although I have now got my eye on the Pro 1......

[@Music73777]

Features aside, which one would you say sounds better, warmer, closer to the original, Korg or Behringer? What’s your preference after having a little time with both?

[@StarskyCarr]

Sonically there’s nothing in it. If you’ve seen my comparison you’ll notice I really can’t put much between them. I kept the Korg as it fits on my rack, and I quite like it’s heritage.

[@Music73777]

Starsky Carr Thanks, I appreciate the response. I’m leaning the same way as far as the heritage. The module may make the most sense as I’m short on space, but dammit I just like the look and vibe of the complete with keys version.

[@bugeyedmudafuka2]

Hey Starsky, is there any difference between the black and the white modules of this synth? This is REV 3 and the white is REV 1. Same thing, just a different looking outer shell or do they sound different? Cheers

[@StarskyCarr]

No they’re all the same. Original versions had the different filter revisions - all of these have all 3.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Yes, my Moog Subsequent is by far more intuitive than my KARP Odyssey. They both sound great though :)

[@powermix24]

hope so for 3x the price.

[@brymilan]

I just recently got Karp Odyssey module. Hoping someone can help me. I am wondering what connection to use to connect to my mixer. Why is there both a high (xlr) and low (1/4") on this synth? And in this video both are plugged in? Is the high/xlr balanced? I can only use unbalanced with my mixer. Help and advice about this would be appreciated.

[@StarskyCarr]

You can use either, the high is balanced. The low was originally for plugging into guitar amps which need a much lower signal than a mixer. The high will give you a better signal/noise ratio so best to use that if you can. Minor difference in reality.

[@brymilan]

@@StarskyCarr Thank you. I was a little confused on how to get the balanced signal from XLR to my unbalanced only mixer. I have a Hosa PXF-110 cable on the way to take care of that issue.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

I just get happy accidents but I love the outcomes, lol

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Yep! Am actually thinking of getting a Behringer PRO-1... Sounds amazing @ €329.

[@michaellavender]

Question. Every time I try to quickly change notes, there’s a bit of a drag/delay that comes along the notes which makes it sound cluttered when I play this. I’m wondering how I can fix that. Is that a duophonic thing? Cause I also noticed that you can’t really play chords on this thing lol thank you for the help

[@StarskyCarr]

as its duo phonic you have to make sure that you lift one key as you press the next. 'Sloppier' playing that can work with monophonic using eg last note priority will result in each key playing a different oscillator while theres an overlap. .... this is probably what you're experiencing. With duophonic you have to be much crisper in playing between notes, especially in faster parts.

[@michaellavender]

@@StarskyCarr I love your channel. It is very helpful thank you for the quick response! was wondering if we can get time stamps on these ahaha. Hopefully you can do a little video on techniques to get the most out of the odysseys sound.

[@redCat777]

Maybe I missed it , probably a switch but how do I tune it? My octaves are out of tune. I keep tuning it but if I change let's it's out of tune again.

[@StarskyCarr]

There’s no main tune knob as the oscilla by tors both have their own sliders. There may be some trimmers to get the range working correctly but it’s not something I’ve ever looked into sorry.

[@77advanced]

Is there any difference in sound when plugged in the high output?

[@StarskyCarr]

No - it’s just louder, but I guess that means the signal to noise ratio could be higher and cleaner. If you plug the low out into a cheap mixer the gain on the mixer will add noise. Better to use the high whenever possible. It’s balanced so lower noise from cables as well.

[@fjfrancois]

Good question

[@typhonsdrummer]

As a soon to be Odyssey owner in about 2 days, I had the same question. I assumed the low output would be better suited for keyboard amps, etc. Super helpful video, Sir.

[@DanielHuman1996]

If you want to punish your ears then wear headphones for this review. :)

[@denoiser]

Where Oddity 2 stands? Anyone?

[@sebastianotrovesi2650]

🙏♥

[@paulwilliams4222]

Not so puzzling anymore. Thanks

[@jamesmeustache7740]

This is whole very impressive to me but how do you deal with pitch tracking when moving the osc ? I mean if you want to use all this in a musical way it gets really complicated, doesn't it ? And I just mean this question in an honest way!

[@StarskyCarr]

I’m not sure I understand. The oscillators track the pitch via the keyboard/Midi just like any other synth (there’s no need for additional patching etc like on a modular for example)

[@jamesmeustache7740]

@@StarskyCarr Sorry my english is not helping haha! What I meant is it seem hard to keep things in key, as you said there is no tuner so for example if I start moving the Coarse a little too much it gets out of tune and you never really know where you at! Not sure if it's more clear ! :D

[@StarskyCarr]

Aah OK no worries 😉 once you’ve programmed the patch and have it in tune you generally tend not to touch the tuning! You wouldn’t do this on any other synth either really. The fine tune is very useful… I just use a free tuning app on my phone to make sure everything is bang on.

[@jamesmeustache7740]

@@StarskyCarr That's true! Thanks for the video it was very informative !

[@mpmi7588]

I wish there were time stamps

[@dearvice]

today all MPC freaks will look like me this Tutorial!!

[@jacquesretro]

I have a constant tone that won't go away ....How do I stop it ?

[@StarskyCarr]

Turn down the VCA gain - the slider on the top right

[@jacquesretro]

@@StarskyCarr Ok....I'm not in front of it right now but I do remember doing that but then not getting any sound.....lol.....I'm kinda new to this synth thing.

[@StarskyCarr]

You then need to add the VCA amount slider below it so the volume goes through one of the envelopes... then it’ll work - as long as the sustain is turned up in the ADSR (bottom right envelope) and flip the switch below the slider to ADSR.

[@jacquesretro]

@@StarskyCarr Thank's alot.....got it working 👍

[@marcmistermarc]

My other half just asked what’s wrong with our doorbell ?

[@StarskyCarr]

haha.. brilliant. I hope you them it would cost £500 to repair ;)

[@horowizard]

There were so many other musical features you didn't even bother to try to demonstrate, like tuning the VCO 1 Square Wave Modulation to a musical interval or using VCO 1 in the Low Frequency mode to Modulate the Filter. You didn't use the Pedal to modulate the Filter or VCO 2 when Phase Synchronized to VCO 1.

[@StarskyCarr]

yeah.. this was about finding your way around the synth, which some find quite impenetrable, rather than the more 'advanced' techniques.

[@horowizard]

@@StarskyCarr See, I don't understand that. The Odyssey was my very first synth and at 16 years of age I found it very intuitive. I took to it instantly and was performing live with it in no time. Maybe because at that sweet spot of an age you're just open to everything. I can show you things on the Odyssey that no one ever dreamed it could do. I may even post a demo on it.

[@mpmi7588]

This is cool but you move way too fast for me. Lol. Thanks man

[@mpmi7588]

I dont understand Sample & Hold

[@fincorrigan7139]

It's a randomly generated voltage.

[@ihhaahhhhhaaa]

It also can sample the oscillator 1 waveforms, to make a staircase-like waveform out of the saw wave for example.