ARP Odyssey vs. Minimoog: Funk Bass Face-Off

[@mootbooxle]

OK...So the whole premise of this is a little unfair. The Odyssey and Minimoog are very different; especially the Mk1 Odyssey! The idea wasn't to directly compare the two, but rather play to their respective strengths. The ARP is the BEST at that snarling, nasty aggressive funk bass that recalls Herbie's "Chameleon", but the Moog is great at those thick bumping bass lines that just seem to sit perfectly in a mix. Maybe I'll do another shootout in the future that's a little more even-handed, but that's hard! I think if anything, this proves that a Moog is not an ARP and an ARP is not a Moog!

[@jayoverdose]

both sound great and different! which is extra cool because you have both hehe.

[@capougello]

could be cool to add the MS20kit in the face off :)

[@shabbee]

the Korg Odyssey has the filter of all revisions. the colour of unit is purely cosmetic

[@mootbooxle]

+shabbee I'm well aware of that :) I'm referring to the original Mk1 odyssey in this comment; I'm using the Mk1 filter in the Korg ARP to get that sound, which is what I prefer 90% of the time.

[@spectralknights2]

mootbooxle I like the arp better on funk bass

[@RealJomo]

This just proves that only the funk matters

[@RothmanHarv]

Couldn't agree more. All these synth fights, when we could all just be making great banging tunes.

[@mootbooxle]

+Harvey Rothman In this case, it's just entertainment. They're both great!

[@jazzoolazz]

true

[@donaldpriola1807]

If you have both synths, YOU won.

[@mootbooxle]

I feel incredibly fortunate to have both. They are the two synths I always wanted more than anything else! It would be really hard to choose between them if I could only have one. But I'd probably go with my first love, the Minimoog!

[@donaldpriola1807]

Both are good choices, but the Minimoog is something else.

[@rolobotoman]

Funny I was coing to say thé opposite

[@HotStrange]

Lobotoman I would as well. I much prefer the sound of the Odyssey, though both are great.

[@jeremiecoffin7572]

Thanks to Behringer everybody sort of can now :)

[@christopherpederson1021]

I think the Arp is definitely more greasy. The Moog is solid bass. I like the Arp.

[@Truthasvictim]

with you Chris, something smoother, earthier with the filters or something.

[@megabugginout]

It as funky as my unchanged underwear a 100 days into quarantine.

[@shaft9000]

The ARP can get much thicker than heard here. If my little Solus can sound bigger than this, then so can...this! lol. The *ring modulator* is key: Just needs 1) a touch of the ring mod FM (via EG is usually better, but not always) on the rectangle wave. 2) then setting Pulsewidth by ear. This approach of combining subtle amounts of the FM _and_ Pulsewidth will be producing sidebands. The results will be initially ugly&harsh, but when choked down by musically appropriate filter action, this enables not just one but several _flavors_ of obesity. 3) Set EG to dial in the sweetest point the filter output hits the VCA and you're rolling the fattest Js short of a 2600 or 800DV/MaxiKorg.

[@ShimanskiBeats]

both sound great in their own right. But let me say this was some really amazing and damn funky key playing!

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you very much! :)

[@nicolastherrien]

The player wins!

[@giuliocarmassi]

Minimoog D is the les paul humbucker option, Odyssey is the pointy telecaster/stratocaster. We all need both AND a 4 voice oberheim. Also the Minimoog (i have both) feels much better as a soloing instrument. It's more playable. But the Odyssey can get weird and insane so easily. Perfect companions really. Oh and of course a Juno and a Prophet for pads and arps. :)

[@mootbooxle]

Giulio Carmassi I completely agree, I like the way you described it! Two different flavors.

[@LuddyVonBeat]

You described my perfect setup too!

[@djmikio]

Very well said! I could re-create 90% of the sounds that initially inspired me in recorded music with just those 3 synths.

[@shaft9000]

Who made you the decider of what everyone "needs" ? ;) besides, Guitar is not monophonic, so the analogy doesn't work. It seems _like_ it should, sure - if one presumes that all Les Pauls are 'darker'-sounding than all Strats. This is a myth perpetuated by many factors, the main one being the use of ceramic pickups in lower-end Studio models that are everywhere. And LPs are not inherently bassy-er nor smoother than a Strat; certainly not pre-Norlin. [disclosure: I have 5 strats, 2 les pauls, a '72 Tonus-logo 2600, solus, voyagerOS, MG-1(stolen from me) and little phatty tribute(sold)]

[@inevitablecraftslab]

@@shaft9000 so then, who cares what guitars you own?

[@martinaraujo2555]

Personally prefer the ARP more

[@AdamBorseti]

I used to prefer the sound of the Moog, but as the years have gone by, and I can make very Moog-like sounds with most of my synths; I've come to prefer the ARP sound. It's cleaner and crisper around the edges! The Moog's VCOs coming into the filter at +13db is great for weighty sounds, even just a single wave is thick on a Minimoog, but that's my problem with it - once you start adding more waves and shaping your sound, I feel like a lot of subtle details are drowned out in the Minimoog, whereas the ARP stays clear.

[@hawaiidispenser]

Better than 95% of what's on the radio today.

[@elsongs]

Love this! Synth bass playing is an under appreciated art. Too many bass guitarists half-ass it with pedal effects, and too many keyboard players don't understand the nuances of legato technique on a mono synth.

[@frankwitte1022]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[@josephwright5921]

Yep per!

[@DIGITALSCREAMS]

The Moog definitely has more weight and oomph behind it - they're both great synths. Korg are going to release a full size version of the Odyssey next year...so I'll probably pick one up

[@108Existences]

Thank you very much for this comparison. I've always been fascinated by these two synths in my early days of learning synthesis and electronic music and specifically wondered which would be more interesting for bass sounds.

[@MacXpert74]

Awesome playing! Those are some funky lines man! I agree both sound great. The Moog has more "weight" to the sound and just sounds more full bodied. But the ARP sounds really punchy and aggressive, which is great too!

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you! And you described the sounds very well! Stay tuned for Round Two...

[@MacXpert74]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to part two. I love the Moog and ARP. And you certainly make them sound great!

[@timothybaker5321]

This is great! Your playing is so funky! Is that a Linndrum playing the drum part?

[@captainkiddoregon]

I think the Arp (at least in this demo) sounded what I would think a little more Funky than the Minimoog. And I have a new re-issue Model D which I mentioned before so I am not playing (no pun intended) favoritisms here. :-).

[@jakebass101]

Nice playing! I think I liked the odyssey sound you had dialed in best but they're both great sounds from legendary synths! Thanks!

[@reg1167]

oh this is a hard one. The sound of the Moog is cleaner than the Arp. I enjoy them both. You know it will depend on the song the arrangement the feel.Good showdown.

[@mootbooxle]

Exactly! It's really not a direct comparison...They both shine in their own way!

[@willdahbe]

Awesome playing! My vote goes to the Odyssey. Mainly because the EG was modulating the filter cutoff on the Arp more than on the Moog. Personal preference how I like my basses.

[@le-j-james7061]

Both sounds really good. I wish i have the both

[@superokay7660]

very cool man. id gladly play either one any day. thanks for sharing as always.

[@Mr_ToR]

Fuck yea, awesome video. Don't care about the face-off at all, great to hear these both amazing synths together :-)

[@noizreduxion2888]

So funky. A serious left hand play lesson I just took watching you video. Damn !! I love the Arp on this one. It has this incisive and just grinny enough attack that does the job perfectly. And those twisty bends are killers. More orbital funk please ...

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you!!

[@auratone25]

Love the aggressive edge to the arp. Such a good smack. They both sound awesome. Just depends on your production direction your going for.

[@AlainHubert]

Definitely both ! You're right. Even though I only own the Mini, the ARP sounds awesome too. The great playing helps a lot, too ! ;-)

[@mootbooxle]

Thanks very much! Both synths are essential equipment imho!

[@pyrofiliac]

Great playing, very fun!

[@ericbgordon1575]

Classic funk with classic synths and a classic drum machine.

[@fitagoraz]

for me is very clear so that the Arp is giving a little more deepness & crunchy freq range bass character. do this facing came great to me since I was thinking to buy something to replace my sold Minitaur like with an Arp or another Moog. Korg simply the king now.. thnks so much x this great testing and demo execution.

[@clintwalton2429]

The minimoog was just so smooth that would be my choice, If I had to make one but I would make either sound great!! Thanks for the demo it was funky.

[@mootbooxle]

thank you for listening! 😎

[@joeakajoe1]

I like them both but my fav is that snare. Nice and crispy

[@MEGART68]

Please please can you do a funk off with the Behringer Model D

[@BitDepot]

MEGART This would be great, i’d love to see a funk off with the behringer model d, the new roland se02 (minimoog clone), a minitaur (can it make these sounds, no-one seems to do it on youtube), a bass station 2 (some good funk bass demos on youtube), a monologue(haven’t seen any with this yet), a dx7(how close can it get?), a sub phatty, little phatty, prophet 5, pro one, roland sh09, and some of the nineties analogues like the waldorf pulse which has 3oscs. We just need someone to deliver all this kit to moot’s house before tea time tomorrow, i’m sure he won’t mind!

[@ThinkerThunker]

That was insane! I want and need to be able to play like you do. I've slowed the video down as slow as it will go trying to pick out patterns or phrases but I'm not having much luck. Would you PLEASE do a little bass synth tutorial? Sub'd!

[@rwesreal]

Damn Mootie B!!! U just broke out the flame thrower on this track!!! Keep the synth funk alive brotha man! Much love from Cali....stay safe and healthy, and would love to hear more odyssey tracks in the future

[@AriKona]

They both are killer machines, but I like the slight edginess of the Odyssey and the way you nail the PPC. Yeah, I do have a bias cause I have a Mk.1 FS, but I like to think I am still being fair to both. Great video!

[@Zeal808]

Dude you ruuule. I hear herbie Hancock and bernie worrell in your playing. Killer. Nice slowed down track at the end!

[@earlygail]

Outstanding playing

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Love the smooth creamy filling in the Moog, but since I got my hands on an Odyssey first, that's where my heart lies. I give my patches names like Badcat, Stanky Baby, and Nippy Cheese. ARP seems to have more hair on it, at least the way I use it, and I love the fader format. I know Bernie Worrell was a Moog wizard, but I don't have any children to sell off to fund one. ARP for me, but truly, it's all about The Funk, The Whole Funk and nothing but The Funk. Really dig your grooves!

[@dislokated]

Awesome jamming, well done!

[@Roderick_Legato]

First off, this is extremely cool, and thanks for posting it. Now, what I'm hearing is that the Mini seems to not have its filter open as much as the Odyssey, and/or the "Amount of Contour" is not set as high. Am I wrong? The Odyssey sounds so nice - reminds me of the intro to "Boogie On Reggae Woman". Thanks again for posting, and MORE PLEASE!

[@GVNZ9]

i don't know who won, but this is some tasty stuff!

[@fraseradam3552]

Great playing ...

[@mschorer]

Great playing right there!!!! Both synths have their strength and weaknesses, but both sound amazing!

[@yvesbajulaz]

That’s some funky fingers!!!

[@SIRROBERTTHEKEYTARMINATOR]

Love them both!

[@nicoaquino]

Wow you are awesome Moot!! +1 for the ARP

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you Nico! :)

[@WARDISWARD]

OOhhhh Boy ..THat's some really Funky bassline ...!!!! Fantastic !!!

[@strategicpeoples2973]

Depends on what your aiming for but I like the arp in this case

[@austinstyles6393]

I love the Minimoog. Always dreamed of owning one, but the Arp wins this battle for sure. It's just nastier. Moog would definitely win in all out war of the two synths... but the Arp lives to see another day after this.

[@Novemmusic]

The way you play, even a Casio toy synth would sound funky man. For the Odyssey vs Moog - can't decide, it's like asking to pick your favourite child ;)

[@analogstudio5222]

very cool! profissional your sounds...

[@Pablo668]

Great playing. Nice comparison. Both are really cool.

[@raduvladcg4218]

Both are total icons and will always have their place in any keyboard players heart.

[@pbasswil]

Fantastic playing! Very inspiring to watch your hands make funky grooves like this. Imho this is a comparison of two different synth _sounds._ Whichever one a person prefer, they might prefer the _other_ machine, if two _different_ sounds were dialed up. Overall though, I think it's safe to say the tone of the Moog is generally biased more toward bass/lows; so in comparison, the Arp (or at least _that_ patch) sounds more textured - like, the mids are more prominent.

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you! I did a part two of this “face-off” in which I dialed in more similar tones between the two synths, but at the end of the day, they are really apples and oranges! This was just fun.

[@Funkspace]

I was going to say that the moog is cleaner and the Arp is grittier in that it has extra harmonic distortion detail happening higher up in the spectrum which gives the Arp some biting character. While the moog is purer and seems to have more 'width' in the bass, the Arp still delivers depth but with sharper definition in its width, which still sounds definitely deep bass-wise but which sounds like it will sit in a mix well -Well, at least for the kind of music I tend to write (more bigbeat oriented and acidic). I have to give the Arp the edge in this match, but I realize that the patch is also everything -I really wanted to hear the Moog playing this with the filter opened just a little bit more to see if a bit more 'bite' would cut through. So in many ways it's kind of an unfair comparison. But thanks for the video, I enjoyed the comparison.... gonna listen to the Rematch...

[@Dino0469]

I own both synths and to be honest, the Moog can be setup to sound identical to the Arp sound heard here. But having said that, the Arp wins based on sound alone as far as “Funk” plus the playing skills are very impressive and regardless of the synth being played, it will sound good when played like this! I really enjoyed the video!

[@xazaful]

The winner is the player ! Great groove !

[@mootbooxle]

thank you!!

[@discodave6153]

I have an Oddy but I don’t have your chops. That was very funky sir 👌🏻

[@godot5082]

Thats the Korg Version of the arp, would love a original arp vs the mini, great playing.

[@cnltaf4532]

Both are winners, the Arp is a little rawer,...and The Moog is a bit smoother,..but both are ton of Funky,.. Yeeeah! :D as always i get happy to hear you groove like that,..much Love to ya´ Moot

[@jacobwilson904]

Incredible playing my man. Thinking about picking up a sub 37 myself.

[@mootbooxle]

thank you! The Sub37 is great!

[@bytex666]

Every time I see your name, I keep remembering that old synthesizer.com explosion jam. Grats on the new Minimoog, sir. I'll never afford one :)

[@mootbooxle]

Never say never, my friend! :)

[@SammyVOfficial]

One of the sickest funk bass lines I've ever heard.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Solid funkyness there!

[@syncworm]

Love your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@juanespinosa1259]

When you throw in an Oberheim DMX in the mix, a setup with an Odyssey and a Minimoog is ultimate funk all right. The three funk knobs on the Odyssey win over the pitch and modulation wheels on the Mini but the 3 oscillator Minimoog wins by a stretch in everything else. OK, the Oddy has more modulation possibilities but those go wasted when playing funk bass on them. And Mr. Funk Bass himself, Bernie Worrell, used a Minimoog. Now that's a nod right there. But it's like having to choose between a 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet and a 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake. Will it rain?

[@mootbooxle]

Juan Espinosa hahaha! Right! Great comment. It's really hard to choose a favorite between the two synths. The Odyssey really has the Moog beat in terms of flexibility, but nothing else has that Minimoog tone!

[@hardcorehouse]

Don’t get too stuck on brand names...when worrells mini was stolen, he used something else a pro one. The arp is excellent.

[@djGreenALERT]

For me it's the minimoog, but then it could be ANY funky bass you wanna put against it, and I'd still always choose that moog sound!

[@TaccioDrum]

Reminds me to Burn Rubber - The Gap Band! omg! The ARP!!! 🙌🏼

[@MrQmason]

love them both....awesome !

[@spassmitsynthesizern]

Great Sound - Love it!

[@davidhrivnak]

Well, the patches could be a lot closer, but you funked them both up so hard that I ain't got no hard feelings. It would be cool to hear a more accurate comparison of these two synths though.

[@mootbooxle]

Thanks! The thing is, it's really not a fair fight! They are apples and oranges. I could make the ARP sound more Moog-ish by using the Mk2 (Moog clone) filter and defeating the envelope retrigger (or I could just put the Mini in retrig mode), but they'll always be two different beasts!

[@denver-gi7ot]

Your bass playing skills are sick

[@jakubsach8431]

I love bass lines on keyboard, you play it very good! Have you sheet for this amazing lines? Thanks

[@YTbeber]

Nice groove bro!

[@xs10tl1]

Even if a synth comes close to a Minimoog in a studio....in a live situation the Moog shows who's boss. The Arp 2600 and Quadra have a grainier edge which is excellent, and will also cut through.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Love this. Now, could you upload a video in which the ARP is the bass synthesizer and the Moog plays just leads?

[@GPHERTZ123]

Talented dude. Nice work..

[@polara01]

Moot, you're playing really brings out the best of what both of these gems has to offer... I have had Bolt and preferred The Odyssey because the Timbers are just sweeter to my ears and if you have one with the patent infringement filter it brings out some of the low-end better before Perlman got sued and had to tweak the Moog filter clone in The Odyssey but the Moog by virtue of what it is will always have a little better bottom end but I find that with the Odyssey you can layer more tracks without getting muddy and with the Moog it is tougher to record a bass under it because it is so bass prominent but it is still awesome and has its place I guess I'm just more of an ARP guy even though one exception is the polymoog which to me is on a planet all its own and basically if I had to be on a desert island I probably would want the polymoog with hopefully an ARP 2600 sitting on top of it for lead lines...hey I can dream can't I? Great post! Peace Bob

[@ScottFichter]

This kicks ass man. Just make a channel with these riffs. Trust me you'll go high order. The ARP kills the Moog this time.

[@anders671]

So great!

[@mootbooxle]

Hey, thanks!!

[@jhdrummer4815]

Great comparison! Isn't the fact that Minimoog does not have a "note sync" function (when oscillators are forced to start at the same time eliminating any phase differences) a disadvantage for bass, compared to more modern Moog such as Minitaur or Sub Phatty? Thanks

[@cehayes74]

I wonder which one Larry Dunn favored or did he used both in EW&F ??? (Loved the playing you’re doin, go head Bernie Worrell R.I.P)

[@AnybodyButMiogloy]

nice playing man

[@mootbooxle]

thank you!

[@coreysublett8473]

Moot, one of your best videos! It's a tie. It was like yin and yang. 2 pieces of a puzzle. Peanut butter and jelly. I think the ARP and the Moog just made love...I think the question is which one is the man and which is the woman. 😜

[@mootbooxle]

thanks Corey! Haha, that is a question for the ages. they certainly complement each other well! I always liked seeing pics and footage of George Duke with both sitting side by side.

[@VincentsVideoVisions]

The Moog is the woman with a fat, fat ass.

[@ginociancio1]

Hi I never get bored listening to you man 👍🎼

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you very much!

[@nulinetransport12]

Damn You won lol Thanks for the funk bass demo

[@s.f.n.641]

Superb! I know it’s a silly question, opening up the filters on both, which one sounds buzzier? I am willing to sell my Little Phatty for buying a B2600 and I am afraid of losing presence and bite, especially on overdriven, fully open screaming leads or on round Taurus style basses (techno, Edm, Trance, house), any help?

[@rthrmusicofficial]

God i love both. I prefered the odyssey at first which i have. But then i moved to headphones and noticed the low end on the mini sounded so much tighter and defined. Would probably sit much easier in a mix. But i think the odyssey wins for leads and arps. Both are amazing.

[@dickydoes]

Would like a similar video of them in the higher registers for soloing- just for research purposes, obviously.

[@Lackan110f]

Great demo, thanks man. IMO 12db filters are always the winners. Kicks you in the face in a way 24db filters does not. Impressive keyhandeling I must say!

[@mootbooxle]

thank you very much! There are certainly pros and cons to Moog-style 24dB/oct filters. Sometimes they're just too much! I like having both in an instrument - it makes you approach it totally differently.

[@Lackan110f]

Or you get to buy more synths! ;) I also have the Ody 12db and Minimoog side-by-side and they are both great in their own ways. And a again; impressive baselines, you are very skilled!

[@mootbooxle]

+Lackan110f since you have both, you definitely get it! They have their strengths and weaknesses. The two best synths of all time, in my opinion! Thanks for listening!

[@borisnihom7985]

Super funky! Which scales is he using? From what i can tell visually it’s alternating between a minor, f major and d major with some chromatic approach notes here and there, correct?

[@ortsac101]

Just watched this again for probably the 100th time fucking love if moot more funk videos please and have Uli clone your hands for me lol

[@forrestcitygroove]

both synth's are awesome love the funk bro.

[@kierenmoore3236]

I’m pretty new to synths … but I’d say the Odyssey is more of a Lead Bass, and the Minimoog more of a Bass Bass … ?! 🤷🏻‍♂️😊

[@smartbart015]

+1 for the Arp. Your timing is also better when playing the Arp :)

[@BboySalamon]

Super, thanks a lot👍 All of my favorite music styles and synths. Drums from DMX?

[@Gojeku]

Both are great synths man, the odyssey is very funky forsure loved the tone but im 100% sure the korg plays like a dream.

[@MrGiloine]

Both are different but EXCELLENT !!! nice vid

[@phlattgetit]

Thanks for doing this Moot! You are awesome. Hope you do a lead sounds shootout too. My initial response after one listening: the Minimoog is thick and smooth like heavy whipping cream. Odyssey is thick and lumpy like buttermilk. Obviously both good for slightly different applications. The patches you use here, the Arp definitely makes me curl my nose up like smelling something really funky. So...if you fed the output of the Mini through the input of the Oddy would you get the ultimate funk bass?

[@mootbooxle]

Thank you! It's definitely not an even fight...They are just too different! I have tried running the ARP into the Moog's external input so I could play chords on the Moog (you can hear that on my Sound cloud) but I haven't tried the other way around. I will try it!

[@fantomas539]

It's simply incomparable

[@Dirtygoosedisco]

With a playing style like this you could make any synth sound funky ! I personally prefer the Arp, for the punchy enveloppe and the 12 db filter. It's more suited for tight bass lines, the moog sound is less appealing to me for bass duties maybe because it has been on too many funk records.. Anyway I'm still lusting after a Quadra, I hope Korg make a reissue soon !

[@pdxfunk]

As always, your playing is awesome. Funky as fuck. So A+ for that. This is tough because Odyssey's have different filters depending on when built and if MK1 or MK2. Theres the 4023, the 4035 etc. In my mind, the filters are what make these 2 sound different. The Moog's ladder is always a bit creamier in my ear. Arp is a little grittier, but still lovely. Both kick ass though. So the answer is of course to own both of them. And like 5 other keyboards.