ARP PPC (Proportional Pitch Control) demo flexidisc (1977)

The little-loved PPC was ARP's attempt to inject more character into the Odyssey and Axxe synths.

[@scottstevenz8732]

I spent my life savings on an Arp Axxe when I was 18. It was 650$ and I didnt know much about synths. The PPC was a huge disappointment , it never really was usable, either you had to push painfully hard and or it didnt work. Ive heard these crappy things helped lead tp Arps demise.

[@baward]

Perhaps they were going for an early type of the surface of multi-dimensional controllers like Roli's Seaboard? :-)

[@scottstevenz8732]

whatever they were going for, it didnt work for me, at all. I will be restoring my ancient Axxe soon. Always been tempted to put in a mod wheel and pitch wheel.

[@Rhythmattica]

@@baward Touche' " Ba dum Tish "

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I used to own an Axxe - a great little synth - I really liked the PPC controls - they made for some lovely rubbery baselines!

[@scottstevenz8732]

heres an article about rebuilding the ppcs with new elements. Mine never worked right even when new, they were worthless. Maybe I will try this www.belltonesynthworks.com/blog/2018/12/09/rebuilding-arp-ppcs/

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

Ooooh! Do you have a high quality wav of this?

[@baward]

The highest quality of it I have is a .m4a file.

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

@@baward I'd love it if you could send it to me - splitpickup at gmail dot com Many thanks!

[@baward]

@@MrMargaretScratcher sure thing.

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

@@baward you're a gent!

[@carriersignal]

It is useful for certain things, but it is a shame you have to press so hard you almost break fingers. Should / could have been better designed.