Arturia ARP 2600-V Walkthrough Ep.01 - VCO1 and the Basic Signal Path

Initially released in 1971, this classic analog synthesizer has been a constant presence ever since, inspiring musicians with its "semi-modular" design and incredible versatility. It's perhaps most famous as being the source of RD-D2's cute bleeps and whizzes, but it can also generate amazing musical tones and phrases.
In this video series I describe how to create sounds with this instrument - starting with really basic signal path stuff and going on to finish with some deep Preset-dives, where we discover the true power of this beast!
In Episode 1 we get a really gentle introduction to the instrument, just trying to make a nice simple, static tone that we can understand fully. We'll use this understanding later as we start to add more complex concepts into the picture.
About me:
My name is Anthony Chisnall. I'm a musician and a songwriter. I've created this channel - One Man and His Songs - in order to share with you everything I learn as I strive to improve my songwriting skills. Watch my songs evolve each week - the rhythms, the melodies, the lyrics, the production... everything I need to learn in order to produce professional-sounding music of which I can be proud!
I play the electric and acoustic guitar, and the bass guitar, and record all of my own synth-based sounds myself too, but I can't sing very well (huge understatement!), and so my wife, Pauline, who has a lovely singing voice, has come to my rescue. You'll hear her on all of my songs.
All of my music is written in Steinberg's Cubase.
I want to build a community of music-lovers with whom I can share my experiences, and from whom I can gain valuable feedback as I pursue my dream of learning to write great songs. I really hope you'll join me on my journey!
For more information about me, and to download a free copy of my own self-written music assistant software called Guitar Tutor, please head over to my website - www.onemanandhi....
You can also follow me on Twitter - / 1manandhissongs .
Thanks to:
ThumbnailTemplates.com for their KZbin template files.
Outro Template made by Grabster - / grabstertv

[@fsharp6575]

I splashed out on the Arturia V collection today and was suffering terrible buyer's remorse when I realised that I couldn't follow the internal tutorial on the ARP 2600. I looked around on KZbin and was about to give up when I found this channel. Absolutely outstanding. I would pay good money for this. If your other vids are half as good I might actually be a competent synthesist in a couple of months. Many thanks. PS - just saw I can join and pay you a tiny amount for your trouble. Have done so.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's very kind of you, many thanks :)

[@revup67]

A sincere expression of gratitude for breaking this all down to the most basic minute detail. A wonderful simplistic no nonsense explanation for beginners. Thank you for your efforts to assist the ARP 2600 Arturia community.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you. I really appreciate it!

[@azimpradhan]

This is such a great video. I love that you walk us through the signal path. It wasn't apparent to me what the default signal path was even after reading the documentation. Really appreciate you taking the time to make this series.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're very welcome. If I recall correctly, the manual for this plugin is quite poor. Thankfully Arturia have improved their documentation skills in recent years, but with the old plugins.. you're pretty much on your own!

[@user-ol2es6oo9x]

you have black belt in patience and tutorials..amazing..thank you

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Lol, thanks for saying so, I appreciate it :)

[@JordanPool13]

I'm always so happy to see a plugin I'm trying to learn has a tutorial by this guy. Best teacher of all time.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you!

[@KlavierSynth]

Wow! Incredible amazing! Finally I can understand how ARP2600 works!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Glad one of us does ;) Seriously though, thank you, I really appreciate the feedback :)

[@nilshartmann6926]

Great explanation and I love your real/honest vibe.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

I appreciate that, thanks for saying so!

[@guilhermeniches5617]

I have no words to thank you for this video series and all Arturia video series, sir. It's outstanding!! Believe me, I following a lot of channels about musical production, tutorials about plugins, but this type of approach that you make is unbelievable. You explain in details how a synthetizer works with such mastery, youtube have a huge gap of this kind of content with this high level of quality. Be patient, your channel will be really huge, keep with this incredible work and no doubt you achieve what you want. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and time. Cheers from Brazil! :))

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That really means a lot to me, thank you for your kind words.

[@FransAbsil]

This is currently the best tutorial series on the Arturia ARP2600 V3 synth. What an achievement! All aspects of this complex instrument covered with well-structured videos, clear examples and presented at an easy to follow pace. A must-have addition to the limited Arturia documentation (they should contact the author and support this excellent work). Watched all episodes and looking forward to the series on the other V Collection instruments. Any options for a well-deserved PayPal donation? In the meantime, thanks for all the good work.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a great deal. I really appreciate the offer of a donation, but at the moment I'm just focused on growing my channel, so the best payment you can make is to mention me to anyone who might be interested in my content. I really love making these videos, and would love to reach a wider audience :)

[@Ardspans]

You have a way with explaining something complex in an easy to understand form. Again, thank you very much, this is so useful to me

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's about the best compliment I could be given, thank you

[@vgspro5365]

Anthony, I really found this video so helpful. Thank you for taking the time to teach logically instead of just showing off the bells and whistles. Looking forward to viewing the next video!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

I really hope you enjoy the series, thanks for the kind feedback :)

[@scottmacey]

I just want to add my thanks. I own the Arturia 2600, an Antonus 2600, and Step Brother sequencer. These videos have helped me understand and get to grips a lot more with my instruments. I don't believe there is a better or clearer instructional anywhere. I now use the Arturia to 'save' the sounds I make on my 2600 by copying all settings. An amazing effort on your part, thank you again.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it :)

[@pat-enz]

Finally I understand the basics of that synth! Thank you!

[@hermanverbaeten5894]

Thanks a lot for your clear and understandable video. If i would have listenend to this basic explanation first i would'nt have had all those questions and frustrations when starting to fiddle around with the arp2600. Greetings from Belgium.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Glad it was helpful, you're very welcome!

[@Dutch_DrD]

Excellent tutorial, Anthony. Just what the doctor ordered... Many thanks!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're most welcome, thanks for the feedback :)

[@zachhaigley4947]

Thank you so much! Looking forward to learning this synthesizer with you.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy the series :)

[@squareleg5757]

Love your tutorials. Thank you. 😊

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You are so welcome, thanks for the feedback!

[@KrishnaDiamesso]

Man... YOU are a GENIUS for this... always was getting lost with all those buttons and wires. Did not know it could be as straightforward as this. Thanks a bunch 🙏🙂

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Awesome, thanks for the kind feedback :)

[@patscanga1996]

Thanks Anthony for ALL your amazing, detailed and wonderfully explained Arturia videos. Echoing everyone's positive comments, I've learned more from you than anyone else or anything I've read in the past. THANK YOU SIR!!!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You just put a huge smile on my face, thank you! I'm really enjoying making the series, and I'm glad you've found them useful. Still lots to go though :)

[@patscanga1996]

@@OneManAndHisSongs Glad to have done so and looking forward to your future videos. Stay safe and thanks again!!

[@PRODBYLIIVID]

I love this series. Just bought collection 9 and wanted to learn these synths individually

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Great to hear! I hope you find my various series helpful :)

[@PRODBYLIIVID]

@@OneManAndHisSongs they are! Thanks so much for these in depth reviews.

[@tonyodoherty6241]

Very thorough and easy to understand... more please!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you for your kind feedback! Hopefully you've had a chance to check out the whole Playlist for the ARP - it's quite the journey :) kzbin.info/aero/PL3P42Av427hyTazHomZOx-5WSheSQE_0t

[@Ardspans]

Oh my goodness, what a find ! This series is awesome. I'm very fond of my ARP 2600(Arturia) -and have been meaning to get my digital hands dirty and delve deeper into this wonderful instrument. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorials.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

It really means a lot to me to get feedback like this, thank you very much!

[@Ardspans]

@@OneManAndHisSongs The pleasure is all mine! keep up the great work. Thanks again.

[@MrOvnik]

Man, thank you so much this is what I was looking for, hope this gets the views it deserves, you are very good explaining all the steps on synthesis. I am going to watch all your ARP Series! Keep doing this videos!!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's awesome, thanks for the support!

[@macrowben]

Thanks for this video its been so useful fantastic

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're very welcome, thanks for the support :)

[@oscarherrerar.3496]

thank you

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're welcome :)

[@ismaililomp]

Thank you for this superb walkthrough!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bpmlab7938]

What a find. You took me through Halion 6 a few months back, just seen this as have just bought the synth collection. Wow. Many thanks, Jon

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Yeah, I've covered quite of few Arturia products at this point, so hopefully there's plenty for you to go at :)

[@ArdanaKruk]

Thanks Man, I've been scared of playing with the synth to many buttons and stuff... Now I know how it works

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're very welcome, it's a fabulous instrument!

[@endorphinsmusic]

what a relaxing and clear tutorial, thanks!

[@s1lmal1r1on]

Thank you very much sir!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Most welcome!

[@kevinnolan3592]

Absolutely brilliant video and tutorial - thank you!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thanks - you're very welcome!

[@mimojapan]

Thanks much! This thing is so overwhelming at first and your info helped to start a fearless approach to it.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

It really is, isn't it! But the effort is worth it :)

[@watkins7086]

Your videos are so helpful

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Glad you like them, thanks!

[@JustHackingAround]

Great introduction, thank you!

[@chadzulu4328]

Thank you so much, this is super helpful! I finally understand the basics of this vSynth.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Glad it was helpful, thank you very much!

[@GaryCorben]

Such a great tutorial thank you. I found it searching how to alter attack and release on Arturia ARP.

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Really appreciate it, thanks :)

[@romeobeatz24]

Thank you so much

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're very welcome :)

[@nickdijcj1]

thank you sir

[@hooch8395]

would be great to see a run through of pigments, these video's are great

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

I don't own Pigments, sadly, but as soon as I figure out a way to justify buying yet another plugin I will ;)

[@hooch8395]

@@OneManAndHisSongs 😁

[@liorfellus]

great tutorial !

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you!

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

Very clear and very useful tutorial. I chose the default preset to start (I see you took the ' 1 osc sinus' one). In the default patch the mod wheel is plugged in into the LFO, and then the LFO does nothing ' pre-wired'. Also, I noticed, in my 2600 V3 version in the VCA both the AR and the ADSR say LIN, where yours say LIN and EXP.

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

OK, found they are switchable ;-) LIN EXP and INV on/off

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it! I can't remember why I chose that preset, but I imagine I didn't want the Sequencer pre-wired.

[@rdholb]

I am 3 videos into your 2600 tutorials and I'm very excited to make my way through the rest of them. And the rest of your arturia tutorials. Nice work man! Is pigments in your future?!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Hi, thank you, and I hope you're not disappointed! I don't currently own Pigments, but am notoriously weak when it comes to buying new plugins, so I wouldn't bet against it :)

[@Josesiem00]

Thank you so much for this series. No way I could've figured this out w/o your videos. (Arturia's are useless.)

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

That's very kind of you to say, thanks for the feedback :)

[@frankschrodinger1424]

thanks for these - great tutorials, and free as well! do the same principles more or less apply to the arturia modular?

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're welcome, glad you like them! As far general principles are concerned - yes in as much as the fundamentals of oscillators, filters, envelopes etc. are concerned, but the Moog Modular is a fully modular synth and the ARP is semi-modular. That difference is significant and requires a different approach to managing the two synths. I've done a full series on the Modular, please check it out :)

[@edwardcontreras3260]

Hello again! :) i have to ask, where did you learn all this profound knowledge, its incredible how much you are able to teach and how much you know about synths as a whole!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Thank you, that's very kind of you to say! I'm just a nerd with a compulsive need to find answers to questions that occur to me :)

[@edwardcontreras3260]

@@OneManAndHisSongs I’m the same way, it’s intriguing to find ways to make things work especially with music, I see more of your work and see you are a very well rounded musician!

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

Much appreciated, I'm flattered that you think so :)

[@Sol-JJJ]

Hey friend great explanation you should be a teacher !

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You're very kind to say so, thanks!

[@user-bv7ww4wr3n]

Can you explain how to use external audio (guitar) in Cubase? I do see that the input is working bc the light is on, yet I only hear the guitar. I've searched & searched the Internet but no one seems to have accomplished this using Cubase. I have the latest version of the Arp 2600 V3 to date. I was able to get the Vocoder to work but not the Arp. I just wanna use the VCF.., like to make the 'Who Are You' sound by The Who. Something simple. How would I route it? Praying for Help.., 🙏🏻

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

You use side-chaining. On the toolbar at the top of the plugin click "Activate Side-Chaining", then click the cog to the right to route your audio input into the ARP. (You might need to go via an actual audio track into which you plan to sing). Now that audio is being input into the ARP, turn up the "Preamplifier" knob (top left of the instrument), then take an output from the Preamplifier's "Out" socket into the VCF (or whatever).

[@user-bv7ww4wr3n]

@@OneManAndHisSongs yeah of course I sidechained my audio track and correctly. I'm no novice to Cubase, I've bn using Cubendo since the mid 90's. I've got signal going into it., I do see that light when I strum the guitar as well as the audio meters on both tracks but the sound is only my unprocessed guitar. Is it possible for you to explain the routing in detail? There are zero videos of audio routing on the Arturia Arp 2600. Nobody has one. Not even you. Im not a newbie to synthesis. It would be great if you explained how to route to VCF and get the sound. There is a video of it done successfully on a real hardware Arp & also one on an Cherry Audio VST Arp. But the cherry audio Arp is a little different than Arturia's model. Have you ever successfully used the external audio input of the Arturia Arp in Cubase Pro? If so, explain a basic routing. I do know how to sidechain in Cubase bc I use sidechaining for decades., I routinely sidechain kicks & bass etc ...,

[@user-bv7ww4wr3n]

Can you make a video@@OneManAndHisSongs

[@OneManAndHisSongs]

No immediate plans to make a video (that's several hours work), but basically the routing is simple: straight out of the Preamp's "out" port and into wherever you want it to go. If, for example, you want to route it through the VCF, just connect it into the first available connection (the one that's "normalled" to Ring Mod), and it's as simple as that. Now the audio will route through the VCF just like any other audio source, such as the VCOs. To re-emphasize, there's nothing special about audio routing from an external source at all. One it's in your system (and you say it is - you can see the leds lighting up), it's just another source like all the others.

[@user-bv7ww4wr3n]

@@OneManAndHisSongs 🙏🏻 thanks I got it to work with Cherry Audio's version but I am just having problems getting it to work with Arturia. I'm close bc there is signal. All The Best !!