ARP • Omni

ARP Omni 1 Image

Omni Mk 1 (1975-77)

The Omni is an analog synth with preset Orchestral String sounds. It has polyphonic Violin and Viola waveforms as well as monophonic Bass and Cello waveforms. It is split into 3 sections: Strings, Synthesizer, and Bass synth - all simultaneously available. It has traditional and simple VCA, VCF, and LFO controls for contouring your sounds as well as a nice chorus that really thickens up the string sound. It has no program memory.

ARP Omni 2 Image

Omni Mk 2 (1977-81)

ARP later released the Omni Mk 2 (pictured above). It was basically the same machine as its predecessor, except for a few minor enhancements and a cosmetic Orange & Black color-scheme upgrade. And it did have a much more advanced triggering system for the VCF and VCA for more expressive results. The Omni has been used by Tangerine Dream, The Cars, Joy Division, Kraftwerk, Trouble Funk and New Order.


VISITOR COMMENTS

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Dan Wilson
Posted 387 days ago
I have just restored one of these beasties and I must stress to anyone who purchases a non runner - these things suffer terribly from shoft circuit tantalum caps - and I mean loads of them!! I had to replace 78 caps in mine before it sprung into life. If you are not happy using a soldering iron then it will cost you a mint in labour (though not parts) to get one of these units going again which is a real shame as it's a lovely piece of vintage kit. Capable of huge poly chords due to divide down architecture permitting all notes to be played simultaneously. Only one envelope so fits certain playing styles better that others. Lovely chorus and with care capable of surprisingly usable string sounds - basic but cool synth section too. Can be MIDI retrofitted with a Doepfer MTC64 bus bar controller (note on/off only).

Dan, Hideaway Studio.
micke
Posted 391 days ago
The production dates for the mk I and mk II on this site are wrong

The correct dates are as follows:
(Mark I) - late 1976 - spring/summer 1978
(Mark II) - spring/summer 1978 - 1981
 

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