The Original ARP Odyssey synthesizer debuted in 1972 and defined the sound of the era, adding mystical swooshes and bright passages to the funk of Herbie Hancock, the futurepop of Kraftwerk, and countless horror film scores. Though the all-analog Odyssey was widely praised, production stopped in 1981 when ARP folded due to cash flow problems. Working units grew increasingly rare until this year, when Korg, another legendary synth maker, resurrected it. The modular tone circuits in this reboot are faithful analog re-creations of the originals, but there are some 21st-century enhancements too. Basic MIDI capability has been added, for one. Also, the original came in three versions, each with a different tone-coloring filter; the new model incorporates all three filters into one unit. The neo-Odyssey is also more compact and better suited to modern stages and studios, where the next generation of analog enthusiasts will surely coax their own astral textures out of this time-hopping sound machine. $999
Odyssey Highlights
Herbie Hancock
Nine Inch Nails
Rush
