ARP 2600

The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog synthesizer released in 1971 that became one of the most versatile and widely used synthesis instruments in rock and electronic music. Its semi-patched architecture allowed musicians to use it without a patch bay while still offering full modular flexibility for those who wanted it. Tony Banks of Genesis incorporated it into their mid-1970s sound alongside his Mellotron and Hammond. The ARP 2600 was also used by Edgar Winter on Frankenstein, by the Oberkorn synthesizer sequences on Depeche Mode's records, and famously for the sound effects in Star Wars. Its particular brand of raw, cutting analog tone remains distinct from any other synth of the era.