Intro to the ARP2500

Getting Sound: 

Make sure that the ARP is turned on, which can be done by pressing the blue button on the far right side of the unit. 

Generating a basic wave:

On one of the ‘Dual Oscillator Modules’ (here, we’re using Module 1023 on the right side of the unit), make sure that the ‘Range’ switch is flipped to the ‘High’ position, and make sure that the largest knob is set to a wave shape (here, we’re using a sine wave.) You can control the frequency of the tone with the two-tiered knob at the top of the module.

Then, using the colored pins, or ‘buses,’ at the bottom of the module, send the output (as indicated by a downward pointing arrow) to one of the vertical buses numbered 1 through 18. Here we have it on 11.

Next, to patch the sine wave into the amplifier, we have the ‘AUDIO’ pin (number 2) on the ‘Filtamp Module 1006’ set to the same bus (11) as our source oscillator.

Make sure that the Audio knob for your source sound is turned up (here, it’s the red knob labeled ‘2’), and also made sure that the Amplifier Gain knob at the top right corner of the module is turned up. Then, send the pink ‘OUT’ pin to bus 19 or 20 (these are the left and right stereo outs set up in the room. [see the room layout description for details])

*If you want the same sound going to both speakers, just copy the bus patching into the second FiltAmp Module, sending one output to bus 19 and one output to bus 20. 

Basic LFO Modulation:

The FiltAmp modules feature (you guessed it) lowpass filters that can be applied to the wave you're sending through the module. Very simply, if you want to apply the lowpass filter to your sound, just turn the "Filter" knob to affect how high the lowpass filter is set. Right below the "Filter" knob, you'll find a "Resonance" knob; play around with this knob if you'd like to introduce a resonant peak to your LPF.

The 2500 also provides you with the opportunity to get a bit fancy by using the principle of the LFO (low-frequency oscillator). In the case of the FiltAmp module, one (very easy and also) effective way to use an LFO would be to automatically modulate the filter frequency. To do this, return to your "Dual Oscillator" module and set up an LFO with whichever oscillator you're not using. In this example, we're currently already using the oscillator to the right, so we'll make the left oscillator into our LFO.

To make the oscillator function as an LFO, flip the switch directly below the frequency knob to the "Low f" setting. Then, select the wave you'd like for your LFO. In this case, we'll keep it as a sine wave.

Next, send the output of the oscillator to a new bus. In this case, we'll pick bus 17. (Because why not?)

To have the FiltAmp module "receive" your LFO, move one of the Filter inputs to bus 17. (The inputs to the filter are columns 6 and 7.) Like previously stated, make sure that the Audio knob for your source sound is turned up.(Here, it’s the knob labeled either 6 or 7, depending on which input you just selected.) If you're working in stereo, repeat these steps on the second FiltAmp module.

Now you've got a cool modulator!