ARP Instruments

ARP Instruments was one of the titans of the '70s analog synth boom and produced a slew of iconic American synths throughout the era. From Pete Townshend's acclaimed usage of the semi-modular 2600 model on Who's Next to the development of the trailblazing portable Odyssey, ARP created some of the most instantly recognizable synths of all time. Founded by engineer Alan R. Perlman in 1969, ARP was known for pushing boundaries, including some of the first forays into guitar synthesis with the Avatar and budget oriented Axxe. Eventually succumbing to the rise of Japanese manufacturers and digital processing, ARP nonetheless carved out a inimitable legacy in the history of synthesis. Companies like Korg continue to pay tribute to Perlman's influence today with reissues of the Odyssey, and synth enthusiasts across the globe prize their original vintage models.