Mo Says...

A splendid slab of analogue mischief, the Behringer Odyssey serves up dual-oscillator growl, squelchy filters, modulation aplenty and a 32-step sequencer, all controlled by a gloriously hands-on forest of sliders.

Notable Particulars

• Dual analogue VCO architecture for rich leads, basses, effects and wonderfully unruly textures
• Multi-mode VCF with switchable filter characteristics for a broad palette of classic analogue tones
• Built-in 32-step sequencer and arpeggiator for patterns, rhythmic experiments and instant inspiration
• Extensive hands-on control with sliders for oscillators, modulation, filter, envelopes and mixer sections
• MIDI and USB connectivity plus CV/Gate, pedal and external audio connections for modern and modular setups

The Details

The Behringer Odyssey is a full-sized analogue synthesizer inspired by one of the great duophonic instruments of the 1970s, bringing its famously adventurous signal path into a thoroughly practical modern package.

At its heart are two analogue oscillators feeding an enormously flexible synthesis architecture. Pulse width modulation, oscillator sync, sample and hold, noise, ring modulation and a resonant filter provide ample territory for everything from enormous basses and cutting leads to metallic clangs, burbling sequences and noises suggesting a malfunctioning spacecraft somewhere near Saturn.

The front panel is refreshingly immediate. Rather than disappearing into menus, the Odyssey lays its controls out before you with a formidable collection of sliders and switches. Two envelope generators, LFO, sample and hold, high-pass filtering and extensive modulation routing make it particularly rewarding for experimental sound design.

A built-in 32-step sequencer and arpeggiator add considerable creative firepower, while MIDI, USB, CV/Gate, pedal connections and external audio input make it easy to integrate with contemporary studio equipment or a wider analogue setup. The rear panel also provides separate audio outputs and headphone connectivity.

This example comes with its original box and Odyssey documentation/patch sheets, a particularly useful addition when exploring the instrument's considerable sonic labyrinth.

A proper knob-and-slider synthesizer for those who prefer to discover sounds with their hands. It can be polite when required, but its natural habitat is somewhere between vintage electronica, snarling analogue bass and beautifully controlled chaos.