TheWarp TheWarp

• Fabricant : TheWarp
• Modèle : TheWarp
• Catégorie : Synthétiseurs analogiques en rack
• Fiche créée le : 02/12/2014

TheWarp is an analog synth widely inspired by the ARP 2600 semimodular synthesizer produced by ARP Intruments from 1970 to 1981

• 3 VCO's each with sine, triangular, sawtooth and variable pulse waves (all oscillators are identical to VCO 2 of the original instrument), frequency range 0.05 Hz > 20 Khz
• 1 VCF / Resonator, 24db lowpass-type (2012 submodule version)
• 1 ADSR Envelope Generator
• 1 AR Envelope Generator
• 1 VCA with initial gain
• Ring Modulator
• Sample & Hold
• Noise Generator (low, pink and white noise)
• CV, Gate and Trig inputs (5-15V)
• 2 x 4 multiples
• 19" wide, 12 U high (480 x 520 mm) and 13 cm (approx. 5 inch) deep

• Traditional electronic components mounting and soldering technique (THT) as in the original instrument
• Same electronic parts as in the original, with only a few modern equivalents for discontinued or obsolete components. Notably, we replaced all LM301 with the newer TL071, TL072 and TL074 op amps
• The entire electronic is now mounted on a single PCB, thus avoiding a lot of wiring between the different sections
• The PCB is mounted directly to the front panel by means of the jacks and switches without additional "mounting holes"
• The PCB is a 4-layer design; the top and bottom layers use completely solid areas of copper pour connected to ground; the metallic chassis with the sliders is also connected to the ground for better shielding against electrical interferences
• The original design, size of the sections, aesthetic appeal and feel were retained but adapted to the 19" format
• The most complete oscillator design (VCO 2 on the original 2600) was adopted for all 3 VCO's
• The VCF is based on the first design, aka the 2012 submodule
• No Voltage Processors, Envelope Follower and Preamplifier? Yes, to fit the new instrument within the 19" format we had to sacrifice some functions; we've choosen to retain only the Ring Modulator and the S&H instead of functions that we considered less important and not directly related to the specific timbre of the original instrument
• No spring reverb and no speakers? Yes again, for the same reasons. On-board speakers also add weight, and a reverb unit can be added separately to the audio chain if needed; to match the original reverb on the ARP 2600 we recommend an analogue tank spring reverb from Accutronics
• As an important improvement, TheWarp features multi-turn trimmers for easy and precise adjustment
• All the trimmers for fine adjustement of the oscillators and the filter are located on the rear of the panel and easily accessible
• The trimmers are sealed and thus almost insensitive to oxidation, consequently their electrical characteristics remain stable even in a longer period
• Gate and Trig work within the range from 5V to 15V instead of the fixed 10V of the original instrument
• TheWarp comes completely calibrated and a recalibration routine would become necessary only after many years or in case of replacement of components