Review: TimewARP 2600 by Way Out Ware / Sonivox
An exceptional emulation of the original ARP 2600.
Near infinite variety of sounds
Tons of adjustments sliders, switches, and patch cables.
Fantastic entry point into modular synthesis yet will maintain its relevance up through the advanced level.
Comes with the famous ARP manual and a patchman “beginners class” to help guide you.
Getting started can be intimidating
Changing setting with Mouse can be difficult
Steep learning curve, but definitely worth it.
Timewarp 2600 is now on available for only $79 from Plugin Boutique 
TimewARP 2600 is the perfect combination of nostalgic design with modern day functionality. Way Out Ware has done an excellent job of digitally recreating a rare, vintage synth, with a very niche market, and making it user-friendly enough to be at home in even the most amateur home studio.
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Review: TimewARP 2600 by Way Out Ware / Sonivox
The original ARP 2600 was truly a masterpiece of engineering and well beloved by all who had the pleasure to interact with that very rare semi-modular synth. It is still sought after by collectors and can cost upwards of $7,000 to get your hands on one. A more affordable option is to obtain a software emulation and though some attempts have been made at this, all have failed to be anything more than a “shout out” to the original. TimewARP 2600 is Way Out Ware’s attempt at this “white whale” and it was done to such perfection, it became the only emulation to be endorsed by Alan R. Pearlman, the creator of the original ARP 2600.
Timewarp 2600 normally sells for $199 but is now on available for only $79 from Plugin Boutique
Thoughts
The original ARP 2600 has such a respected place in the annals of music history, I can’t begin to fathom the amount of courage it would take to try and re-create it. Way Out Ware went above and beyond in that regard and created the most accurate copy to date of the synth that gave R2- D2 his voice and provided the landmark solo in Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein”.
The dedication and care that went into this synth was apparent the second I opened it.
The GUI is almost an exact replica of the 2600C, the gray meanie, with an ARP 3620 duophonic keyboard that has 60 keys instead of the original 49. After my initial visual inspection, I clicked the drop down menu in the upper left corner to access the list of presets available to me. I absolutely love the inclusion of presets created by masters of the ARP 2600 that contain descriptions of the sound included in a little text window. I spent hours messing with these presets just trying to replicate those sounds on my own.
It really helped me to not just have the sounds they used, but to be able to see what they did to get it and understand why those settings produce those results. This same drop down section is also where you find the presets that correlate with the included “patchman” guidebook to further help you learn. I really liked the fact that they included tutorials because it is really easy to get lost in the myriad of switches, knobs, and patch cables.
The most interesting and entertaining time I had with the TimewARP 2600 was when I used it as an audio FX plug-in for a variety of different instruments. I used a variety of Apple loops on different tracks, turned cycle on, then went through the many different presets.
I was really impressed with the amount of sound shaping I could do and how easy it was to add unique FX to my instruments.
All in all, I was greatly satisfied with the TimewARP 2600 and I look forward to spending more time learning all the ins and outs of this quality product.
Facts
The TimewARP 2600 features: 3 VCOs capable of generating audio band and LF signals, 1 Lo-Pass Resonant Filter, 1 Sample and Hold driven by internal, external, or MIDI Beat Clock, 1 Ring Modulator, 1 Noise Generator that adjust from white to red noise, 2 Envelope Generators, 1 Envelope Follower, 1 VCA – 2 audio inputs, 1 linear control and 1 exponential control input.
The TimewARP keyboard features: variable rate portamento, octave switch, pitch bend, LFO controls, LFO outputs including square, triangle, and sine waves, External LFO- in, interval Latch Switch, 2 upper voice outputs and a keyboard repeat mode that provides auto repeat.
For Windows System Requirements a VST or RTAS compatible host application. For Apple System Requirements a VST, AU or RTAS compatible host application.
Timewarp 2600 normally sells for $199 but is now on available for only $79 from Plugin Boutique
The brother of a good friend of mine growing up had an Arp 2600 which i used to play when he was away at school…one day, he decided to sell it for 800 dollars however I offered him 500 as some of the keys needed work on them…we never could agree on a price and, to this day, regret not pulling the trigger on the deal…now, I have settled for the Arturia version which isn’t that bad…not sure how TimeWarp compares but it”s hard to get the whole synth into a full page GUI and make it pleasing to the eye & playable…also way too many levers (and knobs) to CC Learn every function on the ARP even if you have a controller like the M-Audio 88 Pro which I have.