Pricing and availability
Average Price: $1,995
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1501+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The ARP Omni-2 is a quintessential piece of synthesizer history, offering a unique blend of polyphonic and monophonic capabilities that captured the essence of the 1970s soundscape. This vintage synthesizer is renowned for its distinctive string sounds and rich ensemble effects, making it a cherished tool for both classic rock enthusiasts and modern electronic musicians. The Omni-2 is equipped with a fully polyphonic string section that delivers lush, sweeping textures, while its mono-synth capabilities provide punchy bass lines and solos.
Designed with the musician in mind, this synthesizer features a user-friendly interface that allows for intuitive sound shaping. With a comprehensive array of sliders and switches, musicians can effortlessly blend and modify sounds in real-time, creating an expansive sonic palette. The ARP Omni-2 also boasts a robust build quality, ensuring it remains a reliable component of any performance setup or studio environment.
This instrument is not just an homage to the past; it’s a versatile tool that continues to inspire creativity and innovation in today’s music production landscapes. Whether you're recreating classic hits or forging new musical paths, the ARP Omni-2 delivers an authentic analog experience that's hard to match.
Key Features:
- Fully polyphonic string section for rich ensemble sounds
- Monophonic synth section with a single oscillator for bass and lead lines
- Built-in chorus and phaser effects for added depth and modulation
- User-friendly interface with sliders and switches for real-time sound manipulation
- Sturdy construction for dependable performance in various settings
Product specs
| Brand | ARP |
| Model | Omni 2 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer |
| Finish | Black / Orange |
| Year | 1977 - 1981 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Keyboard Synths |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Built-In Speakers | No |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Synth Action |
| Number of Keys | 49 Keys |
| Polyphony | 49 Voices |
FAQs
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What are the key features of the ARP Omni-2 synthesizer?
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The ARP Omni-2 is a polyphonic analog synthesizer with 49 full-size keys, offering 49-voice polyphony. It combines a string section, synthesizer, and bass section, allowing rich and versatile sound creation.
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Is the ARP Omni-2 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the ARP Omni-2 is suitable for live performances, thanks to its robust build and versatile sound capabilities, which include lush string sounds and powerful bass tones.
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How does the ARP Omni-2 compare to the original ARP Omni?
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The ARP Omni-2 offers additional outputs compared to the original Omni, allowing for separate mixing of its bass, synthesizer, and string sections. This provides greater flexibility in sound management.
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Can the ARP Omni-2 be integrated into a modern studio setup?
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The ARP Omni-2 can be integrated into a modern studio setup, but it may require additional equipment for MIDI compatibility, as it is an analog synthesizer from the late 1970s.
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What makes the ARP Omni-2 popular among musicians?
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The ARP Omni-2 is popular for its lush, vintage analog sounds, particularly its string and bass sections, which have been used by iconic bands like Joy Division to create their signature sound.
Videos
SynthMania
ARP Omni-2 - the classic Joy Division keyboard
ARP Omni-2 - the classic Joy Division keyboard
SynthMania
ARP Omni-2 and Roland TR-707 - 1980s Dark style
SynthMania
ARP Omni-2 and Roland TR-505
SynthMania
ARP Omni-2 through Electro-Harmonix Bad Stone
SynthMania
The ARP Omni-2: Part 1- The String Section
AutomaticGainsay
ARP Omni-2 and Odyssey - June 8, 2021
SynthMania
Synthchaser #053 - ARP Omni 2 Demonstration
Synthchaser
Synthchaser #044 - John's ARP Omni 2 Restoration & Repair
Synthchaser
Erik Deutsch demos his ARP OMNI-2
Erik Deutsch
ARP OMNI-2 with Lexicon PRIME TIME 93
CGMAGIK
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ARP Omni-2.
Build quality
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The keyboard uses thin metal rods or stiff wires as contacts, prone to breaking but easily soldered back on; steel guitar/bass strings are suitable replacements.
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Old organs mentioned are available cheaply but caution is advised due to possible mold and water damage, especially in rural areas, highlighting the importance of careful inspection before use.
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Setup and maintenance
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Replacing tantalum capacitors requires electronical know-how but isn't a common issue; some owners have never encountered this problem.
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Value and pricing
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Owners suggest a price around $500, depending on condition, noting potential for higher prices due to nostalgic value.
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Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Known for its distinctive string sounds, making it ideal for mixing with other synth sections.
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Vintage home console organs are suggested as a budget-friendly alternative for ARP Omni-like sound, often featuring nice square and saw waves and real spring reverb.
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Arturia Microbrute is recommended for its semi-modular filter to process organ sounds, with a tip to silence oscillators and use a guitar pick for sustained notes.
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The ARP Omni-2 is recognized for its classic sound that appears in many famous recordings, potentially making it more suitable for recording purposes compared to the Lambda.
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Comparisons
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The Behringer Odyssey and BARP are highlighted for their knob-per-function approach, contrasting with the menu-diving required in the Deepmind 12 for expanded functionality.
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The VC340 is noted for decent paraphonic strings but lacks a synth or bass voice, while the digital Streichfett allows layering strings with another voice from the solo section.
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The Korg Lambda is noted for its clarity and unique sparkly tones due to its Harmonic section, contrasting with the more straightforward string/horn sound of the ARP Omni-2.
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Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
152
My favorite synth in the arsenal
This is my favorite synth. I could take this on a gig and make due with just that. It's not an emulator of anything but the strings. You could make a tone that fits most any song.
Artist usage
Add artist
Prince played an ARP Omni-2 on Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999 and Purple Rain.
In this picture, Bernard Sumner and producer Martin Hannet stand over Sumner's ARP Omni-2, as well as his Transcendent 2000 placed on top. Sumner utilized the ARP during the later days of Joy Division through to the inception of New Order.
In a photograph, Jack Antonoff is seen with an ARP Omni-2 synthesizer positioned beneath the Pro-DGX, suggesting its use in his setup.
In this photo, Curtis can be seen playing an ARP Omni-2.
Gary Numan used an ARP Omni 2 during a televised presentation.
"This is a vintage string synthesizer that I used a lot on this record. It’s a synthesizer that specifically plays string sounds and I would treat it a lot. It’s a big aspect of some of the pieces. The synth has this kind of weird creepy presence to it. It’s a strange, very simple synthesizer that is relatively cheap compared to a lot of vintage things. It has a very limited purpose. It’s not that flexible, but I love it."
Stephen Morris can be seen playing ARP Omni-2 in this post.
In a Telerama video titled "Arnaud Rebotini, dans son studio," Arnaud Rebotini is seen using the ARP Omni-2 synthesizer.
the arp omni 2 is the top keyboard on his rig
Martin was well-known to use the ARP Omni, and this post includes the famous picture of Martin with Bernard Sumner. The ARP can be seen underneath the Powertran monosynth.
Dr Fink played an ARP Omni-2 with Prince in the early 1980s. He used it for the riff on the "Dirty Mind" title track.
Album Usage
The ARP Omni-2 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ARP Omni-2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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