Cherry Audio CA2600 - New ARP 2600 Emulation - $25 Intro

[hurricane]

ca2600.png

https://cherryaudio.com/instruments/ca2600

The Cherry Audio CA2600 is a powerful, self-contained duophonic synthesizer inspired by the groundbreaking ARP 2600 synthesizer. Every aspect of the original, from the quirky oscillator waves, to the powerful ladder filter, to the external audio input and preamp section was modeled with tremendous precision. Though it features similar functionality, it’s been thoughtfully updated for increased flexibility - with semi-normalled patch cabling, integrated effects, and no hidden windows or menus in the audio path, CA2600 delivers an unprecedented hands-on, “everything right in front of you, right now!,” vintage synthesis experience like no other.

Wildly flexible, capable of chunky basses, cutting leads, super-creative external audio processing, absolutely insane effects, and so much more, we believe you’ll find CA2600 to be the finest 2600 emulation ever created.

Features

Every aspect precisely modeled in exacting detail
Over 300 presets
Monophonic and duophonic voice modes
Vintage-correct multi-mode filter with 12db and 24db slope
Integrated, fully CV-controllable distortion, reverb, and delay with sync
Sidechain audio input for external signal processing
Flexible CV Routing
Multiple voice assign modes
Advanced patch cabling with unlimited mults per jack, “quick patch” for rapid multiple destination routing, and click and drag movement of multiple connections
Additional LFO with six waveforms and tempo sync
Voltage Processors section with additional VCA and 1/2-step quantizer
Selectable blue, gray, or black/orange color schemes
Full MIDI control
Full DAW automation for all controls
CA2600 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.
A free 30-day demo of CA2600 is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.

macOS Requirements: macOS 10.9 or above, 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.

Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above, 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.

[Heater]

Amazing price for this. Thanks for the head up.

[MrFigg]

Wait a minute...you can actually put a guitar through this??!! Wow!!!

[Loque]

Wait a minute...you can actually put a guitar through this??!! Wow!!!

I think the Arturia has audio inputs too. Did you checked it?

[MrFigg]

Wait a minute...you can actually put a guitar through this??!! Wow!!!

I think the Arturia has audio inputs too. Did you checked it?

No. I’ve really managed to distance myself from the Arturia V collection. Too many things I’d never use. Was pretty wowed when I first saw it but that’s worn off. This thing looks pretty cool...and Yazoo are one of my favourite ever bands and Cince Clarke used one...and a guitar’ll go through it...and it’s $25.

[selig]

I think the Arturia has audio inputs too. Did you checked it?

I can confirm it does, via the "Pre Amp" input in the upper left corner (so, mono), taking its input from ONLY the left input on the VST wrapper in Reason. It can be overdriven a bit too, but I'm not sure if that part is an accurate emulation or not.

[MrFigg]

$21 on JRR with forum or group. Can’t remember which.

[Boombastix]

I see, he is making VSTs out of the Cherry Modular synth voices. The Moog thing coming next then is my guess.

I would be interested of he made a VST out of the Wave Sequence modules. That would be cool.

[Creativemind]

This looks and sounds amazing. How does it compare to the Arturia emulation?

[selig]

This looks and sounds amazing. How does it compare to the Arturia emulation?

I don't have both so can't compare, but I DO have the Arturia version and would be happy to contribute files to compare with files from the Cherry Audio version.

[MrFigg]

This one, TimewARP 2600, is on sale at PB for a tenner and apparently it’s, and I quote, “ the one and only ARP 2600 emulation endorsed by the original ARP 2600 inventor! “
I read a few reviews and the general opinion is that it’s pretty crap. Anybody tried it?
https://www.pluginboutique.com/products/2281

[Creativemind]

This one, TimewARP 2600, is on sale at PB for a tenner and apparently it’s, and I quote, “ the one and only ARP 2600 emulation endorsed by the original ARP 2600 inventor! “
I read a few reviews and the general opinion is that it’s pretty crap. Anybody tried it?
https://www.pluginboutique.com/products/2281

No demo though sadly.

Judging by just listening through headphones between Arturia and that one. Arturia did sound a fraction better.

[MrFigg]

This one, TimewARP 2600, is on sale at PB for a tenner and apparently it’s, and I quote, “ the one and only ARP 2600 emulation endorsed by the original ARP 2600 inventor! “
I read a few reviews and the general opinion is that it’s pretty crap. Anybody tried it?
https://www.pluginboutique.com/products/2281

No demo though sadly.

Judging by just listening through headphones between Arturia and that one. Arturia did sound a fraction better.

Arturia one doesn’t cost €10 though.

[stuk71]

The Timewarp 2600 isn't Catalina ready

[EdGrip]

Another CPU black hole from Cherry Audio, I'll assume, then.

[Heater]

I was looking thru the Reaktor library and there is a 2600 emulation but it's 16 years old.
I'm surprised there's not a more recent version.

[Loque]

No demo though sadly.

Judging by just listening through headphones between Arturia and that one. Arturia did sound a fraction better.

Arturia one doesn’t cost €10 though.

True. I maybe payed 5 bucks or something like this

[Boombastix]

That old TimewARP can be considered abandoned and sold unsupported by Sonivox. Reviews are pretty bad, mediocre sound and bugs. So beware, and test before you potentially waste 10 bucks. I do not have it, just read what other say.

A quick listen to the CA2600 did not impress me.

You also have ARP Oddesey VST if you want "ARP sound".
Korg, not the best VA sound.
Gforce Oddity 2 - quite nice, and might get down to 33 bucks (or GBP) like last years BF/Xmas sale. This is the one I think you should demo cuz it has mojo. After demoing this I'd say this is Diva quality, but better presets and easier to program. Any cons, well yes, the UI is small and not scalable (another GForce is scalable, so who know might come...). But loaded with great presets, and it sounds great and presets are inspiring.
I just put it on my B.F. list. Imagine that, didn't know I wanted another synth. The ring mod sounds good too (for being VA), this is very hard to get right in software. The Synapse RE RingMod is good too, but that is an external FX so routing and patch management is a nightmare.

[Re8et]

I just wish Behringer would make a 2600 VSt version, with interchangeable patch loading.
You make the sounds on the VSt, and then transfer the patch to the hardware, that would "normal" the cable patching.
That would be awesome.

Back on topic

My opinion soundwise: It's worth a shot. Push Reverb to the limit. To me is sounds very good quality.
My last 2600 emulation was a 32 bit of 15+ years ago. Can't really compare since it's ages I don't fire that pc up.

I am trying the DEMO. Easy install, just one dll with online login, if demo don't shows up, register first at cherry, then refresh.

Running as VST With Reason 10 - Windows x64

The Audio input works. Just create d a combi and added a subtractor as audio input
The Automation gives no options. I can't automate nothing.
Ther is MIDI learn, that somehow works... I can assign buttons and faders to my Nektar

ca2600.JPG

It scales up and down really good, it almost fit into 1U of racks space

ca2600 2.JPG

[Re8et]

Running 8 instances - duplicates of duophonic CA2600, note delay player- subtractor
CPU is at 3 bars. Very nice CPU wise.

ca2600 3.JPG

[Re8et]

Updates updates. Parameters automation works ok, I just had to close and reopen. It was first install after all
I got this thread into cherry forum!!!




Hallo. I come from Reasontalk forum.
I have installed the Demo. X86 on a windows desktop 16 core CPU.

Reason VST shell can assign any parameter to CA2600, and automate it, inside Reason shell.
I use a Nektar IMpact LX88+ as main MIDI-Keyboard controller.

CPU and sound are very good, audio in works correctly with the Reason VST shell

Direct MiDI mapping with the GUI opened within Reason and Nektar MiDI controller however seems not to work.
It picks up MIDI notes, but not MIDI CC's from my Controller.
Seems like a bug.

Any chance to get a future RE port?

CA2600 5.JPG

[MrFigg]

Trialing this...pretty cool. One question though...is it possible to change the colour of the preset window to something other than purple? I've tried all 3 colour schemes in the settings tab with no result. This may be a deal breaker for me.

[Carly(Poohbear)]

Love this and the DCO-106..


Had a little (and lot ) of fun with it

Instruments used.
UMPF Retro (Pet Shopping patch)
6 * DCO-106
2 * CA2600
Prophet 5VS
Processed Piano
Only effects used, Infected Mushroom Wider, UN-16(unison), Voltage Modular Chorus 60 (same one as in the DCO-106).

Also note, they have a great synth package that includes CA2600, DCO-106, Voltage drums + core, MG-1 plus for $89 (about £67)