ARP Avatar

Infobox_synthesizer
image_caption = ARP Instruments, Inc. Logo
synth_name = Avatar
synth_manufacturer = ARP Instruments, Inc.
synthesis_type = Analog Subtractive
polyphony = Monophonic
timbrality = Monotimbral
oscillator = 2
filter =
attenuator = ADSR, AR
left_control =
lfo = Sine, Square
keyboard = none| memory = none
ext_control = CV/Gate
fx = 1
dates = 1977
price =

The ARP Avatar was a guitar-controlled synthesizer manufactured by ARP Instruments, Inc. beginning in 1977. While innovative, being one of the first commercial guitar-controlled synthesizers, it was a commercial flop for ARP, and is widely credited with causing the financial collapse of the company.

Nearly $4 million was spent in the first year on production and R&D for the Avatar, and the $3000 machine sold only about $1 million worth of units over its lifespan. Guitarists were not quick to adopt the new technology, mostly due to the unit's price and technical eccentricities. The Avatar, however, did find a few advocates and paved the way for more successful guitar synthesizers. Because of its architecture - essentially an ARP Odyssey with a 6-way "fuzzbox" distortion effect - it has regained a little stature among collectors as a standalone synthesizer.

ee also

*Avatar (disambiguation)

External links

* [http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/arp_avatar.cfm ARP Avatar Entry on Sonicstate.]
* [http://www.rhodeschroma.com/?id=arp The Rise and Fall of ARP Instruments] (article from April 1983, Keyboard Magazine)