Cherry Audio Intros $25 ARP 2600 Emulation, CA2600

Cherry Audio has introduced CA2600, a software emulation, for Mac & Windows, of the classic ARP 2600 synthesizer.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“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:

  • 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.

Pricing and Availability

CA2600 is available now with an intro price of $25 USD (normally $39).

36 thoughts on “Cherry Audio Intros $25 ARP 2600 Emulation, CA2600”

    1. Me, too. I don’t know anything about the original 2600, but it does seem like a fascinating device.

      The 106 sounds very much like the one I had many years ago. I like how quick it is to dial in a sound. This emulation feels so much nicer to use than the iOS one.

      1. Hey Stub, I only had modular experience with a Buchla synth in our college synth lab and it was always something I couldn’t get my head around lol. So this will be fun deconstructing the presets as a learning tool. I also like how it can run as a poly synth in Unify. I used to have a Juno-60 with that DCB box thingy and an MSQ-100 sequencer many years ago. Totally agree, this emulation is definitely my fav so far.

        1. Maybe the CA2600 can be my kind of “entry” into the world of modular (sort of?)

          Yea, this 106 emulation is really nice.

          Will definitely be keeping Cherry Audio on my radar from now on!!

          1. Mitch from Cherry Audio here…CA2600 is indeed an excellent “gateway drug” into modular, because you have the option of using cables, but you don’t need to fully cable everything to get sound.

    1. Always is a big word. The Deepmind 12 and Neutron are both great synths. They are not clones.

      Like other companies, Behringer is doing what customers want and what makes money for the company.

          1. Thanks for noticing. Btw, if I yelled 6 days a week and took a day off to drink tea and recoup, I think it would be ok if someone said “that guy is always yelling”.

            But this is a clone of something that’ll give users an entry point to a particular sound/device. No problems there. But when they make it look almost exactly like the original, thats where it gets shady when its hardware.

            1. It’s not a clone, it’s a virtual instrument.

              A ‘clone’ is an exact (or effectively exact) copy of the original. This doesn’t clone anything from the original.

            2. I was referring to BillRyeTheSynthGuy’s post.

              Comparing this type of clone/emulation to Behringer cloning/emulation makes no sense to me.

              With various software developers, you have software emulating very hard to find hardware in software. With Behringer, you have hardware-to-hardware, across a huge range of products.

              1. Are you saying that Behringer’s knockoffs are shady?

                I don’t think most people are that offended by the fact that Behringer makes knockoffs.

                It’s more that they make poor quality gear, attack journalists, harass someone like Dave Smith with frivolous lawsuits, and things like that. If Cherry Audio did any of that stuff, they’d end up in the doghouse with a lot of buyers, too.

                1. Their synths are poor quality? I have a Korg MS-20 mini and a Behringer Neutron and Model D. The build quality on the Korg MS-20 mini is much worse than the Behringer products.

                  1. If the intent of your comment is to make people forget the issues raised, you’ve failed.

                    If your best defense of Behringer’s build quality is ‘I have a synth that I think is worse’, you’ve again failed.

                    If you’re so passionate about this topic as to take issue with my previous comments, take issue with them intelligently! Otherwise people will think you unable to do so.

                    1. As for, “…more that they make poor quality gear, attack journalists, harass someone like Dave Smith with frivolous lawsuits…” these items are a matter of opinion and perspective. If you watch the 30th anniversary Behringer celebration clip on YouTube, Uli Behringer talks at the end of the clip about making gear available to musicians who might not otherwise be able to afford it so that these musicians can, “…fulfill their musical dreams.” How many of us who have a Behringer Model D can afford a $5,000 Minimoog on eBay? Is Octave Plateau still making the Cat? How many bedroom musicians can afford a $2,000 decades old Cat on Reverb? You can question Uli Behringer’s sincerity (I don’t) when he says these comments about helping musicians to fulfill their musical dreams, but when his company is accused of being immoral and is the subject of written abuse online when he believes that he is helping many in the music community, he understandably gets defensive. This isn’t unique to the Behringer company. Many companies music related and otherwise fight to keep their reputation intact. Also, the Behringer company isn’t just Uli Behringer. There are numerous other employees, some you see in their YouTube clips, who make their living and support their family via the sale of Behringer products. In addition, you act like threatening to or actually suing others doesn’t happen with other music companies. Here’s an article about Korg suing the “little guy:”

                      https://www.tdpri.com/threads/korg-sues-phantom-guitar-works.475852/

              2. It’s a good point. If the GUI is very similar or identical to the hardware panel, I always think of that as being a “tribute” to the original and a favor to the user. But I guess there is a bit of “taking” in that approach. Maximillian Woodcock’s points about B’s bad rep are really more why they stink.

            4. I’d be more likely to buy the Behringer one if it didn’t copy the looks of the original, but to be honest I’d also be more likely to get this Cherry one if it didn’t either. To me there’s something a bit sad about a visual replica. Each time I look at it I’m reminded of the chances missed for buying the real thing. I’d rather go all out for the original antique or all out for something new.

    2. Is Cherry Audio part of Behringer? I can find no mention of them or their other companies on the Cherry Audio web page. I agree with you, but not seeing the connection

      1. I believe it was meant as an ironic joke. Probably because if it was Behringer , the shitstorm would have taken over this product announcement. This is how i interpretate it tbh. I could be wrong though

      3. I have a little joke about how there’s an unwritten law in current synth forums/blogs that no matter what the topic, someone ALWAYS has to bring up but whaddadabout Berhingerrrrrrr…. they could’ve made if for less/better/blahblahblah. For the record, we most certainly have nothing to do with Behringer whatsoever.

    3. Come on, virtual versions of instruments have been around for years, no one’s ever been mad about them. I get your joke, but it is a false equivalency.

  4. > An error occurred during a connection to cherryaudio.com. Cannot communicate securely with peer: no common encryption algorithm(s). Error code: SSL_ERROR_NO_CYPHER_OVERLAP

    Oh well…

  5. Wow this is pretty sick. Not really trying to buy another soft synth, but the audio rate modulation on the filter and the FM sound definitely sound different than what i usually get from software.

  6. If you want to get started in modular synthesis you cannot go wrong with the free version of Voltage Modular.
    https://cherryaudio.com/free

    I was a beta tester for the PSP Audioware modules. Voltage sounds absolutely great. The quality of the audio is, in my opinion, miles ahead of that other free modular environment.

    I will be getting this 2600 software. Mind you, I have a kARP 2600. I’m still buying this.

    1. If your an Arp 2600 fan then you have no shortage of choice. The Cherry Audio, the Arturia, the Korg hardware one, the Behringer hardware one, and even the original (Bill Gates only). It’s a great synth for sound effects and percussion and experimental stuff/modular. As a playable synth that’s similar, I think the Arp Odyssey is more appropriate, though obviously not so important in VST format. Two classic duophonic synths, the 2600 and the Odyssey.

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