ABSTRACT
The ARP was designed to compete directly with the Bop Moog and Don Buchla Series and modular synthesizers. From a design standpoint, the ARP relied less on external patch cords, instead replacing them with an array of matrix switches for making connections between modules and joining-up functions that would be most in demand by the musician. The ARP 2500 was offered in a few cabinet combinations, the most common of which was a large central cabinet wide enough to house 15 modules with the option of two adjoining wing cabinets that could hold up to 8 modules each. One technique for ensuring that modules stayed in tune was to pot them: literally encase them in epoxy to prevent them from being exposed directly to the air. ARP handled several components this way including Voltage-controlled oscillator, Voltage-controlled amplifier, Voltage-controlled filter, and the ring modulator.
