07/01/2023
Today we remember the legacy of Alan R. Pearlman 🎛.
How have ARP instruments helped develop your sound?
In 1969, an American engineer named Alan R. Pearlman heard Wendy Carlos’ Switched on Bach played on a Moog synthesizer & decided to design his very own electronic instrument under his new company called Tonus, now known as ARP Instruments, Inc. 😎.
The first synthesizer to come out of Alan's factory was known as the the ARP2500 which didn't require patch cables, had great ease of use & even more of a selling point of its time: its ability to stay in tune! Alan categorized these instruments as experimental devices for educational purposes, but many of the greats from the 1970's such as Pete Townshend, Stevie Wonder, Edgar Winter, Keith Emerson & more took a liking to these devices and started utilizing them in their sound. With musicians wanting more, Alan expanded his synth line with something that was a happy medium between flexibility and practicality: the ARP 2600. It was a smaller unit that came with pre-wired modules & easier access to playable sounds. You could still use Patch cords if you wanted to experiment, but they were optional. This made the instrument more suitable for live performance, contributing to its popularity.
Alan's Legacy now lives on through his Daughter Dina, these beloved instruments, & the Alan R Pearlman / ARP Archives Foundation, where the mission is to celebrate Alan by making his innovative inventions publicly accessible to inspire future generations imagination & creativity.
Please consider donating to the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation, today: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/
