Is there a free ARP 2600 emulator online?

Yes — Drift 2600 is a free browser-based synthesizer inspired by the ARP 2600. It runs entirely in your browser with no download or install required. It includes 3 VCOs, a 4-pole ladder filter, ring modulator, sample and hold, envelope follower, lag processor, drag-and-drop patch cables, and a 16-step sequencer — covering the core signal path and patch points of the original 2600.

What is a semi-modular synthesizer?

A semi-modular synthesizer has a pre-wired internal signal path that works without any patching — you can play it immediately. But every connection can be overridden with patch cables, allowing you to rewire the signal flow into unusual configurations. This makes semi-modular synths like the ARP 2600 more approachable than fully modular systems while still offering deep patchability. Drift 2600 follows this same design: it makes sound out of the box, but drag-and-drop patch cables unlock the full routing possibilities.

What is sample and hold on a synthesizer?

Sample and hold is a circuit that captures (samples) a voltage at a moment in time and holds that value until the next trigger. On an analog synthesizer it is typically fed random noise, producing a staircase of random voltages that can modulate pitch, filter cutoff, or any other parameter. The result is the classic random-stepping sound associated with science fiction sound effects and generative electronic music. Drift 2600 includes sample and hold as an LFO waveform with an adjustable slew rate to smooth the steps into gliding curves.

Drift 2600 — Free ARP 2600 Semi-Modular Synthesizer in Your Browser

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2600

PRESETS

Ext Input / Ring Mod

Ring Out

Gain 1

Out

Gain 2

Out

LFO

VCO 1

Saw

Pulse

Sine

Tri

Sqr

Main

Wave

L.F.

Coarse

Fine

Pulse W

FM (lin)

FM (exp)

KBD

LFO

VCO 2

Saw

Pulse

Sine

Tri

Main

Wave

L.F.

Coarse

Fine

Pulse W

FM (lin)

FM (exp)

KBD

LFO

VCO 3

Saw

Pulse

Sine

Tri

Main

Wave

L.F.

Coarse

Fine

Pulse W

FM (lin)

FM (exp)

KBD

VCF (Ladder)

Out

12dB

Type

Cutoff

Fine

Resonance

Drive

VCA / Mixer · Master

VCA Out

CV In

In 1

In 2

L In

R In

L Out

R Out

Rev In

Rev Out

Reverb

Rev Size

Rev Decay

Rev Damp

Master

Gate Thr

Gate Rel

ADSR A / AR

ADSR Out

AR Out

Attack

Decay

Sustain

Release

AR Attack

AR Release

ADSR Trig

AR Trig

ADSR Trig

AR Trig

ADSR F / Env Follower

ADSR Out

EF In

EF Out

Attack

Decay

Sustain

Release

Trig Level

EF Attack

EF Release

Trigger

Noise

Out

Lag Processor

Lag 1

Out

Lag 2

Out

Voltage Processor

Att1

Att2

Fxd1

Fxd2

Out

Att1

Att2

Fxd1

Fxd2

Out

Att1

Att2

Fxd1

Fxd2

Out

Att1

Att2

Fxd1

Fxd2

Out

Sample & Hold

Clock Out

Out

Signal

Trigger

Ext Clk

Electronic Switch

Control

Out

Mod VCA

Out

Mod VCA 2

Out

2-Ch Mix

Out

Inverter

Out

Multiple

Passive 4-jack mult

Performance

KB CV

KB CV2

KB Gate

KB Trig

MOD CV

Drift

Glide

Vel→VCA

Vel→VCF

LFO Rate

LFO Depth

DC Offset

LFO→Pit

LFO→VCA

LFO Wave

| | Time 1ms

Sequencer

BANK

BPM Step Swing Dir Range

SEQ CV

SEQ Gate

SEQ Accent

Bass Voice On

Cutoff

Res

Env Mod

Decay

Accent

Vol

Tuning

Overdrive

Dly Time

Dly Fdbk

Wave

Int VCO

Ext In

Bass Out