The Step Brother was born from a desire to revisit and evolve the original concept of 2600 system expansion. Our goal was to fuse the sequencing power of the classic ARP Sequencer with the expansion philosophy of the “Little Brother,” elevating them to a higher level of performance, while maintaining the iconic design language of the 2600.
At Antonus, we are proud to have distilled these legendary ideas into a single, cohesive instrument. Whether you own an Antonus 2600 or a vintage ARP 2600, the Step Brother is the perfect match in both spirit and performance.
The Step Brother is designed for every analog enthusiast, not just 2600 owners. It is fully compatible with modern analog systems and synchronizes seamlessly with digital MIDI setups.
While it serves as a powerful complement to any studio, the Step Brother is also a standalone instrument. By integrating control, sequencing, and sound generation into one unit—a feat the original devices it was inspired but never achieved—it offers a unique and independent creative experience.
While ARP continued to manufacture several well-remembered devices, they all carried a design and intention that differed from the 2600 concept. Systems like the ARP Little Brother were not only simpler but were developed with a cabinet design that differed from the 2600’s identity. Even the mythical ARP Sequencer,moved further away from the 2600’s structural aesthetic.
Beyond its sound, one of the greatest attractions of the ARP 2600 was its visual design. Unfortunately, later ARP developments abandoned the philosophy of housing a “sound laboratory” within a cabinet crafted like a classic musical instrument case. At Antonus, we have chosen to return to that original essence, preserving the instrument and the laboratory in their most authentic form.
The design and style of the cabinet remain true to the original 2600 concept, utilizing authentic Tolex and metal hardware for both the main enclosure and its front cover. We chose to respect this classic construction despite the higher complexity and manufacturing costs, as we believe it is essential for the instrument’s spirit.
The Step Brother evokes a sense of mystery and heritage; anyone seeing it will wonder what legendary instrument is protected inside.
One of the highlights of the original ARP Sequencer, which inspired the Step Brother, is the clarity and layout of its elements. This design favored creativity, speed of use, and a direct, musical learning curve. We have carefully integrated new features to ensure they respect these same principles of comfort and clarity, both in control layout and connectivity.
While the original ARP Sequencer serves as the foundation for the Step Brother, we have integrated a Clock Divider (Frequency Divider) to exponentially expand its musical possibilities.
To honor and evolve the “Little Brother” concept, we added:
The Step Brother is designed to function as a unified whole. We encourage you to interconnect these resources—controlling, sequencing, and generating audio by pushing beyond the traditional limits of each module.
The possibilities are vast:
We highly recommend exploring the manual to fully grasp the immense versatility and the deep relationships between all the elements of the Step Brother.
The Step Brother features a MIDI input for seamless synchronization via MIDI clock. Beyond simple syncing, it enables the conversion of various parameters—such as translating MIDI clock data into a standard “analog” clock output.
This allows the Step Brother to function as a dedicated MIDI-to-Clock converter, ensuring that vintage gear or other devices lacking MIDI capabilities can be synchronized effortlessly within a modern setup.
Just like our 2600 OS, the Step Brother is available in two distinct finishes, allowing you to choose the aesthetic that best fits your studio or performance setup without compromising the internal circuitry.
To ensure your setup is visually seamless, we offer the Step Brother in two iconic panels. Whether you are matching it to your Antonus 2600 or building a custom modular rig, you can choose the era that inspires you most:
Both panels feature our high-durability textured finish and premium white silkscreening, designed to withstand the rigors of daily musical exploration while maintaining a professional look.
