Korg Poly-800 Review & Tutorial
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Here's a long-form presentation of Korg's 1983 analog synth, the Poly-800.
In this video, I focus heavily on Korg's product decisions that led to how the Poly-800 took shape and was, over the years, assessed by the public. I discuss how to program the Poly-800, a few key features, and its various strengths and weaknesses.
Overall, it's a pretty nerdy synth talk. I hope you find it interesting.
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I had one of these suckers in the 90s and it was an interesting little synth. The poly 800s had a bit of a bad rap as cheap and nasty synths with a weak sound but honestly it was just that the default sound set was kinda lame and it was bit of a head scratcher to program. True it was no Juno but honestly the Juno I had , had constant problems with oscillators going out of time and ended up selling it and ..... uh..... well I brought some weed lol. Hey it was the 90s , old synths where still dirt cheap. Now re these things , there's a lot of mods out there that bring them better control and better tweakerness
Recently scored the desktop version, the EX-800 and I haven't been able to wrap my head around it. Thanks for exploring and for your knowledge and for putting this out there for such an obscure but cool synth. It's a pad monster, which is just what o was missing in my setup. Thanks so much man!
Oh man, the chorus in mine is what it's all about. This unit's chorus was definitely not working (I see you've already sold it, all good, you didn't know!). The chorus truly makes this synth so much thicker and way more useful, it's really harsh otherwise I find. But it's my main synth live (with an OP-1 sitting on the parameter chart) and I got it for $40! Reverse keys too. If you find em cheap, they are 100% worth it.
The Poly-800 chorus is definitely more subtle than a Juno, but I agree with Adam that something's wrong with this unit's chorus. I didn't hear the chorus at all when it was demonstrated in the video. I do recall however that it is a lot more noticeable when you use both outputs in stereo.
A novelty that doesn't seem like a 1983 synth. And you can easily see that it was the highest spec at that time, 3 independent 6STEP envelopes! & 256 note sequencer!
I actually watched this because of the concern over the filter. Thanks for uploading an informative video!
I'm gonna buy one for Xmas.
dude. i usually dont like peoples synth reviews on these type of synths. but you actually legit know your shit sir. gave it a fair and honest review. made me laugh when u played certain patches and smirked in a way like "Yeah.. it doesn't exactly unleash the beast but... you know." ha. my production partner got two of these from some industrial guy for cheap. one we ended up playing with and modding. it was my first synth modding, so i had to do alot of fixing to get it correct. i believe it was the Moog Slayer mod, ive modded other little things, but that korg was super finicky, especially that it was my first 80s budget synth mod, the older synths aren't as temper mental as these, and yes i like how u said the pads and strings are surpisingly nice. we really liked the strings.. so on the other one we didnt mod it, and just processed it instead. thru like some boutique fuzz pedals, and a couple mooger fooger pedals. give it a little more bite.. not bad to use to pepper in with retro style production.. oh yeah, and the buttons.. *face palm* smh.. never understood the trend with 80s synths like these and the buttons.. some react better than others, but its just tedious instead of just going right for a Cut off pot. for example. cool break down, man. earned a subscriber.
Thanks for the kind comments! Yeah, this synth is definitely not impressive when compared to other options, but I did have a ton of fun running it through stomp boxes and other filters 😎 Glad to hear you had fun with yours! Thanks for the sub! 👍👍👍
the model I have was modified with an extra filter and resonance knob and it can howl, without it I would have never considered the buy, I agree it does do pads quite well, identical to a Juno in that regard at least - an admitted budget synth enthusiast
Pretty cheap synth, OK for early programming, much better as a practice keyboard.
The Korg Poly 800 is the only analog synth I sold just to get rid of, but this video gives me a renewed appreciation of it's clever design and maybe I should have kept it just for chorused analog strings.
ps 5 semitones is a perfect fourth and 7 semitones is a perfect fifth.
It's definitely interesting. Not sure I'll keep it, but it gets so much message board hate these days that it's a little bit of an underdog in my mind!
It seems like it would be a good candidate for modding, I also look forward to see how you are going to modify the output to make it sound more interesting.
Saw this one at a vintage shop for $25.. didn't buy it because I was unaware what it was at the time, I really regret it :(
I use to do Jump back in the day This little POS..It can get a close too sound with reverb delay and a good PA...I still have it working perfect 35 yrs
Very informative video. I really like the Poly-800, it certainly has a unique architecture. I've recently finished restoring mine with all new switches and blue LED displays. I've also ordered the Hawk-800 upgrade kit for it which adds full MIDI control over everything (via CC) as well as new modes such as mono mode with portamento. I dare say that the Poly-800 will increase in value eventually.
Harry Axten you know how to fix a faulty key?
Do u have a repair person u can recommend for this synth?
Digital oscillators, digital control... Analog filter. It's a hybrid synth. I love mine, you can make some good sounds using the detune parameter and using both oscillators, the envolope release is the key for those thick pads!
cmendoza247 DCO = Analog oscillators just like the Junos
@@rort1371 Yup. Digitally controlled analog oscillators
How is this different from the 800 II model?
I'm interested in seeing the links you referred to.
How would you compare this to the Korg Poly-800 II?
Definitely not an "all analog synthesizer" as you state at around 1:30. It has digital oscillators with only an analog filter. Despite your little mistakes, I'm glad you're talking about this amazing little beast! Long live the Poly800! Still got mine, first synth I ever bought and still love it.
shorturl.at/nK2q3
I appreciate your feedback and watching!
@@Yateveo From the article you posted: "Some people prefer VCOs (instead of DCO's) because their pitch drifts and variations can make a synth sound more colorful and naturalistic. Some people are excessively sensitive to intonation and can’t stand very unstable VCOs."
So as I said, DCO, not VCO. I love my analogs due to the drift and chaos, something my DCO synths can't do!
@@schance1666 for sure! For me, I like to use oscillator types for different things. DCOs that are still analog I think are great for sounds where the pitch needs to be bang-on, like polyphonic pads and bass lines. I tend to prefer VCO synths on things like string and lead parts where it's more acceptable to my ears and sounds exciting for the pitch to drift. But hey everybody's different!
Thanks again for checking this out!
I have my poly800 and I 100% agree with all that you said
Don’t think it’s ‘all analog’, since it has DCO’s, not VCO’s.
Every synth that has MIDI isn't 'all analog,' but generally are still analog enough to matter. DCOs are analog save for the clock telling the oscillator to reset, which is still mainly analog.
No worries, your piano skills are fine.
1l0V3Mu51c haha thanks! 😁
Thanks for the detailed video. What oscilloscope are you using?
Thanks for watching! I'm using the MOscilloscope by Melda Productions.
I bought this second hand and it had no patches. Took it for repair. When I got it back it had c size batteries. If I were to take batteries out to replace them, would I loose all patches?
Most likely, yes. Some later Poly-800 Mk1's had an internal battery as well as using the C batteries to play on the go, but the fact that it had no patches when you bought it suggests this is an earlier model (like mine) and has none. Therefore, if the C batteries are removed, the memory is reset.
It's ok though! Follow the instructions in the manual, play an audio source on UA-cam or Soundcloud that contains the factory patches, and restoring all the patches takes all of a couple minutes!
Quick correction: Korg Poly-800 mk I responds to Modwheel MIDI CC #1. Pitchbend also gets transmitted via MIDI. By mk II, almost every parameter has MIDI CC in charge of it, which is the reason why you'll find mk I going for much cheaper than mk II.
Ah! Did not know that! Thanks :)
I had an MKII, don't remember the parameters being accessible via CC. They were via sysex messages, though, but IMO that's a different matter since then you'll need another piece of software able to generate the appropriate sysex messages, while CC is standardized and accessible out of the box from most sequencers.
The Poly-800 II does not have any real-time control of parameters over MIDI, by CC or otherwise. It can however dump and receive its entire memory as one sysex file.
An honest and informative appraisal of this thing. I just bought one ( because Mona D from Drab Majesty was using one on stage. . .I simply had to have one.) They're more expensive now, and I think they will continue to go up in price. I just closed mine up, after checking for battery leakage, because I'm planning on getting the Hawk/AtomaHawk mod. It's a great synth, if you don't need anything else.
Ooh, I didn't know they used one! Theyre so awesome. The reason I bought it is because the Alyans Na Zare video, this Russian 80s synth pop group. He has the reverse black key version
@@natbvm1880 Would love to have one of those.
@apple bottom jeans I can't tell exactly what Mona D is playing in the video, because the shroud around what he's actually playing is obscured. Structurally, it looks nothing like a Poly-800. I personally think it's a kick-ass cradle for a midi controller, and maybe a synth and a pedal or two.
Is it possible to sync the sequencer to midiclock ?
It is!
I used to have the MK II version of this...It had some cool sounds, and was a great solo instrument...It's more (8 voice) paraphonic like you state...The MKII had some extra functions such as digital delay, a bit broader oscillation that was only noticeable when played alongside an older 800, (somewhat compatible) MIDI SysEX functionality, and a black paintjob...
Great video. I am having trouble lengthening the sustain. I push it to 33 and it does not appear to make much of a difference. Do I need a sustain pedal?
Great review. May I ask which oscilloscope you're using?
Devoid Void thanks! It's the moscilloscipe by Melda Productions
Hey, great video, just to let you know, technically It is not analog synthesis, it's architecture is based on an 80'ies arcade chip..
The poly/EX 800 are hybrid synthesizers between chiptune tech (the osc and the enveloppe are digital)and analog tech (the vcf and the chorus are analog circuitry) ;
I have links to provide just in case you want to know deeply how the poly800 works ;
I love that synth ! great cover :)
Cheers from france :)
Hmmm . . . Interesting. I read an article about the particular chip which served as the oscillator. It definitely seemed idiosyncratic, had a lineage in chiptune circuits, was "digitally controlled" or clocked, but was analog. I'd be curious to see your link if you could share because it seems hard to dig a lot of hard facts up on these old boxes.
Thanks for checking the video out! Greetings from the US! :)
I never found the precise infos about the chip, if it was analog or not..but I surely searsh ! you probably already read the link I was talking about but their it is :
sequence15.blogspot.fr/2013/08/how-korg-poly-800-dco-works.html
And If you can send me your link too it would be awesome :)
btw, if you still have the synth, turn the filter wide open, and shut off the chorus, when I do that my heart tells me that it's digital sound generation :) but it's a personnal perception, not a real argument :)
It's great we can speak of technology without bullshiting around, lot's of people get upset when one say "It's not exactly analog" lol
Both world can be great, and the more important is always what you do with it :)
Keep up the good work, cheers :)
also If you read closely the manual, you will never find the word "analog"...
TheOrangepeak yeah that's the same link I had haha. It's weird- it seems sometimes there's a fine line between analog and digital sound generation when working with integrated circuits. Plus companies seem cagey about their technology, especially back then, probably for proprietary business reasons.
their is other synth like that..the poly 61 has 2osc, one true analog, the other in the same chiptune technology, as the poly800 ;
their is also the pulse 2 from waldorf, which is analog when you use it as a mono synth, but the system switch to DSP when the user uses polyphony or unisson mode..this infos is hard to fine as well, and waldorf plays with the word analog to sell more ^^ ; ahaha what a world :)
Just ordered 1, here is hoping it has no internal battery....if it does....im selling it LOL
Don't think anyone buys this synth for the fidelity or big open oscillators and filters... this synth is vibey as hell, and it's great for any lo- to mid-fi kind of sounds.
I wonder why most people wouldn't keep this Synth lol. I had roland d50, yamaha dx7 n dx7iid, roland sh101, yamaha cs1x, microkorg xl n mk1, yamaha dx21, but this one I'd like to keep! It's just pure 80s Synth like I always wanted. Lookin for another yamaha dx7 though lol.
It definitely has charm! I ended up selling it because I own poly synths that do the things it does way better (Korg DW8000 and Elektron Analog Four). If I had infinite money, I'd definitely keep it around for fun!
Very good review! Was thinkin on buying one, know im not sure! Im just looking for a decent 80s synth with good enough quality to use on records.
the Moog Slayer mod is essential to open up and control the filter with knobs. It's easy, too.
I have one of my own, and i absolutely love it ^-^
I still have mine that I bought in 1984 and I LOVE it! With very little tweaking you can get string sounds that almost rival sampled sounds. and you could make the strings sound so lush with complex envelopes while in 4 voice mode. I always used the No. 2 detune mode with the onboard chorus. I thought it was quite fat sounding.
dude u know how to fix a tune/pitch problem? is not in C mine
Thanks for taking you time doing these, it was very usefull for me!
Hi, Do you know how to re-gain access to the stock/ original sounds/programs? On mine now its only giving me a one note noise that keeps sliding up on every program preset... pls help!
You have to reload the sounds via the tape input. Find the file online, play it off your phone or computer into the tape input. Enable the tape mode, hit load, play the file. If all goes well, you should have the factory presets
whats the name of that nice oscilloscope plugin left bottom?
Help I got mine at a yard sale and it came with a adapter and stuff so what do I do to get the sound and that great stuff
I think your chorus is broken also, when I compare to mine, I think yours just doesn't work, if I had time I would record it on and off ; well if you ask I can :)
TheOrangepeak hmm you may be right ... oh well, it's already sold, so on to the next one! 😂
that's good for you :) but in the mean time I feel sorry for the poor dude who bought it because the chorus does everything in that synth ; this is the joy of the second hand market lol ; will you buy another synth with the money ?
Not sure yet - maybe? Time will tell. I'd really like to have a Drum Brute!
ahaha me too but I don't spend more than 250e in a thing; I'm a poor dude, I rather spend time doing music with friends than killing myself at work ; and this is the downside, I'm broke and the drumbrute seems so awesome, besides I really need it ! lol
Right now I do my drums in live with a modded Volca beats and the drum of the monotribe, by layering these two I get interesting sound. But I don't do live alone anymore and friends have more expensive synth so together we have what we need for a live jam :) notably one has a tanzbar lite and the other the mfb522 ; they are both great with personality ; of course I do the side drum, which is good to me ^^
but I agree, the drum brute is so appealing
Dal
hello,
I just came across your video, and I was wondering if you could explain to me how I can change the midi output of the poly 800? In order to have it be able to play drumkits in the jv 1080 I have to set it to channel 10, but I don't see that option on the poly 800.
xavke91 thanks for watching. I’m not sure how the JV1080 is set up, but my understanding of the Poly 800 is that it only outputs midi notes and pitch/mod signals. How are you triggering kits on the 1080?
Nice
other than up and down how many other directions do faders go?
we love that keyboard...…………………………...he's not going to change our mind no matter what he says
ASA AVEAO RUGAMINTE DACA TE PRICEPI CA SABAGI TONURI LA UN KORG POLI 800 TE ROG SAMI LASI UN MESAJ SCURTA AICI PE PAGINA TA MULTUMESC>>!!
Besitze auch einen Poly 800
how many tunes in poly 800?
Thanks for your review. Can the keyboard be played simultaneously with its sequencer?
Tigromaster Tigromaster thanks for watching! It can be played along with the sequencer - I do it a bit while the sequence is playing but it’s a little hard to tell because my hand was out of the shot. The only thing is of course playing the keys takes up additional voices so you have to be strategic to avoid stealing notes .
Yateveo I'm still thinking about this synth... :) thank you for the great videos and reply.
How did you get sounds on to it?
Very informative. Wonderful
thank you!
by the way GREAT VIDEO!!!
Thanks!
Does it respond to MIDI CC?
Unfortunately, no. Just note and (I believe) program change data.
that's not a COMPLETELY ANALOG SYNTH it's dco (digitally controlled oscillator)
Well, the term DCO typically refers to an analog oscillator which is clocked with a digital timer to maintain more stable pitch, rather than old-school VCO (voltage controlled oscillators) which are analog oscillators that use a more old-fashioned voltage methods to track pitch (this tends to be less stable).
DCOs are most commonly used with polyphonic synthesizers due to the importance of consistent pitch when creating chords. Many classic analog poly synths have DCOs (Roland Juno 106, Oberheim Matrix 6, Alesis Andromeda, etc). Modern analogs often have DCOs as well (Novation Bass Station 2, Elektron Analog Four/Keys, etc.)
Even stuff like the Korg Volca and Mini/Monologue lines have VCOs, but the digital firmware of the synths constantly retune those VCOs internally through digital methods. It seems it's hard to make a firm line in the sand with Analog/Digital because many manufacturers tend to employ digital methods in various ways to keep analog instruments stable and more cost-effective.
Its the modulators that are all digital ,lfo , envs and they are coarse low parameter resolution , not all dco's are crystal clocked vco's , there are different approaches in dco circuitry