Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • Poly-61

The Korg Poly-61 was released in 1982 as the successor to the Polysix. It was somewhat of a step up from the Polysix, as it has 2 DCOs for better reliability. It also retained the arpeggiator of the Polysix. It has a very dirty sharp sound much like the Yamaha DX7. This is good if you are into the lo-fi sound of electronica. The Poly-61 can provide cool gritty basses or trippy analog sounds and fx.

Also added is the familiar Korg joystick, which can be used to modulate the VCO or the VCF. However, its filter only has 7 steps of resonance and is not as fat as the Polysix's filter. It also uses the same method of programming the Poly-800 and Yamaha DX-7 use, so it's not a very useful synth for real-time-tweaking junkies. The first Poly-61s didn't have MIDI, but the Poly-61M released in 1984 corrects this. Overall, the Poly-61 is still a decent synth, and it can be acquired for practically nothing! It has been used by FM Static and The Faint.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

ronson

Posted 17 days ago

http://www.e-jo.de/
yes it is possible to add some nice knobs...........

korg6512

Posted 23 days ago

For some reason the write button on mine doesn't work. After i write a new sound, then turn the synth off, the patch is reverted back to normal. Any help would be appreciated. Even so this is an amazing synth. Great for stabbing leads, pads, and growling basslines.

youknowjuno

Posted 35 days ago

This is one of the most underrated synths out there. sure the level of control isn't brilliant but little features like the chord hold facility when used in conjunction with the arpeggiator gets some great results. I actually did get mine for nothing but - yep you've guessed it - I had to get the keys fixed first. Grab one if you get the chance.

Siebe Pol

Posted 58 days ago

It's possible to add midi to the Poly-61. Check my youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON-f 43zaspw

I used this link: http://www.angelfire.com/geek/srlabs/p6r etro.html

Greeting from The Netherlands

diane colyer

Posted 62 days ago

i have a poly 61 i would like to sell. In very good condition with one sticky key. Have anvil case too if interested. want to move it

if advice on other sites pls indicate.

pls email to dcolyer@comcast.net

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