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.

plasticanimal

May 22, 2012 @ 12:12 pm

The filter on this one uses discrete components and NOT SSM chips as reported elsewhere. Only the envelopes use SSM. This gives the poly-61 it's own unique version of the classic KORG filter. Filter controls can easily be brought to the front panel. Search "filter mod". The older version seems to have the key contact issue. There were two different keyboard designs, one with brass contact points and one with that carbon looking coating. The brass ones corrode. Most will need buttons replaced as well. These can be found on the webs. A good budget synth. Also,there is no chorus on any version ;)

richard

April 14, 2012 @ 6:24 am

the poly 61 is the most underrated analog of all.it is nothing like a dx7 to say this is digital and sharp, well the reviewer as obviously never heard one ! believe me this is as warm as toast.i have just done a side by side comparison with a jx3p (which i am now selling)and the poly 61 is sonically in another league ! as for the lack of midi,whats the big deal you don't need midi to write a good tune !this now sits side by side with my moog prodigy and its like sitting in front of a lovely log fire on a cold winters evening !!! if you get the chance to buy a good poly 61 grab it and run.

Lamster

February 27, 2012 @ 7:02 am

The Second poly 61 is now fully working twas the battery corroded all over the digi board (clean up with alcohol then MEK to kill the acid ). A few corroded connectors (replaced) New off board battery (lithium with a diode) Lucky no PCB tracks rotted through but a couple will need reinforcing or wire from point to point incase they go in future. All it needs now is a new case as the woodwork ( covered chipboard) has had it
all blown and chunks missing. Anybody got a chassis spare?

Synthartist

February 10, 2012 @ 10:49 pm

I can't believe that the Poly 61 is known for it's bleep and buzz sounds. This gem is so freakin phat. Here is a demo I did of a Synthesized Violin patch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnkoBKMfTc

Lamster

February 9, 2012 @ 8:05 pm

A bit more serious. I fixed the first one still has tuning fault takes 10min-half hour to tune bit like a mono/poly then. once in tune sounds gritty and nails OBi brass EVH jump. The second one will either be spares to fix the first one or if I can repair it will do the Knob mods as seen on youtube far more work than the poly800 moogslayer The first one I had to repair quite a lot of stuff with non korg alternatives so what i'll do is restore one to original working inthe best case with best hardware. The other one will be modded to death but could never sell with all those duff repaired parts

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