Moog Polymoog
(click to enlarge)
The Polymoog is a preset-based and fully polyphonic synthesizer released in 1975. The eight preset sounds consist of strings, piano, organ, harpsichord, funk, clavi, vibes, and brass. Though it may not sound as good as other analog poly-synths of the time (from ARP and Siel) the Polymoog was still a popular instrument because of a great new keyboard and the ability to edit the presets into unique and wild analog sounds. There's a genuine Moog filter in there with modulation, keyboard tracking and lots of LFO modulation sources. The full sized 71-note touch-sensitive keyboard can be split into three sections, each with independent volume sliders. There is a 3-band EQ, sample-and-hold, and a full set of envelope controls. What you won't find, however, is patch memory--well, there's one programmable preset, but there's certainly no MIDI control!
Following the Polymoog synthesizer came the Polymoog Keyboard (pictured just above) released around 1978. The Keyboard model was simplified and cheaper in hopes to stimulate sales. It had more preset sounds (fourteen of them) but Moog had eliminated most of the editing functions that made the original version so great. The Keyboard model's 6 new preset sounds included Vox Humana, Strings 2, Electric and Honky Tonk pianos, Chorus Brass and a Rock Organ. So it's got some more presets, but programming is so limited you're pretty much stuck with the presets. Editing is reduced to volume, tuning, hi-pass filtering, and basic LFO features. The Keyboard model can be recognized by the name 'Polymoog Keyboard' printed where sliders and knobs used to exist on the original model.
An optional Polypedal board (pictured above) allows for external control of the pitch, filter, sustain and external sync of the Polymoog. It should be noted that the Polymoog and Polymoog Keyboard are not true polysynths, but that they use a similar 'divide-down' circuitry arrangement like certain string synths, combo organs, etc. This causes some of the sonic shortcomings of this unit. Also, the Polymoog is rather unreliable and prone to breakdown; used specimens are often found with problems w/o servicing prior to resale. Polymoog's have been used by Chick Corea, Blondie, Keith Emerson, Devo, Gary Numan, Prince, Richard Tandy of ELO, Patrick Moraz, Rush, Larry Fast, Wendy Carlos, Tony Banks, Kraftwerk, Geoff Downes, Jimmy Edgar, Freddy Fresh, and Rick Wakeman of Yes.
30 VISITOR COMMENTS
- Demos & Media
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Video 1 - See and hear it in this YouTube Demo!
- Specifications
- Preset Sounds - Original: Strings, Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Funk, Clavi, Vibes, and Brass.
Keyboard model adds: Vox Humana, Strings 2, Electric and Honky Tonk Pianos, Chorus Brass and a Rock Organ - Polyphony - Unlimited
- Oscillators - 2 VCO's
- LFO - Rate, Amount Attack
- Filter - Highpass filter (plus lowpass on original model)
- Memory - Original synth: 8 Preset + 1 user
Keyboard: 14 presets only - Keyboard - 71 keys (velocity sensitive)
- Control - CV/Gate
- Date Produced - 1975-80
- Est. Value - $500 - $1,000
- Websites of Interest
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Moog Archives - Rare documents, photographs, and memorabilia
WahWah.co.uk - Get Moog t-shirts!
- Resources & Credits
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Images from Kevin Lightner's Synthfool and Tone Tweakers.
Additional information provided by DAC Crowell.
Errors or Corrections? Send them here.
production model ..now sporting a 71 key, E to D, 6 octave keyboard...had to wait untl late 1976 before it hit the streets. Prior to that Moog had about a dozen pre-production prototypes that they let artist use to get feedback on.
The modular could do 2 note polyphony with the 962 duophonic keyboard and Larry used that controller in conjunction with the PM.
The minimoog and Oberheim modles were also part of the interconnected modular rig. The pads are bigger sounding on the record than the Polymoog could do on its own.
The album also makes good use of a guitar synth driven Micromoog.
So to say that around 90% was played on the Polymoog is wrong.