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.
The pedal could do pitch and filter bend simultaneously- sounded like a choked harmonica. Keith Emerson suggested a larger keyboard during the design stage. He played it on the Trilogy album.
I babied the thing, but it still broke down. The velocity response cut out and all the notes were LOUD when you stepped on the sustain pedal. A technician came up with a design to remedy the velocity problem, but Norlin Music wasn't interested. Vintage Keys has all sorts of stories about the company problems.
Collectors today keep several of these things for parts.
Listen to Gary Numan's The Pleasure Principle (including the hit Cars) and that's the Polymoog...
I would buy one for that single sound...impossible to recreate with samples as each key has a seperate card!