Korg Poly-800 II Mk2 (1985)
(also known as mk2)

Updated version of the classic poly-synthesizer Poly-800 with some new features and a better Midi management.

KEYBOARD 49 keys.
Main panel features a segments display, 3 sliders, 19 buttons, 1 data slider and a pitchbender.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- Midi Interface (no Thru)
- main signal out
- headphones out
- tape interface
- switch tab memory protection
- pedalswitch input for program up.


Power supply is external PSU with 9V AC/DC -)+ polarity.

 

TECH main unit is a 8 bits controller CPU Intel 8085 family.
Music oscillator DCO is based on a OKI MS-M5232 chip, best known as implemented on some early '80 arcade games (now emulated by famous MAME emulator).

The OKI generates 8 DCO digitally controlled oscillators assignable in 2 different manners: - double mode: 2 x 4 voices for a thicker richer sound2 - whole mode: 1 x 8 voices for full polyphony.

 

DCO an oscillator features 2 summable waveforms sawtooth and square + 4 additive harmonic octaves heights at 16' 8' 4' 2' + 1 white noice generator.

Hear OKI square wave Hear OKI sawtooth wave

ENVELOPE there are 3 EGs with ADBSSR segments, wich stands for: Attack, Decay, Break point, Slope, Sustain and Release.

- 1 DCO1 amplitude: 6-stages ADBSSR - 1 DCO2 amplitude: 6-stages ADBSSR - 1 VCF: 6-stages ADBSSR

LFO 2 delayed triangle-shapped modulators triggered by joystick control.

- MG LFO 1 modulates FILTER VCF - MG LFO 2 2 modulates DCO pitch.

FILTER a limited paraphonic filter based on a single NJM2069:

The chip is a resonant (but not up to self-resonance) bipolar analog 4 poles lowpass with cutoff and contour. - click to enlarge pic -

 

SEQUENCER a very basic 256 steps sequencer syncable to external Midi clock.

EFFECT famous chorus from original Poly-800 has been replaced by a 1024 ms digital delay at 12 bits resolution with some edit parameters such as wet balancing, time, feedback and a final 2-bands EQ.

MEMORY:
- 64 RAM patches
- NO ROM memory.

-LEFT - RAM system based on a CR-2032 battery, replacement needs soldering skills   - Click to enlarge picture -

 

EDITOR some computer-based editors for the Poly 800 II and Ex-800:
- Midiquest (PC/MAC, comercial).

 

 

VST PLUGIN / SAMPLED VERSION there are some free and commercial samples set:

Poly-850 then X-POLY

VST commercial

 

RELATED FAMILY:

	Poly-800 first version, It is quite the same it but features a Chorus board instead of digital delay. Memory backup system is older with no CR-2032 battery and no Sysex handling.
	EX-800 module enhanced version of poly800 mk1 with Midi thru, Midi sysex.
	MEX-8000 memory expansion adds 4 extra banks.

 

AUDIO DEMO

	full MK2 track (overdub)
	cool bass tweak
	brassy with LFO
	church prog
	filter is nice
	fun tune

VIDEO SELECTION Analog Synthesizer Moog Slayer Modified

 

MANUAL

FACTORY PATCHES

SERVICE MANUAL

original brochure

original brochure

original brochure

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