Korg Poly800 II - Mk2 (1985)

The second version of the classic synthesizer Poly800 (also called "mk1").

Basically it's the same machine with same synthesis generation but featuring some minor technical changes. What's "new"? let's check it out

KEYBOARD the poly800 II features 49 keys with NO key velocitym and it is quite portable weight about 4.5 Kg.
The mainanel has no knobs for editing, it was typical in the late eighties: "escape from 70' analog style" just 3 sliders and 19 buttons.
Edit is made on the simple numeric display with the +/ - data entry a single parameter per time: you have to check the parameters list printed on the board and digit its relative number. Boring.

Behind the synth there are Midi I/O , one pair of stereo Outputs, Headphones out , Tape I/O, switch tab memory protection, a tab to activate the tape mode.
On both sides there are some lateral hooks to plasy the synth as a keytar in '80 fashioned way ... if you really have to ! XD

Power supply is external with 9V AC/DC with negative on center.

VOICE eight oscillators DCO assignable to "Double mode" in 2 x 4 voices or "Whole mode" 1 x 8 voices, with four harmonics octaves 16'/ 8'/ 4'/ 2' additive Sawtooth and Square per voice.
A balancing function mixes the different waveforms volumes.

ENVELOPE three EGs called "DEG" one for each DCO and one for Filter (and white noise) with six individual stages per DEG called "ADBSSR" Attack, Decay, Break point, Slope, Sustain and Release.

FILTER based on NJM2069 chip, a resonant analog Low pass -24 dB/Oct with Cutoff, Contour and polarity reverse. All VCF values are quantized (in 99 numbers). Moogslayer mod will bypass the scaled effect (check out poly800 MkI for more info and clip).

LFO the Low Frequency Modulation generator is called "MG" and has a single Triangle waveform with Delay Start, destination to to filter VCF and DCO triggered by the joystick.

FX the chorus effect form Mk1 has been replaced by a more "modern" digital delay with nice interaction with LFO / Wet-dry balancing / Time / Feedback / LOW-HIGH equalizer.

SEQUENCER featuring a classical 256 steps sequencer with internal or external Midi clock sync.

MEMORY 64 RAM patch locations and NO ROM memory. You can load your sounds by tape in or midi exclusive Sysex . The Poly800 II retains sounds with an internal lithium Cr-2032 a useful upgrade from previous version Mk1.

RELATED FAMILY

POLY800 the most famous version! It is quite the same it features a Chorus board and no DELAY - also it does not manages midi Sysex (MORE INFO).   POLY800 II this version     Ex800 Laptop ehanced version of poly800 mk1 with Midi thru and Midi sysex (MORE INFO)

100% all sound by poly800 Mk2 -some overdubs -no effects Bass line climb on mk2 organ poly planet to 5th avenue VCF church of DCO

-cheap
- a classic!
- good filter

- a bit weak sound
- editing
- polyphony

I do prefer this version compared to mk1, the digital delay can be inspiring for some nice sounds. Also the battery memory won't be a problem again.

Second hand price around 150-200 euros