Trend price : 1500€
A hard-to-find combo polyphonic machine produced in Italy by Farfisa.
Company: Farfisa
Model: Polychrome
Class: Synthesizer
Country: Italy
Weight: 30 kg
Dimensions: n/a
Keyboard: 61 keys
Display: none
Dates: 1978
Synthesis: Analog
Polyphony: full
Multitimbric: 2 parts
Sounds: 11
Effect: phaser
Midi: none
Demo: 1
Video: 1
Review: 1
Overview
KEYBOARD 61 keys with primitive velocity sensibility, 2 optional metal legs.
Main panel features 20 levers, 36 push buttons, 3 switches and a rudimentary pitchbender
Rear panel terminal connectors:
- a 5-dins swell pedal input
- main out
- separate output for choir section
- audio input for external processing
Sound
pure combo-string processor philosophy: summing or removing various sounds layers
The machine is based on 4 analog frequency dividers boards groups + 1 white noise circuit:
- Percussive : piano, harpsichord, honkytonk, clavichord and electric guitar
- Ensemble : brass, reed and accordion
- Chorus: 3 presets + 1 free edit mode
- String: 1 preset with variable EG and filter cutoff
Performance
it is possible also to SPLIT the synth and assigns 2 sounds to the board.
Effects
a single built-in analog shift phaser with emphasis tremolo and frequency rate.
Phase shifting process is able to modulate 3 sections at the same time: ensemble, percussive and strings but NOT the choir section.
Maintenance
the Polychrome is a machine with frequent electronic troubles and often needs technical care.
Review
OK: choir / rare
NOT : weight / technical issues / price
"Choir is fantastic and the keyboard control is just great! Quite collectible but just keep in mind it is big, unreliable with just 1 (very) interesting sound"
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
