classic black and blue mono/poly design and wooden side panels
free editor/librarian software for Mac and PC (download)
incl. blue soft case
multi/poly demo sounds
The Korg multi/poly at a glance
The multi/poly from Korg is the modernized and expanded virtual-analog version of the popular Korg MonoPoly The digital synthesizer uses Korg's latest generation of analog modeling technology for sound generation, which impresses with incredibly authentic sounding filters and oscillators. Part of this synthesis is also that virtual voice cards generate natural timbre variations. The structure of the original MonoPoly has been largely retained and supplemented with a sea of waveforms for the oscillators as well as a second filter, numerous effects and extensive modulation options. In contrast to the over 40-year-old original, the multi/poly is truly polyphonic, as the 60 voices are spread over four layers, each of which contains the complete voice architecture. Another special feature of the MonoPoly has always been the ability to play the oscillators alternately with each new note. This is still possible; the multi/poly goes one step further and even enables layer rotating, which plays a new sound with every keystroke! All in all, this synthesizer produces sounds that you could most likely create with a lavishly equipped, polyphonic modular system. Pretty much everything can be modulated and the arrangement and distribution of voices is one of the most complex to be found in the Hardware range to date. The keyboard with 37 full-size keys is velocity- and release-dynamic, which enables very defined playing in view of the flexible sound generation and modulation options.
Oscillator quartet
The oscillator section has the same structure as the MonoPoly, but offers much more than the four original waveforms per oscillator. First, you select for each individual oscillator whether it is to be equipped with Classic, Digital Waveshaper. Classic generates the familiar standard waveforms along with special features such as pulse width, triangle slope or Mix of a combined waveform. Digital has 200 waveform banks with 64 waveforms per bank, i.e. wavetables. Waveshaper is a fairly complex affair that generates the results of Buchla oscillators, among other things, and has a total of 90 different algorithms. Just think that this impressive selection is available for one oscillator. However, a layer has four oscillators and a performance preset has four of these layers. This means that 16 different oscillators can be played in one performance preset! As this is a modernized version of the MonoPoly, synthesis features such as noise generator, ring modulator, hardsync and cross modulation are of course included. Simple sounds consisting of a single oscillator, filter and envelopes are also possible. To do this, simply switch off layers 2-3 and oscillators 2-3 of the first layer.
Filters
There are plenty of them in the multi/poly: twelve filter models have been implemented to suit every taste. These include the Korg classics MS-20 Lowpass and MS-20 Highpass, which have a much more biting sound, the powerful, round MonoPoly filter, successful replicas of the classic filters Minimoog, Prophet-5 & SEM, Transistor Bandpass & Highpass, as well as some of Korg's own resonant developments and a special multimode filter. The real highlight in the filter section, however, is that two filters per layer can be used simultaneously with serial or parallel routing. In this way, the serial dual filter of the Korg MS-20 can be emulated or, for example, the low frequencies can be processed with two completely different low-pass filters.
Effects
The effects section of the multi/poly has a lot to offer. There are three effect blocks per layer(!): Pre-FX > Mod FX > Delay, and in this exact order. Pre-FX provides various distortions, specialized EQs, compression and decimator. Mod FX contains a good selection of typical modulation effects such as Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Ensemble, Wah and Rotary Speaker. Delay doesn't disappoint either and shines with Ping Pong, Reverse, Multiband and Tape Echo variants. There is a master reverb effect and EQ for each performance preset, each with two variants.
Kaoss Physics
The pad in the top left is much more than just an X/Y pad controller that can be assigned to different targets. The control panel controls a modeled sphere that is nudged in a definable environment. To put it simply, it's like mumbling in a sandbox: a hollow, a hill, the nature of the surface; all of these contribute to the movement of the ball. These movements, jumps and, depending on the position, resting states can be assigned to synthesis parameters for modulation.
Modulation & sequencer
In addition to the usual modulation sources such as velocity or the modulation wheel, five LFOs and four envelopes bring the already complex sounds to life. Anything that is not directly assigned or is to modulate more than one target can be animated with additional entries via the modulation links. The polyphonic step sequencer allows the integration of most parameters, including timing and Gate time, which can be cleverly combined to create polyrhythmic sequences. Recorded controller movements(Motion Sequence) do not have to run through the entire pattern; they can be played back individually shortened as a loop for each track. A versatile adjustable arpeggiator acts as a further playing aid.
Introducing the KORG multi/poly Synthesizer
Introducing the KORG multi/poly Synthesizer
Korg multi/poly - Explore the features and capabilities
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