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Pre Owned Korg Multi/Poly Analog Modeling Polysynth

Includes original box and carry bag

The Korg multi/poly is a modern performance synthesizer that recreates the character and architecture of Korg’s classic analog polysynths—especially the Mono/Poly—while adding extensive digital control and modulation.

What it is

The multi/poly is essentially an analog-modeling polysynth: rather than using physical analog oscillators and filters, it uses DSP to model their behavior. This lets Korg reproduce things such as oscillator drift, filter coloration, nonlinearities, and other characteristics associated with vintage analog circuitry.

Its design is particularly inspired by Korg's late-1970s/early-1980s instruments, but it isn't simply a software emulation of one particular synthesizer.

The interesting part: four synthesizer layers

At the heart of the multi/poly is a four-layer architecture. Each layer can have its own:

• Oscillators
• Filters
• Envelopes
• LFOs
• Modulation routing
• Effects

This is particularly powerful because the layers can be configured in different ways. You can use them as four independent synth parts, stack them into a large layered patch, or use voice-allocation modes that distribute the four layers across incoming notes.

That last feature is one of the multi/poly's distinctive ideas: it can produce unusual paraphonic/polyphonic behavior reminiscent of the Mono/Poly while still functioning as a modern polysynth.

Oscillators

The oscillators are modeled after several generations of Korg analog oscillator designs. You get traditional analog-style waveforms—saw, square/pulse, triangle, etc.—but also additional oscillator behavior and wave-shaping options.

One particularly useful feature is Kaoss Physics, which allows a physical-modeling-style modulation surface to interact with synth parameters. It can produce evolving, somewhat unpredictable modulation rather than the repetitive motion of a conventional LFO.

Filters

The filter section is one of the multi/poly's major attractions.

It includes models based on several classic Korg filter designs, including the distinctive MS-20-style filter as well as filters associated with the Polysix and Mono/Poly family.

You can therefore move between relatively smooth, warm polysynth filtering and more aggressive resonant sounds.

Modulation

The modulation system is considerably deeper than the controls might initially suggest. The instrument provides a modulation mixer/routing system that lets you combine sources and destinations in complex ways.

For example, you can have something like:

velocity + aftertouch + envelope → filter cutoff

or create more elaborate evolving modulation involving LFOs, envelopes, keyboard tracking, the Kaoss Physics system, and other controllers.

This makes it capable of much more than straightforward vintage-synth recreation.

Vintage character

One of the multi/poly's selling points is that Korg models the imperfections of analog synthesis rather than just reproducing mathematically ideal oscillators and filters.

You can introduce things such as:

• Oscillator instability
• Component variation
• Vintage-style tuning behavior
• Analog-style nonlinearities
• Voice-to-voice differences

The result can range from very clean and precise to deliberately unstable and "old."

Interface

Physically, it looks like a contemporary performance synthesizer but deliberately borrows some visual and conceptual cues from the Mono/Poly.

It has a 37-key keyboard, lots of dedicated controls, a joystick, modulation controls, and a fairly immediate front panel. The instrument is designed so that you can do substantial sound design without constantly diving into menus.

It also has polyphonic aftertouch, which is especially useful for expressive modern patches.

The multi/poly is particularly suited to:

• Vintage Korg-style pads
• Big unison leads
• Sequenced basses
• Arpeggios
• Evolving pads and textures
• Aggressive resonant sounds
• Retro synthwave sounds
• Complex layered patches
• Experimental/paraphonic sounds
• Modern cinematic and electronic textures

One of its strengths is that it can sound convincingly 1970s/80s analog, while its modulation architecture lets it go considerably further than the original instruments.

In one sentence

Think of the Korg multi/poly as a modern, highly programmable digital synthesizer whose synthesis engine is designed around the behavior and sound of Korg's classic analog machines—particularly the Mono/Poly—rather than simply being a conventional virtual-analog synth.