1978 Korg PE-1000 Polyphonic Ensemble Vintage Analog Synthesizer 60 Oscillator, Collector-Grade

Up for sale, a 1978 Korg PE-1000 Polyphonic Ensemble synthesizer in excellent condition and in perfect working order. The PE-1000 was initially released in 1976 alongside the Polyphonic Ensemble S (or PE-2000), meant to be the more percussive (electric piano, clavichord, etc.) complement to the ‘S’ model’s sustained-sound (strings, choir, organ) palette. It also offers a larger playing surface, with 60 keys instead of the PE-2000’s 48-key configuration.

Featuring fully analog architecture with a dedicated oscillator *per note,* the PE-1000 includes several key features that make it a real unicorn. Instead of using divide down oscillator technology to achieve full polyphony, the PE-1000 utilizes a separate oscillator per key. This makes detuning between octaves possible, resulting in a very warm, rich sound. There is a global tuning control on the front panel, and each note can be tuned individually by removing the front panel and adjusting the internal trimmers.

The PE-1000 offers a significant amount of sound-shaping opportunity. Beyond its seven preset sounds — String, Pipe Organ, Brass, Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord and Clavichord — an eighth preset called ‘Control’ functions essentially as a free synth mode, with a selection of waveform shapes to choose from. There is also an ADS envelope generator, an LFO for Vibrato, Portamento (Glide), and two resonant filters (high pass and low pass) called the ‘Traveler’ that can also be controlled via foot pedal (not included). You can also generate an ensemble/chorus effect by tweaking the Octave Coupler, which adds the octave above the main oscillator, and the Pitch Expand, which adjusts the pitch across the entire five-octave range.

The Vibrato circuit is particularly unique, in that it’s actually three distinct separate LFOs that affect pitch across the keyboard being controlled by one knob. While the LFOs can’t be modified, Korg arranged them so that when a chord or octave is played, the LFOs affecting each note are likely to be different. This means that instead of grouped notes rising and falling in the same exact proportion, some notes will be rising while others falling or peaking, etc.

Key Features:

• 60-key full range keyboard
• True polyphonic analog synthesis
• Intuitive, user-friendly interface
• Dedicated modulation controls

The black tolex exterior is exceedingly clean and studio-worthy, with only a few minor nicks and scuffs. The faceplate is similarly clean, with all of the original knobs and slider tips.