Korg Poly-61

You can read it once and know what to do, even a computer idiot like me!! It had a parameter sheet and list of sounds, really easy.

The low polophony is half the magic of the 80s sounds. it is not velocity sensitive, but has good synth feeling keys. The 1st ones didnt have midi, it was an option and you could buy the kit for it.

The poly 61 is great for 80s music, which is what i played on it when i owned mine in the 80s!!

I had it for years and sold it. The only thing it ever did was dislike cold storage. If you left it in a van or trailer it would be out of tune till it warmed up (5 minutes max) Then it was fine. The guy i sold it to let the backup battery go dead and she crashed. If i could find a restore tape i would buy it back as it was an important part of my arsenal at that time.

NO company is good at product support, let alone Roland!! So Korg probably aint either.

I have owned so many Keyboards it would be a waste of time to name them, but this one I kept a long time and played with a lot, and i usually dont program them much cuz anymore it is too damn hard so i just PLAY them. This one is easy, and my 1st lesson in synthesizer programming.

Korg DW8000, The presets sounds killer, but I'd like to know how to reset them. Patch editing is easy, but saving it takes some getting used to, thus the 9. I bought mine used (of course) and who ever had it prior to me had saved some of the same patches assigned to different numbers.
The organ presets and "bells" are to die for, and the arpegiator would "Baba O'reilly" and "Night Rider" to shame.

Well, as long as your not buying one with the intention of your autistic grandson to learn keyboard on, and you are fully aware that this is an out & out "Miami Vice Sound Machine", you'll be in good shape. This is really a cool piece of ammunition. The MIDI is about as easy as MIDI gets. The downside is that there are no real sounding drums, or sequencing, but I have gotten to where I have realized these features to be useless in an outboard piece of hardware.

Balls to the wall, the inboard effects are awesome (really awesome), I only wish that there was a way to run other instruments (e.g. guitar or vocals) through them. The pads are expressive and emotional,

In spite of having a plastic case, this keyboard is rock solid

I've had this thing for at least 5 years now. With the exception of a M-Audio USB MIDI controller, this is the only outboard set of keys that I have held on to, including other korgs, kawias, rolands, ensoniques, & Emus. This thing does everything that the soft-synths cannot (the only reason it still sits in the studio). Again, I would like to reset the original patches, just to see what they were like, but if I can't, I'll still be satisfied and feel that I paid a fair price.

Quirky button editing. Editing patches is a breeze. Bought it used so it didn't have factory presets. I rewrote all of the previous owners presets. No manual needed to operate this bad-baby!!!

Polyphony is 6 voices, and the keyboard has got excellent action (they are not touch sensitive, but are very light to trigger, al little to light sometimes).

The Poly-61 is a forerunner to self-tuning oscillators (which are analog, controlled by digital circuit). You basically just get 3 waveforms (saw,Sqr,Mod sqr (Only saw,Sqr on DCO2)) It would be nice to have sine and triangle waves too, but oh well.

The Poly-61 only has one filter, but it sounds sweet!!! The modulation is first rate for what limited function it has (which is extra cool when pitch-bending via Korgs, then state-of-the-art 4-way joystick).

Arpeggiator is basic but quite effective (Frequency control knob, latch switch, octave switch, and direction switch). A seperate frequency control knob is afforded to the modulation (DCO or VCF) via joystick, and a knob for pitch-bend range (variable from 0-7 semitones, would have been nice to have full octave here, but thats minor, and only going to 7 allows more precise pitch control via the joystick).

There are 2 basic operating modes Poly and Chord Memory. While in Poly if you play and hold a chord while depressing the Chord Memory Button, you can then play that same chord interval, on any key, and this mode acts as the Poly-61's mono mode. I usually just use the Chord Memory to memorize a single note, giving me poly or mono with the same exact sound. There is a hold button which sustains a note indefinately (Envelope specific), and it can only be active when the Arp is not active (engaging the Arp automatically de-activates the Hold, which is not automatically re-activated when you disengage from the Arp).

If you want "Real" instruments, look elsewhere. The Poly-61 does Analog!!! Fat basses, soaring leads, sweeping pads, and burblley under-world type sounds. You definitely want a good external reverb though (and possibley Chorus, but it sounds just fine in Mono).

The Poly-61 never gets quite as warm as a purebred analog synth. But it does give you a fuzzy feeling, but with minimal effort, can be twisted into a violent digital versus analog fight for supremecy, which results in a chaotic apocalypse of sound!!! She can from fuzzy-to-chill in 0.1 seconds!

Built like a tank!!! Mine is 23 years old and still rockin' like a trooper!!!

Have dealt with Korg in relation to other products, and they have always been extremely helpful (Lost MIDI charts, Manuals, etc.). You won't be getting any support out of them for a 23 year old synth though. But there are plenty of online resources available.

I've been playing 21 years, and this is the second Poly-61 I've owned. I sold my original many years ago. While working with my new band in 2004, I pulled out my old multi-tracks and decided I would freshen up some old material, and came across a song which featured the Poly-61. In every vain attempt, I tried recreating it's sounds, via every soft-synth I could lay my hands on, every piece of hardware in my arsenal, and that my friends own, only to never even get close. So I finally find one in Mint condition early 2005, for $200. In minutes I had almost exacly recreated the sound I sought. UNIQUE!!! If you want a keyboard with lots of Personality, is straight forward to program, and operate, go buy a Poly-61!!!

Nancy Geraths wrote:
"We were sold a 1986 Korg Keyboard, looking to find one for our Autistic Grandson who is 9 years of age and taking lessons. We were charged $200.00 for this keyboard, not knowing the age of it. Our first one we dealt with? Our Grandsons music teacher says it is not worth $20.00. Is this true? This 1986 Korg keyboard was sold to us with the thinking it would be great for our Grandson to prosper with, but it is really poor quality of sound."

You were probably sold a keyboard not appropriate for your grandson's use. The Korg Poly-61 was released in 1982 (not 1986), and is more of a "synthesizer" as opposed to a general "keyboard" (e.g. standard pianos, organs, harpsichords, etc.) It is worth quite a bit more than $20. I'd say a fair price for one would be between $100 and $150, so you only overpaid by about $50 or slightly more, provided it is in good working condition. As for "sounding poor", this is completely subjective, based on what kind of sounds you are looking for. For the type of sounds this synthesizer was created for, it is a pretty good sounding analog synth. It will not give you realistic sounding pianos, etc., because it is not a sample-based digital synth of the type common in the late 80s and 90s, it is an analog synthesizer with digital front-panel controls. See if it is possible to get your money back since this was based on a misunderstanding. I think your best bet for the type of keyboard you are looking for would be a Korg M1 or X5, something like that. It might cost you a little more than $200, though.

We were sold a 1986 Korg Keyboard, looking to find one for our Autistic Grandson who is 9 years of age and taking lessons. We were charged $200.00 for this keyboard, not knowing the age of it. Our first one we dealt with? Our Grandsons music teacher says it is not worth $20.00. Is this true? Nancy Geraths

Not good quality of sound as the music teacher reported.

This 1986 Korg keyboard was sold to us with the thinking it would be great for our Grandson to prosper with, but it is really poor quality of sound.

No

No dealing with the company; just through our Music store in our hometown.

No

this synth is the easiest synth to figure out. The big grother to the Poly 800, the poly 61's programing freatures are labeled on the front panel. Just enter the parameters and tweak away. not as direct as sliders and knobs, it does the trick in oher ways.

This synth is unlike it's analogs cousins. She has twi digital ocillators. allowing you t detune and mimic older synths. A thicher sound. (especially in unison), one often forgets that the Juno series, had a digital occillator, but the filters (not only being pure in real time) werea bit thicker. The poly 61 has its own secialties. Like progaramability. and reliability. [2 osc., vcf, lfo, eg, detune, and two real time controls (joystick, knobs)]

As with all synths from the 80's the sounds are al generated, and thus are limeted. Not a sample playback as in digital synths, this beast must be programmed (hopefully by creative individuals) in order to make a sound or patch.

These are tanks. Get her cleaned every couple years, DON'T fuck with the internal pots unless you know what you are doing, and you'll be fine. oh and don't throw her down a flight of stairs.

Have't even't bothered, (I hope we all know that Korg and many other companies do NOT support older discontinued lines.

Hell Yeah! all these other reviews say they wouldn't bother, yet they claim to love her. I love mine. Wished I hadn'tparted with my Juno 60, but I am glad I found her in the trash at my friends place. Ipaid $70 dollars to get her fixed. When I goet her (in a case mind you) she powered up, flickered, and then did nada. I had her fixed at my trusted davidson electronics (best in nyc) ad she has worked perfectly ever since.

This was one of my first synths I had acquired; I was about 16 and felt very lucky to actually own a polyphonic synthesizer.

No Software versions. Presets are decent. Editing patches is easy enough, though a little annoying through a digital interface (I will always be a fan of knobs, sliders etc).

Features are basic....A 2 oscillator synth with typical VCF, VCA, EG (shared for VCA and VCF) and a simple LFO. 6 note polyphony, arpeggiator. No other effects, No expansion, No MIDI (though the poly 61M has MIDI)

Sounds are decent for a basic polyphonic synth. The Poly 6 and Roland Junos sound a little thicker. This synth is best for 80's type music

Still works after 15 years, though the mod. freq. knob quit working

N/A

If it were lost or stolen, I would be bummed more for nostalgic reasons. I would not go out and get another. For people looking for a basic 80's polyphonic synth, try the Roland Juno's. FOr better synths all around, try the newer virtual analogs (Nord, Virus, Waldorf etc)

I also own Korg Trinity, Virus kb, Waldorf Q, Minimoog, Minimoog Voyager, Korg MS 10. Others I don't have set up, Prophet 5, Roland JP8000.

i bought this used and have never heard the presets... but who cares? make your own sounds, i'm sure the presets suck - it's from the 80's!
very easy to use, except those pissy plastic buttons. you wont need the manual.

you can get midi kits installed if you want, i have heard that they kill the arpegiator. no big loss, it is fun but not usable unless you have the arp-trigger hooked up to something compatable. or you could sample small bursts of it.
what i would call "features" can only be found if you open it up. there are adjustable pots which make this thing sound *very* good - provided you can program decent patches. if you know anything about electronics you will have much much fun playing around inside the 61. if you don't know much... be very very careful, it is (sadly) not indestructable. mod-ing this beast is also fun.

the poly-61 doesn't do realistic... unless you are going for realistic analogue sounds, which it does well because it is analogue=P works well for strange shit - swelling, fluctuating space noises and the like. i have also managed to program, almost perfectly, the same synth sound found in the intro to "space monkey" from the fight club soundtrack. joy

i have messed with mine way too much, so i would not use it on stage. if you're not fucking with the insides, though, it's a bloody tank. some of the keys stick a little, but it's old, i should clean it.

i have had it repaired twice (my own fault). radioshack did it for 30 bucks (can).

lost or stolen... i have a love hate relationship with my poly-61... i hate loving it. there is much better stuff out there, i don't think i would buy another, unless it was insanely cheap. it was my first synth and i love it, a juno-106 would be nice. oh well

Really easy to use.This is a selfexplanatory device.Each function has
a button and sometimes a knob.
In comparsion to the Polysix,the Poly61 is not so comfortable to use,
because of the button-parameter-entry,instead of knobs.
Got it without manual and also the presets were already replaced by
other sounds.
A really easy to use device.

Six Voice Polyphony,Chord/Unisono mode and an interesting Arpegiator.
No effects and no MIDI.Three hidden trimpotis inside the machine.
Why didn't brought Korg them to the frontpanel as knobs ? Adjusting
Filter and so on would be more comfortable.
No Velocity and Afterouch from keyboard.An old school synth.

The Poly61 can produce some nice sounds.Warm Pads,fleshy basses and all
what analogs are usually used for.This is a basic analog synth.
The Unisono/Chord function can produce a fat Monosynth.
Limitations is the EG,wich is used for VCA(DCA) and VCF(DCF).
But mostly you will find good compromises in this section.
Compared to other "more expensive" synths of that time,the Poly61
sounds thiner.But if compared to the FM or PD sounds,it must be said
that the Poly61 sounds fat.
On the other hand I never prefered the fat sounds of the old analogs.
At least they were missing to much "air" in the upper frequencies.
But the Poly 61 offers this "air".
I never used a synthsound without external "postsoundshaping",in that
way,the Poly made a good figure.The basic sound is very flexible to
form later in postproduction.That's what I like the Poly for.
It has a balanced sound.From the low end to the High End.
The Poly61 can realize most of standard sounds of the analog world.
But it will never be a Minimoog!!!

The keys get lame after 19 years of usage.
The rest works pretty well.

The Poly61 is nothing special.If lost,I would try to get another or
a similiar one.
It offers a basic setup of analog sounds,wich are very usable.
The few gimmicks like ARP or Unisono mode,can be also found on other
devices.
The Poly is very easy to use.The best way it can attract,is as Solo
synth.
And in combiantion with a cheap DX21 for example,both can produce
together very amazing sounds.As the Poly61 is not with MIDI.Both can be used as solosynths.Remember this old synthtowers of the 70ths.
The Poly61M could be used for MIDI.
But sometimes there are times,when MIDI is not needed.
Like in very old days,one hand plays the POLY61 in Unisons Mode,while
the other hand accompanies it with the DX21.
A big team wich will make forget MIDI,as long the player is skilled enough to play like that.

Plug it in, switch on, whahey! it's 1982 again. Presets all reset by me, and approx 3 out of 64 are acceptable. Editing piss easy - just remember to slide the " write " button across.

All features discussed previously. The arpeggiator works well with a squirt of WD 40 or equivalent. No Midi, just tape outs. plenty of room on top of the synth to store beer bottles, fag packets etc. ( Cigarette packets, for non- UK residents ! )

Sounds are universally appalling, but one patch I programmed by accident sounds like the keyboard used in Pink Floyd's " Scarecrow ", so the possibilities are endless.

Reasonably reliable, apart from arpeggiator.

I'll wear it always.

I'll readily swap this for a Prophet V......any takers ?