Notes: Explore breathtaking analogue-inspired sound with the limitless power of digital technology. The multi/poly is the first synthesizer to use Korg's next-generation analogue modelling technology, building on the distinctive combination of big, bold sounds and modular-derived experimental features that made the Mono/Poly legendary. It's like having a polyphonic modular system in a compact, hands-on package, offering limitless possibilities for sound designers and synth enthusiasts alike.
Create hardware mashups with East-coast, West-coast, and wavetable oscillators alongside a wide selection of newly modelled filters. Bring these sounds to life with models of different envelopes, VCAs, and portamento circuits, while virtual voice cards add organic timbral variation. The Layer Rotate feature triggers new Programs with each key press, while Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0, massive modulation capabilities, and more allow for deep sound exploration.
Next-Level Analogue Modelling
multi/poly features redesigned, incredibly detailed filters and oscillators, and advances in analogue modelling that take this technology to a new level. Each voice contains a Virtual Voice Card, where oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, and portamento circuits are modelled to reflect analogue hardware component variations. As a result, each voice can have its own slightly different character, creating rich and naturally evolving timbres. Just like in an analogue synthesizer, voice cards continue to play even if you're not hearing them. Envelopes evolve naturally, meaning if you play a long pad with an extended-release time, newly played notes "catch" the envelope at its current state rather than restarting from zero. Oscillators and LFOs maintain phase, while resonance continues to ring out. Pitch drift mimics the subtle instabilities of true analogue hardware.
multi/poly also includes envelope curvature presets inspired by classic synths like the Mono/Poly, MS-20, ARP Odyssey, and Prophet 5. Additionally, analogue VCAs behave differently depending on voltage, with varying thresholds for turning on and off, which has a strong impact on the Amp Envelope's character. multi/poly models VCA responses from the Mono/Poly, MS-20, Prophet 5, Mini, Odyssey, and more, alongside a linear option.
Four Oscillators Per Program for Complex Tones
multi/poly offers four oscillators per Program, providing thick, multi-layered tones. You can choose from three types of oscillators:
Classic oscillators:
These faithfully model traditional analogue waveforms with stunning accuracy. The 11 options include both single and dual waveforms, giving you rich, thick sounds. Front-panel knobs offer control over pulse width, triangle "lean," dual-waveform blending, and more.
Digital oscillators
Play wavetables with up to 64 steps, like vintage hybrid synths or modern Eurorack modules. Start with over 200 factory wavetables or import your own using the Editor/Librarian software for macOS and Windows. You can even import Modwave wavetables or convert wavetables from popular software formats. The 30+ Modifiers allow you to reshape wavetables, while 8 Morph Types (Stretch, Flip, Mirror, etc.) process them in real time.
Waveshaper oscillators
Inspired by West-Coast synthesis, these oscillators take simple waveforms (sine or triangle) and process them through a shaper table, producing dynamic harmonics. Use the Berkeley shaper for traditional wavefolding timbres, or choose from over 90 shaper types for a vast array of tones. The multi/poly also supports modulatable pulse width, adding richness and motion to your sound.
Additionally, the multi/poly includes a noise generator with dedicated filtering and saturation, and a ring modulator with inputs from the oscillators. You can create powerful sounds by leveraging the enhanced sync and x-mod capabilities, which expand on the Mono/Poly's original design. Create unique tones by syncing oscillators 2, 3, and 4 to oscillator 1, or split sync and x-mod into pairs for independent control.
Dual Modelled Filters for Maximum Flexibility
multi/poly's filters are newly redesigned to offer a range of classic and modern options. The multi/poly also includes the MS-20 LP and HP 12dB/octave Korg 35 filters, recreating the aggressive, distinctive sound of the MS-20. For gentler tones, use the SE M/P 2-pole filter, which offers continuous control for sweeping between lowpass, band-reject, and highpass, with a separate bandpass mode. multi/poly's filters support audio-rate modulation, allowing you to modulate filters using any oscillator or the ring modulator for bright, fizzy, and bubbling effects.
M/Poly: A 4-pole self-resonating filter, modelled on the Mono/Poly.
Mini: A ladder filter from a famous American mono-synth, with reduced resonance at low frequencies-perfect for bass.
Pro: From the first programmable polyphonic synthesizer, offering strong resonant sweeps.
Ladder HP/BP: 4-pole self-resonating highpass and bandpass filters.
Use the Drive circuit to add weight or distortion, ranging from subtle thickening to extreme saturation. You can use two filters at once in series or parallel, with each source (oscillators, noise, and ring mod) having its own balance control to crossfade between filters. Modulate the A/B balance for even more creative sound shaping.
The Power of Four
multi/poly's structure allows you to build four Layers, each containing a separate Program. This adds an entirely new dimension of sonic complexity, as you can layer up to four Programs simultaneously in a Performance. These can be used to create massive, multi-layered sounds or creative splits and velocity-triggered variations. Each Program features its own set of oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, and effects, allowing you to craft detailed, evolving performances that change with every key press.
Each Program starts with four oscillators, a noise generator, and both sync and x-mod capabilities. These are processed through two independent filters, providing massive tonal flexibility. For modulation, multi/poly includes four loopable DAHDSR envelopes, five LFOs, and six Mod Processors, allowing you to create detailed and evolving sounds.
Layer Rotate for Evolving Performances
The Layer Rotate feature allows you to cycle through these four Programs with each key press, ensuring dynamic, ever-changing performances. Inspired by the original Mono/Poly's paraphonic mode, Layer Rotate offers endless creative possibilities. You can set the Layers to trigger in random or repeating order and use them in combination with the arpeggiator for complex, mind-bending patterns.
Production-ready Effects
The multi/poly's effects ensure your sounds are polished and ready for the stage or studio. Each layer features three dedicated effects, along with a send to the Performance's master reverb and a master parametric EQ. In addition to standard effects like compressors, EQs, choruses, flangers, phasers, and stereo delays, you'll have access to unique sound-shaping processors such as the Wave Shaper, Talking Modulator, Reverse Delay, and Multiband Mod Delay, as well as the famous Overb from the OASYS and Kronos. multi/poly also includes modelled effects like Vox guitar amps, Vox wah, Vintage Distortion, CX-3 Rotary Speaker and Vibrato/Chorus, multi-head tape echo, and a collection of classic guitar pedals, giving you endless possibilities to shape your sound.
Built to Perform
An instrument that sounds this great deserves to look and feel fantastic, too. The new semi-weighted keybed is smooth and expressive, providing a responsive playing experience, while the knobs offer just the right amount of resistance, perfect for fine-tuning your sounds. The solid aluminium front panel ensures durability, making it road-ready for live performances, while the wooden side-panels and blue-on-black colour scheme are a stylish nod to the original Mono/Poly design. Plus, the multi/poly comes with a custom-made soft case, making it easy to transport and protect your instrument wherever you go.
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