Polymoog
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| Polymoog & Polymoog Keyboard by Moog Music |
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| Synthesis type: | Analog subtractive | ||
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| Polyphony: | 71 (Maximum range of keyboard) | ||
| Oscillators: | 2 VCOs | ||
| Multitimbral: | no | ||
| VCF: | Low-pass filter, high-pass filter |
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| VCA: | 1 | ||
| LFO: | 1 (Polymoog only) | ||
| Keyboard: | 71 keys, velocity, split | ||
| External control: | CV/gate | ||
| Memory: | 8 presets (Polymoog) 14 presets (Polymoog Keyboard) |
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| Onboard effects: | 3-band EQ | ||
| Produced: | 1975 - 1980 (Polymoog) 1978 - 1980 (Polymoog Keyboard) |
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| Original price: | $5295 | ||
The Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Moog Music from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on divide-down oscillator technology not dissimilar to organs and string synthesizers of the time, and this led to a certain lack of flexibility compared to later polyphonic synthesizers such as the Yamaha CS-80 and the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. The polyphonic moog has velocity sensitive keys. Coupled with a reputation for unreliabilty due to its overly-complex design and fragile construction, the Polymoog quickly became outclassed and even derided in many circles. Nevertheless both versions are capable of making some unique and exceedingly powerful sounds and they should not be dismissed.
The name Polymoog can either refer to the original Polymoog Synthesizer (model 203A) or the largely pre-set Polymoog Keyboard (model 280A) released in 1978. Confusingly, the 203a was originally badged Polymoog Keyboard but this was changed to Polymoog Synthesizer and the Polymoog Keyboard name transferred to the 280a.
The Polymoog features a 71-note, touch-sensitive keyboard divided into three sections with a volume slider for each. The synthesizer also has a 3-band graphic EQ section and a filter modulation section, allowing it to be modulated by its own LFO and sample and hold. Although the user can adjust the sounds of the instrument, the synthesizer also offers presets named "strings", "piano", "organ", "harpsichord", "funk", "clav", "vibes", and "brass". A separate foot pedal unit known as the Polypedals (model 285a) was manufactured to allow the user to switch between single and multiple triggering and to control the pitch, filter, and sustain parameters.
Although criticised by many for its limited programmability, the Polymoog was vastly successful, and its unlimited polyphony was considered revolutionary upon its initial release. Gary Numan, one of the first successful popular music artists to feature a synthesizer prominently on his records, was also one of the Polymoog's most recognizeable and prominent users employing both versions, most recognisably the Vox Humana preset from the 280a. This searing string sound, especially prominent on the track 'Cars' and most of the album 'The Pleasure Principle', became his signature sound in the late 1970's and early 1980s. (To re-create this sound you must use the 'Direct' output on the Keyboard to bypass the filter section.) A Polymoog is featured prominently in his music video for "Cars" as well as in live footage from his performances on Top Of The Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test
The Polymoog Keyboard is a stripped-down version of the Polymoog, although the two are nearly identical in appearance. Most noticeably, half of the control panel is removed, giving the user much less control of the sounds. The Polymoog Keyboard features more presets than its predecessor: "vox humana", "string 1", "string 2", "electric piano", "piano", "honky tonky", "clav", "harpsi", "brass", "chorus brass", "pipe organ", "rock organ", "vibes", and "funk". The low-pass filter is also gone.
