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Korg / Synthesizers

Poly-800

1983–1987

The Korg Poly-800 is an 8-voice analog synthesizer released by Korg in 1983. Its initial list price of $795 made it the first fully programmable polyphonic synthesizer that sold for less than $1,000. It was designed for portability, featuring battery power and a lightweight design that allowed the user to play with it strapped around their neck. It utilized digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs), and was a paraphonic synth with a single filter shared between its eight voices.

Overview

Korg's Poly-800, released in 1983, was their first synthesizer to sell over 100,000 units. This affordable eight-voice polyphonic instrument featured battery power, built-in speakers, and a compact design that made synthesis portable. The Poly-800 brought programmable analog synthesis to an unprecedented low price.

The instrument used digital-controlled oscillators for tuning stability, a single filter per voice, and basic envelope generators. The 49-key keyboard and cassette storage for patches reflected its budget positioning. Despite limitations, the Poly-800 delivered genuine analog polyphony where competitors offered only monophonic instruments.

The Poly-800 introduced countless musicians to synthesizer programming. Its ex-800 rackmount variant and various iterations extended the product line through the 1980s. The instrument remains popular among collectors for its historical significance and surprisingly capable sound.

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