Korg PE-2000 (1976)
The Korg PE-2000, also known as the Polyphonic Ensemble S, is a fully analog, 48-voice polyphonic preset synthesizer from 1976. It was positioned as a companion to the PE-1000. The PE-2000 used three detunable divide-down generators with individual modulation oscillators plus a built-in phaser, which gave it a richer sound than the PE-1000. Each key carries three oscillators, so there are 144 oscillators under the hood.
It has four main presets - strings, choir, brass and organ - and sound-shaping tools like filters, envelopes and modulation controls. The analog phase shifter was newly developed for this unit. The keyboard spans 48 keys. The unit weighs 34.5 lbs. (the case lid adds another 12), so it is not a lightweight instrument.
There is a small visual quirk to watch for if you are hunting one down. Early production units have knobs with white scales, while later units use the MS-20-style knobs. Earlier models also labeled the first two presets "Reed" and "Wind." Sources differ on the exact production year - some say 1976, others 1978 - though the earlier date is the one most commonly cited.
The PE-2000 ended up with some notable players, including Jean-Michel Jarre, Herbie Hancock, Gary Numan, and Thom Yorke. A free software emulation by Full Bucket Music exists, and there is at least one documented DIY project on GitHub that attempts to add MIDI in/out to the original hardware.
The record does not contain an original list price or detailed audio specs. The unit commands a considerable price on the vintage market today, but no one seems to have recorded how many were made.
Known Specs
- Fully analog, 48-voice polyphonic preset synthesizer
- 48 keys
- 3 oscillators per key (144 total), divide-down architecture
- 4 presets: strings, choir, brass, organ
- Built-in analog phaser
- Weight: 34.5 lbs. (case lid adds 12 lbs.)
- Made in Japan
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