Korg Poly-61 (1982-1984) Synthesizer

The Poly-61 was Korg's follow-up to the Polysix. It is a six-voice analog polysynth built around digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs), with two DCOs per voice and a voltage-controlled low-pass filter. The service manual lists a 61-key C-to-C keyboard, joystick pitch bend (max ±700 cents), and a tape interface for saving and loading patches via cassette. It carried 64 programs with parameter editing, chord memory, and a variable-octave arpeggiator. The original had no MIDI. That came later via the Poly-61M and its KLM-509 MIDI retrofit board.

Period coverage was warm. Polyphony (June 1983, p.41) called it the best dual-oscillator six-note polyphonic keyboard for the money, citing the two DCOs per note, chord memory, variable octave arpeggiator, programmable release pedal, and 64 programs, at a list price of $1,495. Mix (November 1983, p.90) described it as a versatile, user-friendly six-voice poly with sophisticated performance features and a range of warm, useful voicings at a low list price. Polyphony (June 1983, p.41) also cautioned Polysix owners against selling up, since there was a considerable difference in sound.

Known specs, drawn from the service manual and period listings:

6-voice polyphony, 2 DCOs per voice
61 keys (C–C)
VCF: cutoff 0–63, resonance 0–7, keyboard tracking off/full
DCO2 interval: unison, minor 3rd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th; detune 1–6 (max 50 cents)
Tune ±100 cents; joystick pitch bend max ±700 cents
64 programs; cassette tape interface for load/verify/cancel
List price $1,495 at launch

Documentation on the Poly-61 is decent by vintage-synth standards. The service manual survives, as does the Poly-61M MIDI retrofit documentation. Beyond the period ads and reviews, though, the historical record is thin. It sat in the same 1983 market as the Roland JX-3P and Juno 60,