Tempted by the Polysix

[Scories]

Hello. I am quite tempted by the Korg Polysix. I really love to get some mysterious sounds reminescent to the 70's (moody, dirty, warm, smooth...).

Recently, I got a JX-3P and I found it to be quite excellent and much more retro-sounding than expected. I also have some other vintage-sounding synths such as the SEM and the SH-1000, a few VA's and a some effect units.
However, I don't need a lot of synths as I do a lot of multitracking from improvised jamming sessions and I don't like to get too many gear in my studio. I also like to use other sound sources than just synths.

I'm wondering if the Polysix would really bring something new and necessary into my setup.

Thanks.

[CfNorENa]

Hello. I am quite tempted by the Korg Polysix. I really love to get some mysterious sounds reminescent to the 70's (moody, dirty, warm, smooth...).

Polysix does moody and warm 70s really, really well. To me, it often sounds like it's coming straight out of Boards of Canada. Especially with the on board ensemble effect, it can sound a lot like a classic 70s string machine (which I've never played myself, I should note -- just going off what I've heard on demos).

I'm wondering if the Polysix would really bring something new and necessary into my setup.

It will definitely bring something new. Its (discrete) VCO through SSM filter really is beautiful -- and relatively inexpensive, too, if you consider that the next level up for SSM machines, the Trident, is considerably more expensive (not to mention the rev 1 and 2 Prophet 5s, which are serious $$).

Whether you really "need" it is hard to say. Perhaps you could pick one up, and then if you want to streamline your setup, you could choose between the Polysix and the JX-3P.

And since everyone else will want to mention this, I'll just go ahead and remind you about the chronic battery problem. If you go for a Polysix, you MUST make sure that the battery has been replaced, AND that there is no permanent damage to the circuit boards (from battery leakage).

Bottom line: Polysix is a great synth, and the prices are on the rise, so if you want to jump on board, this is the time to do it!

[Scories]

Anything that has the BoC sound is welcome in my studio!

That must be the type of sound I was struggling to create when I had a Juno6. I guess a JX-3P+Polysix would be a nice poly-combo.

[CfNorENa]

Anything that has the BoC sound is welcome in my studio!

That must be the type of sound I was struggling to create when I had a Juno6. I guess a JX-3P+Polysix would be a nice poly-combo.

Yes, that'd be very nice.

Another possibility -- just to open up a big can of worms! -- would be a Prophet 600 (which would cost about the same as a JX-3P + Polysix). It does "dark" and "moody" exceptionally well. I had one for a couple of months and loved it, but ended up trading it for a Pro-One. I recently picked up an OB-8, and as much as I love it, I don't think it is twice as good as a Prophet 600 (but it IS twice the price). And indeed, for dark, growling, heavy filter sweeps etc., I think the P600 is superior. Dual CEM VCOs with polymod: an amazing value for about $1K.

[THEODICY]

I have both and use them pretty much as my main boards right now. They have a different sound for sure. The Polysix sound soars with beauty and depth. When I play the Polysix for a while and then switch over to the Jx-3p, I sometimes tend to dislike it's sound right off the bat but usually it's just because I just went through a sonic journey with that SSM and VCO sound. However, once I get into the Jx-3p for a little bit, it starts to come through and compliment the Polysix. I like using strings and pads and melodic stuff with the Polysix, then use the Jx-3p for layering over basslines or cutting sequences and sometimes pads and strings. Both can be pretty epic. I find it difficult to go from a Polysix pad to a Jx-3p pad or string since they tend to have such a different vibe going so it takes some care to balance things, but they do compliment each other quite nicely once you find the balance.

My polysix is retrofitted with midi. It was a very easy install and came out looking very clean. I also have the PG200.

[Pro5]

One of my pet subjects (JX-3P and Polysix Combo).

2 Great synths, one more under rated than the other (can you guess which?) and the combo has always been more interesting to me than any of the Junos I own (or owned), not to say a Juno is a bad synth - may be nice to keep one around for 'sweetner' (My prefered one is the supposedly black sheep of the family AJuno sound as it has more interesting options open to it and my 3P/P6 do more than enough on the vintage analog side). As I was once like you (A Juno 6 owner) I can say I'm more happy with my p6/3p combo, maybe you will be too.

AX80 is also a dark, mysterious synth (With outboard effects of course) - kinda more powerful than 3P and P6 on it's own (in spec if not immediately in sound) but if you have a 3P I'd say the P6 is a better addition than the AX80 and the filters on the P6 are hard to beat in that price range!

If you had neither and wanted a more versatile all in one then the AX80 would get you close as it does decent bass and has a more vintage weirdness than the 3P but can also do bell type stuff and has the Dual Osc thing of the 3P (+ PWM +sub osc), and can even do a kinda-moogish-impression if you work with it. It is like a P6/3P combo in one synth in some ways but maybe the combo beats it in overall distinct sounds available. As you do have a 3P, I know I wouldn't want to be without it, so a P6 add on is a no brainer. Probably all the analog polysynth you'll need until you move up to the Super Synths (Prophets/Jupiters that most of us can't buy anyway)

And yeah, make sure you CONFIRM with the seller that the battery has been swapped and the board fully fixed esp if at market price. Don't buy one with original battery just cos the seller says it 'looks' OK it's bound to have caused some problems by now, better to buy one pre-fixed (unless you are confident in fixing it and it can be easy or hard depending on extent of damage, I've fixed 2 and they were worth it - still have 2 here in fact but not selling the 2nd one just yet in case this one goes pop)

[Scories]

Thanks a lot for the helpful answers. The P6 seems like a synths I'd like to play with. A JX-3P for more complex [and often weird] sounds, and a Polysix for simple bubbly pads and deep vibes.
There was a few one being sold under the 500$ tag. There's an other one w. MIDI being sold around 1k. It's quite hard to know the right price for this one. I whish I could find one around 500$. I know it's possible, but I have to be patient I guess...

The Prophet 600 is a good option. I'll keep an eye on it if it pops up on my local Kijiji. But I think that I'll stick with my first choice, even if it might be a better synth overall.

The AX-80 is an other enexpected option. Is it as good as the Polysix for immersive vintage pads à la Boards of Canada?

[Pro5]

The AX-80 is an other enexpected option. Is it as good as the Polysix for immersive vintage pads à la Boards of Canada?

Hmm, well it's a lot more advanced 3LFOs, 2Oscs+sub, 2Envs - whack it through some effects and it can do a lot. It takes a lot more work though, the polysix is just a fun instrument and the filter is 'nicer' sounding (some may prefer the more aggressive AX80 filter?). If you want to do drones and atmospheres they can both do them but the AX80 would have more variety for sure, polysix would be instantly more fun and sound warmer/thicker (in unison especially ), strings wise I think the Polysix would win easily can sound a bit like a string machine or better. AX80 isn't so strong at 'warm strings' imo.

Some great sounds on this Polysix Demo (not mine) - shows really why it's far more interesting than a Juno!




you have the 3P though which can do quite a bit of what the AX80 can and sounds a bit sweeter, AX80 is.... weird (In a good way) it depends how weird you want to get.

I think I read somewhere the AX80 sounds a bit like the P600 (It has CEM family filters) but not VCO so I doubt it sounds quite as good?? AX80 are fairly rare and hard to find (though quite bullet proof) so you probably have more chance of finding a P6 repaired than an AX80 so probably best you focus on that, P6 is a real nice synth just a bit limited (but not imo as much as a Juno 6) but that's part of it's appeal, it's to the point and hands on fun and gets you in the zone fast. Sometimes that's more important than ultimate feature set.

If I get chance I'll post some (sound demo only) clips of my AX80 / 3P / Polysix in random/ambient use (with effects as you do) it could give you an idea of the differences in sound (especially alongside the 3P).

Edit > If you are not adverse to a little VA the AN1x may be worth checking out