Polysix for Reason uses Korg's proprietary CMT (Component Modeling Technology) to precisely model the electronic circuitry of the original analog instruments, capturing the exact sound and parameter response of the originals.
In addition to faithfully replicating the sound of the original, the Polysix for Reason also adds enhancements such as 32-voice polyphony (max), up to 16-voice unison (with detune/spread function), flexible external modulation settings, MIDI clock synchronization, and a spread function that adjusts the spaciousness of the effects. This neoteric functionality brings the classic Polysix up to date for use in modern music production.
The Polysix programmable six-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer was introduced in 1981. With a full-sounding voice structure, chorus/ phase/ ensemble effects and performance functions such as chord memory, arpeggiator, and unison, the Polysix became a world-wide hit. Its distinctive string and pad sounds have been used on countless records through the years and are still go-to sounds for musicians today.
The interface provides reorganized knobs and switches that resurrect the Polysix in a contemporary "rack-mountable" form for even more intuitive operation and sound-creating versatility.
For details on the Polysix’s original parameters and patching, refer to the “Polysix Owner’s Manual” and “Polysix Setting Charts”, in addition to the explanations on the following pages.
VIBRATO INT [0-10] - Adjusts the depth of modulation applied to the VCO pitch from the modulation wheel.
OCTAVE [16’, 8’, 4’] - Switches the octave.
WAVEFORM [ SAW, PW, PWM] - Selects the oscillator waveform.
PW/PWM [0-10] - Adjusts the pulse width of the waveform when PW or PWM is selected as the “WAVEFORM.”
PWM SPEED [0-10] - Adjusts the speed of pulse width modulation when PWM is selected as the “WAVEFORM.”
SUB OSC [OFF, 1OCT, 2OCT] - Sets the octave of the sub-oscillator.
CUTOFF [0-10] - Adjusts the cutoff frequency of the filter.
RESONANCE [0-10] - Boosts the region near the cutoff frequency. When this knob is at or near the maximum setting, the filter will self-oscillate.
EG INTENSITY [-5-+5] - Specifies the depth and direction to which the EG will affect the cutoff frequency.
KBD TRACK [0-150] - Adjusts the depth to which the cutoff frequency will change according to the pitch of the note that is input. With a setting of 100, the change in cutoff frequency will be proportionate to the change in pitch.
MODE [EG, GATE] - Select the envelope source that will produce time-variant change in the volume.
ATTENUATOR [-10-+10] - Adjusts the volume of the program.
ATTACK [0-10] - Adjusts the time from note-on until the attack level is reached.
DECAY [0-10] - Adjusts the time over which the level changes from the attack level to the sustain level.
SUSTAIN [0-10] - Adjusts the sustain level.
RELEASE [0-10] - Adjusts the time over which the level falls from the sustain level to zero following note-off.
PAN [-5-0-+5 (L-C-R)] - Adjusts the panning of the Polysix’s output.
VOLUME [0-10] - Adjusts the Polysix’s output level.
TEMPO SYNC [ON, OFF] - If this is ON, the MG (Modulation Generator) will synchronize to the tempo of the host application.
KEY SYNC [ON, OFF] - If this setting is ON, the phase of the MG (Modulation Generator) will be reset at each note-on.
BASE NOTE [1/1-1/32] - If “TEMPO SYNC” is ON, one cycle of the MG will equal the note value you select for “BASE NOTE” (at the synchronized tempo) multiplied by the “TIMES” specified by the “FREQUENCY” knob. If “TEMPO SYNC” is OFF, this parameter does nothing.
FREQUENCY [0-10/1-16] - If “TEMPO SYNC” is ON, this setting specifies the cycle of the MG in conjunction with “BASE NOTE.” If “TEMPO SYNC” is OFF, this adjusts the frequency of the MG.
DELAY [0-10] - Adjusts the time from note-on until the MG is applied.
LEVEL [0-10] - Adjusts the depth of the effect produced by the MG.
MODE [VCO, VCF, VCA] - Selects the module to which the MG will be applied.
ON/OFF [ON, OFF] - Switches the arpeggiator on/off.
KEY SYNC [ON, OFF] - If this setting is ON, the arpeggiator will be reset at each note-on.
TEMPO [ON, OFF] - If this is ON, the arpeggiator will synchronize to the tempo of the host application.
BASE NOTE [1/1-1/32] - This determines the resolution of the arpeggio pattern when “TEMPO SYNC” is ON. If “TEMPO SYNC” is ON, one cycle of the arpeggio pattern will equal the note value you select for “BASE NOTE” (at the synchronized tempo) multiplied by the “TIMES” specified by the “SPEED/TIMES” knob. If “TEMPO SYNC” is OFF, this parameter does nothing.
SPEED/TIMES [0-10/1-16] - If “TEMPO SYNC” is ON, this setting in conjunction with “BASE NOTE” will specify the cycle length of the arpeggio pattern. If “TEMPO SYNC” is OFF, this adjusts the speed of the arpeggiator pattern playback.
RANGE [FULL, 2OCT, 1OCT] - Specifies the range in which the arpeggiator will play the pattern.
MODE [UP, DOWN, UP/DOWN] - Selects the pattern that the arpeggiator will play.
LATCH [ON, OFF] - Specifies whether the arpeggiator will continue playing even after note-off occurs.
BEND RANGE [0-12 (0-1oct)] - Specifies the amount of pitch change that will occur when you operate the pitch bender of a MIDI device connected to your computer. This setting specifies the pitch change that will occur when the pitch bender is operated all the way in the positive (+) direction.
TRANSPOSE [-24-+24 (-2oct-+2oct)] - Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator in steps of one semitone (100 cents). The range of adjustment is ±2 octaves.
TUNE [-5-+5 (-100cent-+100cent)] - Adjusts the pitch of the oscillator in steps of one cent. The range of adjustment is ±100 cents.
HOLD [ON, OFF] - If this is ON, notes will be held following note-on.
UNISON [ON, OFF] - Makes the Polysix play in Unison mode.
POLY [ON, OFF] - Makes the Polysix play polyphonically. If either ”UNISON” or “POLY” is turned on, the other will be turned off.
VOICES TOTAL [01-32] - Specifies the maximum polyphony.
VOICES UNISON [01-16] - Specifies the number of unison voices used when playing polyphonically. The maximum polyphony when playing polyphonically depends on “VOICES TOTAL” and “VOICES UNISON.” The actual maximum polyphony will be the “VOICES TOTAL” value divided by the “VOICES UNISON” value.
UNISON DETUNE [0-10] - Specifies the detuning (pitch difference) between simultaneously-sounded voices when you use “UNISON” to play multiple voices in unison. This parameter does nothing if “UNISON” is set to 1 (a single voice).
UNISON SPREAD [0-10] - Spreads the voices between the left and right channels when you use “UNISON” to play multiple voices in unison. If the “UNISON” setting is odd-numbered, only one voice will be located in the center.
ANALOG [0-10] - Controls the amount of randomness applied to the oscillator pitch and the filter cutoff frequency at each note-on.
MODE [OFF, CHORUS, PHASE, ENSEMBLE] - Switches the effect mode. Choose from chorus, phase, and ensemble.
SPREAD [0-10] - Adjusts the width to which the effect sound will be panned.
SPEED/INTENSITY [0-10] - Adjusts the speed and intensity of the effect. If “MODE” is set to chorus or phase, this adjusts the speed. If ensemble is selected, this adjusts the depth.
SOURCE1, SOURCE2[None, Velocity, KBD Track, Aftertouch, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, CV1, CV2] - Specifies the modulation sources that will be used for External Modulation.
EXTERNAL MODULATION 1, EXTERNAL MODULATION 2 - The modulation sources you select for “SOURCE 1” and “SOURCE 2” will modulate the following parameters.
VCO PULSE WIDTH [-5-+5] - Specifies the depth and direction of the modulation applied to the oscillator (VCO) “PW/PWM.”
VCF CUTOFF [-5-+5] - Specifies the depth and direction of the modulation applied to the filter (VCF) “CUTOFF.”
VCA GAIN [-5-+5] - Specifies the depth and direction of the modulation applied to the amp (VCA).
MG LEVEL [-5-+5] - Specifies the depth and direction of the modulation applied to the MG (Modulation Generator) “LEVEL.”