Released in 1981, the Korg PolySix was one of the first genuinely accessible programmable analogue polysynths, arriving alongside instruments like the Roland Juno-6 at a time when flagship polyphonic synthesizers such as the Prophet-5, Oberheim OB-Xa, and Roland Jupiter-8 remained financially out of reach for many musicians.

While its appearance shares some visual DNA with the Mono/Poly, the PolySix introduced a very different architecture focused on immediacy, warmth, and practical programmability. With six voices of polyphony, 32 patch memories, built-in modulation effects, and a straightforward hands-on layout, it quickly became a favourite for lush pads, analogue strings, brassy chords, and massive unison leads.

At the core of the PolySix is a fully analogue voice structure with rich, warm VCOs that tend to sound softer and more rounded than many contemporaries. Combined with the onboard Chorus, Phaser, and Ensemble effects, the synth is capable of huge stereo textures and unmistakably early-80s analogue character.

The Ensemble effect in particular became one of the PolySix's defining features, producing wide, animated string textures strongly associated with vintage Mellotron-style sounds and classic synth pop arrangements.

Classic Analogue Polyphony

The PolySix features:

• 6 voices of analogue polyphony
• Fully analogue VCO architecture
• Programmable patch memory
• Built-in modulation effects
• Performance-oriented controls
• Unison mode
• Arpeggiator with chord memory functions

At a time when patch memory itself was still considered a premium feature, the ability to store and instantly recall 32 sounds made the PolySix especially practical for live performance and studio use.

Built-In Effects

Unlike many earlier polysynths that relied on external processing, the PolySix integrated several modulation effects directly into the instrument.

Effects include:

• Chorus
• Phaser
• Ensemble

These effects play a major role in the instrument's signature sound, particularly:

• Wide analogue pads
• Vintage string textures
• Brassy synth stabs
• Swirling modulation tones

The Ensemble mode remains especially sought after for its thick, animated character.

Unison & Arpeggiator

Like the Mono/Poly, the PolySix can stack all six oscillators together in Unison mode for extremely large monophonic lead and bass sounds.

The onboard arpeggiator includes chord memory functionality, allowing chord shapes to be sequenced and transposed across the keyboard for evolving rhythmic and harmonic patterns.

Vintage Character

Compared to many later digitally controlled analogue synthesizers, the PolySix is often appreciated for:

• Warm VCO behaviour
• Softer top-end response
• Rich ensemble textures
• Immediate programming workflow
• Organic analogue drift and movement

Its tonal character sits somewhere between lush polysynth and vintage string machine, while still retaining the ability to produce aggressive unison leads and classic analogue basses.

Features

• Vintage 6-voice analogue polysynth
• Programmable patch memory
• 32 memory locations
• Fully analogue VCO voice architecture
• Built-in Chorus, Phaser, and Ensemble effects
• Unison mode
• Arpeggiator with chord memory
• Cassette patch backup system
• Hands-on control layout
• Warm, brassy analogue tone
• Famous ensemble string textures

Designed For

• Vintage analogue synthesis
• Synthwave and synth pop
• Ambient and soundtrack work
• Analogue string textures
• Classic unison leads
• Early electronic music production
• Vintage studio and live setups

Includes flight case (rough condition, approx 15kg). Serviced in 2026 at Logitronoics.

Found Sound Australia Pty Ltd.
110 Albert St
Brunswick East, VIC 3057
Australia