Budget Analog Vintage: Korg Poly-800 | Is It Worth It?

Today Zach is taking a look at a cool piece of affordable vintage gear-- an all analog, DCO-based paraphonic synth from Korg. The Poly-800 has a voice all its own and has found a place with many synth fans since it's inception decades ago. Take a listen to the demos and let us know what you think-- is it worth it?

0:00 Intro/Specs
7:10 Demos
18:01 Final Thoughts

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[JorbLovesGear]

Hell yeah, cheap stuff, this is my speed 😂

When I covered the EX-800 I felt really similarly, quirks are there but I liked it, especially at the price point. Keep it up!

[yallimsorry]

I really felt everyone’s criticisms when I was looking into this synth, out of more curiosity than anything (I’m too young lol). And I have plenty of great plugins, including the freeware copy of it, so it seemed very not worth

But then we got one in at the music store I work in, and honestly it’s so simple to use, fun, and as hands on as hybrid digital 80s synths get! It’s in this fun weirdo spot where it can sound like a cheesy fun Casio or a classic DCO poly synth ? It even has good presets! It’s way cooler than people think, partly because it’s so quirky and affordable!

[infindebula]

Lots of people dump on the Poly-800, which is good because they are still one of the cheapest vintage synths you can buy. It can't do everything, but it does certain things VERY well. There aren't many aggressive sounds to be had, but it does lovely analog pads, strings, organs, flutey sounds, and tinkly stuff. The complex ADBSSR amp envelope per oscillator makes complex/evolving sounds possible with careful (albeit tedious) programming.

Personally I prefer the Poly-800 II, with its sinister black look, improved envelope curves (much better for struck/plucked/percussive tones), and filthy digital delay with modulation.

Any Poly-800 (or EX-800) is a good way to add a second or third synth to your setup for next to nothing.

[robnewton]

What I found with this synth, (my first synth - which I still have) is it sits in the mix very well. It’s sound doesn’t dominate and overpower a track. Add a few effects and it starts to make sense. I do get the criticisms, but use it in the right way, its a very capable little workhorse with its own voice.

[maciejadamczyk]

It is a lovely synth, very warm and can push your creativity if you get into it. Well recommended. Thank you for the video.

[dianamiino]

This was my first synth back in the eighties, along with the cz-101 (that I still own). I loved it a lot, if I found one that's still good and cheap, I would buy it. It was simple and effective, really not bad for the price, very usable.

[vincentmccormack]

Had a MkII back in the early 90s, it never stayed in tune and I moved it on. Have never missed it.

[rwdplz]

Is it just me or have used synth prices doubled in the past year?!

[dwen]

Lately I was thinking of buying one of these since they are dirt cheap and I'm finally going to go for it. It's not the most versatile synth but it can sound rather nice and also has this vintage charm.

[EuroDJ]

Yee amazing! And also people make Moog Mod ... put potentiometer on panel .. This makes it possible to turn the filter, as on analog synthesizer.

[kevinlangley]

I remember my dad getting one of these when they came out. He was really getting into our church adult choir and taught himself how to read and write music and used it to write original songs for the choir and original Christmas songs as well. I remember he wrote all the music for the Christmas program one year. This little synth was what started my love affair with keyboards. Id sneak in his room when he was gone to work and fool around with it. I messed up one of his patches one day and out of 5 kids( me the youngest) he knew which one did it 🤔. Surprisingly he didn't wear my tail out as bad as i just knew he was going to do. As it was i didnt want to sit down for a little while. Later he got one of casios synths and used it for awhile then in a surprise twist he turned around and gave me the casio and a small amp. I wound up buying a poly800 about 15/16 years ago but never played it much. I think subconsciously i was remembering the butt whooping i got lol. Sorry to ramble but every time i see one of these i think about my dad sitting in his room pouring over his and dozens of music books teaching himself music and patch editing.

[blimolhm]

This synth is underestimated because of its lack of physical controls. I've been collecting such synths as the SCI MAX, Akai AX-73 and using a new device called Electra One which is essentially a screen and 12 pots that can be programmed to control many synths and hundreds of parameters with visual assignments. Now these synths have much better usability and I consider them excellent value for money if you aren't afraid of a bit of solder work every decade or so.

[cvu]

The poly800 has a unique string pad sound, which is very pleasant to hear and play. The big problem or limitation is that it's not touch sensitive.

[lennyg]

Poly800 was my first synth. I had a choice between it and a Casio CZ. I made right choice. Eventually I also got a MkII and a DW8000. It sounds good, the DCO's and envelopes are quite impressive, filter and LFO are basic, and the paraphony is not bothersome, until you play a better synth, and then Poly800 loses its charm. Yeah, that UI is bad, but if it had sliders and knobs it would cost a lot more. Still, joystick, strap pegs, and if you're lucky, a reverse color keyboard, and you are the coolest keytar player!

[SacSynths_Jack_Z]

I quite like the Poly-800, I own an EX-800. It can sound pretty thin in 8 voice mode, but its raw tone is pleasing to my ear. I actually like to use mine in a pair with my Poly-61. They are both DCO based, have a mono out, and sound similar. I just pan one 60% left and the other 60% right and make a "samish" patch on each. As you mentioned, the poly-800 is paraphonic, but with an appropriate playing style, they can sound HUGE together! Incredible bang for the buck too as you can acquire both for about $1000.
Thanks for sharing!

[OllieA]

Was a great synth the gig with as lightweight but still analogue and warm

[carloside]

Between 1985 and 1989 it appeared on all Death in June albums. In fact, many of the sounds present in this video appear in the songs produced during those years.

[hotfirecaster]

Really one of my favorite channel! Thanks for all these synths videos.

[RayyMusik]

Me, owning a Polysix in the early 80s:
(Poly-61 is released) “Nah, DCOs and a terrible UI“.
(Poly-800 is released) “WTF? Paraphonic? And Korg establishing the bad habit to build poly synths with less than 5 octaves? Nah!“
My next synth was a D-50.

[rhill]

Adjusted for inflation, $799=$2190 in todays dollars. Let that sink in. IMO, the best value in vintage analog poly synths is the JX-8P. To my ears, sounds so much better any Poly 61 or Poly 800. And they are fairly reliable.