Is It Worth It?: Korg PolySix & Korg MonoPoly

Today, Zach takes on two sister synthesizers-- the Korg PolySix and MonoPoly. These vintage analog synthesizers were produced in the early 1980's as budget alternatives to the massively successful analog polyphonic synths from manufacturers like Roland and Prophet. While their sounds hold their own, there are several drawbacks when considering these synths value in today's market. Take a look and a listen to Zach's evaluation and playing demos and let us know if you think they're still worth it!

0:00 - Intro
1:10 - History
15:52 - Demos
56:15 - Wrapping Up

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#korgsynthesizers #korgpolysix #korgmonopoly

[MarkGardnerBonnie]

Thank you... I have a PolySix I bought new in 1981. It has been sitting in my closet for a very long time as several keys did not play. After watching your video I contacted Audio Electronics in Dallas to ask them to go through the beast and make her new again... thanks again!

[epicon]

57:23 I sold my MonoPoly and original 1979 MS-20 because i didn't want to bother servicing them and i enjoyed the Korg Collection VSTs so much.
Especially the Monopoly vst is one of the best sounding vst instruments to my ear. It's one of the few analog vst recreations i spend full afternoons just admiring the sound.

Sometimes i miss the originals but at this point i'm too in love with knob automations in DAWs and being able to save sound.

[melodikmusic]

I have the pair of these and I really believe that they need to be together as they are really different beasts. I call them “the twins.” 😂 Great video as always!

[coyotegeek]

An interesting modern alternative to the Polysix is actually the Dreadbox Nymphes. I know a lot of people have likened it to the Junos, but it actually uses the modern SSI versions of the same VCO, VCF, and VCA chips as are in the Polysix. The Nymphes lacks the chorus of the Polysix, but I'd say it's easy enough to get a pedal or other external chorus, and you get the benefit of MIDI, compact size, and great build quality for a very low price.

[spazkong]

We had trouble deciding. No problem, take your time :)

[RayyMusik]

Sweet memories! The Polysix was my first poly synth, i.e. the first I could afford. Not on the experimental side of things, but with a great basic sound for bread & butter patches thanks to its VCOs. I always preferred it to its rival, the Juno-60.
P.S.: I never had to tune individual oscillators!

[youcantno]

Got both and they’re midi kit fitted too, but would use any of those kiwi or tubetec mods on them.

[Bikewithlove]

$4, 000 is way too much money for a used Mono/Poly. Behringer did us Korg fans a solid with the reissue. It’s very well built, with an updated I/O - all the old ones plus MIDI in/out/thru, and USB. I had the Korg for 20 years - it’s my favorite synth. Behringer knocked it out of the park - for less than $500 ☕️

[ParanormalLight]

I love my Monopoly..such a cool synth.

[johnmcevoy]

If either of these got bumped a bit too hard or got a little too cold, it went out of tune, and required pro tuning.

[SeventhWardMusic]

I'd like to see you do a video on the Korg Prologue vs the Poly-Six

[yktimoi]

If you buy a patch library get the Behringer Monopoly because it’s great but hard to use if you don’t know what knobs to turn.

[VincentPresley]

The Korg Mono/Poly is my favorite Korg and in my list of best synths ever made. I find the Polysix pretty boring. I have an SH7, Multimoog, Polymoog, CS40m, white face Odyssey, etc etc and the Mono/Poly stands out. You couldn't pay me to use that Behringer "clone", I bought 5 of their synths last year and they all came with faulty switches or jacks and the most unstable oscillators I ever heard.

[spinach]

The battery Problem took out a lot of Poly-Six (es) But I heard there is a replacement board to repair the damage. The Six was never sold with MIDI, but there are upgrade kits. It was replaced by the Poly-61 and then the Poly-61M ( with Midi)

[jameshhenderson]

The Roland Juno 106 original release price in 1983 $1095.00.

[audiolego]

Wowww I now have a chance to own the Behringer Monopoly because it sounds like it's perfect for Rave Techno Detroit House. I did promise my B2600 would be my last synth. I'll have to stick to my promise

[ScottS]

I have both of these instruments, I have never had to do any maintenance in 35 years, aside from having the battery replaced in the poly six, and a little pot cleaning. Also sorry, but you made both of these synths sound absolutely awful on your video, they both sound way better than that. I have had a large amount of analog synths and I always go to the poly six, sounds amazing, no tuning issues ever

[jameshhenderson]

Roland Juno 60 was $1795.00 when it was released in 1982.

[joshuahelmeke]

Neither of these models have a bad sound. Jorge has always been its own beast when it comes to synthesis. The Trident, and these two here are the way to go. I’d say the Trident is more of a Prophet clone than the Polysix, though.

[ParanormalLight]

Korg considered the Monopoly, an experimental synth at the time, I've read. It was only made for about 3 years, because the Polysix, soon replaced it.