Poly-800II Programmable Polyphonic Synthesizer © 1986 Korg.
The Korg Poly-800 II was an improved version of the original Poly-800 programmable polyphonic synthesizer. Developed by Korg, it retained the 8-voice DCO-based architecture with a shared analog filter but added enhanced digital control features, improved MIDI implementation, and onboard digital effects. It remained a compact, affordable synthesizer aimed at home studios and stage use, offering expanded programmability over the original model while keeping the same core sound engine.
The Poly-800 II keeps the 8-voice DCO architecture with a single global analog filter, giving it a distinctive “shared-filter” sound character.
Compared to the original Poly-800, it adds built-in digital delay effects, significantly expanding its sonic palette.
It features improved MIDI implementation with full SysEx support, making it more suitable for computer-based sequencing setups.
The synthesis engine remains based on digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs) for tuning stability.
It retains the membrane-button parameter editing system, rather than dedicated knobs, keeping production costs low.
It includes an improved step/pattern sequencer, allowing simple phrase-based composition.
Patch memory and editing functions were refined compared to the original Poly-800, improving usability.
It is often considered a “refinement rather than redesign” of the original Poly-800 concept.
The sound is still characterized by a raw, slightly lo-fi analog tone with strong midrange presence due to the shared filter design.
It is fully compatible in spirit with the EX-800 rack version, which shares the same synthesis core.
It remained popular in the mid-1980s for budget home studios, synth-pop, and experimental electronic music.
Modern users often modify both Poly-800 and Poly-800 II units with added knobs and filter upgrades due to the limited original interface.