KORG POLY800 MKII 'POLYBEAST'
MODS: £90 (installed)
The Korg Poly800 mkII is more or less exactly the same machine as the mkI version but with the addition of a basic analogue delay line and a slightly better MIDI spec. It also has a memory backup battery as standard but bear in mind that if it has never been replaced then its probably completely dead and possibly corroding the circuitboard with leaking acid by now.
Our Poly800 mkII mods are exactly the same as the mods for the mkI but with three additions:
Delay Feedback Knob: Controls the amount of delay feedback from a couple of repeats to a maximum well over 100% for those building dub delay effects that get louder and louder before finally decaying into a mess of distortion. This control works relative to the actual delay feedback setting parameter programmed with the sound.
Delay Time Knob: Surprisingly this controls the delay time but can also be used in conjunction with the feedback knob to create surges of sound or in realtime to create swept echos and loops as with any analogue delay. Again, this control works relative to the actual delay time setting parameter programmed with the sound.
External Audio Path Switch: This switch sends the audio from the external input via the DCO1 or DCO2 signal path. It doesn't respond that well to the envelopes due to a rather strange VCA setup implemented by Korg, but you can treat the audio as either DCO1 or 2, or just running alongside one of the DCO's
Click below for mp3 demos of these mods from both a Poly800 and an EX800.
Additional demos to demonstrate the Delay control effects are coming soon
Korg Poly800 mkII backup battery replacement.
If your machine has a backup battery but it still loses its memory the chances are that the battery is well beyond its reasonable lifespan and is completely dead. For £10 we can replace the backup battery in a battery holder that allows for easy replacement in the future. if it has never been replaced then it could possibly be corroding the circuitboard with leaking acid by now so we would recommened getting it done.
If you want your POLY800 mkII modded get in touch using the CONTACT form.