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# Korgs I've Owned Part 9 -- multi/poly: analog modeling synthesizer
- URL: https://gerenm.mymagic.page/korgs-ive-owned-part-9-multi-poly-analog-modeling-synthesizer/
- Published: 2024-11-23T15:18:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-30T20:27:19.000Z
- Author: Geren Mortensen
- Tags: Music, Korg, multi/poly, #Migrated-1790799853699, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-09-30 16:24

Korg #9 entered the studio this week. That's not to say I have nine Korgs in the studio now, but it's the ninth Korg I've purchased. The multi/poly is an extremely capable analog modeling synthesizer built in the same spirit as the wavestate, modwave, opsix, and King Korg NEO.

[![](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/content/images/2026/09/img_3061-jpeg.jpg)](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/content/images/2026/09/img%5F3061-scaled-jpeg.jpg)

Korg multi/poly analog modeling synthesizer

Korg positions the multi/poly, in part, as an homage to their ground-breaking mono/poly analog synthesizer from the early '80s. The mono/poly was unique for its time in that it had 4 oscillators that could either be stacked for a really huge monophonic sound, or used to achieve four notes of polyphony in an arangement that now would be referred to as "paraphonic". Also unique to the mono/poly was an ability of the arpeggiator to cycle through the oscillators as it ran through its pattern, allowing for interesting, shifting timbres.

![](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/content/images/2026/09/korg-multi-poly-flow.png)

Korg multi/poly architecture

To my mind, Korg built the multi/poly to be what [Roland's GAIA 2](https://gerenm.mymagic.page/2-gaias-some-thoughts-on-rolands-new-gaia-2-synth/) should and could have been and then some, by combining the best properties of modwave and some from wavestate with a new modeled analog synth engine. The multi/poly layers four complete polyphonic multi-mode synths into each patch (called performances by Korg), and each of those synths, or "programs", feature four oscillators, a noise source, a ring modulator, two filters, a complete 64-step sequencer with four modulation lanes, four envelopes, five LFOs, three key trackers, four modulation processors, an amp with drive, and effects. The four layers are mixed into a common reverb and parametric EQ, and any or all of the layers can be played through a common arpeggiator.

Like the wavestate, each layer can be assigned to the local keyboard and/or played individually via MIDI, effectively allowing the multi/poly to act as a four-part multi-timbral synth.

I presented a live "first impressions" video, which is linked below, as well as my usual playlist of related videos.