# Polymoog

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Synthesizer model manufactured by Moog Music

Polymoog and Polymoog Keyboard Polymoog Synthesizer 203a Manufacturer Moog Music Dates 1975–80 (Polymoog) 1978–80 (Polymoog Keyboard) Price $5295 (Polymoog Synthesizer) $3995 (Polymoog Keyboard)[1] Technical specifications Polyphony 71 (Maximum range of keyboard) Timbrality Monotimbral Oscillator 2 VCOs LFO 4 Synthesis type Analog Subtractive Filter Low-pass filter, high-pass filter Attenuator 1 Storage memory 8 presets (Polymoog) 14 presets (Polymoog Keyboard) Effects 3-band EQ Input/output Keyboard 71 keys, velocity, split External control CV/gate

[Polymoog 280a Vox Humana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vox_Humana_Polymoog.ogg)

An example of the Polymoog 280a's "Vox Humana" preset, starting with the default mode and engaging variable options afterwards.

*Problems playing this file? See [media help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Media).*

The **Polymoog** is a hybrid [polyphonic](/source/Polyphony_(instrument)) [analog synthesizer](/source/Analog_synthesizer) that was manufactured by [Moog Music](/source/Moog_Music) from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on [divide-down](/source/Frequency_divider) oscillator technology similar to [electronic organs](/source/Electronic_organ) and [string synthesizers](/source/String_synthesizer) of the time.

## History

The name Polymoog can refer either to the original Polymoog Synthesizer (model 203a) released in 1975, or the largely preset Polymoog Keyboard (model 280a) released in 1978.[2]

The Polymoog's "polycom" voice cards

The Polymoog has a 71-note weighted [Pratt & Read](/source/Pratt_%26_Read) [touch-sensitive](/source/Keyboard_expression) [keyboard](/source/Musical_keyboard) divided into three sections with a volume slider for each. It also has a three-band resonant [graphic equalizer](/source/Graphic_equalizer) section, which can be changed to a low/bandpass/high-pass filter. The Moog-designed 24 dB/octave filter section allows [modulation](/source/Modulation) modulated from its own envelopes, [low frequency oscillation](/source/Low_frequency_oscillation) and [sample and hold](/source/Sample_and_hold) circuit. Ranks and waveforms of all notes are also adjustable combining waveforms, octaves, tunings, and their own independent LFO rates and amounts. The user can adjust the instrument's sounds, and it offers [presets](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/preset) named "[strings](/source/String_instrument)", "[piano](/source/Piano)", "[organ](/source/Organ_(instrument))", "[harpsichord](/source/Harpsichord)", "[funk](/source/Funk)", "[clav](/source/Clavichord)", "[vibes](/source/Vibraphone)", and "[brass](/source/Brass_instrument)". Presets were factory created as physical circuit cards and may be modified for live performance using Var(iation) buttons, triggering a red dot next to the preset number in the display.[3]

The design of the Polymoog is a hybrid of the electronic organ and the synthesizer using [divide-down](/source/Frequency_divider) technology, much like other string synthesizers of the time. Unlike later 1970s polyphonic synthesizers, such as the [Yamaha CS-80](/source/Yamaha_CS-80) and [Sequential Circuits Prophet-5](/source/Sequential_Circuits_Prophet-5), the Polymoog cannot create each voice from individual oscillators and filters, or store sounds programmed by the user.[4] Although criticized for its limited programmability, high purchase price of $5295 and reliability issues, the Polymoog Synthesizer was popular with musicians of the period, and its unlimited polyphony was considered revolutionary upon its initial release.[1][5]

### Polymoog Keyboard (1978–80)

The Polymoog Keyboard model 280a

The Polymoog Keyboard 280a is a stripped-down version of the original 1975 Polymoog. The two are similar in appearance, sharing the same case and keyboard. The right-hand control panel is absent, while the left-hand panel has only a few sliders, giving the user less control over the sounds. The Polymoog Keyboard features more presets than its predecessor: "[vox humana](/source/Vox_humana)", "string 1", "string 2", "[electric piano](/source/Electric_piano)", "piano", "[honky tonky](/source/Honky_tonk)", "clav", "harpsi", "brass", "chorus brass", "[pipe organ](/source/Pipe_organ)", "rock organ", "vibes", and "funk". Control over these presets is limited to octave balance, envelope attack, and LFO modulation depth and rate. The lower two octaves may also be split off to play a separate bass tone, with some control over this tone allowed via a dedicated bass filter. Filter control of the main preset sounds is not user adjustable other than via an external controller.[6] The Polymoog Keyboard was less expensive than its predecessor, being priced at $3995 in 1979.[1] The best known of the presets on the Polymoog Keyboard is "Vox Humana", which was not present on the original Polymoog. This preset forms the basis of the electronic string sound in the work of Gary Numan.[7][8]

### Foot operated controller

*right*: Polymoog with Polypedal

An optional foot-operated controller known as the Polypedal (model 285a), with [control voltage](/source/CV%2FGate) jacks, interfaces with the back panel. It allows the user to switch between single and multiple triggering of envelopes, and controls for pitch, filter, and sustain.[9]

## Notable users

[Cat Stevens](/source/Cat_Stevens) used the Polymoog on his 1977 album *[Izitso](/source/Izitso)*, including the song "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard".[10] [Gary Numan](/source/Gary_Numan) was one of the Polymoog's most recognizable users. The electronic string sound featured prominently on the track "[Cars](/source/Cars_(song))" and most of the album *[The Pleasure Principle](/source/The_Pleasure_Principle_(Gary_Numan_album))* (1979) became his signature sound in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[11] A Polymoog is shown in his [music video](/source/Music_video) for "Cars" as well as in live performances on *[Top of the Pops](/source/Top_of_the_Pops)* and *[The Old Grey Whistle Test](/source/The_Old_Grey_Whistle_Test)*.[12] French duo [Space Art](/source/Space_Art_(band)) used a Polymoog during the recording of their second album, *Trip in the Centre Head*.[13] [Yellow Magic Orchestra](/source/Yellow_Magic_Orchestra) used the Polymoog on their early albums and first world tour.[14]

[Prince](/source/Prince_(musician)) used a Polymoog at [Sound 80](/source/Sound_80) recording studio on demo tapes for his first album *[For You](/source/For_You_(Prince_album))* (1978), and the Polymoog became a notable sonic element of the [Minneapolis sound](/source/Minneapolis_sound).[15]

The Polymoog proved popular with various [progressive rock](/source/Progressive_rock) musicians. [Keith Emerson](/source/Keith_Emerson) added an early prototype Polymoog (at the time, known as the Apollo) to his stage rig.[16][17] [Rick Wakeman](/source/Rick_Wakeman) used one during his second stint with [Yes](/source/Yes_(band)) in the late 1970s and [Tony Banks](/source/Tony_Banks_(musician)) of [Genesis](/source/Genesis_(band)) used one between 1977 and 1981. [Keith Godchaux](/source/Keith_Godchaux) used a Polymoog between 1976-1979 live with the [Grateful Dead](/source/Grateful_Dead). [Mike Oldfield](/source/Mike_Oldfield) used a Polymoog on "[Sheba](/source/Sheba_(song))" (from his 1980 album *[QE2](/source/QE2_(album))*) in conjunction with a [vocoder](/source/Vocoder).[18][19]

## See also

- [List of Moog synthesizer players](/source/List_of_Moog_synthesizer_players)

- [Moog Music](/source/Moog_Music)

- [Moog synthesizer](/source/Moog_synthesizer)

- [Robert Moog](/source/Robert_Moog)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-price_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-price_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-price_1-2) [Polymoog - A Retrospective](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_history6.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Polymoog - A Retrospective](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_history11.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Polymoog](https://web.archive.org/web/19970408161827/http://www.synthmuseum.com/moog/moopoly01.html). *Synthmuseum.com*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Moog Polymoog"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150524115105/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/polymoog.html). *Sound On Sound*. June 1998. Archived from [the original](http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/polymoog.html) on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Polymoog - A Retrospective](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_history10.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Polymoog Keyboard](https://web.archive.org/web/19970408172842/http://www.synthmuseum.com/moog/moopolykbd01.html) *Synthmuseum.com*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Polymoog at Vintage Synth Explorer](http://www.vintagesynth.com/moog/polymoog.php) *Vintage Synth Explorer*. Retrieved 20 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Polymoog Sound Clips - Vox Humana](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_sounds_01_Vox-Humana.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 20 May 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Polymoog - A Retrospective](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_history4.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [*Izitso* album credits](https://imgur.com/a/6QAbTI5) Retrieved 30 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Polymoog Restoration](http://www.dubsounds.com/mypolyrestore_01.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 22 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Polymoog - A Retrospective](http://www.dubsounds.com/pm_history13.htm) *Dubsounds*. Retrieved 23 March 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OuestFrance_13-0)** Richard, Philippe (29 November 2016). ["Musique. Space Art, pionniers de l'electro à la française"](https://larochesuryon.maville.com/sortir/infos_-musique.-space-art-pionniers-de-l-electro-a-la-francaise_54135-3092333_actu.Htm) [Music. Space Art, pioneers of French electro]. *Ouest France* (in French). Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Yellow Magic Orchestra - Tong Poo"](https://www.moogmusic.com/news/yellow-magic-orchestra) *Moog Music - News.* Retrieved 25 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Roise, Charlene; Gales, Elizabeth; Koehlinger, Kristen; Goetz, Kathryn; Hess, Roise and Company; Zschomler, Kristen; Rouse, Stephanie; Wittenberg, Jason (December 2018). ["Minneapolis Music History, 1850-2000: A Context"](http://www.minneapolismn.gov/hpc/wcmsp-208555). City of Minneapolis. p. 48. Retrieved January 1, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The Polymoog Synthesizer"](https://www.moogmusic.com/news/polymoog-synthesizer). *Moogmusic.com*. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kegear_17-0)** Lothar (31 January 2016). ["Keith Emerson's Gear"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160310125305/http://www.brain-salad-surgery.de/keith_emersons_gear.html). *brain-salad-surgery.de*. Brain Salad Surgery. Archived from [the original](http://www.brain-salad-surgery.de/keith_emersons_gear.html) on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Mike Oldfield's Moog Polymoog Synthesizer"](https://equipboard.com/pros/mike-oldfield/moog-polymoog-synthesizer). *Equipboard.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Casas, Angel (1 July 1981). ["Mike Oldfield"](http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/musical-express/musical-express-mike-oldfield/545643/). *Musical Express*. Event occurs at 14:11.

## External links

- [Video demonstrating the Polymoog 203a](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1Qf1ssRN8)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polymoog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymoog) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymoog?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.