> To: emlsynth@yahoogroups.com
> From: "Mike B (digiboy)" <digiboy@...>
> Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2001 14:03:09 -0400
> Reply-to: emlsynth@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [emlsynth] polybox schemos?
Hi!
I know that the polybox is pretty simple but i really like that kind
of machines! I have a few other weird little
boxes such as Perl Syncussion and Korg x-911
guitarsynthesizer so maybe i'll like the polybox!
I'm also on the lookout for a Paia Gnome...
marjan wrote:
> Is it based around PLL (4046 or so)?>
I think so, and maybe some sort of octave divider too...
btw, nice to see a fellow s-diyer! :)
/Daniel, Sweden
> Daniel,
> IMO the Polybox was overhyped although there's no question that it's a
> very unique little beast.
> Basically it is designed to track the pitch of one voice. Then it has 12
> voices tuned chromatically apart from each other which can be played on
> the 12 keys and will sound relative to the tracked pitch. The original
> pitch always being the low "C" on the keyboard. For example, press the
> "E" key of the Polybox keyboard and you would hear a voice that is a major
> 3rd above the tracked pitch. You can play "chords" or any combination of
> the 12 keys or all of them. It does a couple of other tricks like it can go
> up or down a full octave and has some phasing effects. It won't read more
> than one voice and if you try, it will only respond with some chaotic
> squawks. Same goes for noise and other sounds with no distinct single
> pitch----of course chaotic squawks have their value too.
> It does not translate envelope or filter from the original voice; the
> orignal timbre is not preserved. The new voices are basically either on or
> off as you play the keys and they are pretty much of a generic sawtooth
> sound which you can fool with a bit on the Poly's controls. You could, of
> course, run the Poly's output thru other effects and filters and such to
> further modify it, but that's as much as it does on it's own.