Korg Poly800/EX800 Users

Over the last six months or more, we've seen many new Poly 800 and EX
800 enthusiasts join our group - to you all we say welcome.

If you have a moment feel free to drop into the polls and add your
opinions to the various polls that are still open.

And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.

Thanks,

The moderator - Mike.

Hi all,
I was given a Poly-800 (mk I) for free some time ago, probably because 
I have some knowledge into synthesizers already, as you can tell from 
my home page, and the woman who gave it to me no longer had any use for 
it. It was in perfect shape both technically and cosmetically. It even 
came with the original cassett with the factory sounds. I downloaded 
the user manual, and through some contacts I was able to get hold of 
the service manual.
However, it didn´t had any wall-wart power supply, and all I tried I 
couldn´t get it to work properly. Finally I reconfigured an older 
wall-wart power I had, bought new batteries, and made it work again. 
After some trial-and-error I got the factory sounds loaded, so now it 
plays like new.
I set it up at the family Macintosh, so that my kids could have a go at 
it (and leave my other keyboards alone! - they usually drive me mad 
whamming away on my Yamaha DX-7 in the studio), but every time I´m at 
the Mac reading email (like now), I usually jams a little on the 
Poly-800, and now - to my surprise! - I am thinking about integrating 
it into my keyboard rig! It actually sounds amazingly good. I am 
planning to do some of the standard mods (moog slayer etc.) when I get 
the time (too many projects right now). I do like Korg keyboards of 
old, and have used a lot of them, but I never got into the - for me - 
"newer" Korg synths, like the Poly-800 at the time when they were new. 
I remember at the time that I thought they sounded too cheesy. Whether 
it is time or my ears, it doesn´t sound too bad now. I guess I am also 
better at programming these days, so I can get some good sounds out of 
it.
I searched out this group because I needed to get the Poly-800 up and 
running, and I am thankful for all the help I got. I thought about 
leaving now that the Poly-800 works again, but you all seems like good 
folks, and the info and discussions here are nice and interesting, so 
I´m still here.
I am a norwegian composer and synthesist, I occasionally make some 
music, both solo and with my band, and perform live and record albums.

Thanks a lot, and all the best to all of you.

Terje Winther
http://www.wintherstormer.no/

> Over the last six months or more, we've seen many new Poly 800 and EX
>  800 enthusiasts join our group - to you all we say welcome.
>
>  And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
>  and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.
>
>  Thanks,
>
>  The moderator - Mike.


tw.  :)

"Those great moments come when musicians are playing together..."
(Bob Moog)

Hi,
I got my Poly 800 mkI about 6 years ago, did the original filter mod
at some point, and few years later converted to the Moog Slayer.
I enjoyed the sound and simplicity of the programming.
I moved a few years ago and the Poly was rotated out of my setup, but
I just rearranged things so it's back. I thought I'd see if anything
new was going on with 800 users, so I joined this group.

Chris

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@...>
wrote:

>
> Over the last six months or more, we've seen many new Poly 800 and EX
> 800 enthusiasts join our group - to you all we say welcome.
> 
> If you have a moment feel free to drop into the polls and add your
> opinions to the various polls that are still open.
> 
> And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
> and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> The moderator - Mike.
>

I play in two bands, one straight rock formation, and a pop-songwriter duo. When I was 
looking for a new synth a friend gave me the advice to try out a Poly 800. He said it is the 
best you could get in terms of really good sounds at a fair price - and it is small and super 
light.

I got a Mk1 on ebay just a while ago and am now totally in love with this machine, its sound 
and the easy programming. Unfortunately it crashed but I already got good advice from 
people in this forum. As soon as there's more time I will repair it :)

To complement my set-up for live shows I will for sure try to get a second Poly 800, or 
eventually try out a DW-8000 (am curious what this one can do).

Hi All,

The new mod being developed sounds fantastic.  I bought my Poly800
(MK1) in 1985 as a fresh young engineering student - I shan't say how
much it was except it was a lot!! (OK, about £300) I think the MKII
was just coming out.

I made soundtracks with the Poly, a 4-track and my own home-made
monolythic synth.  My Poly is still in fantastic condition as its only
ever been used in my own studio - apart from the battery compartment
which suffered from leaky batteries.  I just love the sounds you can
get, and the limitations of the one-filter which can be used
creatively.  As you all know, of course.

I have several other sound modules, my main keyboard is the Ensoniq
VFX-SD, still a fantastic keyboard.

Cheers,
neil


--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@...>
wrote:

> 
> And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
> and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.
>

Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool.

Oh and the other thing I did was to integrate the original sysex dump
code for the EX800 and tape code back into the software so that now we
have single patch dump and receive as well as Korg's original. I still
intend to break out our own sysex dump functions because Korg's is
just so awful but it will be important to keep the original for
backward compatibility too.

And, I've determined that we'll be needing 24K of ROM so the hardware
artwork for the new circuit board is now being worked on. My code just
isn't very efficient so the extra 8K of ROM (over the originally
planned 16K) will help a lot.

Mike H.

Wonderful news again !!  Thank you Mike. 
About 4 banks :   where it could be stored ? In some memory expansion 
on new hardware ?  Of course, it would be very nice feature. May be 
now we are supposing it is not useful. But what, when we implement 
other new sound-editing fatures ? So if it is almost done, keep new 
banks possibility, please .

Jozef

Hi Jozef,

The hardware I've built has 16K or battery backed up static RAM. So
there is a huge amount of memory available for bank storage of patches.

Each patch currently uses only 21 bytes so the entire 64 patches use
only 1,344 bytes. If we consider adding another twenty parameters to
each patch then I could imagine using maybe 32 bytes for each patch.
So that would use a total of 2,048 bytes (2K). So if we have four
storage banks we would end up using 8K out of the total 16K. I
definitely think we have enough RAM to do it.

It's just a matter of writing the software to support it.

Mike H.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "jusufzemplin" <jusuf@...> wrote:

>
> Wonderful news again !!  Thank you Mike. 
> About 4 banks :   where it could be stored ? In some memory expansion 
> on new hardware ?  Of course, it would be very nice feature. May be 
> now we are supposing it is not useful. But what, when we implement 
> other new sound-editing fatures ? So if it is almost done, keep new 
> banks possibility, please .
> 
> Jozef
>

At first glance, I thought 'wow, 4 addl banks of 64?!, I'd never 
fill all those up.'. Considering that there will be new parameters 
available for editing, those banks could be useful. How about 
dedicating one bank to sequence banks (allowing multiple sequences 
to be stored in memory) I personally dont use the sequencer at all, 
but I might use it more often if I can store multiple sequences and 
access them via program change or other 'on the fly method'.

 Refresh me, will the mod be able to take advantage of any of the 
hardware mods (i.e. Moog SLayer and FM mod?) If so, I guarantee 
those banks will get filled!!! Also, what's the possibility of 
adding addl' filter features (i.E Bandpass, 12\24 LPF, peak.) I 
remeber that there were addl envelopes that were possibly going to 
be implemented as well (Panning envelope or Random pan a 
possibility?) Just a few things to think about...

Erik 

 --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Michael Hawkins 
<korgpolyex800@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Poly fans,
> 
> Here's another little software progress update for today.
> 
> I've completed the guts of the global mode code. You press the 
step key to get into global mode. You are then presented with 11 GL 
11 on the display. You then use the numeric keypad to select the 
desired global parameter and use the up down buttons to set the 
value. There are potentially 64 different global parameters. Global 
11 is an important one because it is used to execute specific 
commands (up to 63 commands are possible). The command that you 
execute is determined by the data value of global parameter 11. 
Current planned commands are:
> 
> 11 - No Operation
> 12 - All Notes Off - (for those panic stuck note situations)
> 13 - Sysex dump all operating patches
> 14 - Sysex dump sequencer data
> 15 - Sysex dump single patch from operating bank
> 16 - Sysex dump all patches from selected patch bank
> 17 - Sysex dump single patch from selected patch bank
> 18 - Sysex dump all patches from all banks
> 21 - Copy operating bank to selected bank
> 22 - Copy selected bank to operating bank
> 23 - Copy current operating patch to selected patch in selected 
bank
> 24 - Copy selected patch in selected bank to current operating 
patch
> 
> To execute a command, you select global parameter 11 then set the 
parameter value to the desired (as table above shows) command number 
and then press the write key to execute it.
> 
> Then, the current global parameters for controlling the function 
of the EX800 are as follows:
> 
> 21 - Omni On, Off/auto - The module will come up with omni off 
when set to off here, 0 or 1
> 22 - Keyboard MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> 23 - Joystick MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> 24 - Local keyboard control on off - 0 or 1
> 25 - Local joystick control on off - 0 or 1
> 26 - Sequencer MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> 27 - Joystick X axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0-63
> 28 - Joystick Y axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0 - 63
> 
> 31 - Extended playing range on off - 0 or 1
> 
> Now you can see I have already started allocating various globals 
that will be used with the Poly 800 (for joystick and keyboard for 
example) and the only executable global I have working as of right 
now is the All Notes Off command (which I just got working last 
night) but you get the idea. Also, you may have noticed that some of 
the commands mention the "operating" patch bank and the "selected 
patch bank". This is referring to the four additional banks of 
patches that I envisage will be available when I write the software 
to support them. The question is, who of us really needs another 
four banks of 64 patches? Or is that just plain overkill for this 
instrument?
> 
> Mike H.
> 
>        
> ---------------------------------
> Choose the right car based on your needs.  Check out Yahoo! Autos 
new Car Finder tool.
>

Hi Erik,

Yes, the mod kit is going to include a couple of digital
potentiometers that will be under the control of MG's or EG's.

And yes, I think having a couple of selectable sequences to choose
from is a great idea too.

And yes, I hope to put in the 12/24 db switch as well.

But initially, the kit will probably come out without all of these
things. The good news is that the EEPROM's are programmable and I have
already written the software to convert the machine code into sysex.
And I already have the code written and working that allows you to
download new firmware to the EEPROM's. So as each new function is
developed and tested, anyone who has the mod kit will be able to
download new firmware and upgrade their Poly.

So the question is really, which new functions will come out with the
mod kit first?

Mike H.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Erik Hines" <sablerock@...> wrote:

>
> At first glance, I thought 'wow, 4 addl banks of 64?!, I'd never 
> fill all those up.'. Considering that there will be new parameters 
> available for editing, those banks could be useful. How about 
> dedicating one bank to sequence banks (allowing multiple sequences 
> to be stored in memory) I personally dont use the sequencer at all, 
> but I might use it more often if I can store multiple sequences and 
> access them via program change or other 'on the fly method'.
> 
>  Refresh me, will the mod be able to take advantage of any of the 
> hardware mods (i.e. Moog SLayer and FM mod?) If so, I guarantee 
> those banks will get filled!!! Also, what's the possibility of 
> adding addl' filter features (i.E Bandpass, 12\24 LPF, peak.) I 
> remeber that there were addl envelopes that were possibly going to 
> be implemented as well (Panning envelope or Random pan a 
> possibility?) Just a few things to think about...
> 
> Erik 
> 
>  --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Michael Hawkins 
> <korgpolyex800@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Poly fans,
> > 
> > Here's another little software progress update for today.
> > 
> > I've completed the guts of the global mode code. You press the 
> step key to get into global mode. You are then presented with 11 GL 
> 11 on the display. You then use the numeric keypad to select the 
> desired global parameter and use the up down buttons to set the 
> value. There are potentially 64 different global parameters. Global 
> 11 is an important one because it is used to execute specific 
> commands (up to 63 commands are possible). The command that you 
> execute is determined by the data value of global parameter 11. 
> Current planned commands are:
> > 
> > 11 - No Operation
> > 12 - All Notes Off - (for those panic stuck note situations)
> > 13 - Sysex dump all operating patches
> > 14 - Sysex dump sequencer data
> > 15 - Sysex dump single patch from operating bank
> > 16 - Sysex dump all patches from selected patch bank
> > 17 - Sysex dump single patch from selected patch bank
> > 18 - Sysex dump all patches from all banks
> > 21 - Copy operating bank to selected bank
> > 22 - Copy selected bank to operating bank
> > 23 - Copy current operating patch to selected patch in selected 
> bank
> > 24 - Copy selected patch in selected bank to current operating 
> patch
> > 
> > To execute a command, you select global parameter 11 then set the 
> parameter value to the desired (as table above shows) command number 
> and then press the write key to execute it.
> > 
> > Then, the current global parameters for controlling the function 
> of the EX800 are as follows:
> > 
> > 21 - Omni On, Off/auto - The module will come up with omni off 
> when set to off here, 0 or 1
> > 22 - Keyboard MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > 23 - Joystick MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > 24 - Local keyboard control on off - 0 or 1
> > 25 - Local joystick control on off - 0 or 1
> > 26 - Sequencer MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > 27 - Joystick X axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0-63
> > 28 - Joystick Y axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0 - 63
> > 
> > 31 - Extended playing range on off - 0 or 1
> > 
> > Now you can see I have already started allocating various globals 
> that will be used with the Poly 800 (for joystick and keyboard for 
> example) and the only executable global I have working as of right 
> now is the All Notes Off command (which I just got working last 
> night) but you get the idea. Also, you may have noticed that some of 
> the commands mention the "operating" patch bank and the "selected 
> patch bank". This is referring to the four additional banks of 
> patches that I envisage will be available when I write the software 
> to support them. The question is, who of us really needs another 
> four banks of 64 patches? Or is that just plain overkill for this 
> instrument?
> > 
> > Mike H.
> > 
> >        
> > ---------------------------------
> > Choose the right car based on your needs.  Check out Yahoo! Autos 
> new Car Finder tool.
> >
>

Realistically, when do you think the mod kit will be avail for beta 
release?

Erik

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" 
<korgpolyex800@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Erik,
> 
> Yes, the mod kit is going to include a couple of digital
> potentiometers that will be under the control of MG's or EG's.
> 
> And yes, I think having a couple of selectable sequences to choose
> from is a great idea too.
> 
> And yes, I hope to put in the 12/24 db switch as well.
> 
> But initially, the kit will probably come out without all of these
> things. The good news is that the EEPROM's are programmable and I 
have
> already written the software to convert the machine code into 
sysex.
> And I already have the code written and working that allows you to
> download new firmware to the EEPROM's. So as each new function is
> developed and tested, anyone who has the mod kit will be able to
> download new firmware and upgrade their Poly.
> 
> So the question is really, which new functions will come out with 
the
> mod kit first?
> 
> Mike H.
> 
> --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Erik Hines" <sablerock@> wrote:
> >
> > At first glance, I thought 'wow, 4 addl banks of 64?!, I'd never 
> > fill all those up.'. Considering that there will be new 
parameters 
> > available for editing, those banks could be useful. How about 
> > dedicating one bank to sequence banks (allowing multiple 
sequences 
> > to be stored in memory) I personally dont use the sequencer at 
all, 
> > but I might use it more often if I can store multiple sequences 
and 
> > access them via program change or other 'on the fly method'.
> > 
> >  Refresh me, will the mod be able to take advantage of any of 
the 
> > hardware mods (i.e. Moog SLayer and FM mod?) If so, I guarantee 
> > those banks will get filled!!! Also, what's the possibility of 
> > adding addl' filter features (i.E Bandpass, 12\24 LPF, peak.) I 
> > remeber that there were addl envelopes that were possibly going 
to 
> > be implemented as well (Panning envelope or Random pan a 
> > possibility?) Just a few things to think about...
> > 
> > Erik 
> > 
> >  --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Michael Hawkins 
> > <korgpolyex800@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Poly fans,
> > > 
> > > Here's another little software progress update for today.
> > > 
> > > I've completed the guts of the global mode code. You press the 
> > step key to get into global mode. You are then presented with 11 
GL 
> > 11 on the display. You then use the numeric keypad to select the 
> > desired global parameter and use the up down buttons to set the 
> > value. There are potentially 64 different global parameters. 
Global 
> > 11 is an important one because it is used to execute specific 
> > commands (up to 63 commands are possible). The command that you 
> > execute is determined by the data value of global parameter 11. 
> > Current planned commands are:
> > > 
> > > 11 - No Operation
> > > 12 - All Notes Off - (for those panic stuck note situations)
> > > 13 - Sysex dump all operating patches
> > > 14 - Sysex dump sequencer data
> > > 15 - Sysex dump single patch from operating bank
> > > 16 - Sysex dump all patches from selected patch bank
> > > 17 - Sysex dump single patch from selected patch bank
> > > 18 - Sysex dump all patches from all banks
> > > 21 - Copy operating bank to selected bank
> > > 22 - Copy selected bank to operating bank
> > > 23 - Copy current operating patch to selected patch in 
selected 
> > bank
> > > 24 - Copy selected patch in selected bank to current operating 
> > patch
> > > 
> > > To execute a command, you select global parameter 11 then set 
the 
> > parameter value to the desired (as table above shows) command 
number 
> > and then press the write key to execute it.
> > > 
> > > Then, the current global parameters for controlling the 
function 
> > of the EX800 are as follows:
> > > 
> > > 21 - Omni On, Off/auto - The module will come up with omni off 
> > when set to off here, 0 or 1
> > > 22 - Keyboard MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > 23 - Joystick MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > 24 - Local keyboard control on off - 0 or 1
> > > 25 - Local joystick control on off - 0 or 1
> > > 26 - Sequencer MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > 27 - Joystick X axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0-63
> > > 28 - Joystick Y axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0 - 63
> > > 
> > > 31 - Extended playing range on off - 0 or 1
> > > 
> > > Now you can see I have already started allocating various 
globals 
> > that will be used with the Poly 800 (for joystick and keyboard 
for 
> > example) and the only executable global I have working as of 
right 
> > now is the All Notes Off command (which I just got working last 
> > night) but you get the idea. Also, you may have noticed that 
some of 
> > the commands mention the "operating" patch bank and 
the "selected 
> > patch bank". This is referring to the four additional banks of 
> > patches that I envisage will be available when I write the 
software 
> > to support them. The question is, who of us really needs another 
> > four banks of 64 patches? Or is that just plain overkill for 
this 
> > instrument?
> > > 
> > > Mike H.
> > > 
> > >        
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Choose the right car based on your needs.  Check out Yahoo! 
Autos 

> > new Car Finder tool.
> > >
> >
>

Hi Erik,

I am aiming for the hardware kit to be available no later than December.

As far as the firmware goes, it will definitely have the sysex
enhancements as well as the global parameters. Less certain is how
much of the additional EG and MG functions will exist in the initial
firmware. At this point, I've not completed hacking that part of the
code so it is a little less certain whether I'll have new EG's etc by
the time the hardware kit comes out.

Mike.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Erik Hines" <sablerock@...> wrote:

>
> Realistically, when do you think the mod kit will be avail for beta 
> release?
> 
> Erik
> 
> --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" 
> <korgpolyex800@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Erik,
> > 
> > Yes, the mod kit is going to include a couple of digital
> > potentiometers that will be under the control of MG's or EG's.
> > 
> > And yes, I think having a couple of selectable sequences to choose
> > from is a great idea too.
> > 
> > And yes, I hope to put in the 12/24 db switch as well.
> > 
> > But initially, the kit will probably come out without all of these
> > things. The good news is that the EEPROM's are programmable and I 
> have
> > already written the software to convert the machine code into 
> sysex.
> > And I already have the code written and working that allows you to
> > download new firmware to the EEPROM's. So as each new function is
> > developed and tested, anyone who has the mod kit will be able to
> > download new firmware and upgrade their Poly.
> > 
> > So the question is really, which new functions will come out with 
> the
> > mod kit first?
> > 
> > Mike H.
> > 
> > --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Erik Hines" <sablerock@> wrote:
> > >
> > > At first glance, I thought 'wow, 4 addl banks of 64?!, I'd never 
> > > fill all those up.'. Considering that there will be new 
> parameters 
> > > available for editing, those banks could be useful. How about 
> > > dedicating one bank to sequence banks (allowing multiple 
> sequences 
> > > to be stored in memory) I personally dont use the sequencer at 
> all, 
> > > but I might use it more often if I can store multiple sequences 
> and 
> > > access them via program change or other 'on the fly method'.
> > > 
> > >  Refresh me, will the mod be able to take advantage of any of 
> the 
> > > hardware mods (i.e. Moog SLayer and FM mod?) If so, I guarantee 
> > > those banks will get filled!!! Also, what's the possibility of 
> > > adding addl' filter features (i.E Bandpass, 12\24 LPF, peak.) I 
> > > remeber that there were addl envelopes that were possibly going 
> to 
> > > be implemented as well (Panning envelope or Random pan a 
> > > possibility?) Just a few things to think about...
> > > 
> > > Erik 
> > > 
> > >  --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Michael Hawkins 
> > > <korgpolyex800@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Poly fans,
> > > > 
> > > > Here's another little software progress update for today.
> > > > 
> > > > I've completed the guts of the global mode code. You press the 
> > > step key to get into global mode. You are then presented with 11 
> GL 
> > > 11 on the display. You then use the numeric keypad to select the 
> > > desired global parameter and use the up down buttons to set the 
> > > value. There are potentially 64 different global parameters. 
> Global 
> > > 11 is an important one because it is used to execute specific 
> > > commands (up to 63 commands are possible). The command that you 
> > > execute is determined by the data value of global parameter 11. 
> > > Current planned commands are:
> > > > 
> > > > 11 - No Operation
> > > > 12 - All Notes Off - (for those panic stuck note situations)
> > > > 13 - Sysex dump all operating patches
> > > > 14 - Sysex dump sequencer data
> > > > 15 - Sysex dump single patch from operating bank
> > > > 16 - Sysex dump all patches from selected patch bank
> > > > 17 - Sysex dump single patch from selected patch bank
> > > > 18 - Sysex dump all patches from all banks
> > > > 21 - Copy operating bank to selected bank
> > > > 22 - Copy selected bank to operating bank
> > > > 23 - Copy current operating patch to selected patch in 
> selected 
> > > bank
> > > > 24 - Copy selected patch in selected bank to current operating 
> > > patch
> > > > 
> > > > To execute a command, you select global parameter 11 then set 
> the 
> > > parameter value to the desired (as table above shows) command 
> number 
> > > and then press the write key to execute it.
> > > > 
> > > > Then, the current global parameters for controlling the 
> function 
> > > of the EX800 are as follows:
> > > > 
> > > > 21 - Omni On, Off/auto - The module will come up with omni off 
> > > when set to off here, 0 or 1
> > > > 22 - Keyboard MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > > 23 - Joystick MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > > 24 - Local keyboard control on off - 0 or 1
> > > > 25 - Local joystick control on off - 0 or 1
> > > > 26 - Sequencer MIDI TX channel - 0=off, 1-16 is TX channel
> > > > 27 - Joystick X axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0-63
> > > > 28 - Joystick Y axis MSB assigned CC change number - 0 - 63
> > > > 
> > > > 31 - Extended playing range on off - 0 or 1
> > > > 
> > > > Now you can see I have already started allocating various 
> globals 
> > > that will be used with the Poly 800 (for joystick and keyboard 
> for 
> > > example) and the only executable global I have working as of 
> right 
> > > now is the All Notes Off command (which I just got working last 
> > > night) but you get the idea. Also, you may have noticed that 
> some of 
> > > the commands mention the "operating" patch bank and 
> the "selected 
> > > patch bank". This is referring to the four additional banks of 
> > > patches that I envisage will be available when I write the 
> software 
> > > to support them. The question is, who of us really needs another 
> > > four banks of 64 patches? Or is that just plain overkill for 
> this 
> > > instrument?
> > > > 
> > > > Mike H.
> > > > 
> > > >        
> > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > Choose the right car based on your needs.  Check out Yahoo! 
> Autos 
> > > new Car Finder tool.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

> And yes, I think having a couple of selectable sequences to choose
> from is a great idea too.

How about a choice between the sequencer or an arpeggiator? Is this
possible? And a unison mode?

Sorry if these questions have been answered already, I've been trying
to keep up with the new info as best I can.

Thanks for all your hard work!

Phoebe aka october71

Hi Phoebe,

Yes, I am looking at implementing both selectable recorded sequences 
and an arpeggiator function. I am leaning toward doing the arpeggiator
first because, to be honest, I think they are alot more useful and fun
and I suspect it will be easier to write an arpeggiator than it will
be to rewrite the sequencer code.

As a side note, I just had a another small breakthrough today. I had
been having all sorts of trouble getting my All Notes Off controller
global mode send message to work but while waiting to get the truck
oil changed I had a little moment of realization and raced home to
test out my fixed up code.

And bingo! It worked like a charm. So I can now enter global mode and
send an All Notes Off MIDI controller message. It's not the most
useful function I can think of but it proves the code is working at
sending MIDI messages from the EX800. I didn't realize that the EX800
can't send any MIDI from it's keypad. So now I'm going to add a whole
bunch of additional commands to the EX800 code so that it can send
program change, MIDI start/stop etc.

For all of those newbies here, please do introduce yourself and let us
know how you came to Poly fans. And don't worry about making
suggestions. We need to hear them all because we might miss some great
idea if we don't all pitch in.

Mike H.


--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Phoebe" <october71@...> wrote:

>
> 
> > And yes, I think having a couple of selectable sequences to choose
> > from is a great idea too.
> 
> How about a choice between the sequencer or an arpeggiator? Is this
> possible? And a unison mode?
> 
> Sorry if these questions have been answered already, I've been trying
> to keep up with the new info as best I can.
> 
> Thanks for all your hard work!
> 
> Phoebe aka october71
>

> For all of those newbies here, please do introduce yourself and let us
> know how you came to Poly fans. And don't worry about making
> suggestions. We need to hear them all because we might miss some great
> idea if we don't all pitch in.

Well, I'm certainly not a newbie to the list...I think I've been on
here for a couple of years now; I just don't post very much.

I came to own my Poly800 when my friend Paul gave it to me over two
years ago. It has a couple of minor issues: two of the keys aren't
working (probably needs a cleaning) and the jacks are a bit crackly
(again, probably just a cleaning). Otherwise it's in pretty good
shape. I am into making my own musical instrument projects, and I'm
considering making my 800 into a compact tabletop-style synth module,
but I don't know if it will still work without the keyboard or not. I
know what some of you will say, why not buy an EX, right? Well, I want
it to be even more compact than the EX800. I'd like it to be big
enough to house the display, keypad and all the controls and that's
about it. I'd play it strictly through midi, either with a controller
or a sequencer. My music is basically loop-based, and I think it would
work quite well for me this way.

That's about it!

cya,
phoebe aka october71

Apologies for implying you were a newbie.

The problem with trying to make either the Poly or even the EX800
smaller for a tabletop is that the main circuit board is not much
smaller than the rectangular shape of the EX800 itself. That leaves
making a rack mount version. That's something I've thought about a few
times. And now that I know so much about the firmware it would be very
possible to do by using a small LCD display and keypad unit. But I am
not so sure it would be worth all of the effort. Nevertheless, I am
thinking about putting the LCD interface circuit onto the new mod kit
so that we can do it in the future - perhaps.

Mike.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Phoebe" <october71@...> wrote:

>
> > For all of those newbies here, please do introduce yourself and let us
> > know how you came to Poly fans. And don't worry about making
> > suggestions. We need to hear them all because we might miss some great
> > idea if we don't all pitch in.
> 
> Well, I'm certainly not a newbie to the list...I think I've been on
> here for a couple of years now; I just don't post very much.
> 
> I came to own my Poly800 when my friend Paul gave it to me over two
> years ago. It has a couple of minor issues: two of the keys aren't
> working (probably needs a cleaning) and the jacks are a bit crackly
> (again, probably just a cleaning). Otherwise it's in pretty good
> shape. I am into making my own musical instrument projects, and I'm
> considering making my 800 into a compact tabletop-style synth module,
> but I don't know if it will still work without the keyboard or not. I
> know what some of you will say, why not buy an EX, right? Well, I want
> it to be even more compact than the EX800. I'd like it to be big
> enough to house the display, keypad and all the controls and that's
> about it. I'd play it strictly through midi, either with a controller
> or a sequencer. My music is basically loop-based, and I think it would
> work quite well for me this way.
> 
> That's about it!
> 
> cya,
> phoebe aka october71
>

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@...>
wrote:
>
> Apologies for implying you were a newbie.

No worries! =)

> The problem with trying to make either the Poly or even the EX800
> smaller for a tabletop is that the main circuit board is not much
> smaller than the rectangular shape of the EX800 itself. That leaves
> making a rack mount version. That's something I've thought about a few
> times. And now that I know so much about the firmware it would be very
> possible to do by using a small LCD display and keypad unit. But I am
> not so sure it would be worth all of the effort. Nevertheless, I am
> thinking about putting the LCD interface circuit onto the new mod kit
> so that we can do it in the future - perhaps.

Well, making it smaller than the EX doesn't matter to me so much...it
it were possible, cool. If not, that's ok too. My friend Paul who gave
me the Poly said the main board was pretty small, so that spawned that
idea in my head. I have yet to open it up myself, though. My main
concern is whether or not it will work without the attached keyboard;
obviously that's kind of key to whether the project would work or not
(no pun intended!).

I don't know when I'll tackle that, though. I just finished my second
x0xb0x and I want to take a break before my next project. I definitely
want to do your Poly mod kit though, once it's ready.

cya,
phoebe aka october71

Hi Marcus,

Someone else is going to have to do that massive hardware mod with all
of those switches and displays under the big existing front panel.

But now that I have another two Poly800's (in pretty bad shape) to
work with I will probably be building my own rack mount units too.
That will have to wait while I get this mod kit together first.

Has anyone on this list done a rack mount mod already? I think we
would all like to get a look at one.

Mike.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, Marcus Wilson <JB@...> wrote:

>
> I was contemplating turning "Gappy" my half keyed poly into just such  
> a rackmount beast so as to have the extra voices offered by the third  
> poly, without the desktop footprint.
> 
> certainly not too difficult just gotta do it
> 
> Im still really loving the idea of all parameters visible and  
> adjustable at one time via lcd displays and switches under the  
> present static information panel.
> 
> best regards,
> 
> Marcus Wilson
> 
> On 01/09/2007, at 10:12 PM, korgpolyex800 wrote:
> 
> > Apologies for implying you were a newbie.
> >
> > The problem with trying to make either the Poly or even the EX800
> > smaller for a tabletop is that the main circuit board is not much
> > smaller than the rectangular shape of the EX800 itself. That leaves
> > making a rack mount version. That's something I've thought about a few
> > times. And now that I know so much about the firmware it would be very
> > possible to do by using a small LCD display and keypad unit. But I am
> > not so sure it would be worth all of the effort. Nevertheless, I am
> > thinking about putting the LCD interface circuit onto the new mod kit
> > so that we can do it in the future - perhaps.
> >
> > Mike.
> >
> > --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Phoebe" <october71@> wrote:
> > >
> > > > For all of those newbies here, please do introduce yourself and  
> > let us
> > > > know how you came to Poly fans. And don't worry about making
> > > > suggestions. We need to hear them all because we might miss  
> > some great
> > > > idea if we don't all pitch in.
> > >
> > > Well, I'm certainly not a newbie to the list...I think I've been on
> > > here for a couple of years now; I just don't post very much.
> > >
> > > I came to own my Poly800 when my friend Paul gave it to me over two
> > > years ago. It has a couple of minor issues: two of the keys aren't
> > > working (probably needs a cleaning) and the jacks are a bit crackly
> > > (again, probably just a cleaning). Otherwise it's in pretty good
> > > shape. I am into making my own musical instrument projects, and I'm
> > > considering making my 800 into a compact tabletop-style synth  
> > module,
> > > but I don't know if it will still work without the keyboard or  
> > not. I
> > > know what some of you will say, why not buy an EX, right? Well, I  
> > want
> > > it to be even more compact than the EX800. I'd like it to be big
> > > enough to house the display, keypad and all the controls and that's
> > > about it. I'd play it strictly through midi, either with a  
> > controller
> > > or a sequencer. My music is basically loop-based, and I think it  
> > would
> > > work quite well for me this way.
> > >
> > > That's about it!
> > >
> > > cya,
> > > phoebe aka october71
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

Hi Phoebe,

Yes, the Poly 800 will definitely work with the keyboard assembly
disconnected from the main board.

The EX800 uses the same board and the socket for the keyboard simply
has nothing plugged into it.

Mike.

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "Phoebe" <october71@...> wrote:

>
> --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Apologies for implying you were a newbie.
> 
> No worries! =)
> 
> > The problem with trying to make either the Poly or even the EX800
> > smaller for a tabletop is that the main circuit board is not much
> > smaller than the rectangular shape of the EX800 itself. That leaves
> > making a rack mount version. That's something I've thought about a few
> > times. And now that I know so much about the firmware it would be very
> > possible to do by using a small LCD display and keypad unit. But I am
> > not so sure it would be worth all of the effort. Nevertheless, I am
> > thinking about putting the LCD interface circuit onto the new mod kit
> > so that we can do it in the future - perhaps.
> 
> Well, making it smaller than the EX doesn't matter to me so much...it
> it were possible, cool. If not, that's ok too. My friend Paul who gave
> me the Poly said the main board was pretty small, so that spawned that
> idea in my head. I have yet to open it up myself, though. My main
> concern is whether or not it will work without the attached keyboard;
> obviously that's kind of key to whether the project would work or not
> (no pun intended!).
> 
> I don't know when I'll tackle that, though. I just finished my second
> x0xb0x and I want to take a break before my next project. I definitely
> want to do your Poly mod kit though, once it's ready.
> 
> cya,
> phoebe aka october71
>

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Phoebe,
> 
> Yes, the Poly 800 will definitely work with the keyboard assembly
> disconnected from the main board.
> 
> The EX800 uses the same board and the socket for the keyboard simply
> has nothing plugged into it.

Great! That's all I needed to know =)

Thanks!

cya,
Phoebe aka october71

Greetings all, I have been a high speed lurker for the last couple of
days, absorbing and downloading everything I could have possibly
needed so far to get a near mint POLY-800 up and running after picking
one up on eBay a couple of days ago.  I bought it to fill the
technological gap between my Rhodes 73 stage (through a Roland GP-16)
and a KORG M1.    I was looking at getting some synth cards for the
korg and figured that for about the same price I could get the real thing.

I have the pile of parts for both the Slayer and FM mods and will
fortify with caffeine and start breathing my favorite fume (mmm flux).

As well I picked up a surface mount 3v lithium battery holder for a no
C-cell memory hold.

Speaking of hold...is there some way to get the hold button to behave
as a momentary switch instead of a latch?  I'd gladly change the 'next
program' pedal input for something even mildly resembling a sustain pedal.

Also, is there a tune pot on the board so that when the tune slider is
centered i'm on 440?  I think i have a bit of solid state drift.

The only other thing I was thinking of doing is to swap the midi out
connector for a 7-pin DIN and make a 90deg 7-pin >>to>> 2x 5-pin +
9vDC 40' cable (for power, and midi in/out in one cable), taped to a
2-channel mic line for L-R output in case i want to go all 'keytar'
and get in the face of the lead guitar.


P.S.  Nice work olaf on the slayer diagram, who'da thought you could
mix surrealism with schematics.





--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@...>
wrote:

>
> Over the last six months or more, we've seen many new Poly 800 and EX
> 800 enthusiasts join our group - to you all we say welcome.
> 
> If you have a moment feel free to drop into the polls and add your
> opinions to the various polls that are still open.
> 
> And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
> and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> The moderator - Mike.
>

Welcome Pete,

I recently discovered the hold/sustain bit setting for each note and
the way in which the hold button works. So I think it should not be
too difficult to change the code I'm working on to make the shift
pedal become a sustain pedal.

I'll keep you posted.

And welcome!

Mike.


--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "funkymonkeypeter"
<funkymonkey3.14@...> wrote:
>
> Greetings all, I have been a high speed lurker for the last couple of
> days, absorbing and downloading everything I could have possibly
> needed so far to get a near mint POLY-800 up and running after picking
> one up on eBay a couple of days ago.  I bought it to fill the
> technological gap between my Rhodes 73 stage (through a Roland GP-16)
> and a KORG M1.    I was looking at getting some synth cards for the
> korg and figured that for about the same price I could get the real
thing.
> 
> I have the pile of parts for both the Slayer and FM mods and will
> fortify with caffeine and start breathing my favorite fume (mmm flux).
> 
> As well I picked up a surface mount 3v lithium battery holder for a no
> C-cell memory hold.
> 
> Speaking of hold...is there some way to get the hold button to behave
> as a momentary switch instead of a latch?  I'd gladly change the 'next
> program' pedal input for something even mildly resembling a sustain
pedal.

> 
> Also, is there a tune pot on the board so that when the tune slider is
> centered i'm on 440?  I think i have a bit of solid state drift.
> 
> The only other thing I was thinking of doing is to swap the midi out
> connector for a 7-pin DIN and make a 90deg 7-pin >>to>> 2x 5-pin +
> 9vDC 40' cable (for power, and midi in/out in one cable), taped to a
> 2-channel mic line for L-R output in case i want to go all 'keytar'
> and get in the face of the lead guitar.
> 
> 
> P.S.  Nice work olaf on the slayer diagram, who'da thought you could
> mix surrealism with schematics.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, "korgpolyex800" <korgpolyex800@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Over the last six months or more, we've seen many new Poly 800 and EX
> > 800 enthusiasts join our group - to you all we say welcome.
> > 
> > If you have a moment feel free to drop into the polls and add your
> > opinions to the various polls that are still open.
> > 
> > And also feel free to let us know how you came to become a Poly fan
> > and what drives you to be still using one in the year 2007.
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > The moderator - Mike.
> >
>

OK, here's what's been done this weekend.

i) Fixed the joystick code to use successive approximation. Runs with
eight times less CPU cycles than the original linear tracking code.
ii) Created a MIDI time code on/off global parameter. Allows you to
send start/stop and sequencer notes but without sending MIDI time code.
iii) made bend depth an extended parameter unique for each patch.
iv) finished sequencer local control on/off. Allows you to send
sequencer to another MIDI device while not playing locally.
v) fixed the Poly mode changes occurring when running the sequencer.

A great weekend and it's only Saturday.

Mike.