Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by w.james.meagher@gmail.com

Hello all, I recently decided to sell my Poly 800 because I'm going to invest in all the available mods, and want to do it on cleaner machine than the one I had (it was pretty beat-up, graphics rubbed off and buttons tricky to trigger).

I'm wondering what the group recommendation is as to whether I should get another Poly 800 or get a 800mkII? I've never actually played a MkII so I'm not 100% sure that (chorus vs. d.delay notwithstanding), they sound absolutely alike...

All suggestions and opinions welcome!

Cheers,
James

Sent from my iPhone

Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by bimmerfan222

I've not even touched a M2 before, but it's to my understanding that:

AFTER the HAWK mod to a M2.. the only difference between the M1/M2 units is the FX board. The new ROM can control the settings on FX like before (it might be possible to program ROM to do more tricks to M2 FX via new code later on though.. )

DURING the mod (installation).. the M1 is much simpler to install. The M2 unit involves more jumpers and soldering.. extra steps vs. the M1.

BEFORE the mod.. the M2 is of course the better choice. The M2 has the delay FX, plus it has sysex support already in ROM. I think I've seen maps of the individual parameters for CC in the M2 manual.
M1 doesnt have that at all.. it mostly sends only notes and joystick data.

The HAWK removes the M2 sysex and places it's own code in.. a much MUCH better set of instructions.

I'd like to have a M2, but it was nice to avoid the extra installation steps involved in modding a HAWK into one... it was frustrating enough desoldering two chips off the main board.

I use a ART FXR Elite unit for digital delays/chorus/flanger, etc.
Onboard Delay FX would be nice to have though, I'd admit.

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Hello all, I recently decided to sell my Poly 800 because I'm going to invest in all the available mods, and want to do it on cleaner machine than the one I had (it was pretty beat-up, graphics rubbed off and buttons tricky to trigger).
>
> I'm wondering what the group recommendation is as to whether I should get another Poly 800 or get a 800mkII? I've never actually played a MkII so I'm not 100% sure that (chorus vs. d.delay notwithstanding), they sound absolutely alike...
>
> All suggestions and opinions welcome!
>
> Cheers,
> James
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

Re: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by w.james.meagher@gmail.com

Thanks Blaine - that was an extremely detailed reply.

Should I believe then that there is no actual perceivable difference in basic tone between the two? I shouldn't worry about getting the MkII and thinking it's not as punchy or sparkly or whatever as the MkI?

James

Sent from my iPhone

On 2012-08-05, at 9:49 AM, "bimmerfan222" <bperkins211@...> wrote:

I've not even touched a M2 before, but it's to my understanding that:

AFTER the HAWK mod to a M2.. the only difference between the M1/M2 units is the FX board. The new ROM can control the settings on FX like before (it might be possible to program ROM to do more tricks to M2 FX via new code later on though.. )

DURING the mod (installation).. the M1 is much simpler to install. The M2 unit involves more jumpers and soldering.. extra steps vs. the M1.

BEFORE the mod.. the M2 is of course the better choice. The M2 has the delay FX, plus it has sysex support already in ROM. I think I've seen maps of the individual parameters for CC in the M2 manual.
M1 doesnt have that at all.. it mostly sends only notes and joystick data.

The HAWK removes the M2 sysex and places it's own code in.. a much MUCH better set of instructions.

I'd like to have a M2, but it was nice to avoid the extra installation steps involved in modding a HAWK into one... it was frustrating enough desoldering two chips off the main board.

I use a ART FXR Elite unit for digital delays/chorus/flanger, etc.
Onboard Delay FX would be nice to have though, I'd admit.

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Hello all, I recently decided to sell my Poly 800 because I'm going to invest in all the available mods, and want to do it on cleaner machine than the one I had (it was pretty beat-up, graphics rubbed off and buttons tricky to trigger).
>
> I'm wondering what the group recommendation is as to whether I should get another Poly 800 or get a 800mkII? I've never actually played a MkII so I'm not 100% sure that (chorus vs. d.delay notwithstanding), they sound absolutely alike...
>
> All suggestions and opinions welcome!
>
> Cheers,
> James
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by bimmerfan222

It's my understanding by comparing schematics/parts between a M1/M2 that the raw sound is exactly the same. IE, if you turn FX off of both a M1/M2 and play the same exact patch/set parameters, you couldnt tell the difference in how they sound.

M2's typically sell for about 300+ on ebay vs. a M1 goes for about 200. You save money on both the Keyboard/HAWK kit and extra installation steps.
If you already have a digital delay/reverb unit, you wont be missing out on the extra FX... you could make a M1 sound very similar to the M2. That a no brainer ;)

There is a difference in the sequencers between an unmodded M1 and M2.. but after a HAWK mod on both, they are both the same. That part I missed in my earlier post.

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Thanks Blaine - that was an extremely detailed reply.
>
> Should I believe then that there is no actual perceivable difference in basic tone between the two? I shouldn't worry about getting the MkII and thinking it's not as punchy or sparkly or whatever as the MkI?
>
> James
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

Re: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by w.james.meagher@gmail.com

Perfect Blaine - thanks. Nice to know that I can get either without a compromise in sound. I never used the chorus on my M1 and doubt I'd ever use the d-delay on the M2. I suppose based on this info that it wouldn't really make any sense to get an M2 unless it's quite "cheap".

Does it make any great difference what order the mods are applied in?.. Except of course that there's no reason installing Atomahawk prior to MoogSlayer & FM mods. I wonder because I might come across a used P800 that already has Hawk or MoogSlayer installed.

Cheers,

James

Sent from my iPhone

On 2012-08-05, at 2:01 PM, "bimmerfan222" <bperkins211@...> wrote:

It's my understanding by comparing schematics/parts between a M1/M2 that the raw sound is exactly the same. IE, if you turn FX off of both a M1/M2 and play the same exact patch/set parameters, you couldnt tell the difference in how they sound.

M2's typically sell for about 300+ on ebay vs. a M1 goes for about 200. You save money on both the Keyboard/HAWK kit and extra installation steps.
If you already have a digital delay/reverb unit, you wont be missing out on the extra FX... you could make a M1 sound very similar to the M2. That a no brainer ;)

There is a difference in the sequencers between an unmodded M1 and M2.. but after a HAWK mod on both, they are both the same. That part I missed in my earlier post.

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Thanks Blaine - that was an extremely detailed reply.
>
> Should I believe then that there is no actual perceivable difference in basic tone between the two? I shouldn't worry about getting the MkII and thinking it's not as punchy or sparkly or whatever as the MkI?
>
> James
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by bimmerfan222

Mike really needs to explain the extra mods to you and how they will either keep working or change with a HAWK board added in.

I'm thinking that you're better off buying an unmodded synth (who knows what that other guy's work was like when he put the mods in...), plus most of those mods will be taken over (and removed/replaced) by the Atomahawk.
I think there is someone on here who recently posted that has the moogslayer mod on his Poly... he put the HAWK board on, but not the Atomahawk mod.. his moogslayer mod still works after the HAWK install.

According to the install docs, it is wise that you install the HAWK board in first, run it through to be sure it's all working correctly.. THEN go back in and install the Atomahawk.
It's easier to diagnose install issues this way.

You're chances of finding a Poly 800 with a HAWK in it for sale is slim to none.. once you get one, you dont ever want to sell it cuz it's too darn fun to play with.
Finding one with the moogslayer/fm800 mod in it is fairly common.. and again, you can add the HAWK to it and keep those mods active.
But if you have plans to put the Atomahawk in.. you might as well just get a completely unmodded Poly800 because the Atomahawk will take over those controls.. as far as I know.
Again, Mike is really the person to get the details on this info.

HTH

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Perfect Blaine - thanks. Nice to know that I can get either without a compromise in sound. I never used the chorus on my M1 and doubt I'd ever use the d-delay on the M2. I suppose based on this info that it wouldn't really make any sense to get an M2 unless it's quite "cheap".
>
> Does it make any great difference what order the mods are applied in?.. Except of course that there's no reason installing Atomahawk prior to MoogSlayer & FM mods. I wonder because I might come across a used P800 that already has Hawk or MoogSlayer installed.
>
> Cheers,
> James
>

Re: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-05 by w.james.meagher@gmail.com

Thanks again Blaine for another detailed reply. I think your advice is sound - I should get a Poly 800 that is currently unmodded and start from scratch, installing each mod one at a time. I'll let Mike chime in when he has time as to the best order in which to install all the mods.

Cheers again,

James

Sent from my iPhone

On 2012-08-05, at 4:46 PM, "bimmerfan222" <bperkins211@...> wrote:

Mike really needs to explain the extra mods to you and how they will either keep working or change with a HAWK board added in.

I'm thinking that you're better off buying an unmodded synth (who knows what that other guy's work was like when he put the mods in...), plus most of those mods will be taken over (and removed/replaced) by the Atomahawk.
I think there is someone on here who recently posted that has the moogslayer mod on his Poly... he put the HAWK board on, but not the Atomahawk mod.. his moogslayer mod still works after the HAWK install.

According to the install docs, it is wise that you install the HAWK board in first, run it through to be sure it's all working correctly.. THEN go back in and install the Atomahawk.
It's easier to diagnose install issues this way.

You're chances of finding a Poly 800 with a HAWK in it for sale is slim to none.. once you get one, you dont ever want to sell it cuz it's too darn fun to play with.
Finding one with the moogslayer/fm800 mod in it is fairly common.. and again, you can add the HAWK to it and keep those mods active.
But if you have plans to put the Atomahawk in.. you might as well just get a completely unmodded Poly800 because the Atomahawk will take over those controls.. as far as I know.
Again, Mike is really the person to get the details on this info.

HTH

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Perfect Blaine - thanks. Nice to know that I can get either without a compromise in sound. I never used the chorus on my M1 and doubt I'd ever use the d-delay on the M2. I suppose based on this info that it wouldn't really make any sense to get an M2 unless it's quite "cheap".
>
> Does it make any great difference what order the mods are applied in?.. Except of course that there's no reason installing Atomahawk prior to MoogSlayer & FM mods. I wonder because I might come across a used P800 that already has Hawk or MoogSlayer installed.
>
> Cheers,
> James
>

Re: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

2012-08-07 by Michael Hawkins

In my opinion, there's not much difference in the level of difficulty of installing a HAWK into a MK2 Poly. This is especially true when I redesigned the printed circuit board. Installing the new board into a MK2 is really not very different to an EX-800 or an original PS-800.

You can install a HAWK into a Poly that has already had extensive mod's done to it.

You can also install an AtomaHawk into a Poly that has already had many mod's done to it with the following care to be taken.

Moog Slayer - the AtomaHawk can generally be installed along side of the Moog Slayer as long as the Moog Slayer was done according to AtomaSmashers method.

FM-800 - again, the AtomaHawk can generally be installed along side of the Moog Slayer as long as the Moog Slayer was done according to AtomaSmashers method.

12/24db filter - the AtomaHawk can be installed along side of an existing 12/24 db/oct filter mod but i recommend removing the switch and integrating the 12/24db mod into AtomaHawk and using the AtomaHawk to control that filter mod.

Finally, I do give some assistance to those who want to install a HAWK or AtomaHawk into a synth that has already had others mod's done to it but the modder needs to understand the limits of the help that can be offered. The modder needs to take responsibility for the technical challenges of doing a HAWK/AtomaHawk installation and if things don't turn out well, modder has to suck it up and accept the consequences.

Mike

From: "w.james.meagher@..." <w.james.meagher@...>
To: "korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com" <korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com" <korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2012 5:54 PM
Subject: Re: [korgpolyex] Re: Poly800 Mk1 vs Mk2 and mod order

Cheers again,

James

Sent from my iPhone

On 2012-08-05, at 4:46 PM, "bimmerfan222" <bperkins211@...> wrote:

Mike really needs to explain the extra mods to you and how they will either keep working or change with a HAWK board added in.

I'm thinking that you're better off buying an unmodded synth (who knows what that other guy's work was like when he put the mods in...), plus most of those mods will be taken over (and removed/replaced) by the Atomahawk.
I think there is someone on here who recently posted that has the moogslayer mod on his Poly... he put the HAWK board on, but not the Atomahawk mod.. his moogslayer mod still works after the HAWK install.

According to the install docs, it is wise that you install the HAWK board in first, run it through to be sure it's all working correctly.. THEN go back in and install the Atomahawk.
It's easier to diagnose install issues this way.

You're chances of finding a Poly 800 with a HAWK in it for sale is slim to none.. once you get one, you dont ever want to sell it cuz it's too darn fun to play with.
Finding one with the moogslayer/fm800 mod in it is fairly common.. and again, you can add the HAWK to it and keep those mods active.
But if you have plans to put the Atomahawk in.. you might as well just get a completely unmodded Poly800 because the Atomahawk will take over those controls.. as far as I know.
Again, Mike is really the person to get the details on this info.

HTH

-Blaine

--- In korgpolyex@yahoogroups.com, w.james.meagher@... wrote:
>
> Perfect Blaine - thanks. Nice to know that I can get either without a compromise in sound. I never used the chorus on my M1 and doubt I'd ever use the d-delay on the M2. I suppose based on this info that it wouldn't really make any sense to get an M2 unless it's quite "cheap".
>
> Does it make any great difference what order the mods are applied in?.. Except of course that there's no reason installing Atomahawk prior to MoogSlayer & FM mods. I wonder because I might come across a used P800 that already has Hawk or MoogSlayer installed.
>
> Cheers,
> James
>