via this auction
According to the listing this is analog. Anyone confirm?
"You are bidding on the extremely rare Polyvox K by Solton. This synth must be from between 1981-1984. It most certainly predates my Solton Programmer's which were from 1985, and had a silver and blue color scheme. There was a Super Polyvox that shared this color scheme, so this at least from before then. It was made by Ketron Sound Lab in Anacona Italy, which opened in 1981. That should explain my dating. It is serial 12xx/85. It is fully polyphonic. You can play all of its keys at the same time.It is essentially a very large and deep preset synth. It has a sections with presets for synth, brass, percussion effects, organ, choir, and strings, as well as a rhythm arranged with a bunch of drum programs, and a sequencer which I don't understand how to use. There is also a built in Spring Reverb! So fun to add to the synths. There is a large controller unit that functions as the brain, and connects to a keyboard. The brain part has a bunch of voice banks with different types of instruments that you can combine. They keyboard has switches for voice presets, and an accordion style 120 bass for your left hand. The thing is that it provides some cool control for the presets, not just bass. You can play string, choir, and organ chords with it. There are synth presets that attempt to be Moogish, they are mostly pretty cool sounds, standard of the era. You can adjust this section with "brilliance" and "modulation". Kind of like a cutoff and LFO knob, not really sure exactly what they are meant to do, but they do sound good.
This synth is both totally unique and totally bizarre. I doubt there are but a handful of these in existence, who knows if any of them are working but this one. I have not seen another one since I bought this one and have found no info online about it at all. Not having a manual means I never fully understood how to use it, but its pretty straightforward. The best way to describe the sounds are lush and dark. Super lush analog strings and choirs. Very italian sounding. Dark piano and percussive sounds. On board reverb is super useful. To me it sounded good as sounds for either new wave, maybe ambient, but the sounds are applicable and beautiful in their own right and could be used in any genre.
Everything seems like it is in working order to me. Buttons function. LEDs are bright. All presets trigger. All keys work. All outputs work. I have combined presets, and played with all the sounds, but I have no idea how to sequence or save sequences etc. I do assume that its fully programmable because there are user presets saved on the main unit.
Here is a basic breakdown of each of the sections and what they are capable of:
Rhythm Section Computer: This describes the drum machine section of this unit and consists of the following.
24 Rhythm Presets: Waltz 1&2, Slow W, March 6/8, Tango 1&2, Polka, March, Bossa N., Cha Cha, Mambo, Samba, Beguine, Western P., Ballad, Swing, Slow R., Blues, Boogie, Beat, Hard R., Funky, Disco 1&2.
Sequencer for Bass, Synth, and Piano using either Step Write or Real Time Sequencing. 4 Programs to save to.
Drum select for Bass, Snare, Hat, Cymbal, Clap, and End/Drum Off.
Bass section with presets: Bass Guitar, Double Bass, and Tuba. These can be set to auto accompany the sequence.
Digital tempo Control
RSC Controls: A Mixer section with Bass Sustain, Bass Volume, Piano Accord Volume, Soloist Volume, Drum Volume, and Drum Balance.
Volumes Section: A Mixer section for Left and Right Organ, Choir, Strings, Percussion Effects, Brass, Synth, and Reverb. There is a built in spring reverb that can be added via the mixer. Very lush and cool sounding.
Synth Section: 16 Presets. These presets can be altered with the Brilliance and Modulation Intensity knobs.
Brass Section: 3 Presets. Trombone, Horn, and Wha Bass.
Percussion Effects Section: 5 Presets. Piano, Spinet, W. Piano, Banjo, El. Piano. There is a button for sustain, and a button to send it just to the right side. The Piano presets are truly beautiful with a little of the spring reverb and totally unique.
Percuss Section: Can select 4', 2 2/3', or Long.
Organ Section: Right and left organ. Right can be
Choir Strings: 3 presets. Choir, Cello, and Violin. These can be sent to the left side or stereo. Grainy, lush, deep, dark, strings/choirs. I love this section. Very Italian and very magical.
Tuning Section: The Synth and General sections can be tuned independently via 2 knobs in the upper right."
My Father had backin the '90 the Solton Super-Polyvox.
ReplyDeleteIt's a grey version of the Solton Polyvox
The difference between the (grey/blue) Super-Polyvox and the (brown) Polyvox module.
Is that the Super Polyvox has midi-out
The Super-Polyvox came whit a same (grey)color accordionkeyboard or a black Solton Accordion
What I forgotto mention,
ReplyDeleteThe Solton Super-Polyvox has Line-inputs (left/Right)
That can be controled by the expression pedal
Is't a very rare synth/organ (Super-Polyvox)
There where only made 3 by Ketron lab. in Italia.
There is also a model/version with two manuals and bass pedals.
But it's not called Polyvox, I'am not sure about the type.
I have seen it in action.
The series where very exspensif in that time
Hello,
Deletei just got one, same version as on the pictures.
Unfortunately it does not work right.
Still looking for one that works or for spare parts!
Hey, i just purchased a polyvox sound module (no keyboard module unfortunately)
ReplyDeletei was very excited into enterring this rare piece of electronics, but when i tried to launch a arrangement, there is nothing, i can just play a synth line and a drum pattern...
Do you know where i could find the owner's manual ?
or do you have any tips to get started with it ?