ELTA Music POLIVOKS-M/ POLIVOKS mini / ПОЛИВОКС мини

Published on Jul 25, 2018 ELTA music

"POLIVOKS-M mini. Analog desktop synthesizer
Pre-orders. https://www.eltamusic.com/polivoks-mini

The idea of the Polivoks Mini analog synthesizer came into mind in 1990, as the junior version of its older brother well known Polivoks full synth. The aim was to develop a way simpler and lighter device that has less components, offers the same broad capabilities, and removes possible flaws of the Polivoks full synth.
As the result of this research a new minimalistic schematic appeared. It has fewer controls that are compensated by greater functionality.
For example, in the Modulator section the Form switch has been replaced by the controller with triangular oscillation in the middle position and sawtooth shape oscillation smoothly falling in the extreme positions. The controller for the envelope filter input set to zero in the middle position and smoothly increasing its value by turning the knob clockwise while turning the knob counterclockwise increases inverse voltage of the envelope generator. The main synthesizer sections, such as generator, famous Polivoks filter, multimode envelope generator are essentially the same as Polivoks’s ones and have their unique sound. In addition to that, the main generator of the Polivoks Mini doesn’t require any thermal stabilization or adjustment. In general, the simplified schematic delivers the sound appreciated by wide range of musicians by minimal means but with new capabilities. The Polivoks Mini will be released as the keyboardless version with integrated USB and MIDI interfaces.
The overall design of the Polivoks Mini is made in collaboration with Ms. Olympiada Kuzmina, Polivoks full synth concept designer.
​
Vladimir Kuzmin"

New ELTA Polivoks M Presented by Vladimir Kuzmin

Published on Aug 18, 2018 vladimir kuzmin

"Video revue of new analog synth with USB MIDI Polivoks-M by Kuzmin/ELTA."

From the creator of the original Polivoks himself.

You can find additional posts including demos featuring the new ELTA Polivoks M here.

UVI Introduces Synth Anthology 4

video uploads by UVI

Note the above is a playlist featuring 4 videos. You can use the player controls to skip through them or just watch them all in order.

Details on Synth Anthology 4 follow:

The authentic sound of 200 synthesizers, from vintage to modern
4,000+ presets and layers deliver incredible sound with hardware soul
Feature-packed dual-layer engine with fx, arpeggiator and more

Synth Anthology 4 - A Synthesizer Tour de Force
https://www.uvi.net/synth-anthology-4

Rebuilt from the ground-up, Synth Anthology 4 now features the authentic hardware sound of 200 vintage and modern synthesizers, a fully redesigned engine with powerful features, fx, arpeggiator, smart sound suggestion engine, native MPE support, and more.
A dreamlike collection!

Also included in SonicPass ➡️ https://www.uvi.net/sonicpass

Video credits: Anthony Hak
Music Credits: Théo & Thomas

"The Best Keeps Getting Better

What's new in version 4?

Almost everything!
We've rebuilt the engine from the ground-up, added more synths, more presets, more effects, more filters, more modulation, a dedicated browser, a second fully-customizable layer for creating hybrid and blended timbres, an all-new smart suggestion engine that helps you quickly find similar sounds, a more powerful arpeggiator/phraser, bus effects, native MPE support, and more!

Real Hardware Sounds There is something unmistakable about the sound of a real hardware synth, from subtle differences between voice circuits and drift to the varied way filters bite into the sound; there's a distinct character and energy. Synth Anthology 4 delivers the authentic and uncompromising hardware sound with all the conveniences of a modern software instrument.

Every piece of hardware represents a unique creative vision, sonic character, innovations, and strengths. Whatever you're looking for, from analog to digital, vintage classic to future classic, you will find it here. Synth Anthology 4 delivers an incredible collection of hardware, every major manufacturer, every type of synthesis, every era, 200 synthesizers in all.

You won't find a more complete collection anywhere else."

The list:

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Polivoks FAEMI-M Soviet Vintage Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer

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video upload by Universal Audio

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Update: The listing has the FAEMI-M as being from 1968. It seemed a little early to me so I checked my copy of Peter Forest's The A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers. It's listed but without a production date. Right before the entry for the FAEMI-M is the FAEMI children's keyboard which was released in 1972. I then checked http://www.ruskeys.net, but no date is given either. Previous posts refer to the FAEMI-M being from the 1970s. Sound on Sound's article on the Polivoks mentions the FAEMI-M but w/o a date. If anyone defininitively knows, feel free to leave a comment. A couple of interesting comments from that Sound on Sound article:

"The Polivoks is a duophonic synthesizer designed by Vladimir Kuzmin, an electronics engineer who had been the bass player and sound engineer in his student band. Having graduated in 1976, he was inspired to apply for work at the Urals Vector Company by the inventor of the FAEMI, the first commercially successful Russian electronic keyboard. That man was Vladimir Lugovetz, the Director of the bureau that controlled development of electronic instruments at the Vector company, and the father of Kuzmin's future wife."

Followed by "Interviewed by Polish synthesizer enthusiast and supplier Maciej Polak, in 2003, Kuzmin explained: "My first task was to design the spring reverberator, but I also tried to improve the design of FAEMI‑M in order to obtain some modern effects such as portamento and filtering."

Auction details:

"So, the good news: All four oscillator generators are working; I have cleaned the potentiometers, and only one couldn't be fixed, and just one is slightly crackling on movement. I replaced the output jacks with the standard 1/4" jack.

Things I couldn't fix: The vibrato section is not working. Several keys are not working at all, and some of them work when pressed harder.

The external original power supply is unusual – it is combined with the scale pedal in one housing. The pedal works, but it also has a slight crackle on movement.

To see and understand the objective condition, I recorded a video. Please watch below, where I aim to show the specific condition of the device. Despite the problems, it is still alive, and I believe you can either repair, sample, or simply enjoy the time with such an old and unusual synthesizer, even in its current state. Of course, due to these reasons, I have also objectively reduced the price.

The package is fully loaded: synthesizer, original power supply/volume pedal, original 5-Din cable to connect the pedal to the synth, power cable for the power supply, original wooden hard case

Here is some official spoecifications:

Specifications:

Keyboard volume - 4 octaves.

Full sound range (all the registers are switched on) - from F in the controctave to E in the fifth octave.

Output voltage at the load of 100 kOhm - not less than 0.1 V.

Power supply:
-from an external DC source - 12 V +10\-20 %;

Power consumption from AC mains - not more than 15 W.

Current consumed from the battery of dry elements - 350 mA.

Overall dimensions - 610*280*110 mm.

Weight - not more than 10 kg."

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Elta Music PM-02 Polivoks-M

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You can find a demo of the Elta Music PM-02 Polivoks-M here.

"46 HP Eurorack Module w/ original box and documentation. Includes power supply ribbon cable.

Full synth voice with classic Polivoks circuits
Variable-shape LFO with two simultaneous outputs
Classic, snarling Polivoks filter with BP and LP modes
ADSR envelope with optional looping mode
Full modular integration with CV inputs for pitch, cutoff, VCA, and PWM
Direct LFO, VCO, Suboscillator, Envelope, Noise, and Master audio outputs
Designed in collaboration with Vladimir Kuzmin, developer of the original Polivoks"

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Polivoks-M Eurorack Synth 2019 Limited Edition

Published on Oct 25, 2019 ELTA music

"ELTA Music presents limited POLIVOKS-M in euro-rack

https://reverb.com/item/26609452-elta...

- works on the original scheme designed in 80-s

- features the original Polivoks filter that gives so defined classic Polivoks dirty sound

- the production is limited, there are only 50 units the world will see !"

(Vermona '14): "Rumba in Blue" (MIDI-Synth)

Published on May 25, 2019 Kris Lennox

"Listen to the sound of that thing. For a straight-up mono tone, the '14 is hard to beat. In this recording I'm playing with a range of tones, from a rave sawtooth sound (i.e 0:51), to something more akin to a Polivoks (2:21 ish). In fact, when the filter is backed off a little, the '14 can sound very similar to the old Polivoks. I'd certainly understand if someone on hearing only the few seconds @ 2:21 thought they were hearing a Polivoks.

This track I wrote in the DAW (as a MIDI file). The '14 keyboard is decoupled, and I'm sending MIDI from the DAW to the '14 (via the mio cable). The MIDI is a straight 127 velocity value; it is simply the filter/settings etc on the '14 giving the sense of dynamic variation (if creating works with huge filter variation, I generally keep velocities within a narrow bandwidth, as certain filter positions can kill notes at lower velocities).

The piece, despite being for monosynth, is written to sound like three parts. Tricky to compose in this manner when harmony is non-existent - but worth the effort.

MIDI files are probably to electronic musicians what sheet music is to Classical players. I like the idea of someone else taking a MIDI file, running it through their own synth/modular, and doing their own thing with it. To me, this is the same as a Classical pianist sitting down and giving their own interpretation of a work.

Of course, electronic musicians will know MIDI files are like gold dust. They are the key.

Rather than holding on to my own MIDI files, I'm happy to sell them on. I'm also happy for others to run any of my MIDI live, release tracks on their own albums, splice the original file and use as they wish etc. If anyone wants the MIDI file for this track, I'm willing to sell it for £25 (paypal). Again, do what you want with it when you have it. The fun is doing your own thing.

PS I'll likely upload quite a few midi-controlled works, as I like the idea of others having access to the files and potentially creating their own versions. That, plus I plan on uploading videos of multiple synths driven simultaneously i.e Matrixbrute/Vermona/Odyssey etc.

Enjoy (the '14 really does have a great tone)

And if interested in the MIDI file, just email me (krislennoxpiano@gmail.com)

All best
Kris"

Modular Jam #21 - Frantic

Published on Jan 30, 2015 DivKidMusic

"Frantic beats with a dark ambient droning backdrop! :)
FULL PATCH DESCRIPTION BELOW

Hit like and subscribe for more videos every week and check out the link below to see how you can support my channel and me making new videos everyweek.

http://www.patreon.com/divkid

PATCH NOTES

Kick
Intellijel Dixie sine with the Erica Synths Polivoks Envelope Generator sending a sharp envelope to the Intellijel Dixie Controller exponential FM input (attenuated) to sweep the sine's pitch to create the kick. No VCA was used to cut off the sound as the pitch goes so low into the mixer is pretty inaudible in this patch.

Clap
Erica Synths Polivoks Modulator white noise into the Intellijel uVCA with modulation of the VCA from the WMD Multi-mode Envelope. This then goes into the Livewire Frequensteiner filter in band pass mode to shape the noise before going into my mixers.

16th note cymbal
Mutable Instruments Braids with the new 1.7 firmware in the new cymbal CYMB mode. The filtering/timbre and noise/oscillator blend along with tuning was moved manually in the video. Braids internal envelopes control the level before going to my mixer.

Offbeat hi hat
A mult. of the Polivoks Modulator noise going into the Erica Synths Polivoks Filter in band pass mode then into the Erica Synths Polivoks VCA with the trigger from ALM's Pamela's Workout going to modulate the VCA. The trigger worked out at a nice length with an envelope for the sound.

Main percussion
Mutable Instruments Elements gate rhythm triggered and generated from Pamela's Workout. I have the Polivoks Modulator LFO output modulating the Strike's Mallet type, one channel of Mutable Instruments Peaks modulating the damping of the resonator, LFO 2 from Synthesis Tech's E355 dual wavetable LFO modulating the resonator's geometry and a Frequency Central Ultra Wave modulating the resonator's position. I manually adjusted Elements coarse tuning, Blow (volume, and air flow) and space parameters. If all that sounds confusing check out the Elements page on MutableInstruments.net there's a great manual and material on their and … more importantly cough cough … go watch my overview video on my channel.

Drum mixing
Drums were mixed in the Erica Synths Polivoks Mixer and also the Manhattan Analog CP3 Mixer before going into a single channel of a Bubblesound VCA4- which I'm using as an output mixer.

Bass
Neutron Sound - Orgone Accumulator as a bass drone with modulation of the FM index from Peaks in LFO mode. This then goes into a VCA4p channel.

Drone
This is how the patch started, someone asked me about Synthesis Tech's E350 and more specifically FM on the E350. So the sound source is the E350 with FM modulation from a TipTop Audio Z3000's sine wave. The Z3000's 1V/oct is modulated by the Frequency Central System X Sample & Hold (with a lot of onboard lag/slew). The E350 shines with subtle modulation of it's wavetables so the E355 LFO2 is modulating the X wavetable position. The E350's output then goes into a Mutable Instruments Ripples (which is modulating from a different LFO from Peaks) before going into Mutable Instruments Clouds (realtime granular processing). Clouds sample/playback position and grain size are modulated from both of the Peaks LFO channels, grain density is modulated from the System X Sample & Hold and Texture is modulated from LFO1 on the E355. The output then goes into one channel of the Manhattan Analog MA35 filter and is also split into the Flame FX6. The Flame FX6 is in Reverb mode and that output then goes into channel 2 on the MA35. The filtering (low pass) and input volume of the MA35 is modulated live as well as the Bubblesound uLFO sending it's shaped sine output to modulate the MA35's cut off. As with the use of Elements in this patch … If all that sounds confusing check out the Clouds page on MutableInstruments.net there's a great manual and material on their and … more importantly cough cough … go watch my overview video on my channel."

Elta Music Polivoks-M Eurorack Module

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"Polivoks-M in eurorack format, one of the first batch. very rare at this moment!

delivery from Ukraine with tracking 2-4 weeks. please check my feedback."

First time I've seen it in euro format. You can see demos of the desktop in the archives here.

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FAEMI-M RAREST VINTAGE SOVIET USSR ANALOG SYNTHESIZER

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mechanical animals

"::: INCLUDES: FAEMI-M (s/n 0585183), ORIGINAL CASE, PEDAL, CABLE FOR PEDAL AND POWER CABLE :::

FAEMI-M is a transistor portable polyphonic electromusic instrument produced by Katchkanar radio equipment factory "Formanta", which is the manufacturer of such well-known makes of synthesizers as Polivoks, Formanta, Manual, Maestro etc. Faemi-M is a "young brother" of a very popular synthesizer Polivoks. It bears the same logo on the package and retains some of its most impressive capabilities.

A performer can change the timbre using knobs and the switchers of sound synthesis control. It is possible to mix the sounds of one or several octaves, which enables a performer to change the timbre smoothly and to obtain sounds characteristic for various genres, such as folk, pop, and classical music, and for organ works. Faemi-M provides the possibility of the rapid change of the sound character with the help of such effects as frequency vibrato, tremolo, and release.

Faemi-M can be used both at home and in music ensembles. It can be used as an accompanying or a solo instrument, depending on the will of a performer. The power can be applied from the mains or from the internal battery of dry elements. The volume control is carried out with the help of a pedal and the respective knob on the case of the device. The case is made of light alloys and covered with artificial leather. The upper panel is covered with a coat of enamel.

In the lower part of the case, there are 12 openings, providing the access to oscillator frequency adjustment controls. On the rear panel of the case, there are plug-and-sockets for the following connections:
— of the device to an external amplifier and for recording without a microphone;
— of an external loudspeaker or telephones;
— of a pedal;
— of an external power source.

In the pedal, there is a built-in rectifier, which makes it possible to use AC mains as a power source."

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SYNTHPOSIUM 2018 Moscow

Published on Sep 4, 2018 cuckoomusic

Some new makers in the set.

Playlist:

1. Kasseta Bastl Kastle @Synthposium 2018 Moscow

Developer Nondestructive Design is starting out with their first product. A VHS synth based on Bastl Kastle. Showing it for the first time at Synthposium 2018.

2. Motovilo New Modules zADSR zLFO @Synthposium 2018 Moscow

Motovilo Audio Lab is showing their new envelope and LFO modules @Synthposium 2018 Moscow.

3. Playtronica @Synthposium 2018 Moscow

Playtronica showing their Touch Me and Playtron instruments @Synthposium 2018 Moscow.

4. Polivoks-M @Synthposium 2018 Moscow

Elta Music showing their Polivoks-M synth @Synthposium 2018 Moscow.

5. Uoki-Toki Intense Modular Performance @Synthposium 2018 Moscow

I met Uoki-Toki and heard him perform one of his absolutely stunning tracks at Synthposium 2018. I just had to share this with the world! This was intense!

ELTA Polivoks-M PM-02 Eurorack Module Demo

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Published on Oct 10, 2019 ELTA music

"Polivoks eurorack module from @eltamusic. This is multitracked. All sounds/tracks are generated by the Polivoks. Drums are @roland_us TR-909. Music and Video by Protovolt.

Buy it now on Reverb using the link below.
https://reverb.com/item/26609452-elta...

Original schematics by Vladimir Kuzmin, creator of the original Polivoks synth from Soviet Union. Finally in eurorack format."

Cool retro arcade cabinet eurorack case.


Note the PM-02 was first announced back in April.

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Polivoks Filter Clone

Title link takes you to the Polivoks Filter Clone site by Marc Bareille.

James R. Coplin built one and recorded this 261k MP3 of the clone. Check it out. It's a wicked sounding filter.

James on the filter:
"I just got done putting a Polivoks filter together on a breadboard and thought some folks might like to hear how it sounds. The filter is from Marc Bareille's adaptation and sounds like drinking vodka through broken lips and teeth must feel! A big thanks to Marc for all his help. I will be posting full details of the project with some additional adaptations that Marc told me about to use some hard to get parts. I'm thinking I need about 4 of these in my rig." "The thing has *no* caps in the filter and has a very strange resonance characteristic as a side effect. At extreme settings instead of producing a sine wave, it makes a squarish wave and eventual kind of craps out as you can hear.

The patch was just three saws running in and then out through a vca. There was *no* distortion added or sync on the osc. All that grunge is from the filter itself. I wouldn't want one as my only filter but I got to tell you, this thing is wonderful. I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm building 4 of them for my rig. Processing drums with these is lovely."

Roland AX7 Gone Russian

via Don Philippo of Heimatkapelle die Darmstädter Hübsch:

"My good friend Reinier Borst introduced me to the beauty of this Russian vintage
synth a few weeks ago. I've been planning to have my beloved AX7 customized for quite a while, but I could never come up with a proper theme until I ran into this Polivoks video.

Although the Soviets had keytars such as the Junost-21, I found the overall design of the Polivoks way more appealing.

To get an idea of what my pimped AX7 would look like, I did some Babelfishing and Photoshopping to come up with the 1982-Soviet-collage. Like the real Polivoks, I want all the print on the casing to be in Russian. At the moment I am getting in touch with some Russian fellow Roland Clan members to help me out translating all the text bits on my AX7's case (link, huge jpeg alert) into proper Russian, since I found out online translation services don't know diddley about keytars.

As for me: My name Don Philippo and I'm in a band called Heimatkapelle die Darmstädter Hübsch (see http://www.hubsch.nl or http://picasaweb.google.com/dphilippo if you don't speak Dutch). The guy who is gonna help me do the makeover is Ernst Fliek. He will (have one of his guys) do the paint job. Some kind of matte black would be nice, but we have to pick a color true to the original Polivoks yet. After that we will try and fit my Kenton Midistream wireless MIDI transmitter unit into the empty spaces inside the AX7 and connect it to the AX7's battery unit. Ernst's decal guy will then turn my AI-files into proper lettering, apply it tho the AX7's body and give it a heavy duty transparent coating.

The project is planned for this summer, although funding issues might push the project towards Christmas;-). I'll let you know of any progress."

Polivoks Demo

Title link takes you to an MP3 of the Polivoks sent my way via Mr. Array.

"I noticed that some of the comments on the recent Polivoks post were asking for more sound examples. A few years back, I downloaded this Polivoks demo MP3 from the Moog Music forums. I forgot who made this, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's quite catchy!"

Thanks Mr. Array! If anyone knows where this demo is from, feel free to comment.

ELTA Music POLIVOKS-M / POLIVOKS mini prototype demo

Published on May 1, 2018 ELTA music

"First prototype demo. Available in June. Price. $499
Color synthesizer - black, green and purple
PRE-ORDERS eltamusicsales@gmail.com
VISIT eltamusic.com."

soviet ambient

Published on Jul 7, 2017

"A calm moment with a couple of soviet synths (Polivoks and Aelita), there's analog and digital delay, and some live looping via the electrix repeater."

Aelita synth

Published on Dec 25, 2016 mongobigmuff

"Soundtrack music wtih Aelita synth and some effects."

Polivoks drone

Published on Jul 6, 2017 mongobigmuff

"Wall of sound created with a Polivoks analog soviet synth. The synth goes through analog and digital delays and I'm controlling filtering and modulation, with some extra smooth notes from the Aelita synth, just to add some more color to the piece."

Ambient Krautrock

Published on Jul 7, 2017

"A krautrock improv with soviet synths, the Polivoks and Aelita synths are going through analog and digital delays and then looped with an Elelctrix Repeater."

Final Set of A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers

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The listing is from the author Peter Forrest who states this is likely the last set.  These are great books and imo the most comprehensive.  Click on the pics to get an idea of what they are like.  Peter also has other items listed including The Museum of Synthesizer Technology and Synthesizer von Gestern II.

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FAEMI-M SN 984218 Soviet Synth

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mechanical animals

"Manual is a transistor portable polyphonic electromusic instrument produced by Katchkanar radio equipment factory "Formanta", which is the manufacturer of such well-known makes of synthesizers as Polivoks, Formanta, Manual, Maestro etc. Faemi-M is a "young brother" of a very popular synthesizer Polivoks. It bears the same logo on the package and retains some of its most impressive capabilities.

Manual is the polyphonic organ with the 4 octave's keyboard, rhythm section and the speaker. It has 4 base and sound registers, tremolo mode and vibrato.

Control on the front panel:
— registers: 16', 8', 4', 2'
— timbre level: low, high
— post sounding - duration, volume.
— vibrato - depth, frequency
— main volume
— rhythm, ON, A, B
— tremolo: 4', 2', frequency
— rhythm, volume, tempo.

Connectors on the lateral desk:
— mains, ON
— mains' connector, safety device
— output switch (outward/inward)
— headphones
— pedal
— output.

Engineer: Vladimir Lugovets, designer: Olympiada Kuzmina (the one who designed the legendary Polivoks), produced by Urals Vector Company."

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Orange Model Elta Music Polivoks-M

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