Polivoks Pro (Reissue) full demo

video upload by manmade madman

"[[[ Поливокс ]]]
In 2017, the Polivoks Pro was announced and began shipping. This was a joint effort between Alexey Taber and Alex Pleninger, with supervision
from the original creator, Vladimir Kuzmin.
It was designed from the original schematics using NOS Soviet parts, and handmade.

Only 100 units were built.

This is a demo of my unit, which I feel is currently the best Polivoks version available. I am controlling it via CV/Gate from the SH-101.

There is no external processing whatsoever.

Normally I run the SH-101 thru the input of the Polivoks. During the video, the SH-101 volume was off. When no cable is inserted, the highest left knob controls input gain. Part way through the video, I remove the cable.

0:00:00 Intro!
0:01:50 raw oscillators in drone mode
0:03:11 LFO modulation
0:03:20 Pulse Width Modulation (only on OSC 2)
0:04:35 Portamento
0:05:25 White noise through filter
0:05:40 Bandpass filter
0:06:23 Looping envelopes
0:07:30 Sequenced
0:09:09 An Accordion?
0:11:30 FM from audio rate LFO
0:12:50 A thick bassline
0:13:30 something something bassline2
0:15:10 same thing, but make it triangle, cross mod FM
0:15:51 back to drone, Sample & Hold
0:17:35 make it squelchy
0:20:00 make it acid
0:21:38 Pull the input cable, showing internal feedback
0:22:58 finally, a new sequence
0:26:46 Looping envelopes
0:28:00 Lets turns everything on max!

While this is intentionally not a musical demo, it is an overview of most of the features. It should demonstrate to you what it could sound like and whether it fits your music. This is not for everyone, but I still feel this is the best version available today. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Previously in 2013, I made this demo with an original Polivoks: [posted here]

Later in 2015, I made this demo of the Harvestman/Industrial Music Electronics Polivoks Eurorack modules: [posted here]"

The Harvestman Kuziminorgel Sub Octave Divider

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Suboctave divider with wet/dry mix and stability control. This circuit, designed by Vladimir Kuzmin, is a special octave divider circuit which tends to preserve the timbral qualities of the input in the divided signal. It freaks out in interesting ways if the input signal is noisy or contains many inharmonic components, so a stability control has been added to finely tune the nature of its freakout. This circuit was originally used in the Lider guitar processor, formerly available in the Soviet Bloc."

Polivoks SN 0327544

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Polivoks is the portable electronic musical synthesizer which is designed for playing different musical compositions of any genre. It is also intended for creating some musical effects in cinema and play scoring, in studio.

There are 4 octaves on the keyboard. The inclined desk is divided into the following functional sections: Modulator, Generator #1, Generator #2, Mixer and Amplifier. They give one a possibility to synthesize a broad spectrum of sounds and to change sounding at any time.

There are 3 internal audible signal sources in the instrument: to broad-ranged of the Generators with changed form of oscillations and a noise generator for creating a non-musical sounds such as wind, surf, whine, etc.

Possibility to connect an external audible signal sources to the synthesizer is provided for (e.g. guitars, electropianos and electroorgans). Sounds of different external sources are combined separatly in the mixer in any ratio. There is a filter in the synthesizer with cutoff frequency control and resonance to change colour of timbre of audilble signal over a wide range.

Engineer: Vladimir Kuzmin, designer: Olympiada Kuzmina, hardware engineer: Yuriy Pheophilov, produced by Urals Vector Company.

The supply voltage - 220-230V/50Hz. For use with 110/127V, a voltage converter is necessary.

POLIVOKS has 5-DIN output and 1/4 Jack headphone output connections.

Dimensions - 780x490x195mm

Weight of synth only - 23.00 kg (WITH packing)"

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New Polivoks Synthesizer Demo

Published on Sep 18, 2017 Thngs

"35 years after the release of the first model, the creator of Polivoks, Vladimir Kuzmin, decided to release an updated version, which already fell into the hands of many lucky people and, judging by the existing reviews, the legend has already returned. In the work on a modern embodiment, engineers Alex Pleninger and Alexey Taber took part. At the moment there are only 100 copies of the new Polivox and each of them is collected manually."

Maestro soviet analog synthesizer \ Маэстро

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on May 17, 2017 Cyril Metodey

"the instrument has mods by Logich:
Midi+arpeggiator sync to midi clock.
Three direct VCO Wavefrom select switches - Saw, Sq, Pw
going through VCF constantly."

via this auction

"Excellent physical condition. All keys work. The rightmost key is a bit tight. Functionally, almost everything works. For some reason, the arpeggiator in several modes plays only three notes instead of four. Obviously, the synthesizer needs to be serviced and tuned. I sell it as it is, because I can not compare with a fully serviceable device.

Once again, there are several technical issues that require expert inspection. But the synthesizer works, the modes are switched, the pitch shifter is ideal, the potentiometers work, the external state is perfect.

Keyboard electronic musical instrument (KEMI) "Maestro" is a portable polyphonic four-voiced synthesizer with microprocessor control (KR-580) & programmed timbres "presets". Number of presets- 20. There is possibility to get vibrato frequency with depth & frequency control. This instrument includes "chorus" effect with depth control, filter with cut-off frequency & resonance control. There are also "arpeggio-tremolo" arrangement with speed control and joystick that pitch shifts & vibrato depth controls.

Specifications:

Mains voltage 220V

Power consumption 25W

Range of operating tempererature 15-35 C

Relative oscillator drift over four hours is within +- 0.3

Sound range overlaped by oscillators- 43,6 Hz- 5274

Voices in unison-4

Dynamic range, <55 db Engineer: Vladimir Kuzmin, designer: Olympiada Kuzmina, produced by Urals Vector Company."

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ПОЛИВОКС синтезатор POLIVOKS Synthesizer (1982) ЭЛЕКТРОНИКА CCCP

Published on Apr 2, 2019 RetroSound

"(c) 2019 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound

all synthesizer sounds: #Polivoks Analog #Synthesizer (1982)
drums: LinnDrum
recording: multi-track
fx: reverb and delay

Polivoks Duophonic Analog Synthesizer
Made in #USSR 1982-1990

Designed by Vladimir Kuzmin and produced at the Formanta Radio Factory in Kachkanar
2 VCOs, FM, 2 ADSR, Glide, 2 LFOs, ADSR loop function,
The nice filter that can be switched from low pass to bandpass and two envelopes that can be looped over the AD sections."

The Harvestman: Polivoks VCG

flickr By Analogue Haven

"Finished! Now this is one that we've been waiting for.

Shown here is a production version of the Eurorack Polivoks VCG, aka the oscillator section of the semi-famous Soviet synthesizer of the same name. The module is made via collaboration with the Polivoks' original designer Vladimir Kuzmin and it uses vintage Soviet parts where possible.

Photo credit: Juliana Jaeger.
LINK to more Harvestman-related build content: www.mobypicture.com/user/julianajaeger/.

The Harvestman just shipped a batch of these modules to us. We expect stock before the New Year. LINK for more info: www.analoguehaven.com/theharvestman/polivoksvcg/."

Soviet MAESTRO

via this auction

"It was made in Soviet Union (Russia) by well-known Formanta plant in Kachkanar city. This instrument was created by Polivoks founder Vladimir Kuzmin. Synth has 20 patches in memory, vibrato, chorus, analog filter and arpegiator. There is joystick for pitch/vibrato control. Additional midi input and midi sync for arpegiator were installed."

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This Soviet synth is A E S T H E T I C

HAINBACH

"In which I demo the Maestro synthesizer which was made in the Soviet Union in 1986. The brainchild of synth genius Vladimir Kuzmin, it combines digital and analog sound generation in a most hauntingly beautiful way."

ПОЛИВОКС - POLIVOKS Analog Synthesizer (1982) - Retro Sounds

Published on Nov 29, 2017 RetroSound

"(c) 2017 vintage synthesizer demo by RetroSound

Polivoks Duophonic Analog Synthesizer Made in USSR 1982-1990

Designed by Vladimir Kuzmin and produced at the Formanta Radio Factory in Kachkanar

2 VCOs, FM, 2 ADSR, Glide, 2 LFOs, ADSR loop function, The nice filter that can be switched from low pass to bandpass and two envelopes that can be looped over the AD sections."

Mini Polivoks Modular (5 Eurorack modules from The Harvestman)

Published on Jan 22, 2020 poorness studios

"It took me a few years to find all these modules on the used market, but I managed to put together a Eurorack Polivoks clone. All 5 modules are from The Harvestman (Industrial Music Electronics) and were designed by Scott Jaeger in conjunction with Vladimir Kuzmin (the designer of the original Polivoks synthesizer). This modules are housed in a 4MS Pod48X. The original Polivoks synthesizers were made from 1982-1990 by the Formanta radio factory in Russia. They are sought after for their unique sound that came from the Soviet-made electronic components."

POLIVOKS (aka POLYVOX, POLIVOX, POLYVOKS) - Interviews

"For many years Russian Federation has been an isolated economy. Ministry of Culture, for example, wouldn't allow import of foreign instruments and Soviet musicians at the time didn't have a musical instrument that would offer capabilities and sounds of the equipment available to the rest of the world. This had triggered creation of a completely new and unique instrument.

Polivoks was designed by an engineering team lead by Vladimir Kuzmin from the Urals Vector Company later built by Formanta Radio Plant in the early 80's. First commercially available Polivoks was sold in 1982 with the last unit sold in 1990. Polivoks is one of the most popular vintage synths today because of its history and extraordinary industrial look. Many consider its sound capabilities to be comparable to a MiniMoog."

click here for more including two interviews. via Kevin in the comments of this post.

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"

Polivox Desktop Rack with MIDI

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is rack version of famous Polivox synth with Midi mod added. Item passed full repair and profilactics. old condensators were changed for new ones. Polivoks is the portable electronic musical synthesizer which is designed for playing different musical compositions of any genre. It is also intended for creating some musical effects in cinema and play scoring, in studio.

There are 4 octaves on the keyboard. The inclined desk is divided into the following functional sections: Modulator, Generator #1, Generator #2, Mixer and Amplifier. They give one a possibility to synthesize a broad spectrum of sounds and to change sounding at any time. There are 3 internal audible signal sources in the instrument: to broad-ranged of the Generators with changed form of oscillations and a noise generator for creating a non-musical sounds such as wind, surf, whine, etc. Possibility to connect an external audible signal sources to the synthesizer is provided for (e.g. guitars, electropianos and electroorgans). Sounds of different external sources are combined separatly in the mixer in any ratio. There is a filter in the synthesizer with cutoff frequency control and resonance to change colour of timbre of audilble signal over a wide range.

Engineer: Vladimir Kuzmin, designer: Olympiada Kuzmina, hardware engineer: Yuriy Pheophilov, produced by Urals Vector Company."

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ELTA Polivoks-M PM-02 Eurorack Module Demo

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
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 Soviet Minimoog Analog synth

via this auction
"Polivoks was designed by an engineering team lead by Vladimir Kuzmin from the Urals Vector Company later built by Formanta Radio Plant in the early 80's.
• This auction synth was made in July 1988 in USSR. Serial Number: 0788009
• Polivoks is one of the most popular vintage synths today because of its history and extraordinary industrial look. Many consider its sound capabilities to be comparable to a MiniMoog.
• POLIVOKS is a polyphonic 2 OSC analog synthesizer. It features a unique set of electronic parts, reliable keyboard (49 notes F–E) made in magnetically controlled contacts; synthesis modules consist of independent boards, which is convenient for maintenance.
• The synthesizer has 2-voices polyphony; each oscillator works with a keyboard note independently.
• Polivoks is housed in an original body of uncommon design with handy controls.
• Two types of filters – bandpass/lowpass and external input for cutoff control.
• Connection on the rear panel : on/off switch, OUTPUT on standard 1/4''jack, INPUT and Pedal input with 5-Din connectors, PHONES with 5-Din connector, power wire connection (220V), fuse (0,5A) ."

Formanta Maestro & Roland CR-78 Demo

video upload by Carambolage

"All sounds generated on Formanta Maestro synth (except percussion, which is Roland CR-78).
No midi, all sounds played by hand on Maestro. Multitrack recording + some FX in a DAW."

Formanta Maestro Demo (dry sound / checking all the fuctions)

video upload by

"Designed by Vladimir Kuzmin (the engineer who created the famous Polivoks synthesizer). Manufactured at Ural Vector Factory, Soviet Union, sometime in the late 80s."

Interesting pitch bend.

Formanta POLIVOKS. Soviet synthesizer 1982. Bass Line. Modified

Published on Mar 4, 2020 oRangeOfSound

"Formanta POLIVOKS. Soviet synthesizer 1982. Bass Line. Modified

All sounds
made by Formanta POLIVOKS.
*Expect Drums
**Music by oRangeOfSound

#Formanta #POLIVOKS is a monophonic analog synthesizer created by Vladimir Kuzmin in 1982.
* #modified :
- midi
- 2 sub-oscillators per oscillator (vol., normal/inverted phase, -12/-24 semi.)"

Pricing and Availability of the Upcoming Polivoks Clone by Alex Pleninger

Just in via Alex Pleninger.

"The very first run is ready and the price is defined at $2000. After that the price is going to rise up to $2400."

Note this is a sponsored project and the decision for the price increase following the first run is not Alex's. Introductory price discounts are not all uncommon. The official website with ordering details will follow soon. Until then, enjoy the pics and of course be sure to see the Alex Pleninger label at the bottom of this post for video demos.

Update: Some additional info and new pics below in via Alex:

"All units are and will be hand crafted and made. There're no surface mount components inside, all pcbs use trough-hole design which allows to achieve really vintage flavour in sound and behaviour. Almost 85% of components are rare soviet new old stock. Pots and switches are faceplate-mounted thus very reliable and durable.

The following features were added to the original:

LFO frequency mod, routable from MIDI/CV or Filter EG

LFO additional waveforms (two saws and sine)

RING MOD (beautifully sounding XOR) in Mixer section

bipolar attenuators on LFO mod and Filter EG's depth

overall mod indexes are increased, especially in VCA section

PWM on second oscillator, attenuator and source selector (VCA EG or LFO)

EXT INput acts now as an additional positive feedback loop

thank you,
cheers,
Alex"

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Elta Music PM-02 Polivoks-M

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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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