Korg Multi/Poly: Analog Modeling Meets Digital Depth

At the heart of the Multi/Poly’s sound engine are virtual voice cards, each simulating the subtle component variations found in real analog hardware. This design means every voice has its own character, with pitch drift and evolving envelopes that mimic the unpredictability of true analog circuits. The video demonstrates how these voice cards allow for nuanced timbral shifts, especially noticeable in long-release pads and evolving textures.

Oscillator options are extensive: four per program, with choices spanning classic analog waveforms, digital wavetables (including user-imported options), and West Coast-style wave shaping. There’s also a noise generator, ring modulator, and expanded oscillator sync and cross-modulation capabilities. This oscillator section is clearly designed for deep sound exploration, with hands-on control over parameters like pulse width, waveform blending, and more. For those who crave variety, the Multi/Poly’s oscillator section is a veritable playground.

Modulation is where the Multi/Poly truly flexes its digital muscles. The instrument features two independent filter slots, each loaded with vintage and modern filter models—ranging from the sweet Mono/Poly filter to the aggressive MS-20. These filters are not just cosmetic; they’re redesigned for authenticity and can be routed in flexible ways for complex sound sculpting.

The modulation matrix includes four loopable envelopes, five LFOs, and six mod processors per program, plus multi-lane motion control for per-voice automation. Kaoss Physics brings real-time gestural control via a touchpad, while Motion Sequencing 2.0 enables intricate, evolving modulations across multiple parameters. Layer Rotate allows performers to cycle through up to four stacked programs, adding a round-robin dimension to live performance. The result is a system that supports both subtle expressiveness and wild, experimental layering.

Korg addresses workflow with an editor librarian for Mac and Windows, functioning as a virtual front panel over high-speed USB. This software provides real-time animations of modulation effects, making complex sound design more intuitive and visually accessible. There’s no need for manual data transfers—everything syncs instantly, streamlining patch management and editing.

Performance features are equally considered. Set lists offer quick access to favorite sounds, and smooth sound transitions ensure that effects and voices carry over seamlessly when switching patches—crucial for live sets. Intelligent randomization is also on board, allowing users to instantly generate new sounds or selectively randomize elements like oscillators, filters, or effects. These workflow enhancements make the Multi/Poly as practical in a DAWless rig or on stage as it is in the studio.