Discussion about the Korg PolySix synthesizer

The tuning procedure in the service manual is written from a technical
point of view, which is OK because it was made by engineers for a piece
of electronics equipment. The user however views devices most often
different than the engineers had thought. So, if you want to "tune"
the Polysix as an musical instrument you should not rely on the
"adjustment" procedure but on your ears ;-
This was the prolog, now to the matter:
1.) Make sure you dont attempt to tune while in strechted tuning mode:
   SW1 on KLM-366 in "back" position (=away from CN12) is normal tuning.
2.) Set tuning control knob on control panel to middle position
3.) Set common pitch potis (VR1 ADJ CENTER, VR2 TUNE HIGH, VR3 TUNE LOW,
   VR14 D#4-E4 ADJ, VR15 TUNE MID) on KLM-366 to a center position.
4.) Set tuning potis (VR10 TUNE LOW, VR11 TUNE HIGH) of one voice (e.g.
   UNIT0) to center position.
5.) Now start to tune UNIT0. Take the adjustment procedure as a hint
   of what will happen when you turn certain potis. Use a standard
   chromatic tuner.
6.) If UNIT0 is tuned to your satisfaction, TUNE THE OTHER VOICES
   (UNIT1 .. UNIT5) TO UNIT0. Use the effect of beating, which is best
   heard with a square wave tone.
   Note that it never will be perfect in all octaves! There is 6
   independent VCOs in the Polysix; they never will be 100% in tune
   over the whole range! After all, nowadays this is a main feature
   of a truly analog instrument; thats what we are after ...
7.) When all six voices are tuned satisfactory switch SW1 to strechted
   tuning position (i.e. towards CN12) crank up the volume of your
   amp or P.A., play spread, six-voice chord and get lost in the beating
   moving sound!

If you cannot get one single voice in tune there is a fault on the
KLM-366 board. Sometimes the opto-coupler labeled "PC-1" is the reason.
Search the archives of this mailing list for how to get a replacement.

Good luck!

Johannes

BTW. search the archives for "SW1" to see other posts to this topic,
   and, of course, "tuning" ...


bildfantomen wrote:
> This seems to be a popular topic, but once again: I Can't get the 
> F***R to "tune". Ive done and redone the procedures in the Service 
> manual, but it still only is in tune about one and a half octave in 
> the middle. I would like to know if anyone has any hints on how to 
> make this LOOONG episode shorter. As it is now all it does is lay 
> there beautiful and entizing, but all I can use it for is Noice 
> basically...
> 
> I've Changed the opto and the battery and all is well, no pots are 
> defunkt. What to do, it to cool to just be a coffey-table...
> 
> / Monke
> 
> 
> 
> PolySix "Digiest" Page: http://www.acc.umu.se/~amber/Poly6 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>