This polyphonic (8 voices), programmable synthesizer featured a 49-note (C-C) non-velocity keyboard, MIDI, one DCO per voice, a single VCF, three six-segment envelope generators (one for each group of 4 oscillators, and one for the VCF or noise generator), battery power, and two strap buttons, which, combined with its light weight, made it a truly strap-on synth. The batteries lasted approximately 6 hours. It allowed layering both banks of oscillators for much better (fatter) sounds, although it reduced the polyphony to 4 voices. The Poly 800 also featured a simple 256-event step-time sequencer and a simple chorus. The Poly 800 II featured improved MIDI, and a comprehensive digital delay instead of the chorus. It was also slightly darker brown in color.
[from The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers , by Peter Forrest, published by Susurreal Publishing, Devon, England, copyright 1994 Peter Forrest]
Juan Atkins,
Brian Chatton,
faTT deX,
Geoff Downs,
Peter Erskine,
Chris Franke of Tangerine Dream,
Human League,
L. Ron Hubbard,
Michael Huygen of Neronium,
Inner City,
Jake of Joe Public,
Daniel Lanois - a Poly 800II,
Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones, Sea Level),
Derick May,
Orbital,
Out of Logic,
Peter Oxendale,
brasilian singer and composer Vitor Ramil -"A paixao de V segundo ele proprio" recorded in 1984. (LP Som
Livre/Sigla, no 403.6306),
Nick Rhodes,
Kevin Saunderson,
Michael W Smith,
Jim Tenor
[Let us know if you have any further additions to this list.]
