Synopsis

Korg Conventional Comparisons

Synopsis	Media	Physical	Interface	Architecture	Components	Resource

Conventional Family Picture

Released	MSRP	Synopsis	Ebay Description
1973	Y120,000 ($880US?)	This is a basic monosynth family that was also distributed in the US under the Univox name.	The Korg MiniKorg 700 is a 37 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/square/triangle/chorus waveforms), high and low pass analog filters, AD\|R envelope (optionally triggered by a dedicated LFO), vibrato, chorus/phasor, auto-bend, and portamento.
1974	?	The 700s (K-2) adds an "effect" section (second oscillator with various functions).	The Korg MiniKorg 700s (K-2) is a 37 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw/square/triangle/chorus waveforms), effect VCO, high and low pass analog filters, AD\|R envelope (optionally triggered by a dedicated LFO), vibrato, chorus/phasor, auto-bend, and portamento.
1974	Y240,000 ($1750US)	The 800dv (K-3) contains the functionality of two 700 models.	The Korg MaxiKorg 800DV (K-3) is a 44 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring chorus/phasor, auto-bend, portamento, and dual signal paths (functionality of two MiniKorg 700's). Each path features a single oscillator (saw/square/triangle/pulse/chorus/pink-noise waveforms), high and low pass analog filters, AD\|R envelope (optionally triggered by a dedicated LFO), and vibrato.
1975	Y170,000	The 900PS swaps the 700's high pass filter for presets.	The Korg 900PS is a 37 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (preset or white noise waveforms), low pass analog filter, AR envelope (optionally triggered by vibrato), vibrato, auto-bend, portamento, and 29 presets.
1975	Y85,000	The 100 drops the LFO and presets (vs. 900PS).	The Korg Synthe Bass SB-100 is a 25 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (triangle/square/saw/pulse/noise waveforms), low pass analog filter, and AD/R envelope.
1976	Y135,000 ($1099US)	The 770 refines the two VCO design a bit.	The Korg 770 is a 32 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw/square/triangle/chorus waveforms, second oscillator swaps chorus for noise), resonant high and low pass analog filters, A\|DR envelope (optionally triggered by a dedicated LFO), vibrato, auto-bend, and portamento.
1976	Y256,000 ($2100US)	Polyphonic Ensemble Orchestra (a.k.a. Poly-Ensemble P or K-4) are preset, fully polyphonic, single oscillator (dedicated oscillator for each key), but more editable than PE-2000	The PE-1000 (a.k.a. Poly-Ensemble P or K-4) is a 60 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (pulse/saw/square waveforms), resonant high and low pass analog filters, ADR envelope, vibrato, and 7 presets (string, pipe organ, brass, electric piano, piano, harpsichord, clavichord).
1976	Y270,000 ($2300US)	(a.k.a. Poly-Ensemble S or K-5) Three oscillators (fatter sound), but few editable parameters. Lambda predecessor.	The PE-2000 (a.k.a. Poly-Ensemble S or K-5) is a 48 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring three oscillators (preset waveforms), AR envelope, phaser, shelving EQ (bass, treble), and 8 presets (string:2, pipe organ:2 or reed and wind on eary modes, brass:2, chorus/choir:2).
1977	Y69,000	The similar to 900ps. Each preset has a fixed waveform, envelope (except Synthe presets) and tone (except Synthe and Brass presets).	The Korg MicroPreset M-500 is a 32 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (preset pulse, square, saw, white/pink noise waveforms), low pass analog filter, preset envelope, vibrato, auto-bend, portamento, and 6 presets.
1977	Y73,000	M-500 with a speaker.	The Korg MicroPreset M-500SP is a 32 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (preset pulse, square, saw, white/pink noise waveforms), low pass analog filter, preset envelope, vibrato, auto-bend, portamento, speaker, and 6 presets.
1977	Y490,000	Fully "Polyphonic Synthesizer", similar to the Moog Polymoog. Patch points and dual limiters give it capabilities similar to a modular.	The Korg PS-3100 is a 48 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (triangle, saw, square, pulse waveforms), resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated ADR filter and amp envelopes (optionally externally triggered), LFO (routed to pitch and filter), ensemble effect, 3 resonators (with a dedicated LFO), S/H, voltage processor, and patch points.
1977	Y750,000 ($7000US?)	The PS-3200 swaps resonators for EQs and adds a second oscillator and memory.	The Korg PS-3200 is a 48 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (triangle, saw, square, pulse waveforms), resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated ADR filter and amp envelopes (optionally externally triggered), dual LFOs (one routed to pitch and amplifier, the other patched), ensemble effect, 7 band EQ, S/H, sum amp, voltage processor, and patch points.
1977	Y1,200,000	The PS-3300 has dual PS-3100 voices and a 3 channel mixer.	The Korg PS-3300 is a 48 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring a general ADR amp envelope (optionally externally triggered), and dual signal paths. Each signal path contains an oscillator (triangle, saw, square, pulse waveforms), resonant low pass analog filter, ADR filter envelope (optionally externally triggered), LFO (routed to pitch and filter), ensemble effect, 3 resonators (with a dedicated LFO), S/H, mixer, voltage processor, and patch points.
1978	Y53,500	Relatively simple "Monophonic Synthesizer" with patch points and noise generator.	The Korg MS-10 is a 32 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (triangle, saw, square, pulse waveforms), noise, resonant low pass analog filter, HADR envelope, LFO (routed to pitch and filters), and patch points.
1978	Y98,000 ($850US)	The MS-20 adds a second VCO with ring modulation, HPF, S/H, and a second EG, similar to a monophonic PS3200.	The Korg MS-20 is a 37 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (triangle, saw, square, pulse waveforms), noise, resonant high and low pass analog filters, dedicated DAR pitch and HADR filter/amp envelopes, LFO (triangle, saw up/down, square, pulse waveforms routed to pitch and filters), and patch points.
1978	Y85,000 ($750)	The MS-50 is a patch expander with several extra modules (integrator, inverter, frequency divider, ring mod, S/H, 3 channel summing amp, volt meter, junctions)	The Korg MS-50 is a desktop (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (triangle, saw, pulse waveforms), pink/white noise, resonant low pass analog filter, ADR and HDAR envelopes, LFO (triangle, saw up/down, pulse waveforms), integrator, inverter, sum amp, S/H, and patch points.
1979	Y65,000	Monophonic guitar synthesizer processes single note pitch to CV at input (vs. guitar pick-up).	The Korg X-911 is a desktop (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (square/saw/pulse waveforms), low pass analog filter, preset envelope, portamento, CV I/O, guitar input, and 6 presets (Electric-Bass, Tuba, Trumpet, Distortion-Guitar, Violin, Flute).
1979	Y250,000 ($995US)	"Ensemble" synth with synthesizer and string sections (a.k.a. DL-50).	The Korg Delta is a 49 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring separate Synthe and String sections. The single oscillator String section has a dedicated AR volume envelope and EQ. The single oscillator Synthe section features white noise, a dedicated low pass analog filter, LFO and ADSR envelope (both routed to pitch and filter, envelope also routed to volume).
1979	?	Preset "Ensemble" synth with electric piano and string sections (a.k.a. ES-50). Flat top can accommodate a Sigma.	The Korg Lambda is a 48 key (fully polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring tremolo, chorus, and separate Ensemble (brass/string/organ) and Percussion (piano) sections with associated tone controls and presets (4 Ensemble, 5 Percussion). The dual oscillator Ensemble section has a dedicated AR volume envelope, Brass filter, and vibrato. The single oscillator Piano section features a dedicated analog filter, vibrato, decay.
1979	?	Monophonic "performing" synthesizer with presets and limited editing (a.k.a. KP-30).	The Korg Sigma is a 37 key (monophonic) synthesizer, featuring aftertouch, portamento, vibrato, CV I/O, and separate "Synthe" and preset "Instrument" sections. The "Synthe" section features a single oscillator (noise, saw, S/H, PWM, pulse, square waveforms) and low and high pass analog filters. The "Instrument" section features 11 presets (ElectricBass, Tuba, Clavi, FuzzGuitar, Horn, Trumpet, Clarinet, DoubleReed, String, Flute, HammeredPercussion) and an associated adjustable parameter (filter cut-off, attack, etc.).
1980	Y560,000 ($4595US)	"Ensemble" synth with synthesizer, string and brass sections.	The Korg Trident is a 61 key (8 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring flanger, vibrato, ADSR volume envelope, and separate Brass, Synthe, and String sections. The single oscillator String section features a dedicated EQ (low/high), AR volume envelope, and vibrato. The single oscillator Brass section features a dedicated resonant low pass analog filter and ADR volume envelope. The dual oscillator (saw, square, pulse, waveforms) Synthe section features a dedicated resonant low pass analog filter, ADSR envelope (routed to filter and volume), and 19 presets (Piano1, Piano2, Clav, 16 editable).
1982	Y560,000 ($4595US)	Adds a tape interface, double memory, and dedicated VCA and VCF EGs for Synthe section.	The Korg Trident MkII is a 61 key (8 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring flanger, vibrato, ADSR volume envelope, and separate Brass, Synthe, and String sections. The single oscillator String section features a dedicated EQ (low/high), AR volume envelope, and vibrato. The single oscillator Brass section features a dedicated resonant low pass analog filter and ADR volume envelope. The dual oscillator (saw, square, pulse, waveforms) Synthe section features a dedicated resonant low pass analog filter, ADSR VCF and VCA envelopes, tape interface, and 32 editable presets.
1981	Y149,800 ($995US)	Per the name (a.k.a. MP-4), either a reasonably equipped monosynth or a 4 voice polysynth with different waves for each oscillator.	The Korg Mono/Poly is a 44 key (monophonic or 4 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring a four oscillators (triangle, saw, pulse waveforms with sync and cross-modulation), white noise, resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated filter and volume ADSR envelopes (filter envelope also routed to pitch), LFO (triangle, up\|down saw, square waveforms, routed to PWM, pitch, filter), dedicated PWM LFO, portamento, arpeggiator (up/down), and CV I/O.
1981	Y248,000 ($1095US)	Per the name, simple 6 voice poly-synth.	The Korg Polysix (PS-6) is a 61 key (6 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring a single oscillator (saw\|pulse waveform with sub and a dedicated PWM LFO), white noise, resonant low pass analog filter, ADSR envelope (routed to filter and volume), LFO (routed to pitch, filter, volume), arpeggiator (up/down), chorus\|phase\|ensemble effects, tape interface, and 32 editable presets.
1982	Y179,000 ($995US)	Upgrades the PolySix to dual digitally controlled oscillators and doubles program memory, while losing the dedicated PWM LFO and noise generator. This model introduces DCOs and parameter based editing approach that continues through the DW family.	The Korg Poly-61 is a 61 key (6 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw\|pulse waveform), resonant low pass analog filter, ADSR envelope (routed to filter and volume), LFO (routed to PWM, pitch, filter, volume), arpeggiator (up/down), tape interface, and 64 editable presets.
1984	Y179,000? ($995US?)	Adds MIDI to the Poly-61	The Korg Poly-61M is a 61 key (6 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (saw\|pulse waveform), resonant low pass analog filter, ADSR envelope (routed to filter and volume), LFO (routed to PWM, pitch, filter, volume), arpeggiator (up/down), MIDI, tape interface, and 64 editable presets.
1983	Y99,800 ($795US)	Per the name, simple 8 voice polysynth, using a common filter (similar to Siel DK70). The "saw" waveform is square wave additive synthesis with 4 weighted harmonic levels (i.e. 16' volume is higher than 2'). Strap pegs and optional batteries make it wearable.	The Korg Poly-800 is a 49 key (4\|8 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (additive square waveform, single oscillator in 8 voice mode), white noise, 24dB resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated volume and filter ADSR envelopes, LFO (routed to pitch, filter, volume), sequencer (256 event step time), chorus, chord memory, MIDI, tape interface, and 64 editable presets.
1984	Y99,800 ($795US)	Rack/desktop Poly800 with SYSEX MIDI implementation, but no chord memory.	The Korg EX-800 is a desktop (4\|8 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (additive square waveform, single oscillator in 8 voice mode), white noise, 24dB resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated volume and filter ADSR envelopes, LFO (routed to pitch, filter, volume), sequencer (256 event step time), chorus, MIDI, tape interface, and 64 editable presets.
1985	Y99,800 ($795US)	Poly-800 with SYSEX MIDI implementation, swapping chorus for digital delay and EQ.	The Korg Poly-800 II is a 49 key (4\|8 voice polyphonic) synthesizer, featuring dual oscillators (additive square waveform, single oscillator in 8 voice mode), white noise, 24dB resonant low pass analog filter, dedicated volume and filter ADSR envelopes, LFO (routed to pitch, filter, volume), sequencer (256 event step time), digital delay, EQ, chord memory, MIDI, tape interface, and 64 editable presets.