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PROGRAMMER
The Polysix is a programmable polyphonic synthesizer which uses advanced microcomputer circuitry to store a
large number of user-programmed sounds in digital memory, for instant recall by the performer at the push of a
button. This system combines the flexibility of a fully variable synthesizer with the speed and ease of use of a
preset instrument, and thus is a great help and convenience to the busy multi-keyboardist.
All sounds produced by the Polysix are determined by the combined settings of the controls and switches in the
VCO, VCF, VCA, MG, EG, and EFFECTS sections. The act of setting up the controls for a specific sound is called
programming, and the group of control settings that result in that sound is called a program. Once a desired sound
is created, the settings of all controls in the above-mentioned sections (whose knobs are color-coded white, to
distinguish them from non-programmable controls) can be stored in one of 32 program locations for later use. A
battery backup system retains program information whenever the Polysix is unplugged and transported.
Additionally, all programs can be altered, either temporarily or permanently, through the use of a powerful,
highly flexible and easy to use editing system. The altered program can replace the original program or moved to
a new location, thus allowing a whole series of different programs to be created from a single starting program.
Finally, the entire contents of memory can be rapidly transferred to and from tape in 8 seconds, thus allowing
unlimited program libraries to be created and stored. [And, partial tape loading capabilities allow programs from
different libraries to be combined, for even greater flexibility.]
Programmer controls
14 LED pushbutton switches and 2 slide switches control all operations of the Polysix’s Programmer and Tape
Interface. The Programmer section functions in two different mode, depending on the setting of the TAPE
ENABLE switch: Normal Programming mode and Tape Interface mode. The switches and LEDs in this section
serve dual functions, depending on the mode selected, and are fully explained below.
The Polysix’s 32 programs are divided into four banks of eight programs each. A specific program is selected
by depressing one of four Program BANK pushbuttons (A through D) and one of eight Program NUMBER
pushbuttons (1 through 8).
BANK
TO TAPE
FROM TAPE VERIFY ERROR/CANCEL
1 2 3 4
PROGRAMMER
5 6 7 8
TAPE
ENABLE
DISABLE
WRITE
ENABLE
DISABLE
FOUND LOADING
MANUAL WRITE
ABCD
PROGRAM
TAPE ENABLE
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1) BANK Select Switches
Selects one of four program BANKs (A - D).
2) PROGRAM Select Switches
Selects one of eight program locations (1 - 8) within the selected Bank.
3) MANUAL
Sound is determined entirely by front panel control settings.
4) WRITE
Initiates the storing of the currently sounding program into a designated memory location. (WRITE ENABLE
switch must be activated).
5) TAPE ENABLE
Selects either Programming mode ("Disable") or Tape Interface mode ("Enable").
A small LED above the switch indicates the selection of Tape Interface mode; normal synthesizer and
programming functions are suspended during tape operations. The LED switches function as Tape Interface
switches and indicators in this mode (see TAPE INTERFACE section below).
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