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{{Short description|Soviet duophonic analog synthesizer}}
[[File:Polivoks new.jpg|thumb|right|A working Formanta Polivoks synthesiser]]
{{Infobox synthesizer |
{{Infobox synthesizer |

image = Polivoks.jpg|
image_caption = |
image_caption = |
synth_name = Polivoks|
synth_name = Polivoks|
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and two different pulse settings|
and two different pulse settings|
filter = Lowpass or bandpass|
filter = Lowpass or bandpass|
attenuator = ADSR for VCF
attenuator = ADSR for VCF,
ADSR for VCA|
ADSR for VCA|
left_control = |
left_control = |
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}}
}}


[[File:Polivoks sounds.ogg|thumb|A short demonstration of sounds created by a Formanta Polivoks synthesiser]]
⚫
The '''Polivoks''' (also occasionally referred to as the '''Polyvox''') ([[Russian language|Rus.]]: Поливокс) is a [[Duophony|duophonic]], [[Analog synthesizer|analog]] synthesizer manufactured and marketed in the [[Soviet Union]] between 1982 and 1990. It is arguably the most popular and well known Soviet synthesizer in the west, likely due to the uniqueness of both its appearance and sound.


⚫
The '''Polivoks''' (also occasionally referred to as the '''Polyvox'''; {{lang-rus|Поливокс}}) is a [[Duophony|duophonic]], [[Analog synthesizer|analog]] synthesizer manufactured and marketed in the [[Soviet Union]] between 1982 and 1990. It is arguably the most popular and well-known Soviet synthesizer in the West, likely due to the uniqueness of both its appearance and sound.
⚫
The Polivoks was designed at the Urals Vector plant, but actual production was handled at the Formanta Radio Factory in [[Kachkanar]], [[Russian SFSR]].<ref>"The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z" by Peter Forrest, page 290.</ref> It was intended to appear and sound similar to [[United States|American]] and [[Japan]]ese synthesizers from companies such as [[Roland Corporation|Roland]], [[Moog Music|Moog]], and [[Korg]]. The Polivoks was engineered by circuit designer Vladimir Kuzmin with the appearance of the instrument influenced by his wife Olimpiada,<ref>Interview with Vladimir Kuzmin at http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp</ref> who took inspiration from the design of Soviet military radios. Its retail price upon release was 920 [[Soviet ruble|rubles]] and over its lifetime around 100,000 Polivoks were manufactured - sometimes with a production rate of up to 1,000 units a month.<ref>"The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z"</ref>


⚫
The Polivoks was designed at the Urals Vector plant, but actual production was handled at the [[Formanta Radio Factory]] in [[Kachkanar]], [[Russian SFSR]].<ref>"The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z" by Peter Forrest, page 290.</ref> It was intended to appear and sound similar to American and Japanese synthesizers from companies such as [[Roland Corporation|Roland]], [[Moog Music|Moog]], and [[Korg]]. The Polivoks was engineered by circuit designer Vladimir Kuzmin with the appearance of the instrument influenced by his wife Olimpiada,<ref>Interview with Vladimir Kuzmin at http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503203704/http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp |date=2006-05-03 }}</ref> who took inspiration from the design of Soviet military radios. Its retail price upon release was 920&nbsp;[[Soviet rouble|roubles]] and over its lifetime around 100,000 Polivoks were manufactured - sometimes with a production rate of up to 1,000 units a month.<ref>"The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z"</ref> But accordingly to information shared by Vladimir Kuzmin only 200-300 Polvokses were produced per month.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kuzmin|first=Vladimir|date=2009|title="Polivoks". History of a one synthesizer|url=https://cubozoa.ru/blog/%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%b2%d0%be%d0%ba%d1%81/|journal="Zvukirejisser" ("Sound Engineer")|language=ru|volume=9}}</ref> It means that total number cannot be more than 32,000.
⚫
The Polivoks has some features that are either unusual or uncommon on most analog mono synthesizers including a filter that can be switched from low pass to bandpass and two envelopes that can be looped over the AD sections.

⚫
The Polivoks has some features that are either unusual or uncommon on most analog mono synthesizers including a filter that can be switched from low pass to bandpass and two envelopes that can be looped over the AD (attack decay) sections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/articles/polivoks.htm|title=Formanta Polivoks Synthesizer|work=Sound On Sound|date=July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608202827/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/articles/polivoks.htm|archive-date=8 June 2015}}</ref>


Due to its unique history and relative rarity, the Polivoks has become popular as much for its unique sounds as for its aesthetics. It is often used by bands who take inspiration from the [[Soviet chic]] movement, as well as the ''[[ostalgie]]'' phenomenon in the former [[East Germany]].
Due to its unique history and relative rarity, the Polivoks has become popular as much for its unique sounds as for its aesthetics. It is often used by bands who take inspiration from the [[Soviet chic]] movement, as well as the ''[[ostalgie]]'' phenomenon in the former [[East Germany]].
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== Notable uses ==
== Notable uses ==


* The Polivoks was used prominently in indie-rock band [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand's]] 2009 album ''[[Tonight: Franz Ferdinand]]'', especially in the songs "Ulysses" and "Lucid Dreams" according to music critic Simon Maes.
* The Polivoks was used prominently on indie-rock band [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand's]] 2009 album ''[[Tonight: Franz Ferdinand]]'', especially in the songs "Ulysses" and "Lucid Dreams" according to music critic Simon Maes.
* The Polivoks was used in indie-metal Russian band KanZer, in song "Pepel" and "Plat'e"
* The Polivoks was used by the Russian indie-metal band KanZer, in song "Pepel" and "Plat'e"
* The Polivoks was used by [[Goldfrapp]] on their 2003 album ''[[Black Cherry (Goldfrapp album)|Black Cherry]]''.<ref name="ss-recording-black-cherry">{{cite magazine|last=Humberstone|first=Nigel|date=Jul 2003|title=Will Gregory: Recording Black Cherry|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/will-gregory-recording-black-cherry|magazine=Sound On Sound|location=United Kingdom|access-date=2023-06-21}}</ref>
* The Polivoks was used by Goldfrapp on her 2003 album "Black Cherry".
* Polivoks is also being used in trash-electro project of Kuba Kristo, Crashed Disco Balls, according to Bottomlayer.org
* The Polivoks is also being used in trash-electro project of Kuba Kristo, Crashed Disco Balls, according to Bottomlayer.org
* The Polivoks was used to compose sound for video game [[Doom (2016 video game)|Doom (2016)]].<ref>
* The Polivoks was used to compose music for the 2016 video game ''[[Doom (2016 video game)|Doom]]''.<ref>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-7-dFXOUU DOOM: Behind The Music Part 2]</ref>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-7-dFXOUU DOOM: Behind The Music Part 2]</ref>
* The Polivoks was also used to compose music for the 2020 video game ''[[Cyberpunk 2077]]''.<ref>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prbS7FeVRnk Cyberpunk 2077 - Official Score & Soundtrack Behind the Scenes Video]</ref>


== Recreations and imitations ==
== Recreations and imitations ==
Line 43: Line 49:
=== Hardware ===
=== Hardware ===


* Engineers Alexey Taber and Alex Pleninger worked together with original Polivoks designer Vladimir Kuzmin on a limited run of 100 units for a faithful reissue of the original synthesizer in a keyboardless, compact desktop format.<ref>Polivoks: http://polivoks.pro/</ref>
⚫
* Latvia-based Erica Synths provides a range of DIY kits for Polivoks-inspired modules in Eurorack modular synthesizer format. The modules include: VCO, mixer, modulator, VCA, VCF, and ADSR. These designs are available only in form of DIY kits - the user receives the PCB, panel and components, and has to solder and assemble them together by himself.<ref>Erica Synths DIY projects: http://www.ericasynths.lv/en/shop/diy_kits/</ref>
*Now Latvian (former Russian) company Elta Music produces another compact desktop version called "Polivoks-M" (or "Polivoks Mini")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eltamusic.com/polivoks-mini|title=www.eltamusic.com|website=www.eltamusic.com|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> They also produced a Polivoks filter [[Eurorack]] module in 10 hp, with high pass, band pass and low pass options.<ref>{{Cite web |title=POLIVOKS filter eurorack |url=https://www.eltamusic.com/polivoks-filter-module |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=eltamusic |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
* The Harvestman manufactures Eurorack modules cloning the Polivoks functions, including the oscillator, filter,<ref>The harvestman polivoks vcf: http://www.theharvestman.org/r1982.php</ref> modulator, VCA and ADSR. These modules were designed in collaboration with the original Polivoks designer Vladimir Kuzmin.
⚫
* Latvia-based Erica Synths provides a range of DIY kits for Polivoks-inspired modules in [[Eurorack]] modular synthesizer format. The modules include: VCO, mixer, modulator, VCA, VCF, and ADSR. These designs are available in form of DIY kits (the user receives the PCB, panel and components, and has to solder and assemble them by themselves) as well as prebuilt modules.<ref>Erica Synths DIY projects: {{cite web |url=http://www.ericasynths.lv/en/shop/diy_kits/ |title=Erica Synths |access-date=2015-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011083356/http://www.ericasynths.lv/en/shop/diy_kits |archive-date=2015-10-11 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Black Polivoks VCF V2|url=https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/eurorack-modules/by-series/black-series/black-polivoks-vcf-v2/|access-date=2020-06-05|website=Erica Synths|language=en}}</ref>
⚫
* The Harvestman manufactures [[Eurorack]] modules cloning the Polivoks functions, including the oscillator, filter,<ref>The harvestman polivoks vcf: {{cite web |url=http://www.theharvestman.org/r1982.php |title=The harvestman digital audio electronics : MODEL R1982 POLIVOKS VCF |access-date=2015-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107070442/http://www.theharvestman.org/r1982.php |archive-date=2015-11-07 }}</ref> modulator, VCA and ADSR. These modules were designed in collaboration with the original Polivoks designer Vladimir Kuzmin.
* Papareil Synth Labs provides a PCB for a DIY clone of a Polivoks Filter.<ref>Polivoks filter clone by Papareil Synth Labs: http://m.bareille.free.fr/modular1/vcf_polivoks/vcf_polivoks.htm</ref>
* Papareil Synth Labs provides a PCB for a DIY clone of a Polivoks Filter.<ref>Polivoks filter clone by Papareil Synth Labs: http://m.bareille.free.fr/modular1/vcf_polivoks/vcf_polivoks.htm</ref>
* Mutable Instruments used to offer a Polivoks filter board for the now discontinued Shruthi synthesizer.<ref>Polivoks filter board for Shruthi by Mutable Instruments: http://mutable-instruments.net/shruthi1/build/polivoks</ref>
* Mutable Instruments used to offer a Polivoks filter board for the now discontinued Shruthi synthesizer.<ref>Polivoks filter board for Shruthi by Mutable Instruments: {{cite web |url=http://mutable-instruments.net/shruthi1/build/polivoks |title=Shruthi – Polivoks filter board &#124; Mutable Instruments |access-date=2015-10-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016192651/http://mutable-instruments.net/shruthi1/build/polivoks |archive-date=2015-10-16 }}</ref>
* Mutable Instruments type hardware kits including Polivoks type filter are now available via TubeOhm as Phoenix.<ref>Polivoks filter board for Phoenix by TubeOhm: {{cite web |url=http://www.tubeohm.com/phoenix.html |title=TubeOhm Instruments Phoenix |website=www.tubeohm.com |access-date=2020-06-16 }}</ref>

In July 2021, Vladimir Kuzmin announced a Partnership with the [[Behringer|Company Behringer]] to rerelease the Polivoks Synthesizer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/Behringer/posts/pfbid05phLCzUXKszEvAjsxXEZLZ6agKreUvpeUmqR2GrRyTZvneFHySTfahasNCUd1MSfl |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>
=== Software ===
=== Software ===


* A VSTi plugin has been developed that emulates the design, functionality and sound of the Polivoks, called "Polyvoks Station".
* A [[Virtual Studio Technology|VSTi]] plugin has been developed that emulates the design, functionality and sound of the Polivoks, called "Polyvoks Station".
* A Rack Extension (RE) has been developed for Propellerhead's Reason software by Red Rock Sound, called "Ivoks Electromusical Synthesizer".
* A Rack Extension (RE) has been developed for Propellerhead's Reason software by Red Rock Sound, called "Ivoks Electromusical Synthesizer".
* The vintage subtractive VST-Synthesizer "Sawer" attempts to emulate "Polivoks" has been developed by [[Image-Line Software]]
* The vintage subtractive VST-Synthesizer "Sawer" attempts to emulate "Polivoks" filters and envelopes (not oscillators) has been developed by [[Image-Line Software]]
* Leonardo Laguna Ruiz developed Vortex module which emulates a Polivoks filter, for virtual modular software VCV. https://modlfo.github.io/VultModules/vortex/


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Polivoks}}
*http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060503203704/http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp Polivoks – Russian vintage synth]
*http://www.synthmuseum.com/polyv/polyvox01.html
*http://www.ruskeys.net/eng/base/polivoks.php
*[http://www.synthmuseum.com/polyv/polyvox01.html Polyvox] on Synthmuseum.com
*[http://www.ruskeys.net/eng/base/polivoks.php Polyvox] via Museum of Soviet Synthesizers
*[http://www.goodkarma.ru/syncersoft/polyvoks.htm "Polyvoks Station" VSTi]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120524111510/http://www.goodkarma.ru/syncersoft/polyvoks.htm "Polyvoks Station" VSTi]
*http://www.esnips.com/doc/58a13ee1-727d-4c67-87f6-d7c6a7767173/Polivoks-synthesizer-demo
*http://www.esnips.com/doc/58a13ee1-727d-4c67-87f6-d7c6a7767173/Polivoks-synthesizer-demo{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.polynominal.com/Polivoks-formanta/index.html Formanta Polivoks | hi-res picture, demo and manual]
*[http://www.polynominal.com/Polivoks-formanta/index.html Formanta Polivoks | hi-res picture, demo and manual]
* [http://www.industrialmusicelectronics.com/products Industrial Music Electronics (formerly The Harvestman)] part of the '''IRON CURTAIN ELECTRONICS''' system created in collaboration with Vladimir Kuzmin, the designer of the original '''POLIVOKS''' synthesizer


[[Category:Synthesizers]]
[[Category:Synthesizers]]

Latest revision as of 15:56, 2 January 2025

A working Formanta Polivoks synthesiser
Polivoks
ManufacturerFormanta Radio Factory
Dates1982 - 1990
Technical specifications
Polyphony1-2
Oscillator2 with triangle, saw, square and two different pulse settings
LFOTriangle, square, noise, S&H
Synthesis typeAnalog Subtractive
FilterLowpass or bandpass
AttenuatorADSR for VCF, ADSR for VCA
Aftertouch expressionNone
Velocity expressionNone
Storage memoryNone
Input/output
Keyboard48-key
External controlNone
A short demonstration of sounds created by a Formanta Polivoks synthesiser

The Polivoks (also occasionally referred to as the Polyvox; Russian: Поливокс) is a duophonic, analog synthesizer manufactured and marketed in the Soviet Union between 1982 and 1990. It is arguably the most popular and well-known Soviet synthesizer in the West, likely due to the uniqueness of both its appearance and sound.

The Polivoks was designed at the Urals Vector plant, but actual production was handled at the Formanta Radio Factory in Kachkanar, Russian SFSR.[1] It was intended to appear and sound similar to American and Japanese synthesizers from companies such as Roland, Moog, and Korg. The Polivoks was engineered by circuit designer Vladimir Kuzmin with the appearance of the instrument influenced by his wife Olimpiada,[2] who took inspiration from the design of Soviet military radios. Its retail price upon release was 920 roubles and over its lifetime around 100,000 Polivoks were manufactured - sometimes with a production rate of up to 1,000 units a month.[3] But accordingly to information shared by Vladimir Kuzmin only 200-300 Polvokses were produced per month.[4] It means that total number cannot be more than 32,000.

The Polivoks has some features that are either unusual or uncommon on most analog mono synthesizers including a filter that can be switched from low pass to bandpass and two envelopes that can be looped over the AD (attack decay) sections.[5]

Due to its unique history and relative rarity, the Polivoks has become popular as much for its unique sounds as for its aesthetics. It is often used by bands who take inspiration from the Soviet chic movement, as well as the ostalgie phenomenon in the former East Germany.

Notable uses

[edit]
  • The Polivoks was used prominently on indie-rock band Franz Ferdinand's 2009 album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, especially in the songs "Ulysses" and "Lucid Dreams" according to music critic Simon Maes.
  • The Polivoks was used by the Russian indie-metal band KanZer, in song "Pepel" and "Plat'e"
  • The Polivoks was used by Goldfrapp on their 2003 album Black Cherry.[6]
  • The Polivoks is also being used in trash-electro project of Kuba Kristo, Crashed Disco Balls, according to Bottomlayer.org
  • The Polivoks was used to compose music for the 2016 video game Doom.[7]
  • The Polivoks was also used to compose music for the 2020 video game Cyberpunk 2077.[8]

Recreations and imitations

[edit]

Hardware

[edit]
  • Engineers Alexey Taber and Alex Pleninger worked together with original Polivoks designer Vladimir Kuzmin on a limited run of 100 units for a faithful reissue of the original synthesizer in a keyboardless, compact desktop format.[9]
  • Now Latvian (former Russian) company Elta Music produces another compact desktop version called "Polivoks-M" (or "Polivoks Mini")[10] They also produced a Polivoks filter Eurorack module in 10 hp, with high pass, band pass and low pass options.[11]
  • Latvia-based Erica Synths provides a range of DIY kits for Polivoks-inspired modules in Eurorack modular synthesizer format. The modules include: VCO, mixer, modulator, VCA, VCF, and ADSR. These designs are available in form of DIY kits (the user receives the PCB, panel and components, and has to solder and assemble them by themselves) as well as prebuilt modules.[12][13]
  • The Harvestman manufactures Eurorack modules cloning the Polivoks functions, including the oscillator, filter,[14] modulator, VCA and ADSR. These modules were designed in collaboration with the original Polivoks designer Vladimir Kuzmin.
  • Papareil Synth Labs provides a PCB for a DIY clone of a Polivoks Filter.[15]
  • Mutable Instruments used to offer a Polivoks filter board for the now discontinued Shruthi synthesizer.[16]
  • Mutable Instruments type hardware kits including Polivoks type filter are now available via TubeOhm as Phoenix.[17]

In July 2021, Vladimir Kuzmin announced a Partnership with the Company Behringer to rerelease the Polivoks Synthesizer.[18]

Software

[edit]
  • A VSTi plugin has been developed that emulates the design, functionality and sound of the Polivoks, called "Polyvoks Station".
  • A Rack Extension (RE) has been developed for Propellerhead's Reason software by Red Rock Sound, called "Ivoks Electromusical Synthesizer".
  • The vintage subtractive VST-Synthesizer "Sawer" attempts to emulate "Polivoks" filters and envelopes (not oscillators) has been developed by Image-Line Software
  • Leonardo Laguna Ruiz developed Vortex module which emulates a Polivoks filter, for virtual modular software VCV. https://modlfo.github.io/VultModules/vortex/

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z" by Peter Forrest, page 290.
  2. ^ Interview with Vladimir Kuzmin at http://analogik.com/instrument_polivoks.asp Archived 2006-05-03 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "The A-Z of Analog Synthesisers Part Two: N-Z"
  4. ^ Kuzmin, Vladimir (2009). ""Polivoks". History of a one synthesizer". "Zvukirejisser" ("Sound Engineer") (in Russian). 9.
  5. ^ "Formanta Polivoks Synthesizer". Sound On Sound. July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015.
  6. ^ Humberstone, Nigel (Jul 2003). "Will Gregory: Recording Black Cherry". Sound On Sound. United Kingdom. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  7. ^ DOOM: Behind The Music Part 2
  8. ^ Cyberpunk 2077 - Official Score & Soundtrack Behind the Scenes Video
  9. ^ Polivoks: http://polivoks.pro/
  10. ^ "www.eltamusic.com". www.eltamusic.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  11. ^ "POLIVOKS filter eurorack". eltamusic. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  12. ^ Erica Synths DIY projects: "Erica Synths". Archived from the original on 2015-10-11. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  13. ^ "Black Polivoks VCF V2". Erica Synths. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  14. ^ The harvestman polivoks vcf: "The harvestman digital audio electronics : MODEL R1982 POLIVOKS VCF". Archived from the original on 2015-11-07. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  15. ^ Polivoks filter clone by Papareil Synth Labs: http://m.bareille.free.fr/modular1/vcf_polivoks/vcf_polivoks.htm
  16. ^ Polivoks filter board for Shruthi by Mutable Instruments: "Shruthi – Polivoks filter board | Mutable Instruments". Archived from the original on 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
  17. ^ Polivoks filter board for Phoenix by TubeOhm: "TubeOhm Instruments Phoenix". www.tubeohm.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  18. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
[edit]
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