|
I came across a Polaris in a music shop a few years ago - old, and not functionaing well at all. Some of the front panel buttons were dead so the synth couldn't really be programmed, however it was possible to recall the patches. I spent some time going through all the sounds, and in the process came across the most wonderful string sound I have ever heard. All I know is that this string sound was utterly wonderful. I was recording an album at the time, and convinced the store manager to let me drag up an ADAT player, borrow a corner of the store and record the strings into my track, a 19 minute prog rock epic!!
It was a real battle as the synth was dying by the hour - every few hours another function would go. It was no longer able to be tuned from the front panel, and also emitted some annoying buzzes from time to time. I eventually got it into tune by holding the pitch bend lever at just the right position with just the right sized bit of wood, and managed to get a take without any buzzes coming through.
Well, the strings sound wonderful. They are the silkiest, smoothest, glossiest analogue strings I have ever heard and they come in like a cool drink of water, or a breath of fresh, cool air. I also have an OBXa, Polysix and Jupiter 6 - yet on this occassion I left them all at home and went in and battled with a broken Polaris because the strings were absolutely superior and I just had to have them. There was also a monstorous synth bass patch on the Polaris which was beautiful - sounded really, really old school and was deep, dark and rich.
The manager offered me the Polaris for a reasonable price. However I was about to move overseas, and simply did not have any money to spare. A few months later, I contacted him and enquired about the synth, but alas it was gone. Someone had bought it, and I can only assume it would have been someone who has the interest and patience to take care of a such a nice instrument. If I ever find one of these machines again, I will buy it immediately.
|
listings
