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Sound designer Ian Dixon – in his latest video – takes a look at recreating the sound of classic ’70s string synths with the Korg multi/poly synthesizer.

Dixon walks through the sound design process, step-by-step, and caps the video off with a full audio demo.

Video Summary:

“In this tutorial, I build the complete performance from an initialized sound, creating a Solina-style string layer with multiple oscillators, filtering, ensemble modulation, phaser and stereo delay. I then add a detuned synth bass on Layer B and use key zones to create a playable strings-and-bass keyboard split.

Everything is programmed directly on the Multi/Poly — no software editor required.”

Synthesist and sound designer Ian Dixon shared this video, offering his take on Korg multi/poly native, which is now available.

Korg multi/poly native is a fully-compatible software counterpart to their recently introduced hardware multi/poly synthesizer.

Dixon is an expert on Korg’s compact synthesizers, and has shared videos and sound libraries previously for the wavestate, modWave and opsix. His latest video, embedded above, showcases the range of the multi/poly, offers plenty of audio demos, and a deep dive into how it works.

Topics covered:

01:30 Introduction

03:09 What is Multi/Poly Native

04:57 Inspiration

05:30 Layer rotate

07:32 Oscillators

14:06 Wavetables

16:54 Waveshaping

17:59 Filters

24:55 Sync

26:52 Cross Mod

27:27 Ring mod

27:52 CMT

28:54 Motion Sequencer

39:02 Other features

42:30 Effects

46:24 Sound demos

View the demo and share your thoughts on the Korg multi/poly native in the comments!

The multi/poly native for Windows and Mac (VST3, AU and AAX) is available for $149 until March 31st, 2025 (normally $199).

At the 2025 NAMM Show, scheduled for January 21–25 in Anaheim, California, Korg will debut multi/poly native, a fully-compatible software counterpart to their recently introduced hardware multi/poly synthesizer.

multi/poly native is available in VST3, AAX, and standalone formats, on both macOS and Windows, as well as AU on macOS.

You can exchange sounds between hardware and software, and access an increasing number of third-party libraries. It also lets you record and produce in your DAW with multi/poly native, and then play the same sounds live using the multi/poly hardware. You can also do sound design using the hardware’s hands-on interface, and then share them with a computer-based collaborator.

The multi/poly is the first instrument to use KORG’s “next-generation” analog modeling technology. It’s like a polyphonic modular system in a compact, hands-on package.

It goes far beyond traditional analog synthesis, letting you create “mash-ups” with East-coast, West-coast, and wavetable oscillators and a wide selection of modeled filters. Virtual voice cards produce organic timbral variation.

And the multi/poly offers Kaoss Physics, Motion Sequencing 2.0, deep modulation options, and more.

KORG multi/poly native Demo Sounds:

Special Hardware/Software Crossgrade Offer

Owners of the hardware multi/poly are eligible for a crossgrade license to multi/poly native at the special price of US $49.99, via a coupon code tied to the multi/poly hardware’s unique ID.

Using the hardware and software versions together, you can have the best of both worlds: a physical instrument that responds to your touch, and complete DAW integration.

Korg multi/poly native will be available soon, priced at $199, or $49.99 for hardware multi/poly owners.