Saint Simmons

The Simmons SDS6 is an absolutely stunning rhythm sequencer from the 1983. It came out just after the introduction of the first Simmons drum kit the 1982 SDSV. It has a highly intuitive interface and can trigger up to 8 sounds, and be synced to incoming clock, so it makes it perfect for hooking up with modular gear. Here I am using it with the SDS200 (1984) and the Emu and Polyfusion modulars. You can chain patters together to create extremely long patters or songs, but here I'm just looping round one page (32 steps)

The Long Wall

I had a go at rearranging the long wall of modulars today - trying to get them set up in the best way to make use of the space. The modulars involved are the Polyfusion, the Emu, the ARP2500, the Formant, the Paia and the Serge. So then I decided to get all the sequencers going together and test it out:

Brass Thing

Here I am playing the VCS3 from the Polyfusion sequencer. I clocked the sequencer from the EMS random generator. Its kind of like a silly brass band instrument from Mars

Cooking 2

Here are some facts about the AS-1 sequencer:

1] Its V.cute

2] It is very small and compact having 16 steps and a lot of nice control features

3] My model has the serial number "DEMO" - so I guess this was one of the first units produced and used by the guys at Polyfusion to show people what it could do

4] The AS-1 was one of the first stand alone step sequencers. I can only think of a few dating from the 1970s: the ARP 1601, the Oberheim Mini Sequencer and the Korg SQ10. The Polyfusion is the coolest looking though. For some reason it reminds me of K9 which is a nice thought

5] The AS-1 came with an amazing user manual that has to be one of the BEST LOOKING USER MANUALS EVER DESIGNED! Its so cool that I scanned my version and made a PDF for you

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Cooking 1

Look I found a super-rare Polyfusion AS-1 Sequencer on the Bay to match my Polyfusion Modular system! Here it is in action:

Poly Confusion

Polyfusion Modulars. These things are really under-rated, aren't they? I don't really know why, as they are systems of the absolute highest quality, made by ex-Moog employees who broke away when Moog was bought out by Norlin - apparently they were dissatisfied with the quality of the Moog systems at that time and decided to do their own 'improved' version - the result was the 2000 series. And there were plenty of high-end supporters who bought into the sound of these things - Steve Porcoro of Toto had several huge systems (see awesome pic below), as did Hanz Zimmer and Vince Clarke. So I don't get the lack of reverence for them. Whats-up with that, its rude

Heres a 1977 Brochure

polyfusion 1977