KORG phase8 is a revolutionary 8-voice "acoustic synthesizer" that blurs the line between electronic and physical instruments. Conceived by Tatsuya "Tats" Takahashi at Korg Berlin, it utilizes groundbreaking Acoustic Synthesis technology. At its core are eight independent electromechanical voices that drive interchangeable steel resonators (resembling kalimba tines), generating sound physically rather than digitally. This results in an organic, "alive" tone that can be shaped not only electronically but also haptically—by plucking, muting, or placing objects directly on the resonators.
The instrument merges acoustic nature with precise electronic control. Users have full command over the envelope of each voice (ranging from short percussive hits to long sustained drones) and access to three modulation modes, including tremolo and audio-rate modulation. The phase8 features an intuitive polymetric sequencer capable of unquantized recording and real-time parameter automation. It comes with 13 chromatically tuned resonators that can be swapped and tuned by the user, allowing customization to any scale or playing style.
KEY FEATURES
- 8-voice acoustic synthesizer with physical sound generation
- 8 swappable steel resonators (13 included in the box)
- Acoustic Synthesis technology: electromechanical excitation of physical objects
- Physical interaction capable: pluck, tap, mute, or modify resonators manually
- AIR slider to adjust acoustic responsiveness and damping
- Polymetric sequencer with unquantized recording and parameter automation
- 3 modulation modes (Tremolo, Audio-Rate, Pitch-Dependent)
- Full connectivity: MIDI In/Out (TRS & USB), CV In, Sync In/Out
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Acoustic Synthesizer (Electromechanical)
- Voices: 8 independent excitation channels
- Resonators: Steel, user-swappable and tunable
- Modulation Effects: 3 types (including harmonic quantization)
- I/O: Audio Out (1/4"), Headphone (3.5mm), MIDI In/Out (TRS-A), USB-C
- Power: 12V AC Adaptor (included)
- Dimensions: 231 x 236.5 x 46 mm (9.1" x 9.3" x 1.8")
- Weight: 1.71 kg (3.77 lbs)
