Korg phase8 Acoustic Synthesizer

Introducing phase8, an eight-voice acoustic synthesizer that merges the sonic richness of the physical world with precise electronic control. With envelope shaping, sequencing, analogue wavefolding, and pitch-dependent modulation, phase8 harnesses the latest Acoustic Synthesis technology developed at KORG. 

phase8 is an organic, responsive instrument that feels alive in your hands and responds to the world around you.

Features 

- Haptic sound generation through Acoustic Synthesis 
- Swapable and tunable steel resonators 
- Polymetric rhythm sequencer
- Modulation modes
- Trigger delay
- Parameter automation
- Real-time interaction 
- External connectivity

Haptic sound generation through Acoustic Synthesis 

Acoustic Synthesis uses physically vibrating bodies to generate sound, enhanced with the electronic control you’d expect from a synthesizer. The result is an instrument that produces sound which feels alive and responds to physical interactions such as touch and acoustic feedback.

It is beyond “analogue vs digital”. It’s even beyond electronics.

8 independent electromechanical voices with steel resonators are at the heart of the instrument’s acoustic sound. 

Swapable and tunable steel resonators 

phase8 comes with 13 chromatically tuned resonators; 8 of your choice can be installed at any one time.  Through envelope control, these resonators can produce everything from short percussive sounds to long, drawn-out sustained notes.

The design allows you to easily swap and tune resonators, letting you customise the scale and character of your phase8.

Polymetric rhythm sequencer 

An intuitive sequencer supports both step programming and unquantized live recording. Each voice offers step skip for polymetric sequencing.

All sequences can be saved and recalled across 8 memory slots. 

Modulation modes

You can cycle between three distinct amplitude modulation effects: tremolo and two audio rate, pitch-dependent modulation types. The last modulation effect can be optionally harmonically quantised.

Trigger delay

Using the instrument’s shift knob, you can add delayed triggers to the resonators relative to the selected or synced tempo. 

Parameter automation

All controls on the instrument’s panel can be automated over a sequence using the record function. 

Real-time interaction 

Beyond adjusting parameters, phase8 invites physical interaction. Sculpt sound by touching, plucking, strumming, or tapping the resonators – or experiment by adding found objects for new textures.

The AIR slider lets you boost (or quiet) the acoustic response of whatever you bring in contact with the instrument. 

External connectivity

Both MIDI / USB-MIDI  and CV can be used to externally control the knob parameters.

phase8 can be tempo synchronized to other devices over MIDI / USB-MIDI and Sync.

External MIDI devices can be used to trigger notes in the Acoustic Synth, and the sequencer can trigger notes in external MIDI instruments over MIDI / USB-MIDI.

These connectivity options allow many possibilities for phase8 to integrate into any creative setup. 

Specifications 

Input / Output
MIDI TRS-A In/Out
USB-C (for USB-MIDI and firmware)
Sync In/Out
¼” Line Audio Out
3.5mm Headphone Out
CV In (+/- 5V) 

Programs
8
Firmware updates
Product page
Power supply
AC Adaptor (DC 12V)
Power consumption
4.8W
Dimensions (W x D x H)
231 x 236.5 x 46mm

Weight
1.71kg
Included items
AC Adaptor
Hex Key
Quick Start Guide
Precautions Sheet
5 Additional Resonators