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Sound shaped by physical movement
At the heart of phase8 is Korg’s Acoustic Synthesis engine, which uses real vibrating bodies to create sound. Each of the eight voices features a steel resonator that produces audio through physical motion, not just electronic signal paths. This means the instrument responds naturally to touch, pressure, and acoustic interaction.
You can influence tone by plucking, strumming, or tapping the resonators, and even introduce external vibrations for new textures. The AIR slider lets you control how strongly these acoustic elements are amplified, giving you direct control over how alive and reactive the sound feels during performance.
Customisable resonators and tuning
phase8 ships with 13 chromatically tuned steel resonators, with eight installed at any time. These resonators are both swappable and tunable, allowing you to customise the scale and character of the instrument to suit your music.
Envelope shaping gives further control, letting resonators produce tight percussive hits or long sustained tones. This flexibility makes phase8 suitable for melodic work, rhythmic experimentation, and textural sound design. The ability to physically change resonators encourages hands on experimentation and makes each setup feel personal.
Sequencing and modulation with depth
The built in polymetric rhythm sequencer supports both step programming and unquantised live recording. Each voice includes step skip, allowing independent rhythmic cycles that shift and evolve over time. Sequences can be stored and recalled across eight memory slots, making it easy to return to ideas later.
Modulation options include three amplitude modulation modes, including tremolo and two pitch dependent audio rate effects. One modulation mode can be harmonically quantised, keeping complex movement musically focused. Trigger delay adds another timing layer, letting you offset resonator strikes against the tempo for more intricate grooves.
Hands on control and system integration
Every front panel control on phase8 can be automated using the record function, so gestures and parameter changes become part of the sequence. This keeps performances dynamic and expressive. Connectivity is equally flexible, with MIDI and USB MIDI support for external control and tempo sync, plus CV input for modular integration.
The sequencer can also send MIDI notes to external instruments, letting phase8 act as part of a larger setup. Audio connections include a quarter inch line output and headphone output, making it easy to integrate into studio, live, or experimental environments.
Features
- Eight-voice acoustic synthesizer using KORG's Acoustic Synthesis technology for physically generated sound
- Electromechanical voices with swappable, tunable steel resonators deliver tactile, organic tone
- 13 included resonators allow for chromatic tuning and customizable setups with 8 installed at once
- Haptic sound generation reacts to touch, plucking, tapping, and acoustic feedback for immersive play
- Polymetric rhythm sequencer supports step-based and unquantized live recording with per-voice step skip
- Three amplitude modulation modes including tremolo and two pitch-sensitive audio-rate modulations
- Optional harmonic quantization for modulation effects adds tonal control
- Trigger delay control for offsetting sound timing via tempo-synced shift knob
- Parameter automation records all knob movements into sequences for evolving sound design
- Real-time interaction lets users shape tones physically and creatively with external objects
- AIR slider adjusts the acoustic sensitivity and response of physical interactions
- MIDI, USB-MIDI, and CV input provide full external control of parameters and note triggering
- Sync In/Out and MIDI sync allow tempo alignment with external gear
- Sequencer can also send MIDI notes to external instruments for hybrid setups
- Compact design with ¼" audio out, 3.5mm headphone out, and USB-C for firmware updates
- Includes power adapter, hex key, quick start guide, safety sheet, and five extra resonators
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Specifications
- Input / Output:
- MIDI TRS: Yes
- A In/Out: Yes
- USB: Yes
- USB Type-C: For USB-MIDI And Firmware
- Sync In/Out: Yes
- 1/4” Line Audio Out: Yes
- 3.5mm Headphone Out: Yes
- CV In (+/-5V): Yes
- 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 46 mm
- Weight: 1.71 kg
- Included Items: AC Adaptor, Hex Key, Quick Start Guide, Precautions Sheet, 5 Additional Resonators
- Product Code: phase-8