The Korg Berlin experimental division unveiled the phase8 acoustic synthesizer at Superbooth 25. The device resembles a combination of Korg Volca compact instruments and a small piano.
The Korg phase8 is the final realization of the acoustic synthesizer concept first presented in 2023. At that time, Korg Berlin presented an experimental instrument, the Acoustic Synthesis_phase5, at Superbooth. This instrument generates sound without the use of oscillators. This instrument used a vibration mechanism and metal plates to reproduce certain notes and overtones.
According to the developers, the final signal of the instrument is formed in the resonator, enabling the creation of unusual acoustic and sound effects. For example, the synthesizer "starts up" like an electric guitar when brought near a speaker.
Over the past two years, the company has showcased the synthesizer at technology and music exhibitions. The concept underwent several changes during development, and the instrument was renamed Acoustic Synthesis_phase8. At one demonstration, attendees sampled the instrument and produced a free virtual library of acoustic synthesizer sounds.
By 2025, Korg engineers had finalized the concept and unveiled the final version of the instrument: the Korg phase8. The device is described as "an eight-voice acoustic synthesizer with envelope control, a sequencer, a waveformer, and an audio modulator."
A synthesizer is an electroacoustic instrument that generates a signal using eight resonators. Users can tune and position the resonators independently. Since the resonators are physical objects, musicians can influence their sound through touch or other direct interactions.
The Korg Berlin Phase 8 features MIDI In and MIDI Out mini-jack connectors, Sync In and Sync Out ports, and a CV port. There is also a USB connector for connecting the synthesizer to computers and other devices. For sound output, the synthesizer has one output and a headphone output. The unit is powered by the supplied 12V power supply.
Despite the announcement of the completion of product development, the model is still listed as a prototype on the Korg Berlin website. The creators have not specified the final cost of the synthesizer. The developers noted that the first serial samples of the instrument will be ready in the first quarter of 2026. Sales of Phase 8 should also start then.
