In this video, via Christian Halten, Tatsuya ‘Tats’ Takahashi discusses Korg’s unique phase8 synthesizer.
Takahashi discusses their journey in creating the phase8, goals for the project and his interest in tactile interaction with electronic instruments.
The phase8 is an eight-voice electro-acoustic instrument, with envelope control, sequencing, waveshaping and audio modulation. It generates sound using eight independent electro-mechanical voices, where the sound is generated using electronically controlled metal resonators.
Korg expects for the phase8 to be available starting in Q1 of 2026, priced under 1000 Euro.
Designer Eric Pitra of Landscape has introduced a new handheld device, Ferrous, that offers a way to get new sounds from steel-stringed instruments like guitar, piano, bass, etc.
The Landscape Ferrous, created with Artist/Performer/designer Victoria Shen, lets you magnetically ‘strum’ strings, creating harmonically complex “ghostly sounds” not normally associated with these instruments.
Ferrous’ spinning disc contains six strong earth magnets. Adjusting the rotational speed of the disc will change which strings are most affected and their harmonic content.
If the disc is spinning slowly, lower strings resonate; if the disc is spinning quickly higher strings will resonate louder. The results can sound like an unknown instrument in a reverberated physical space, floating sine wave tones, or feedback.
Fluctuation of rotation speed by using the thumbwheel, rev button, touch-plate or control voltage input can create a soft strumming effect across multiple strings or shifts in harmonic content. New harmonics and overtones can emerge from both lower and higher strings as the disc spins faster. The distance at which Ferrous is held from strings affects how strongly they will resonate and their harmonics.
If Ferrous is placed near guitar pickups you will hear the heavy sounds of the magnets and the motor, with the resulting pitch based upon the disc’s RPM.
A large collection of audio demos are available at the Landscape website.
The Landscape Ferrous is priced at $180. There’s currently a pre-order waiting list on the website.
At Superbooth 2024, held May 16-18 in Berlin, Tatsuya Takahashi & KORG Berlin introduced the Acoustic Synthesis Phase8.
This video captures the Korg Berlin Gesprächskonzert from May 17th, where they offered an introduction to their team and the new Phase8 acoustic synthesizer. They explain their approach to acoustic synthesis, and demo the Phase8 and its capabilities.
Watch the video and share your thoughts on the Phase8 in the comments!
