Korg Phase 8 Eight Voice Acoustic Synthesizer

phase8 is an eight voice acoustic synthesizer that blurs the line between electronic and acoustic sound design. Using physically vibrating steel resonators under precise digital control, it delivers organic, touch responsive tones that feel alive, while still slotting neatly into modern MIDI, CV and DAW based setups.

At its core, phase8 is a haptic instrument. Each of its eight electromechanical voices drives a real steel resonator, so you are always working with genuine acoustic energy rather than a simulation. You can sculpt these vibrations with envelopes, modulation and sequencing, then reach out and interact directly by touching, plucking or muting the resonators to push sounds into feedback, add noise, or create entirely new textures.

The flexible rhythm sequencer and deep parameter automation make phase8 a powerful compositional tool as well as a performance instrument. Polymetric patterns, delayed triggers and per step modulation turns simple ideas into evolving, shifting structures that still retain the immediacy of a hands on acoustic object. Whether you are building experimental soundscapes, percussive patterns or melodic sequences, the instrument rewards exploration.

With extensive external connectivity, phase8 integrates easily into wider rigs. MIDI, USB MIDI, CV and sync I/O let you clock it to other gear, automate parameters from hardware or software, and even use its sequencer to drive external synths. Combined with the ability to swap and tune resonators, it becomes a highly personal sound design hub that can adapt to different musical roles in the studio or on stage.

Haptic Acoustic Synthesis

Acoustic Synthesis in phase8 uses physically vibrating bodies to generate sound, controlled with the precision of a modern synth. Eight independent electromechanical voices excite steel resonators, producing tones that respond naturally to touch, acoustic feedback and the surrounding environment. This gives you a uniquely organic sound palette that goes beyond traditional analogue or digital synthesis.

Customisable Steel Resonators

phase8 ships with 13 chromatically tuned steel resonators, with 8 installable at any one time. You can easily swap and tune these resonators, allowing you to customise the scale, tuning and overall character of the instrument. Through envelope shaping, they can move from sharp, percussive hits to long, sustained notes, making phase8 equally at home handling rhythm, melody or texture.

Expressive Sequencing and Modulation

The built in sequencer supports both classic step programming and unquantised live recording, so you can capture rigid patterns or loose, human timing. Each voice offers step skip for polymetric sequencing, while trigger delay, multiple modulation modes and full panel parameter automation let you build evolving, intricate patterns that stay locked to tempo when needed.

Deep Real Time Interaction and Connectivity

Beyond knob tweaks, phase8 invites you to play the resonators directly by touching, plucking, strumming or tapping them, or by introducing found objects for new timbres. The AIR slider lets you emphasise or tame the acoustic response of whatever is in contact with the instrument. With MIDI, USB MIDI, CV and sync I/O, you can integrate phase8 into almost any creative setup, using external gear to control it or using its sequencer to drive other instruments.

• Eight Voice Acoustic Synthesis Engine - Eight independent electromechanical voices with steel resonators generate sound through real physical vibration. This delivers a lively, organic response that reacts to touch and environment, giving you a sonic character that is difficult to achieve with purely electronic oscillators.
• Swapable, Tunable Steel Resonators - The included set of 13 chromatically tuned resonators lets you install 8 at a time and retune them as needed. This makes it easy to tailor the instrument to specific scales, tunings or tonal colours, so phase8 can be configured for anything from percussive setups to more melodic or harmonic roles.
• Polymetric Sequencer with Full Automation - The intuitive sequencer offers step programming, unquantised live recording and per voice step skip for polymetric patterns. Combined with trigger delay and the ability to automate every panel control over a sequence, you can create complex, evolving rhythms and textures that still feel immediate and performable.
• Hands On Interaction and Flexible I/O - Directly interacting with the resonators and shaping their acoustic response via the AIR slider makes phase8 feel like a playable object as much as a synth. MIDI, USB MIDI, CV and sync connections allow tight integration with external hardware and software, so it can sit at the centre of a hybrid studio or live rig.

Sound Engine

• Type: Eight voice Acoustic Synthesizer
• Voices: 8 independent electromechanical voices
• Resonators: Steel resonators, swapable and tunable
• Included Resonators: 13 chromatically tuned resonators (8 installable at once)
• Modulation Modes: Tremolo plus two audio rate, pitch dependent modulation types
• Harmonic Quantisation: Optional on the third modulation effect
• Trigger Delay: Adjustable via shift knob relative to selected or synced tempo

Sequencer and Control

• Sequencer Types: Step programming and unquantised live recording
• Polymetric Support: Per voice step skip
• Memory: 8 sequence/program slots
• Parameter Automation: All panel controls recordable over a sequence
• Real Time Interaction: Touching, plucking, strumming, tapping resonators; use of found objects
• AIR Control: Slider to boost or reduce acoustic response

Connectivity

• MIDI: TRS A In/Out
• USB: USB C (USB MIDI and firmware)
• Sync: Sync In/Out
• Audio Output: ¼" line audio out
• Headphone Output: 3.5 mm
• CV Input: CV In (+/ 5 V)
• Tempo Sync: MIDI, USB MIDI and Sync

Programs and Firmware

• Programs: 8
• Firmware: Updatable via USB C

Power

• Power Supply: AC adaptor (DC 12 V)
• Power Consumption: 4.8 W

Dimensions and Weight

• 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