Introducing the Korg Berlin Acoustic Synthesizer Phase5
The Korg Berlin Acoustic Synthesizer Phase5 prototype has been officially revealed by Korg Berlin, a music instrument R&D division co-founded by Maximilian Rest and Tatsuya Takahashi. The device is characterized as combining controls from a synthesizer with an acoustic instrument.
Using tuned metal forks instead of oscillators, the Korg Berlin Acoustic Synthesizer Phase5 prototype produces separate notes and overtones like a real live instrument. The device’s internal magnets, which enable it to sustain only the fundamental note, the fundamental and overtones, or solely the overtones, are what create the synthesizer component.
“We’re trying to capture this rawness of instruments, while being at the same time, controllable like a synthesizer,” said Takahashi in an interview with Reverb.
Additionally, the overtones may be manipulated by an LFO to produce a unique bell-like sound. The instrument has special characteristics such as reverberating like an electric guitar when held close to an amp and ringing when dropped or knocked on the side. This is due to the acoustic resonators rather than electric circuits.
The Korg Berlin Acoustic Synthesizer Phase5 prototype combines the control of a synth with the musical diversity of actual, physically vibrating bodies. Korg Berlin is currently only measuring interest in the technology. If it appears that there’s a market for this peculiar acoustic synth, the company will look at methods to put it into production.
Having created the Monotron back in 2010, Tatsuya Takahashi is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in modern synth design. He later worked on the Volca line, the Minilogue, and the ARP Odyssey reboots. As a result, everyone is looking forward to the first synth to come out of Korg Berlin.
