KORG Berlin Phase 8 | Acoustic Synthesis from First Touch to Full Jam

video upload by Noisegate

"We head to the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio for our first hands-on look at the KORG Berlin Phase 8, one of the most unusual instruments to land on the Noisegate desk in years.
Phase 8 is built around eight electromechanical voices, each physically striking a steel resonator or tine. Instead of traditional oscillators, sound is generated through real vibrating materials, then shaped with envelopes, modulation, sequencing, and analogue wavefolding. The result feels closer to playing a physical instrument than programming a synth.

In this video, we explore:
– How Phase 8 produces sound
– Sequencing, pluck, shift and performance controls
– Acoustic interaction using everyday objects
– Processing Phase 8 with external effects
– Integrating Phase 8 into a wider live jam setup

CHAPTERS:
0:39 – Why Phase 8 Is Different
1:04 – What Is Acoustic Synthesis?
1:40 – Touch, Feedback & Physical Interaction
2:13 – Tuning, Scales & Resonators Explained
2:32 – Playing Phase 8 Like a Synth
2:41 – Per-Voice Envelopes & Velocity
3:11 – Air Slider & Raw Pickup Sound
3:35 – Shift & Pluck Performance Controls
4:27 – Sequencer Overview & Storage
4:56 – Playing a Recorded Sequence
5:06 – Step Recording & Polyrhythms
6:21 – Interacting with the Tines Physically
6:30 – Using Objects to Change the Sound
7:50 – Light vs Heavy Materials on the Tines
8:26 – Percussive & Prepared-Style Sounds
9:47 – Modulation & Tonal Experimentation
9:56 – Processing Phase 8 with External Effects
10:14 – Finding Sweet Spots with FX
10:27 – Connectivity: MIDI, USB-C, CV & Sync
10:58 – Hybrid Setup with OP-XY
11:24 – Live Jam Begins
14:29 – Reflections on Exploration & Sweet Spots
15:31 – Why Phase 8 Rewards Time & Touch
15:36 – Trying Phase 8 at MESS
16:04 – Final Thoughts & Sign-Off

We also look at how Phase 8 plays with other gear, including Teenage Engineering OP-XY and outboard effects, and why finding the “sweet spot” is such a big part of the experience."