Mia Khoirunisa
Superbooth 2026, the annual pilgrimage for electronic music enthusiasts and manufacturers, saw Korg unveil a series of compelling new products and initiatives, demonstrating a continued commitment to innovation and community engagement. Nestled within a charming wooded area adjacent to the main stage, Korg’s Berlin office transformed its exhibit into a thematic "lemonade stand," fostering an intimate atmosphere for product showcases and artist performances. This year’s presentation highlighted significant advancements in modular synthesis, compact mixing solutions, and expanded creative possibilities through software and hardware integration.
The Korg Berlin booth served as a hub of activity throughout the event, showcasing the latest iterations of their popular NTS series, the experimental phase 8 "acoustic synthesizer," and a variety of exciting software developments from third-party collaborators like Sinevibes. The setup itself was designed to encourage interaction, with regular performances on the phase 8 instrument featuring a diverse lineup of artists including the author, Tom, Late Snack, Fabin & Zufu, Lukas, Liam, Le Sec, Kyle Dixon, and the renowned Cuckoo. These performances underscored the versatility and expressive potential of Korg’s instruments, providing real-world demonstrations of their sonic capabilities. The author noted that videos of these performances are expected to be released soon, offering a further glimpse into the creative applications showcased at the event.
Advancements in the Phase 8 "Acoustic Synthesizer"
A central focus of Korg’s presence at Superbooth 2026 was the "phase 8" acoustic synthesizer, an instrument that has been steadily evolving and is now reaching a wider audience of musicians. This unique instrument, which blends acoustic principles with digital synthesis, saw several key reveals and previews during the show. The most striking of these were the new add-ons and effects designed to expand its sonic palette. Notably, Korg previewed effects that users can 3D-print, a move that exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to hardware customization and accessibility. This initiative not only allows users to tailor their sonic tools but also democratizes the creation of specialized audio processing units.
The acoustic effects developed for the phase 8 were lauded for their exceptional quality, opening up new avenues for timbral exploration. The potential for these effects to be publicly released, along with a companion Web application for managing them, suggests a strategic effort by Korg to foster a vibrant ecosystem around the phase 8. This approach is reminiscent of the open-source movements in software development, applied to the tangible world of music hardware, allowing users to contribute to and benefit from a growing library of sonic possibilities.
Further demonstrating the phase 8’s artistic integration, musician Bex Burch presented a special album collaboration with Korg. Performed on a customized phase 8 alongside collaborators Chizu, On, Koto, and So Takahashi, the session was recorded at Korg Berlin’s offices. Attendees at a post-show brunch were treated to a live performance of this material, highlighting the instrument’s capacity for nuanced and collaborative musical expression.
Korg also demonstrated a commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians by hosting a "minibooth" session for children. This initiative featured a DIY edition of the phase 8, encouraging young attendees to engage with the principles of sound design and music creation in an accessible and playful manner. This educational outreach underscores Korg’s broader vision of making music technology engaging and understandable for all ages.
The Compact NTS-4 Mixer: A New Frontier in Portability
Korg introduced a significant new addition to its NTS family: the NTS-4 mixer. This compact and intelligently designed unit appears poised to address the growing demand for streamlined, high-quality audio solutions for both desktop production and live performance. The NTS-4 distinguishes itself with onboard multi-effects, extensive stereo mixing capabilities, and modern USB-C connectivity. Its layout has been meticulously crafted, suggesting an ideal solution for small studio setups and live performances where space is at a premium.
Following the ethos of the wider NTS line, the NTS-4 is designed for user-friendly assembly, presented as a no-solder, no-specialized-tools kit. This approach lowers the barrier to entry for DIY enthusiasts and encourages a deeper understanding of the hardware’s construction. Further details and hands-on reviews are anticipated as the product becomes more widely available. The implications of this mixer are substantial, potentially setting a new benchmark for portable, feature-rich mixing solutions in the competitive electronic music hardware market.
Sinevibes Expands Korg’s Sonic Canvas
The partnership between Korg and Sinevibes continues to yield impressive results, leveraging Korg’s development kit to create innovative software effects. Artemiy Pavlov of Sinevibes was a notable presence at the Korg booth, demonstrating the capabilities of his plugins on various Korg hardware. The microKORG2, in particular, can now accommodate up to 128 plugins, with the ability to run four simultaneously, offering an unprecedented level of sonic flexibility within a compact keyboard.
New updates were showcased for Sinevibes’ popular effects, including Droplet v2. This update is compatible with a range of Korg devices, including the prologue, minilogue xd, NTS-1, NTS-1 mkII, NTS-3 (Kaoss Pad), and the microKORG2. The Droplet v2 effect was particularly highlighted for its lush sonic character, promising to enhance the expressive potential of these instruments. The author expressed plans to conduct a detailed review, focusing on the NTS-3 due to its comprehensive performance controls.
The integration of Sinevibes’ DSP-driven effects with Korg’s hardware ecosystem represents a significant trend in modern music production. It allows users to access a vast and evolving library of sounds and processing capabilities, transcending the limitations of built-in effects and opening up new creative workflows. The ability to load and manage such a large number of plugins on devices like the microKORG2 speaks to the power and adaptability of Korg’s underlying technology.
A Look at the Broader Korg Ecosystem
Beyond the primary product reveals, Korg’s Superbooth presence also touched upon other exciting collaborations and elements of their product ecosystem. The author’s own experience playing on the phase 8 and demonstrating Sinevibes’ effects, captured in accompanying imagery, provided a personal perspective on the creative potential of these tools.
A unique collaboration with Atmos Tokyo, a retailer, and Supreme, resulting in a translucent "handytraxx" record player, was also on display. This item, while perhaps outside the core Korg product line, signifies the brand’s engagement with broader cultural trends and its willingness to explore diverse collaborations.
The event also featured custom speakers by Amsterdam-based maker KIKUNO, which were used during performances. These bespoke audio solutions highlight Korg’s attention to detail in creating a complete and high-fidelity sonic experience for both artists and attendees.
Community and Collaboration: The Korg Berlin Ethos
The author expressed significant gratitude to Rachel Aiello for her role in organizing the live sets, and to Tatsuya Takahashi and Samantha Melnyk for their pivotal work on the phase 8. Extended discussions with Takahashi and Melnyk about the instrument’s application and development, including an interview at their office, are forthcoming. These conversations are expected to delve deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of the phase 8 and its unique approach to synthesis, including the author’s experiments with tuning it to maqams, a traditional system of Arabic musical scales.
The contributions of Takahashi, Melnyk, and a wider team of past and present Korg employees were emphasized, underscoring the collaborative spirit that drives Korg’s product development. This emphasis on teamwork and shared vision is a hallmark of Korg’s culture and a key factor in their sustained innovation.
In conclusion, Korg’s participation at Superbooth 2026 was a testament to their multifaceted approach to the electronic music landscape. From the cutting-edge acoustic synthesis of the phase 8 with its innovative 3D-printable effects, to the practical and portable NTS-4 mixer, and the ever-expanding sonic palette offered by Sinevibes plugins, Korg demonstrated a clear vision for the future. The brand’s commitment to fostering community, encouraging creative exploration, and making advanced technology accessible to a broad range of users solidified their position as a leading innovator in the industry. The thematic "lemonade stand" at Superbooth was more than just a creative display; it symbolized Korg’s refreshing approach to product development and their warm, inviting engagement with the global music community.
