Mia Khoirunisa
Superbooth 2026, held this year amidst the sylvan surroundings of Berlin, served as the stage for Korg to quietly unveil a series of compelling new developments and expansions, underscoring the company’s commitment to both its established modular and semi-modular ecosystems and innovative new hardware. While the main stage buzzed with scheduled performances, Korg’s distinct presence, nestled in a wooded area and themed as a charming lemonade stand, offered a more intimate glimpse into their future. This year’s "Into the Woods" theme provided a fitting backdrop for the introduction of the highly anticipated phase8 "acoustic synthesizer" add-ons, a compact NTS mixer poised to simplify workflows, and expanded Sinevibes effects tailored for Korg’s diverse hardware lineup.
The Korg Berlin office has cultivated a consistent presence at Superbooth, transforming its designated space into a hub for creative exchange. The phase8, a unique instrument that blends acoustic resonance with digital synthesis, was a focal point. Its demonstration was enhanced by regular performances from a curated list of artists, including the original author, Tom, Late Snack, Fabian & Zufu, Lukas, Liam, Le Sec, Kyle Dixon, and the legendary Cuckoo. This diverse roster highlighted the instrument’s versatility and its appeal across different musical genres and experience levels. Korg plans to release videos documenting these performances, offering a wider audience a chance to witness the phase8 in action.
Phase8 Enhancements Signal New Creative Frontiers
The phase8 instrument, which has been gradually making its way into the hands of musicians, was showcased with several significant previews at Superbooth. A key highlight was the introduction of acoustic effects designed to augment the synthesizer’s already rich sonic palette. These acoustic effects, described as producing "amazing" timbres, promise to unlock new avenues for sound design and musical exploration. Korg indicated that these physical effects are slated for a public release, alongside a complementary web application, suggesting a comprehensive expansion of the phase8’s capabilities.
Further cementing the phase8’s growing ecosystem, the event also teased the potential for 3D-printable add-ons. This innovative approach not only offers users the ability to customize their hardware physically but also democratizes the creation of specialized tools and sonic modifications. The implications of this strategy are far-reaching, potentially fostering a community-driven development of accessories and allowing for highly personalized instrument configurations.
In a notable artistic collaboration, Bex Burch presented a special album project performed on a customized phase8. Accompanied by Chizu, On, Koto, and So Takahashi, the performance, recorded at Korg Berlin’s offices, was later shared with attendees at a post-show brunch, offering a privileged first listen to the fruits of this creative partnership. This collaboration underscores the phase8’s potential as a platform for ambitious musical endeavors and interdisciplinary artistic expression.
Korg also demonstrated its commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians. The weekend following the main Superbooth exhibition, the company hosted a dedicated session for children at their "minibooth." This family-friendly initiative featured a special DIY edition of the phase8, providing young attendees with a hands-on introduction to synthesis and music technology in an accessible and engaging format. Such outreach programs are vital for fostering long-term interest in music creation and technological innovation.
The NTS-4 Mixer: Compact Power for Modern Setups
A significant debut at Superbooth was the soft launch of the NTS-4 mixer, a new addition to Korg’s NTS family of compact, build-it-yourself devices. This new mixer immediately caught the eye of those seeking efficient and portable audio solutions. Its design appears to address the growing need for streamlined mixing capabilities, particularly for desktop setups and live performance scenarios where space is at a premium.
The NTS-4 boasts onboard multi-effects and ample stereo mixing capabilities, all managed through a user-friendly layout. The inclusion of USB-C connectivity further enhances its modern appeal and compatibility with contemporary gear. Compared to Korg’s existing Volca mixer, the NTS-4 seems positioned to offer a more robust and versatile solution for managing multiple audio sources.
Consistent with the NTS line’s ethos, the NTS-4 is designed for ease of assembly, requiring no soldering or specialized tools. This DIY-friendly approach aligns with Korg’s strategy of empowering users to engage directly with their hardware, fostering a sense of ownership and encouraging customization. Further details and hands-on reviews are anticipated as the product moves closer to its public release.
Sinevibes Expands Its Sonic Arsenal for Korg Platforms
The partnership between Korg and Sinevibes continues to yield impressive results, with new updates and effects showcased at Superbooth. Sinevibes, known for its innovative DSP algorithms, has been instrumental in leveraging Korg’s development kit to expand the sonic possibilities of their hardware. A notable example is the microKORG2, which can now accommodate up to 128 plug-ins, with the capacity to run four simultaneously, offering an unprecedented level of flexibility.
Artemiy Pavlov of Sinevibes was present, demonstrating the latest updates for his effect line across various Korg platforms. This included Droplet v2, now available for the prologue, minilogue xd, NTS-1, NTS-1 mkII, NTS-3, and the microKORG2. The "lush" sound of Droplet v2 was particularly highlighted, suggesting a significant enhancement in its audio quality and character.
The author expressed plans for an in-depth review, focusing on the NTS-3, Korg’s Kaoss Pad, due to its performance-oriented controls which are ideal for experimenting with the new Sinevibes effects. This focus on performance control underscores the growing integration of software-based effects with tactile hardware interfaces, a trend that continues to shape the landscape of electronic music production.
Broader Korg Initiatives and Collaborations
Beyond the core product announcements, Superbooth 2026 also provided a glimpse into Korg’s broader engagement with the music community. Additional imagery captured by Artemiy Pavlov showcased the author performing on the phase8, alongside demonstrations of Sinevibes’ effects. The event also featured a collaboration with Atmos Tokyo and Supreme on a translucent handytraxx record player, hinting at Korg’s interest in cross-disciplinary design and lifestyle product integration.
The custom speakers utilized at the Korg booth, which generated considerable interest, were identified as being from Amsterdam-based maker KIKUNO. This detail highlights the importance of complementary hardware in the overall sound and user experience, and Korg’s attention to curating a complete sonic environment.
The article concludes with a special acknowledgment of Rachel Aiello for her efforts in organizing the live sets, and to Tatsuya Takahashi and Samantha Melnyk for their pivotal roles in the development of the phase8. The author also mentioned an upcoming interview with Takahashi and Melnyk, which will delve deeper into the instrument’s design, development, and potential for experimental tuning, such as to maqams. This emphasis on the people behind the products reinforces Korg’s commitment to its engineering and artistic teams, both past and present. The "lemonade stand" theme, therefore, served not just as a whimsical motif but as a metaphor for the refreshing and inviting nature of Korg’s latest offerings at Superbooth 2026.
