Posted by bpierre 1/23/2026
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Nts1Mk2--korg-nutekt...
For us to build and play with, and we have a ball with it. This phase8 would be a ton of fun as well.
But how are the resonators getting 'plucked'? Is it the same electromagnet as the pickup or a separate one? I can't imagine those two modes would work well. (i.e. dumping current across the coil would make the magnet want to escape)
Perhaps there's a field coil instead of a permanent magnet?
EDIT - forgot about the ebow
I think it looks cool and fun. Wish my workflow and time could accommodate it right now but they can’t. I’m really curious to hear what people who spend time with it are able to do.
In principle, Korg Berlin looks like a great model for satellite incubator within an established organization. Would absolutely love to work there.
I expect this will turn into a small range of variations with strings, tubes, and so on.
But it's also part of a cultural trend moving back from do-it-all software products to tactile collectibles with a simple, legible purpose. Vinyl started that, and I think this is a kind of musical take on the idea that something mechanical has more presence and authority than software.
Sonically I don't think that's true at all, but it's a comprehensible marketing pitch.
I also imagine that it's the olive branch that brought Takahashi back to the company after he left. He brought Korg back from the dead and they were probably and rightfully desperate to find a way to retain their top performer.
This + an Ekdahl Moisturizer would be an interesting pairing.
The similarity in timbre isn't coincidental though -- FM is noted for its ability to emulate complex timbres like bells/metallic tones (such as electric pianos) that are challenging for more traditional subtractive synthesis architectures.