Korg shared this new interview with Fumio Mieda, creator of the original PS-3300 synthesizer, and technical supervisor for their updated take on the classic synthesizer.
The new Korg PS-3300 is a full-size reissue. Here’s what Korg has to say about it:
“While its electronics benefit from modern parts, the instrument stays remarkably faithful to the original. Every detail – from the case, panel, and knobs, to the wooden side panels – has been meticulously recreated, with manufacturing methods closely mirroring those used in the original production. Each unit is handcrafted to ensure exceptional quality and authenticity.
Due to the intricate hand-crafted nature of PS-3300, production capacity is naturally limited. The PS-3300 is therefore offered as a limited-edition instrument, ensuring it remains as rare and coveted as its predecessor.”
Features:
- 49 keys / 49 voice analog polyphony (the original model had 48 keys / voices)
- 3 Layers: The PS-3300 consists of three synthesizer units (PSU-3301) and a mixer & utility section (PSU-3302)
- Three independent oscillators, plus multiple filters, envelopes and amplifiers for every note on its keyboard, for a total of 147 synth voices of raw analog power
- Microtuning knob x12 on each PSU-3301 unit
- New panel memory function (16 programs per bank and 16 banks = 256 slots)
- Modernised for contemporary music use with the inclusion of USB / MIDI jacks, and a dedicated librarian app for easy preset management
- Semi-modular
- 3-Band Resonator: Three frequency bands can be emphasised, a feature unique to the PS-3300 (original was a Cadmium sulfide circuit, but it was replaced with modern components for safety and to comply with regulations)
- Keyboard unit (PS-3010) included
The new Korg PS-3000 expands on the original in several ways:
- Programmable memory—previously available on the PS-3200 but absent from the original PS-3300. With 16 banks of 16 slots each (256 program slots total), saving and recalling custom sounds is now easy, making both studio work and live performance more intuitive.
- Connectivity has been upgraded to meet modern production needs. The PS-3300 features a USB-B port and MIDI IN/OUT/THRU connectors for seamless integration with computers and external gear.
- The PS-3010 module, once an optional add-on, now comes included. The keyboard has been expanded from 48 keys (F to E) to 49 keys (C to C) for improved playability. Plus, the original 60-pin cable has been replaced with a more user-friendly 8-pin connection, simplifying setup without compromising functionality.
- The PS-3300’s dedicated librarian software is designed to let users manage programs and tunings.
Audio Demo:
Pricing and Availability:
Korg has not announced official pricing and availability information for the PS-3300. If you’re interested, you can register to get updates at the Korg US and Korg UK sites.
I keep getting an urge to purchase one, but once I lay out the $13,000 and think about what you could buy with it, I cool off.
Hopefully Behringer makes a cheaper clone that is not 49 voices.
Some day their version of the Polysix will come out which is technically pretty similar in terms of VCOs and Korg-style filters and modulations. A person could chain 2 or 3 of those and have something similar, in another few years perhaps heh.
One could always go modular and construct the voice-per-voice signal paths as well, which would put it at a smaller price. You could load a bunch of VCOs and polyphonic control units into the spare spaces on the Behringer System35/55 to keep it all in one factory-made unit. It would still be pricey but that’d be a fun project actually. Hmmm I have to save up haha.
For the financially challenged like myself, try the Full Bucket Music – FB-3300 -_*
There is also https://cherryaudio.com/products/ps-3300
Tim Shoebridge did their official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyvmi2zIeIY
interesting sound demos. not sure i like much of it though. not the synth for me i guess.
Even if you could afford it you probably can’t get one or even order one unless you live in the US. It looks as they are only available to order there.
The price was listed on a Australian and Singaporean shop. And official Korg UK site has a product description. Definitely not only US it seems.
Its clearly a collector’s item at that price. Its an interesting design, not unlike the Polymoog in having the same works repeated for each key.
There are easier paths to going modular. One big plus here is the three resonators. Its a smart addition that gives you a broad choice in tone. Never mind the price or the cachet. If you’re really keen on the sound, go for Cherry Audio’s version.
I have been playing around with the Cherry Audio version with 150% zoom and it looks fantastic and easy to use on a big screen.
the 3band resonator is the most amazing filter I have ever heard.
The price is now officially $15,000 shipping according to Korg’s official survey.
It’s really nice to hear this interview and see the hand-written instructions near the end. I didn’t know the tuning knobs also had presets or that his intention was for multi-scale programming. I wonder if Wendy Carlos used that on Beauty In The Beast the extremely microtonal album?
no – by then she’d moved on from analog and was all-in with the Crumar GDS and its successor the DK Synergy, fully digital additive synths that gave her the PRECISE tuning control she needed for the various custom scales. Beauty in the Beast was done entirely on those.