Cherry Audio PS-3300 is an authentic emulation of the rare Korg PS-3300 analog polyphonic Synthesizer from 1977 with additional features.
Due to the often small number of units produced in the past, vintage synths and drum machines are rare today. If these were used in well-known tracks and are now cult, they can now cost 10x or more than the original price.
Thanks to emulations, you can now use these classics in the DAW for little or even free. However, only a few vintage synths are super rare. One is the Korg PS-3300. With only around 50 units produced, it’s one of the rarest and most expensive synths. Now, there is an emulation from Cherry Audio that allows you to explore the unique concept in your DAW/standalone.
Cherry Audio PS-3300
The new PS-3300 Synthesizer plugin is an authentic emulation of the Korg semi-modular analog polyphonic Synthesizer from 1977. It recreates the functionality and sonic characteristics of the original’s three signal generator panels, says Cherry Audio.
Each of these panels is basically an individual polyphonic synth. It comprises a six-waveform oscillator with PWM, lowpass filters with triple-peak resonators, envelopes, two syncable flexible LFOs, and VCAs. The Cherry developers also updated the filter section with new PS or MS-style filter options, making it more flexible than the original.
Then, you get independent per-note “temperament” tuning knobs, tempo sync, copy/paste between panels, and temperament tuning presets.
Semi-Modular Patching
The semi-modularity of the Korg PS-3300 was also virtualized. It offers patchable jacks with virtual cables, allowing you to dive deep into the emulated engine. Thanks to unlimited cables and multiples per jack, the plugin gives you modular-style patching without being a modular synth.
Besides this, Cherry Audio expanded this section with continuously variable CV control of level, per-channel panning, and bend range. This makes the plugin even more versatile and can be used almost like a modular synth. Plus, you can work with a multi-FX section, including chorus, delay, and reverb effects.
Modern Features
To make the workflow faster and easier, the PS-3300 has some handy features. Focus is a zoom feature that allows you to focus on just a single panel. This makes tweaking and patching much easier and less overwhelming.
PS-3300 also features deep MIDI support with CC mappings for controlling it with an external MIDI controller or DAW automation. Cherry Audio ships the plugin with over 360 professionally designed presets in a dozen categories. It also includes a bonus Legacy collection with presets from original patch sheets.
Even more extraordinary sounds are available in the Resonation Preset Pack (sold separately) by James Dyson, with 100 additional presets further showcasing PS-3300’s awe-inspiring and otherworldly tones.
EMEAPP Collaboration
Cherry Audio is thrilled that the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP) allowed them full access to their exemplary vintage PS-3300, celebrating this preeminent piece of synthesizer history.
EMEAPP is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and stewards of a privately held curation of rare vintage electronic instruments and stage-used gear.
EMEAPP’s mission is to “share the history, artists, sounds, equipment, and technology of electronic and rock music, keeping it relevant and accessible for future generations
First Impression
Cherry Audio gave me access to the plugin a few days before the release. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Korg PS-3300 nor have been able to use it in the studio for a long time. That’s why I can’t say how close Cherry Audio’s emulation is to the original.
In terms of the plugin, it’s a high-quality Synthesizer. The added features make sense and complement nicely the emulation. Patching is easy and can be done quickly thanks to the handy zoom feature. The included patches are very good and inspiring.
The plugin fluctuated between 12% and 40% on my Macbook Air M2. So it’s not super low on CPU.
Overall, it is another high-quality analog-modeling Synthesizer plugin from Cherry Audio. I’ll leave it up to you how authentic it is.
Availability
Cherry Audio PS-3300 is available now for an introductory price of $49 instead of $69. In addition, Cherry Audio will be donating 10% of profits from its October website sales of PS-3300 to EMEAPP, and customers purchasing through Cherry Audio will have the option to add a direct donation to EMEAPP at checkout.
The plugin runs as a VST, VST3, AU, AAX plugin, and standalone formats on macOS (Intel + native Apple Silicon) and Windows. A free 30-day demo is available. And if you need more Cherry Audio plugins, don’t miss the Level Up Remix Bundle, where you can get four Cherry Audio plugins for under 20€.
More information here: Cherry Audio
Available at my partners
Full Bucket has an excellent and accurate emulation for free:
https://www.fullbucket.de/music/fb3300.html
Worth checking out for those on a budget. Worth checking out!
thanks for bringing this to my attention.
It sounds like that might be worth checking out, worth checking out.