NAMM 2024: Korg PS-3300 FS is a full-scale reissue of the legendary ultra-rare polyphonic Synthesizer designed by Fumio Media in 1977.
Update: The first demo video from NAMM has been added. Don’t expect a mega sophisticated demo, it’s NAMM.
Korg has introduced a colorful range of new synthesizers in the past few days. Two new portable Nu:Tekt releases (NTS-1 mk2 & NTS-3), the KingKORG Neo, desktop units of its current digital synths, and a microKORG 2. All of these synths have one thing in common: they are 100% digital. Yes, there hasn’t been anything analog yet. But I have excellent news. OK, now it’s official.
Korg revives the super rare PS-3300 analog poly synthesizer in full scale. An epic synth is returning, and a prototype should be displayed at NAMM 2024 this week.
Korg PS-3300 FS
The original PS-3300 was a very expensive instrument and was only played by a handful of musicians, including Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer.
It has been back in the news recently because two software developers could emulate it very authentically in two plugins Full Bucket Music for free and Cherry Audio. Now the Monster Poly Synth returns
According to Korg, the PS-3300 FS is a full-scale reissue of the original Korg PS-3300 from 1977. It’s an analog polyphonic Synthesizer initially designed by the legendary Korg engineer Fumio Mieda. He also developed with Hiroaki Nishijima the iconic MS-20.
The reasons why there is so much fascination with the original PS-3300 still today are the special circuitry, the massiveness of the hardware, and the rarity.
It is considered to be one of the rarest synthesizers ever produced. Yoshihito Yamada, chief Engineer of Korg analog synthesizers, says about the comeback:
Authentic Recreation With Modern Additions
Patch Memory
First Impression
If the new digital synths have left you cold or haven’t come off the high yet, hopefully you will now. This is epic news. A little audio snippet is available on the linked Korg UK website. That sounds already awesome.
It makes me dizzy when I think about how much the device will probably cost. Certainly not for my budget
Korg PS-3300 FS availability and price TBA. A prototype will be on display on NAMM 2024.
This looks nice I think in the future they might do a budget version similar to 2600m , so it will be reduced in size and not have all that expensive wood
This is a 49-voice analog polysynth with 147 VCOs. Removing all the wood and shrinking the chassis a bit would not even come close to resulting in a “budget” version of this, because the wood and chassis are not the primary reasons that it is going to be eye-wateringly expensive.
Expensive wood 🤣🤣🤣
I don’t see a triple layered 147 voice synth ever become available to the masses for a reasonable price, like the rest of their M series. But who knows. Probably won’t need this either in that form, what with all of the synths that are already around.
“expensive wood” yeah…
Wow. Martin Gore, Junkie XL, some random Chicago modular enthusiast, FartSnaps (the youtube influencer), and Ty Unwin are gonna LOVE this synth. The rest of us will forget about it.
XL won’t…. He sold off most of his collection and kept only his main ‘tools’ he used daily.
I’ll think you will find he has bought a whole load new eurorack, buchla, arp gear etc..
Korg are going for it lately!
I’d be curious on what the price is, I guess we’ll see during the NAMM event.
This is something I flog off most of my gear for if so, been playing the cherry audio clone to death since it came out and love the experience.
13000 $ !
no official or estimated price announced!
Sonic State says $13k
Jay Wires has 2 original PS3300s!
Oh wow! Unbelievable – this would have been one of the last instruments I thought Korg would reissue. Absolutely amazing…
I’ll stick to the magnificent, free plugin by Full Bucket Music. Thank you Björn!
This is truly remarkable – given the added features and modern re-tooling, why not call it the PS3400? Less nostalgia, more evolution:) But since we’re getting legacy reissues, I’d love to have a Polysix again. I’m aware that Behringer have been teasing their P6 for a while, and I’m reading stellar things about the UB-Xa but I wouldn’t necessarily want a Polysix on steroids with expanded polyphony or polyAT? Just a straight, charming reissue, with the obligatory modern amenities:)
I’m right behind you on a PolySix reissue. Very capable, musical and underrated instrument.
I don’t often think of the Korg PS series. Rare and expensive. Never thought this would be made again but happy to see this!
Played a few demos of the original PS-3300 on youtube, i love the sound!
Those 12 tuning knobs per voice is an idea that i don’t think i’ve seen in any synths i owned. Definitely something fun.
The original release switch of the EG’s has been replaced with a standard release knob giving it full ADSR.
I wonder how far they will go with authenticity : The original had 49 voices, yes, but they were hardwired to each key of the keyboard. So you could not go in unison mode, or scale the keyboard one or two octaces up or down. 4 octaves you had, no more. And the keys were just on/off switches. No velocity in other words.
$13K is a bargain. There is a photo of Aphex sitting in front of 3 of the originals, and a monologue 🙂
I’ll wait for the Behringer version :)>
It’ll cost $1300.
The behringer version will be a one voice micro version for $50 and will be available in the year of our Lord 2050