Now the time has come! KORG dares to relaunch one of the biggest polyphonic analog synthesizers ever. The PS-3300 FS is a replica of the original synth from 1977, this time with memories, MIDI, USB, a “modern” connection cable to the keyboard, one voltage processor instead of two (space has been made up for the MIDI sockets), and a XLR-output (substituting the 2nd jack output).
Apart from that, the exterior is exactly the same as the original PS-3300. The keyboard ranges from C to C (original F to E). It features AT and has 49 keys – “one” key more than the vintage model.
This vintage Korg PS-3300 was produced from 1977 to around 1981 in a small edition of around 50 units. Essentially consisting of 3 units of the Korg PS-3100, the PS-3300 had a sound as powerful as its price.
Only a few well-heeled musicians (Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Klaus Schulze …) could afford the PS-3300. And in this respect, not much has changed to this day, as the used market price of an original PS-3300 is currently around 80,000 euros again.
So it’s good to hear that the PS-3300 FS is estimated at a new price of USD 13,000. Of course, it will not have the truly authentic sound of the vintage model. Even the MS-20 FS, ARP 2600 FS and yes, in short, “all” replicas do not have the exact tonal quality of the old instruments.
But on the other hand, you have to consider the enormous achievement that Korg has accomplished here. After all, the PS-3300 FS “is” a fully polyphonic, analogue instrument with 3 synthesizer sections per voice, with an original appearance and (almost) unchanged PS-3010 keyboard.
Here is the presentation of the PS-3300 FS, with explanations and “some” sound …
… and musically more sophisticated sounds in this video:
Listening to the PS-3300 FS via YouTube, the characteristics of the resonators and filters appear somewhat different. But the wide frequency range of the main LFOs (MG1 on each section) and the important extra-long envelope times seem to have found their way into the new instrument.
With this in mind, we are looking forward to the KORG PS-3300 FS, which is due to be launched at the end of 2024 …
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Further info: www.korg.co.uk