Cherry Audio - PS-3300 Synthesizer

Big in Japan... and Everywhere Else

Before releasing its renowned line of MS monosynths, Keio Electronic Laboratories (under the KORG brand name) introduced its Polyphonic Series of analog synthesizers.

The largest and most expensive was the massive PS-3300, a legendary synthesizer produced between 1977 and 1981.

It is widely considered one of the most rare analog synthesizers ever made, with around 50 units produced.

With its semi-modular design, flexible architecture, and a propensity for rich, sonically evolving timbres, the PS-3300 is often regarded as the holy grail of polyphonic analog synths.

PS-3300's unique architecture set it apart from the handful of polysynths available at the time.

It had three independent "signal generator" panels, each essentially a complete polyphonic synthesizer.

Each of these synth panels included 12 independently tunable divide-down oscillator banks as well as independent discrete VCFs, envelope generators, and VCAs for every note.

This enabled all 48 keys of the external keyboard to be simultaneously played with independent articulation. Dual LFOs and triple voltage‑controllable resonators for each generator further shaped its signature tone.

A dedicated master panel featured a mixer with VCAs for each of the three voice panels, sample & hold, an additional envelope generator, and two control voltage processors.

It also delivered extensive modulation possibilities through an astounding 67 front-panel input/output jacks.

Taken as a whole, the PS-3300 was so powerful and revolutionary that even Bob Moog was impressed, stating that it was, "the best synthesizer for fat sounds".

The PS-3300's high production cost meant that only the wealthiest musicians could afford it, thus adding to its rarity and mystique.

Its broad and bold sound, described as an orchestra of synthesizers, has made it a highly sought-after instrument by professional musicians and collectors alike.

Its adoption by groundbreaking artists such as Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Aphex Twin, Kraftwerk, Klaus Schulze, Keith Emerson, and Space has further bolstered its popularity over the decades.

Korg introduced the PS-3300 at $7,500 in 1977, and it is now so rare and coveted that one sold for nearly $100,000 in 2021!

Features

• Exactingly faithful virtual analog emulation of the semi-modular analog polyphonic synthesizer released by Korg in 1977
• Three independent "signal generator" panels, each with an oscillator, lowpass filter, three-peak resonators, envelope with velocity, amp, two mod generator LFOs, and per-note tuning:
  • 3X VCOs with six waveforms: triangle, saw, rectangle (square), two preset pulse waves (with different widths), and PWM (variable-width pulse)
  • 3X resonant VCF 12 dB/oct lowpass filters with the option to select between the standard "clean" PS filter or the "crunchier" MS-style filter
  • 3X modulatable "triple resonators": 12 dB/oct bandpass filters to produce vowel and phasing tones
  • 3X discreet ADSR-type envelope modulators with velocity control, and amplitude modulation
  • 3X two syncable "mod generators" (LFOs) with output jacks: one with triangle, saw, ramp, rectangle, pink noise, and white noise, and the other with triangle waveform
  • 3X temperament section with individual tuning knobs for the 12 chromatic notes, and temperament presets for Equal Tempered, Mean Tone System, Hepatonal System, and Just Intonation
  • Copy/paste settings from one signal generator panel to another
• Polyphonic mode with up to 24 voices of polyphony and three monophonic modes: last, low, and high note priority
• Semi-modular synthesizer with virtual jack and cable system, featuring unlimited mults per jack and customizable (color, transparency, animation) cables
• Master signal mixer panel with sample & hold, general envelope generator, and two control voltage (CV) processors
• Individual channel panning
• User-selectable bend range and master tune
• Studio-quality integrated effects: chorus, echo with sync, and three types of reverb (spring, plate, and Galactic)
• Over 360 professionally designed presets in a dozen categories. These include a bonus Legacy collection of basic presets based on the patch sheets in the original PS-3300 Owner's Manual, a 3100-based Glissando patch, and a 432 Hz Equal Temperament patch, all to get your started in your own sound design adventures.
• Standalone virtual instrument and plug-in versions
• Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI Learn and mapping
• Cherry Audio's popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag
• Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format
• User-adjustable oversampling control