Ghosts - Polysynth & Effects Pedal from Kinotone

This is a lot more than just a pedal. Arm based digital synth and multipurpose effects box, in one small little package.

OK, new thread.

I just posted about this pedal in the Physical Modeling Hardware Synth thread, and it does that, you can connect a MIDI keyboard or a MIDI source and you have a nifty six voice physical modeling polysynth. But it does a whole lot more ( synthesize from audio, reverb, granular processing, rhythm generation, microtonal chords, frequency shifting, looping, etc. ) so let me just show the video and list out the specs.

From their product page :

Physical Modeling Engine

  • 6-voice polyphony
  • Excite the resonators with external audio, the built-in contact mic, or MIDI notes
  • Flexible, high-fidelity physical models: strings, tubes, bars
  • Reharmonize the resonators with 12 preset chords
  • Selectable root note and chord voicing

Reverb

  • Custom-designed stereo reverb adds spatial character
  • Routable pre- or post-resonator — let the space excite the object, or let the object excite the space
  • Sustains infinitely

Custom Chords + Microtonal Tunings

  • Define a user chord of up to 6 MIDI notes
  • MTS SysEx files supported for microtonal and xenharmonic scales
  • Save user chords and scales into presets

Contact Microphone

  • Strum, tap, scratch the mic — excite the resonators with tactile vibrations
  • Toggle the mic ON or OFF with the tap of a button
  • Mic is fully disconnected from the audio path when disengaged
  • Adjustable sensitivity

Polyphonic MIDI instrument

  • Retune the resonator voices directly via keyboard control
  • Internal exciter turns Ghosts into a playable physical modeling instrument
  • Multiple MIDI exciters: pluck, strike, blow — or create your own exciter with a captured loop

Touch Modes

On-the-fly performance effects to transform the physical models — and a powerful collection of creative tools that stand on their own. All Touch Modes can be placed pre- or post- resonators, and can be synced to MIDI clock:

  • Endless Loop
    • A looper with speed and direction controls, capable of infinite overdubs. A perfect companion for the contact mic
    • Record up to 40 seconds at 0.5x, 20 seconds at 1x, or 10 seconds at 2x
  • Rhythm Generator
    • Virtual‑analog models of a legendary 1981 drum machine with punchy analog resonator circuits. Resonators exciting resonators!
    • Kick, snare, hi-hat. Real‑time synthesis (no samples)
    • 11 curated patterns plus a 12th Euclidean Random notch that algorithmically generates a fresh pattern each time it’s re-selected
  • Terrazzo
    • A streaming granular processor that disassembles sound into colorful fragments and binds them into new forms. Turn anything into a lush texture or bouncy rhythm to excite the resonators
    • 6 read heads spread across the stereo field — some play forward, or reversed, some at normal speed, some an octave up
    • Adjustable grain size and envelope shape (plucky to smooth)
  • Shepard Shifter
    • A virtual-analog Bode frequency shifter adds motion and bends perception
    • Up-shift or down-shift the audio spectrum — create endlessly rising or falling spectral peaks that excite different frequencies of the resonators

Presets, MIDI Control, CV

  • 6 factory presets
  • Save up to 32 presets using MIDI
  • USB and TRS MIDI supported
  • All parameters are fully controllable via MIDI, CV, or expression
  • Smart detection of TRS Type A or Type B connections
  • CV control up to 500Hz

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The web-site also says that someday, probably in a while from now this will all be open source.

Quote :

Since I would never be where I am without the kindness and generosity of DIY communities, all of my software and hardware files will eventually be released open source for learning, hacking, and remixing.

$400 USD
Currently in short supply.

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ABOUT KINOTONE :

Other products from Kinotone :

They have two other interesting pedals, ( Ribbons ( thread ), and Sparks ( thread ) ) and a capacitive controller keyboard in progress. ( post )

Kinotone is hot ! Yeah Minneapolis ! :snowflake: :partying_face:

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Can’t wait to receive mine :slight_smile: .
The drum machine emulated inside this one is the 808.

Worth noting that Sparks (elektronauts) is also available again.

And the capacitive keyboard in the videos is going to be released early next year.

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Really interesting pedal!..unfortunatly already sold out for a few days now…maybe will try to get one if the next batch is released.

Yeah the micro tuning sold me.

Hey, just want to express my gratitude for you taking the effort to provide all that information in addition to posting the video and a picture.

Edit:

Apparently it’s sold out now. Orders for batch 3 will start “early 2026”.

A beautiful sounding machine, I wonder if it’s also based on Mutable Instrument’s Plaits code. Also I’m curious about the details like description of all available parameters, MIDI control etc. Hope the manual will be available soon.

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Relevant info to your inspiration question

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Seems very unique.

You meant Rings I guess ^^. And @damnjeeves’ link answers this :slight_smile:

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If you are good at guessing passwords, it’s right here. ( Rumpelstiltskin ?? )

Otherwise they say on the forum :

We’re tidying up a couple things but shooting to have the manual published (without a password) early next week. If you have specific questions about how it works in the meantime, feel free to ask.

You know with all that functionality in a little box with no screen there’s bound to be some “magical incantations”.

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No, as it turns out I meant Elements, because the description mentions Ghosts has pluck, strike, and blow exciters via MIDI, just as the Polyend Synth.

Why I wrote Plaits

Since I’m not too familiar with these modules, so I wasn’t sure about the name, and didn’t look close enough when I found this this picture that has Plaits on the left.

Turns out I’m not :slight_smile:

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Manual was posted online and a printed version will be included:

Development is on track. First batch should ship before the end of the month.

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