Korg

Notes: A premium take on the classic portable turntable concept, the Handytraxx solid playback and compact design, plus contemporary features including digital effects, looping and a built-in fader for scratching.

Supplier's Notes:
Handytraxx Play

Portable vinyl performance, perfected.

The Handytraxx Play reimagines the classic portable turntable with modern innovation. Designed for DJs, vinyl enthusiasts, and creative performers, it combines portability with cutting-edge features, including unique Korg digital effects, a built-in audio looper, and a high-quality fader optimised for scratching. Developed in collaboration with Toshihide Nakama, co-creator of the original Handy Trax, this redefined turntable blends tradition and technology, delivering a truly unparalleled experience for music lovers on the go. Whether you're spinning at home or showcasing your skills anywhere, the Handytraxx Play is your perfect companion.

Key features

A portable player that lets you enjoy playing records and performing as a DJ, wherever you go
Unique Korg digital effects.
Audio looper for a wide range of musical expression and creativity
High-quality fader optimized for scratching
Custom-designed tonearm and motor control circuit
Developed in collaboration with Toshihide Nakama, former President of Vestax Inc.

The Handy Trax, originally created by Vestax, redefined portable turntables by giving users the freedom to play and scratch records anywhere. Beloved by DJs and vinyl enthusiasts alike, it helped spark the rise of "portablism".

Now, Korg proudly reinvents this iconic turntable with the Handytraxx Play. Developed in collaboration with Toshihide Nakama, former President of Vestax and co-creator of the Handy Trax, the Handytraxx Play retains the essence of the original while introducing exciting new features. These include cutting-edge digital effects, a built-in looper, and high-quality controls that make it possible to physically "play" with records on the go. Combined with unique customisation options, the Handytraxx Play delivers an unparalleled portable turntable experience. Perfect for casual vinyl lovers and hardcore portablists alike.

Honouring Toshihide Nakama

The Handytraxx Play is the result of a collaboration between Korg and Toshihide Nakama, the former President of Vestax and co-developer of the original Handy Trax. Developed closely with Nakama as an all-new kind of record player, the Handytraxx Play leverages Korg's unique digital processing and audio technologies while staying true to the spirit of the original Handy Trax. Tragically, Nakama passed away during the development of the Handytraxx Play on June 10th, 2023, but his vision and philosophy live on through this product, carrying his legacy to music lovers worldwide.

Optimised for scratching

The Handytraxx Play has been meticulously designed to provide an exceptional scratching experience. The high-quality fader, developed under Nakama's guidance, offers super smooth, precise motion and minimised silent zones for effortless cuts and transitions. Beginners and seasoned portablists alike will appreciate the responsive feel and the ability to reverse scratch by swapping crossfader channels. Every detail of the fader has been optimised to enhance performance while maintaining the portability that defines the Handytraxx Play.

Unique digital effects

Korg's expertise in digital audio processing brings powerful effects to the Handytraxx Play, elevating its creative potential.

Three types of filters

The Handytraxx Play offers three versatile filter types, each designed to provide dynamic control over your sound. The DJ filter seamlessly blends low-pass and high-pass filters, allowing smooth transitions. The EQ filter with a low isolator enhances bass frequencies for deep, impactful tones. Lastly, the peaking wah filter with modulation adds a unique, expressive touch, letting you shape bold experimental sounds or subtle nuanced effects in real time.
Delay
In addition to filters, the Handytraxx Play features a built-in delay effect that expands your creative possibilities. From creating spacious, ambient soundscapes to bold, metallic echoes, the delay effect can be controlled intuitively using the vertical fader for precise level adjustments.

This seamless integration of effects makes the Handytraxx Play an essential tool to enhance any DJ performance.

Built-in audio looper and versatile playback control

The Handytraxx Play includes a built-in looper that redefines creativity for DJs and vinyl enthusiasts. With its variable speed control switch, the looper lets you capture and replay live playback of a record's sound-a feature known as live looping. This capability allows you to craft unique DJ mixes by adding scratches to a looped beat, recording your favourite sounds to use as a sampler, or even swapping records while the loop continues to play seamlessly. The looper's versatility makes it an essential tool for both experimentation and live performance.

The variable speed control switch provides intuitive options for adjusting playback speed, a fundamental requirement for DJs. You can effortlessly switch between 33 and 45 RPM or fine-tune the variable speed ratio to match your creative needs. This adaptability extends to layering recordings over existing loops- for instance, playing back a beat loop at your chosen speed and overlaying scratching sounds on top. The Handytraxx Play's looper opens new possibilities for musical expression, offering endless opportunities to innovate and perform.

Precision craftsmanship

Every component of the Handytraxx Play has been crafted for superior performance. The custom-designed tonearm offers high-level tracing performance, minimising needle skipping during playback and scratching. A belt-driven motor with digital rotation correction ensures stable platter rotation and quick recovery for incidental effects that sound natural. Refinements to the turntable mechanism further reduce skipping, allowing for consistent, reliable performance during even the most demanding scratch play.

Groove on the go

Designed for ultimate portability, the Handytraxx Play can be powered by the included AC adapter or six AA batteries, giving you the flexibility to take your music anywhere. The built-in 2.5W speaker delivers impressive sound with rich bass and clear playback, whether you're connected to external speakers or not.

Flexible customisation

A redesigned headshell supports both ceramic and MM cartridges*, offering flexibility for various playback styles. Users can replace the scratch fader or reorient the control panel for right- or left-handed use, ensuring comfort and adaptability for every DJ. These thoughtful customisation options make the Handytraxx Play a truly personal and versatile tool, perfect for creating and performing.

* Basic soldering skills are required for replacing ceramic and MM cartridges.

Specifications

Drive system: Belt-driven (with digital rotation correction)
Drive motor: DC servo motor
RPM: 33-1/3, 45 or 78 revolutions per minute
S/N (signal-to-noise) ratio: Less than 60 dB (DIN-B)
Cartridge model: Stereo ceramic cartridge included (MM supported)
Maximum input level: AUX IN: 2.5 Vp
Maximum output level: LINE OUT ? 2.3 Vp, THD 1%, PHONO OUT: 300 mV (1 kHz, 5cm/sec)
PHONO preamp gain: Standard value: 34.5 dB; equalizer characteristics: RIAA
Digital signal processing
A/D, D/A: 44.1 kHz@16-bit, stereo
Crossfader: 44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo
Mix: 44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo
Looper: 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo; max. recording time: approx. 20 sec
Filter: 44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo; type: OFF, FILTER1, FILTER2, FILTER3
Delay: 44.1 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo; feedback (0%-80%), time (1,000 ms-10 ms)

Power consumption: 2.35 W
Power supply: AC adapter (included), six AA batteries (alkaline or nickel-metal hydride) Weight: 2.3 kg/5.07 lb
Dimensions: 370 x 280 x 84 mm/14.57? x 11.02? x 3.30?; with cover on: 370 x 286 x 87 mm/14.57" x 11.26" x 3.43"
Included items AC adapter, AC adapter replacement plug (5 types), dust cover, slip mat, EP adapter, Quick Start Guide

Notes: A contemporary reboot of the 1970s miniKORG 700, the 700Sm introduces a second oscillator, MIDI, arpeggiator and spring reverb. All the features of 2021's limited-edition 700FS reboot in a more compact, portable package.

Supplier's Notes:
The miniKORG 700Sm is a compact tribute to the iconic miniKORG 700, the very origin of Korg's analogue synth history, enhanced to meet the needs of today's musicians. Featuring two oscillators for thick, detuned sounds, the miniKORG 700Sm sees the return of the signature Traveler controller, allowing for expressive filter adjustments. With advancements like aftertouch, spring reverb, an arpeggiator, and a range of connectivity options including USB and MIDI, this synth is both a powerful standalone instrument and an excellent companion to stage keyboards. Complete with a custom soft case and a free software bundle, the miniKORG 700Sm brings vintage analogue sound into the present day.

Released in 2021, the miniKORG 700FS was a spectacular recreation of the legendary 1970s miniKORG 700S analogue synthesizer, enhanced with additional functionality that wasn't possible in the original. The miniKORG 700FS was so popular that its limited production run sold out quickly, with significant demand for increased production. Korg has a long history of groundbreaking analogue synthesizers. The miniKORG 700Sm is a tribute to the miniKORG 700, the very origin of Korg's analogue synth history, while being enhanced to meet the needs of today's musicians.

Downsizing the miniKORG 700FS

The miniKORG 700Sm retains all the features of the miniKORG 700FS in an instrument approximately 86% the size of the original. Additionally, the miniKORG 700Sm weighs just 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs), making it easy to transport.

The elements vital to an analogue synth

The character and richness of the sounds produced by the miniKORG 700 could not be realized through analogue modelling. Although it's possible to replicate a circuit by using the same parts and copying the design schematics or circuit board, there's no guarantee that this will reproduce the original sound. This is because the components age over time, dramatically altering the sound. To accurately recreate the original sound, Korg had to rely on the experience and skill of the technicians who worked on the original product.

Korg were able to bring the original sound to life thanks to their team of technicians, who have gained invaluable expertise over the years through their work on numerous synthesizer revival projects. This team was guided by the legendary Fumio Mieda, a Korg engineer since the early 1970s and one of the designers of the original miniKORG 700S. Working closely with Korg's sound designers, they meticulously reproduced the original sound as faithfully as possible. Those who play the miniKORG 700Sm will experience it as a beautifully crafted and authentic recreation of the original.

Beautiful synth leads, thick bass - and more

The miniKORG 700 was Korg's first synthesizer, and produced some of the most recognizable, rich and fattest analogue sounds of the time. The new miniKORG 700Sm features oscillators with an unmistakeable tone and an authentic recreation of the Traveler controller- a signature element of the miniKORG 700- designed to add extraordinary colour and expression to performances. Its sound fits seamlessly in today's music, especially with its standout lead and bass synth tones.

Secondary keyboard possibilities

The miniKORG 700 was originally designed as a secondary keyboard, often placed on top of an organ to expand their sound palette. The miniKORG 700Sm, with its compact and portable form factor, stands out as a powerful solo instrument but also complements stage keyboards like electric pianos and organs perfectly.

The controls on the miniKORG 700 were laid out below its keys in a row, allowing players to easily access them when it was placed on top of another instrument. This intuitive layout remains unchanged, offering simplicity, ease of use, and a unique look that sets it apart from any other instrument.

Expanded functionality When the miniKORG 700 was originally released, electronic components were larger in size, limiting functionality due to the small space inside. Thanks to advancements in technology, there is now room to include a spring reverb as well as a joystick for pitch bend and modulation. The new version also features aftertouch for added expressiveness, as well as an arpeggiator, USB port, MIDI IN connector and a CV/GATE IN jack. Korg have also added memory programs to store settings, something that wasn't available in the early 1970s.

Traveler controller

A unique feature of the miniKORG 700, the Traveler controller, consisted of two parallel sliders located below the keyboard. With these controls, players could adjust the cutoff frequency, with the upper lever controlling the low-pass filter and the lower lever controlling the high-pass filter. This gave players the freedom to adjust the expressive character of the sound according to the position of the levers. By moving the levers to the left and right while playing the keys, wah-wah and muted sounds could be created along with the iconic "traveling" sound.

Since the sound passing through the filter has a lower cutoff frequency and higher cutoff frequency than the frequencies set by the sliders, all frequencies are filtered and thus no sound is heard when the positions of the two sliders are inverted. In other words, making the two sliders cross would in theory produce no sound. To address this, the original miniKORG 700 featured protrusions on the sliders to physically prevent them from crossing.

The design was both a benefit and limitation of analogue circuitry. In the past- and even today- it's impossible to design a filter with perfect characteristics. During the time that the miniKORG 700 was sold, some players would shave off the protrusions on the sliders to allow them to cross, in an attempt to create new sounds. In fact, some models sold internationally did not even have the protrusions to begin with. The miniKORG 700Sm also does not have the protrusions, opening endless sound design possibilities and allowing players to create patches in unique ways.

A second oscillator The miniKORG 700 was a single-oscillator mono synth. One year later 1974, the miniKORG 700S was released with more space added to the left of the keyboard for a controller. This version also introduced a second oscillator, a ring modulator, and other enhancements. The new Sm model is a revival of the 700S, with its expanded functionality, including two oscillators that deliver powerful detuning and thick, penetrating sounds, particularly for bass and lead sounds.

Includes a made-to-fit soft case

The miniKORG 700Sm comes with a custom-made soft case designed to perfectly fit the instrument, ensuring both protection and portability. This case makes it easy to take your miniKORG 700Sm wherever you go, whether you're performing, recording, or traveling, keeping your synth safe and secure.

Free music software bundle

The miniKORG 700Sm comes with a diverse variety of music software including Izotope (featuring "Ozone Elements" which lets you not only create songs but also master them using AI), "Skoove" which will help you improve your keyboard playing skills, "miniKORG 700S" from the Korg Collection software, as well as a wide range of software synths from Korg and other developers.

Specifications

Keyboard: 37 keys (Slim-key, with aftertouch, no velocity sensitivity)
Range: 7 octaves
Waveform: Triangle wave, Square wave, Sawtooth wave, Chorus I, Chorus II
Programs: 14
Input: USB connector (Type B), MIDI IN connector, SYNC IN and SYNC OUT jack (3.5mm monaural mini phone jack), CV IN and GATE IN jack (3.5mm monaural mini phone jack), AUDIO IN jack (6.3mm monaural phone jack, TS unbalanced)
Output: OUTPUT L/MONO and R jack (6.3mm stereo phone jack, TS unbalanced), Headphones jack (6.3mm stereo phone jack)
Power supply: AC adapter (DC 12V)
Power consumption: 9W
Dimensions (W × D × H): 641 x 228 x 107 mm/25.24" x 8.98" x 4.21"
Weight: 5.8 kg/12.79 lbs.
Included items: AC adapter, Traveler knob (without protrusions type) x 2, Soft case Accessories (sold separately)
SQ-CABLE-6 (Patch Cable)