Kinotone has quickly established itself as one of the most imaginative new makers in boutique effects, specializing in devices that recontextualize the guitar signal into something entirely new. Their flagship, the Ghosts, is the ultimate expression of this vision. Far more than a pedal, it’s a 6-voice physical modeling synthesizer and audio processor that uses your playing to trigger complex, resonant harmonies and textures.
Core Functions & Key Features:
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Chordal Physical Modeling Engine:
At its heart, Ghosts is a polyphonic resonator. It models the behavior of strings, tubes, and bars, which can be excited by your audio input, a built-in contact microphone, or via polyphonic MIDI (transforming it into a playable synth). -
Intelligent Reharmonization:
This is its defining feature. All six resonator voices can be retuned to any chord—using presets, fully user-defined chords, or microtonal scales. Your playing triggers perfectly in-tune, shifting harmonies, moving far beyond fixed-interval pitch effects. -
Multifunctional Touch Modes:
A suite of four high-quality, insertable processors that can also stand alone:-
Endless Loop: A flexible looper for the contact mic or input.
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Terrazzo: A stereo streaming granular processor for textures and rhythms.
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Shepard Shifter: A frequency shifter for psychoacoustic, rising/falling effects.
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Rhythm Generator: A virtual-analog drum synth with Euclidean pattern generation.
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Complete Control Ecosystem:
Features stereo reverb (pre- or post-resonator), full MIDI/CV control over all parameters, preset storage, and a disconnectable contact mic for tactile excitation.
The Bottom Line:
The Ghosts is for the sound designer and experimental player. It excels at generating evolving pads, melodic percussion, and organic, resonant soundscapes from any source. While its depth presents a learning curve, it offers a desktop-class synthesis and processing engine in a stompbox, solidifying Kinotone’s reputation for groundbreaking, category-defining gear.
