NAMM 2025: Korg announces handytraxx play portable vinyl player

handytraxx play is a portable turntable with built-in DJ controls and effects.

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 e@ects, 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.

Overview

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 customdesigned 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.

RRP: £359

For more information please visit: https://www.korg.com/









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