Korg - Nu:Tekt NTS-1 Digital Synth Kit

Product Information

The NTS-2 Kit and “PATCH & TWEAK with KORG” book were conceived and developed to complement each other, providing not only fundamental knowledge, but also the tools to guide and inspire synth lovers through their music journey. Alongside amazing tone, one of the hallmarks of the Nu:Tekt series is that they’re assembled by you! The TR-S kit doesn’t require soldering, and the necessary tools are included – in fact, it’s the easiest and fastest unit to assemble in the entire Nu:Tekt series. Recreate the tube experience Controlling the NTS-1 is straightforward, and all outlined in the fold-out road-map-style instructions. There are seven buttons and three knobs on the front panel, plus a ribbon controller and a four-character LED screen.

The Nu:Tekt NTS-1 is more Monotron than Volca – certainly in appearance – but it’s also very much its own instrument. For a start, you have to build it yourself, and its single monophonic digital oscillator is capable of loading custom oscillators that have been developed for Korg’s Prologue and Minilogue XD synths. This feature alone should be enough to pique your interest. The HD-S effects pedal combines three different distortion circuits to create harmonic modulation that goes beyond the traditional concept of distortion. Thanks to the NTS-1’s ability to be powered via USB bus power, you can run it from a standard power bank - true portability!The NTS‑1 comes with Waves; a morphing wavetable oscillator made up of two wavetables of 46 waves. Select wave A and B and you can morph between the two. The controls are accessed via a special edit menu that you get to by holding the Osc button and moving the Type knob. You can then release the button and its LED flashes to show that you're in Edit mode. The Type knob now selects various parts of the oscillator and knobs A and B alter the parameters — the equivalent of 'Shape' and 'Shift+Shape' on the bigger synthesizers. With Waves you have a Sub you can mix in, or you can use it as a Ring Modulation source, and then there's a Bit Crusher. Knob A remains steadfastly the Shape control which in this case morphs between the waveforms and can be modulated from the oscillator LFO. The contents of the book sold by BJOOKS and the book that will be included in KORG’S Bundle are exactly the same however the book cover is slightly different cosmetically (the one included in the bundle has a metallic finish). The HD-S reimagines the distortion pedal, with modulation and filter-like control over your sound. In addition to four control knobs on the panel, you can use three additional trimmer knobs to adjust the balance between each of the distortion circuits for sonic results as tame or as wild as you can imagine. Easy assembly There are six filter types which include 2- and 4-pole versions of low-pass, band-pass and high-pass. Knobs A and B become cutoff and resonance respectively. They sound perfectly reasonable with some high resonant peaks, although they can't be pushed into self-oscillation. Holding the button reveals a Sweep modulator that sweeps the cutoff like a single slope envelope either up or down depending on Knob B and the speed set on Knob A. It's more obvious than it sounds.

A wide selection of filters (Low pass 2/4-pole, High pass 2/4-pole, Band pass 2/4-pole and OPEN mode, all with resonance) give you serious control over the overall tone of the oscillator. The HD-S lets you freely combine the three different distortion circuits to produce a wide range of previously undiscovered sounds, from the traditional fuzz to out of this world distorted sounds and more. This wide range of traditional and all new sounds means the HD-S can be used not only with guitars but also with bass guitars, synthesizers and anytime new and unique sounds are required.

Building tension

After creating the Uni-Vibe (probably most famously used by Jimi Hendrix) Mieda-san was employed by Korg Founder Tsutomu Katoh in 1976, and has been responsible for countless innovations since. Right, now here's the part that you've all been waiting for; that magical Multi-Engine digital oscillator and effects engine. This is the same Multi-Engine digital oscillator that's found on the Prologue and the Minilogue XD and is compatible with all the third-party oscillators and effects that have been written for them. But there are some caveats. Due to limitations in the hardware interface you may not get access to all the physically available parameters. Also, it will allocate parameters on a first-come-first-served basis, and so if the custom oscillator hasn't been tweaked for the NTS‑1 then it might not select the most helpful ones. And lastly, remember that this is a monophonic synthesizer and many of the lovely demos you see on the Prologue and Minilogue XD use their polyphony with great effect. With those things understood, let's jump in.

The basic design layout is also loosely the same – each pedal features four control knobs, a bypass footswitch and LED light – though this time out Korg has equipped each unit with a small screen and three additional internal parameters. Assemble the HD-S with ease, just like a model kit - no soldering required. All necessary tools are included, along with a circuit diagram in the owner’s manual. Perfect for those who love building their own effect units with top-notch performance and sound. The brainchild of Funio Mieda The last button is the Arpeggiator, which is useful considering the keyboard, and also a lot of fun. Press to enable, hold it for a second to engage the latch, touch a couple of notes and let it go. While holding the Arp button the other six buttons become chord selectors; Octave, Major Triad, Major Suspended, Major Augmented, Minor Triad and Minor Diminished. You can use the keyboard to transpose if you try really hard. Continuing to hold the button down the Type knob selects between 10 different arpeggiator modes including Random and Stochastic. Knob A sets the pattern length from one to 24 steps and knob B handles the tempo or step duration if externally sync'ed. There's no opportunity as yet to edit the Arp chords or add your own but this may become possible via a firmware update or software editor. But as it is it's comprehensively fun to use. The versatility, the effects, the price and the fun to be had with the NTS‑1 are pretty unbeatable. Multi-Engine The NTS-1 is a kit synth, which means you have to build it before you play it! Don’t worry about heating up the soldering iron though, it’s easy to do, only requires a Phillips screwdriver to put together and is a pretty fun process. Some users have even gone so far as to make custom wooden end cheeks for theirs so the potential for personalisation is high. Make new and as-yet undiscovered sounds – from traditional fuzz, to out-of-this world distorted sounds - by mixing the different distortion circuits. A wide range of sonic possibilities means you can use HD-S with guitars, bass guitars, synths, and more – anywhere you’re looking for new and unique sounds.However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers. Meet a build-it-yourself pedal that delivers the warmth and response of a tube amp. The Nu:Tekt TR-S uses a Nutube to deliver previously unachievable compression thanks to exclusive patent- pending technology – meaning you get the feel of a tube amp even when recording or playing through a transistor amp.

Its versatile oscillator can produce both traditional analog-style waveforms (Sawtooth, Triangle, Square) and VPM waves, this means that it’s compatible with custom oscillators that were created for the Minilogue XD/ XD Module and Prologue. This oscillator’s voice can then be shaped by: As if you weren’t already presented with enough sound sculpting possibilities for a synth of this size and price, the Korg NuTekt NTS-1 also features a high-quality stereo effects engine (Modulation, Delay, Reverb) inspired by the Minilogue XD/ XD Module and Prologue. An added bonus is the 3.5mm stereo input, which means that you can use the NTS-1 as a customisable, standalone effects unit too!

Korg Nu:Tekt TR-S Power Tube Reactor Pedal Overview

The Nu:Tekt NTS-2 is a DIY multifunctional tool for musicians. Building on a 4-channel oscilloscope that makes it easy to monitor and analyze audio and Control Voltage signals alike, the NTS-2 also includes a flexible waveform generator and spectrum analyzer, as well as tuner functions that make it the ideal addition to any studio. If the idea of having to build the NTS-1 fills with you with terror, allow us to set your mind at rest. There’s no soldering involved – it’s basically just a case of screwing the thing together (you even get a mini screwdriver in the box). You might feel a touch of apprehension as you snap the bits of the chassis apart (they come supplied as one board), but it’s nothing to have nightmares about. You should be done in well under an hour. The contents of book sold by BJOOKS and the book that will be included in KORG’S Bundle are exactly the same however the book cover is slightly different cosmetically (the one included in the bundle has a metallic finish).