Because of its size, the NTS-1 does have some limitations. The ribbon keyboard is fine for triggering the arpeggiator (which can be latched, by the way), but not so great for actually playing anything (you’ll be making use of that MIDI Input), and many features have to be accessed by holding down a button and turning a knob, so you’ll need the manual to hand for a while at least. The TR-S features an exclusive patent-pending circuit design, for compression that mimics the sag of a vacuum tube power amp - only possible with Nutube. Achieve this sought-after sound in any setting, even when playing through a transistor amp or recording into a DAW. The TR-S features four knobs on the panel, as well as three trimmer knobs hidden inside the top cover, allowing for even greater control over your sound. Go beyond the guitar and experience what the TR-S can do when you connect other instruments as well! Easy assembly 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. The main oscillator can produce Sawtooth, Triangle, Square and VPM waveforms, and can load custom oscillators created from Korg’s logue SDK, which means it’s compatible with content created for prologue and minilogue xd. These waveforms can be easily re-shaped and adjusted just by simply turning a couple of knobs.

Out of the box, the NTS-1 synth features saw, triangle, square and VPM (variable phase modulation) oscillators, along with one user oscillator: Waves. Saw, triangle and square are what you’d expect, boast a pleasing digital edge, and operate as described in the section on control. The VPM and Waves oscillators, however, prove more sonically diverse. VPM is Korg’s version of FM synthesis, which creates harmonically complex tones. Waves, meanwhile, is a wavetable oscillator with ring modulation and bitcrusher effects that, when deployed correctly, can make for wonderfully unpleasant sounds and textures. The fun isn’t over after you finish building the NTS-1. The screws on the side panels are long enough to let you easily attach custom side panels. KORG, in collaboration with noted publisher Bjooks, (“PUSH TURN MOVE”, “PATCH & TWEAK” series...) is proud to present a fascinating KORG and ARP synth exploration experience in the form of this special, limited edition Bundle.

The addition of an arp is a clever way to make the bijou synth more functional, especially given that note input comes via the ribbon controller. To make the NTS-1 more practical in its base state, Korg has set the arpeggiator to only respond to single-note inputs. Chords can still be accessed, however, by holding down the arp button and selecting minor, major, diminutive, sustain or augmented with the other buttons. The disadvantage to this clumsy selection system becomes clear when you hook up a controller keyboard (which you’ll want to do), on which you can’t play chords into the arpeggiator, in the traditional sense. 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 reverbs prove especially suited to leads and atmospheric drones. Hall and plate are impressive staples but the special effects reverbs Space, Riser and Submarine lift this synth to another level, especially for its price. By adding pitch-shifting to the reverb tail – both upwards and down – these add a warped polish to sounds that might otherwise be a bit anaemic. 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 NTS‑1 is a DIY kit, but the build is not really any more bother than grappling with some seriously small screws. The only scary bit is the snapping of the boards as they all come as a single piece. But it's fine, just apply some pressure and they break along the predetermined lines. With a single monophonic digital oscillator, one multimode filter, on EG, three LFOs, three stereo effect processors, and full arpeggiator, the NTS-1 is a very powerful, flexible, fun-to-explore synth. Synth beginners and seasoned musicians alike will find the journey not just educational, but also inspirational and full of new discoveries.Created by legendary product visionary: Fumio Mieda, the Nu:Tekt HD-S is a build-it-yourself pedal that combines three different distortion circuits to deliver never-before heard harmonic distortion. 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! Using the button and the three knobs it's possible to access a number of parameters and modes, some of which are obvious and others that are somewhat hidden away. The buttons let you select either Oscillator, Filter, Envelope, Modulation effect, Delay or Reverb for editing. The left-hand knob always selects the 'Type' of whatever button you've selected, so oscillator type, filter type, etc, and the other two knobs change the parameters. Holding the button reveals some modulation possibilities for that part of the synth. 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 The Nu:Tekt NTS-1 digital KIT is a unique, flexible, and easy DIY synthesizer that you can easily assemble yourself (tool included), without any soldering.

Created by legendary product visionary Fumio Mieda, the Nu:Tekt HD-S is a build-it-yourself pedal that combines three different distortion circuits to deliver never-before heard harmonic distortion. Create 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! There are six filters: 2-pole and 4-pole variants for low-pass, band-pass and high-pass. There are sweep rate and depth parameters for adding movement to these too but, again, the functions are buried beneath clunky button-press sequences. 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 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. Once you’ve constructed the synth (and finished off any customisations), you can start to play with and personalise its unique sound.

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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. 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.

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. As of 2023, sixty-one years have passed since the first compact effects unit, the Maestro Fuzz-Tone, was released. Even nowadays, distortion-based effects including overdrive and distortion are the mainstay for guitar effects units, and the vast majority of these effects units are simply rehashing the sounds of the past. For this reason, we’ve developed a new kind of distortion based on harmonic synthesis that covers both traditional and all new sounds.” Specifications I admit that I was initially a bit sceptical about the Multi-Engine oscillator. I was frustrated by the expectation that I was supposed to be comfortable searching GitHub for open-source oscillators and annoyed that I might be shelling out more cash than the synth was worth. But after I pulled the lid off some of these more premium options, all of those negative feelings melted away. This thing is phenomenal. I mentioned how, when running other synths through the effects, they showed up the less than stellar sound of the included oscillators. That is not the case once you start working with custom oscillators. It becomes a whole other synth or a dozen other synths with multiple forms of synthesis, wave generation, bending, folding, resonating and modulating. It's fantastic!

The built-in ribbon controller is handy for demoing sounds and using the Korg NTS-1 with its super flexible arpeggiator (which features several patterns). You also have the option to control and synchronise the NTS-1 with external hardware, thanks to its SYNC IN, SYNC OUT, MIDI IN and USB ports. This means you can play the NTS-1 with full-size keys or link it up with something like the Volca Beats/ Drum/ Sample/ Keys/ FM to create a cool portable rig. 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. 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 an exclusive patent-pending technology — meaning that you get the feel of a tube amp even when recording or playing through a transistor amp. Created by legendary product visionary: Fumio Mieda, the Nu:Tekt HD-S is a build-it-yourself pedal that combines three different distortion circuits to deliver never-before heard harmonic distortion. Overview