KorgNTS-1 Digital Synthesizer / Effect Processor

Korg NTS-1

The Korg and Nu:Tekt NTS-1 is a monophonic synthesizer and FX engine that is as powerful as it is compact. It features the same oscillator and FX engines as the Minilogue XD and Prologue, so it can load some of the custom oscillators and FX options found on these much larger and more expensive synthesizers. It comes as a kit, but no soldering is required to put it together—just tighten some screws and attach the ribbon controller and you're good to go.

There is an endless encoder that navigates through the different pages and two potentiometers whose function is determined by the setting you're changing. There are alternative controls for each of the modes, accessible by holding the button and turning the corresponding knob. The six buttons select which parameter you want to control, oscillator, filter, EG, modulation FX, delay, and reverb. The oscillators have your basic waveshapes, saw, triangle, square with controls for waveshape and sub oscillator. In addition to those basic shapes, the VPM FM engine from the Prologue is accessible with controls for ratio and waveshaping. There are up to three LFOs present with controls for rate and depth and whose frequency goes up to the audio realm. The filter section features low pass, high pass, and band pass filters each with two or four pole mode. The EG or envelope includes a few different envelope shapes including ADSR, AHR, AR, and looping AR.

The modulation FX section includes chorus, ensemble, phaser, and flanger effects. The delays include mono, ping pong, and tape delays. Reverb modes include hall, plate, space, shimmer, riser, and submarine. In addition to these effects, user effects can also be loaded into the NTS-1. External audio can be connected via the 3.5mm jack on the back of the unit and processed through the effects and filters. An arpeggiator is available with controls for latching or momentary modes. Arpeggiator modes include octave, major, minor, sus, and augmented and playback modes include up, down, and random. The NTS-1 can also be controlled via a MIDI controller and features sync in and out on 3.5mm jacks.

While the NTS-1 seems simple on the surface, diving deeper into it unlocks huge potential that outshines other gear of similar price.

NTS-1 Features

• Monophonic synthesizer and FX engine
• DIY but no soldering required
• Oscillator and FX engine adapted from Prologue and Minilogue XD
• Oscillator with shape controls
• Multi-mode filters
• EG with different shapes
• Modulation, delay, and reverb FX:Run external audio in for processing
• Arpeggiator
• MIDI in
• Sync in and out
• Headphone output