Korg announce $100 Nu:Tekt NTS-1 DIY synthesizer
2 min read
MUSICAL instrument makers Korg has announced a brand new $100 synth which you build yourself. The Nu:Tekt NTS-1 digital KIT is a unique, flexible, and easy DIY synthesizer that you can assemble, without any soldering.
The NTS-1 is the first in a line of DIY synths from the manufacturer and will be officially released in November.
The first of its kind from KORG’s DIY-focused Nu:Tekt brand, NTS-1 packs a powerful synth and multi-effects engine into a compact form factor that you can carry and connect anywhere. Its DIY nature means it’s also very customizable.
NTS-1 is also completely compatible with their logue-SDK (which allows you to run custom presets with their other synth ranges), so it is possible to run any custom oscillator and effect content available for minilogue xd and prologue, or, create your own.
They do note however that when using 3rd party plugins on the NTS-1, the content may sound differently than with minilogue xd or prologue, based on polyphony.
Despite its small size, this unit looks like it can deliver a good range of sounds, and while it won’t offer the flexibility of a full-sized keyboard synth, the limitations may allow for unique creative potential.
Korg has packed a large number of features into this $100 synth saying:
“Belying its size, the Nu:Tekt NTS-1 features a digital oscillator inspired by the MULTI engine as found on the acclaimed prologue and minilogue xd, along with an extremely capable arpeggiator including multiple ranges, scales, and modes, plus dedicated spatial, modulation, and delay sections, each with multiple settings to explore.
“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.”
The whole DIY thing is a bit of a gimmick, with the main role of the building stage to assemble the pre-made parts.
This will give most users a sense of achievement when making the synth, but in reality, it won’t satisfy the itch of intermediate to hardcore circuit benders – unless they start tweaking beyond the manual that is!
Korg has also created a playlist of sounds made by the Nu:Tekt NTS-1 on their Soundcloud page.
