The strength of this mini synth is that you can add to its onboard algorithms. There are slots for 16 additional oscillators and modulation effects, plus eight delays and reverbs. This makes it an incredibly versatile machine for synth-lovers and anyone who has a particular penchant for unusual external effects. Building tension One analogue-modelled filter with a wide variety of modes (Low-pass 2/4-pole, High-pass 2/4-pole, Band-pass 2/4-pole and OPEN mode, all with resonance). 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.

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! 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.

Stock sounds

Once you start loading third-party algorithms with the Librarian tool, the NTS-1 gets exponentially more enjoyable. Among our favourite oscillator algorithms are the JP-BOOO supersaw from Eduardo Digital, and Groove from Sinevibes, which turns the NTS-1 into a seven-zone groovebox with synth and drums. Not all algorithms are made equal, though. Some are free, others are donationware, and many more are premium. Some aren’t even designed for the NTS-1 but for the Minilogue XD and Prologue. As the Librarian software warns when you load a new algorithm in, use them at your own risk. In terms of stompbox-specific specs, the HD-S compiles three different distortion circuits that supposedly deliver "never-before-heard harmonic distortion". Whether that’s actually the case remains to be seen, but Korg says the HD-S can be used with guitars as well as other instruments, making it fairly flexible. 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.

Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years in the event of an item becoming faulty

Do I really need this?

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 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.

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.” SpecificationsThe 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 HD-S effects pedal combines three different distortion circuits to create harmonic modulation that goes beyond the traditional concept of distortion.