NAMM 2023: Korg HD-S and TR-S Nu:tekt

Korg Nu:Tekt have two new offerings:

The Harmonic Distortion kit was developed by Fumio Mieda. It consists of three different distortion circuits which can be combined “to create harmonic modulation that goes beyond the traditional concept of distortion.” So, there.

Korg Nu:tekt HD-S and TR-S distortion pedal kits

The Power Tube Reactor purports to “deliver the responsiveness, the feel, of a vacuum tube guitar amp.” The TR-S is Nutube-based and it simulates the sag of a vacuum tube power amp. This achieves a natural-sounding compression effect (or so claim Korg). I’d like to try this one with keys.

Don’t forget the Nu:Tekt OD-S Nutube Overdrive kit. All three pedals are housed in a sturdy chassis and expect to be under foot. Don’t do that with your NTS-1.

Like other Nu:Tekt kits, no soldering is required, just assembly. My NTS-1 synth was easy to assemble and is still going strong.

I haven’t found any USA price information as yet. The available OD-S sells for $300USD street ($420USD MSRP). I expect similar pricing for the HD-S and TR-S kits. UK sites are saying 200GBP.

I do have a bone to pick with Korg. Where is the Korg Nu:tekt NTS-2+ synth/oscilloscope combo? It’s still on pre-order. The heck, Korg? Tick-tock.

Copyright © 2023 Paul J. Drongowski