Tag Archives: Korg NTS-3

NAMM 2024: KORG Nu:tekt NTS-1 MkII and NTS-3 kaoss pad

Posted on by

KORG NTS-1 MkII

If you’re like me, you don’t have time to watch a zillion product videos in order to learn even the most basic information about a shiny object. Here’s a quick take on the new KORG NTS-1 MkII programmable synthesizer kit. Check out my first look at the NTS-1 Mk1, too.

Let’s get the price out of the way, first. The MkII is $170, up from the Mk1’s $100 USD MAP. That’s a modest increase, but we better get something for the extra 70 bucks!

KORG upped the processor to an ST Microelectronics STM32H725IET6: ARM® Cortex®-M7 STM32H7 Microcontroller IC 32-Bit 550MHz 512KB (512K x 8) FLASH 176-LQFP. The original MkI uses an ST Microelectronics STM32F446ZET6, which is an ARM® Cortex®-M4 STM32F4 Microcontroller IC 32-Bit Single-Core 180MHz 512KB (512K x 8) FLASH 144-LQFP. The main difference is M7 vs. M4 and the higher CPU clock speed. Nice.

The downside: logue SDK MkII is not backward compatible to MkI NTS-1. The MkII SDK is reported to have new capabilities, but no one has seen the spec.

Below is a quick list of new features and enhancements:

  • 8 step sequencer
  • Arpeggiator with different chord scales
  • A new noise oscillator
  • USB-C and MIDI IN/OUT (TRS-A dongle)
  • Keyboard is multitouch and sends chords through MIDI OUT
  • Controls send MIDI CC through MIDI OUT
  • KORG Kontrol Editor support (librarian)
  • New effects: Soft Clip, Hard Clip, Fuzz, One Repeat Delay, Smooth reverb, Arena, Room, Early reflections, Horror
  • Tempo sync delay options
  • External audio can be used as a modulator
  • Built-in mini speaker

That’s worth the extra $70, I’d say. KORG have invested time and money on the logue SDK — a worthy trend — and that needs to be rolled into the asking price.

I thought about blowing off the NTS-1 MkII. Now I’m not so sure! The MkII has a number of useful refinements and I especially like the MIDI OUT capabilities.

KORG NTS-3 kaoss pad kit

The KORG NTS-3 really caught my attention as I always wished I had a kaoss pad!

Unfortunately, detailed information is sketchy at this stage. KORG claim four effect slots and deep editing. Features include:

  • XY pad (duh!)
  • FX depth touch slider/strip
  • Tap BPM and tempo sync
  • Filter, modulation, delay, reverb, lo-fi and mastering effects
  • 3 oscillator “effects”
  • 200 Performance program slots (100 preloaded, 100 user)
  • Dedicated librarian app (coming soon)
  • Sync IN/OUT re-assignable to MIDI IN/OUT
  • TRS-A MIDI convention
  • USB-C communication and power
  • KORG music software bundle

Guessing, the NTS-3 will probably require the MkII logueSDK. Judging from the KORG NTS-3 assembly video, the NTS-3 uses the same higher-spec STM32H725IET6 ARM processor.

Same $170 USD MAP asking price and same pre-order status as the NTS-1 MkII. KORG have sent out NTS-1 demo units, but no NTS-3 joy yet. Might have to wait a while for this one…

Copyright © 2024 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2024: KORG-fest

Posted on by

Unless you’ve been stuck in a snowdrift with no cell service, KORG have dropped a truckload of products in last few days. KORG have heard the call for “modules” and have announced:

These aren’t baby modules — full 19″ rack-mount, MIDI 2.0 Property Exchange and Polyphonic Aftertouch (PAT) support. If you don’t want to rack and stack, then prop them up on their ears. No tiny knobs for mouse-sized paws.

Buy all three for $2,100 USD MAP (includes a Gator Frameworks 12U metal desktop rack).

More so, my pulse is racing for new KORG Nu:Tekt offerings:

I’m happy that KORG continues to improve and expand the Nu:Tekt product line.

The NTS-1 MKII updates the original NTS-1 adding an 8-step sequencer and an improved 18-key, multi-touch keyboard. The original’s keys are mouse-sized and sensing is ribbon-based, so a better keyboard is much obliged. KORG have also moved up to USB-C. The synth engine is still logue-compatible mono.

I use my NTS-1 as a sound mangling effects box. Thus, I’m super-excited to see the NTS-3 DIY KAOSS Pad. And, it’s very reasonably priced! This one is a no-brainer, impulse purchase. Of course, both of the new NTS models are available for pre-order now. Hope they roll out faster than the NTS-2.

The NTS-3 has four effects slots. KORG are providing a logueSDK API for the NTS-3. The SYNC port can be switched to MIDI, which makes me wonder, “Can I craft MIDI mangling plug-ins, too?”

Missing the NTS-2 oscilloscope? Look here.

Apologies

Sorry that I’m not issuing as much NAMM content as I did last year. A bunch of physical ailments have conspired to knock the tar out of me. Low energy has reduced my production efforts to playing the same loop over and over, again, while wondering, “Why do that sound like arse?” Take care of you health, including your teeth! 🙂

Copyright © 2024 Paul J. Drongowski