Z
Box of Wonders
- I'm a guitarist and this was my first synth.
- I'm always looking for low budget stuff with great value.
- I have a MIDI keyboard to control the NTS-1.
This synth was a revelation. It was also my introduction to synths in general. At the time of review It's 6+ months since I bought it.
You can get a wide range of different sounds. I don't think of monophonic as a downside.
This box has a very good and versatile Arpeggiator - you can set number of notes, scale in which it plays, type of note change UP,Down,Cont,Random etc. You can really get great lines just by using the arpeggiator.
This box has a very good effects processor. Oh my ... this is a whole different story altogether. There are separate MOD, Delay and Reverb modules and you can run all 3 together. The effects are really good and usable, some combinations sound great together. Like Chorus + Space reverb = instant blade runner :). I would like to mention the "riser" reverb which makes this box capable of making ambient pads and continuous noises - it's not easy to do but work with it - ensemble mod + riser reverb + arpegiattor + VCO cutoff and resonance really low.
The effects can also be used by another device! Just plug another synth in the NTS-1 input and add NTS-1 effects to your other synth. The great thing about this is that you can still play NTS-1 even if you have another synth patched through. So the NTS-1 can process effects for another synth and also adds the same effects to its own notes and you can still play its keyboard (or play it with a MIDI controller). This makes it a companion synth and FX box for any instrument - even guitar!.
And this pairs exceptionally well with Volca Bass.
Downsides. Well for me there are no downsides. There are compromises.
Compromises:
- There is a limited amount of knobs so every control shares a knob with other controls. I learned the controls pretty fast and I would say the combinations are intuitive. When you set one control with the knob and change to another control the knob remains in the same spot so the other control will jump to the value that the knob is physically set to. This means you will change the value of the control each time you switch back to it. This also means that you won't be able to have the controls at the exact place you had them before and every setting you make will be unique. This leads to the next point..
- Settings can't be saved.
- The display is small. Once you get used to it it's enough. It only has 3 (or 4?) characters. It would be nice if every control would have a number from 1-100 displayed when you turn the knob. This way you could write down the exact position for all settings.
- The volume knob is a joke. It's just a small wheel on the side and I think it's linear. You can only set volume roughly. It's hard to balance volume. If you have another synth plugged into it this small wheel becomes your main volume.
- There is some noise always present
The knobs are good and work well.
The keyboard is ok but it's hard to hit the right key and be consistent at it. Sometimes you don't press well enough and it doesn't engage. I use a pencil with a rubber eraser to press the keys. I recommend a MIDI controller. You will need a 3.5 trs to MIDI cable and it has to be Type A cable. Look up on youtube for connection instructions.
Everything works after 6 months and I use it a lot. I don't carry it around and I have it on a board together with other mini synths.
I recommend using a power bank to power it. Make a board with the NTS-1 and a power bank. I also have a mini stereo mixer with 4 inputs and a Volca Bass and Volca Sample. This setup rocks.
- I'm always looking for low budget stuff with great value.
- I have a MIDI keyboard to control the NTS-1.
This synth was a revelation. It was also my introduction to synths in general. At the time of review It's 6+ months since I bought it.
You can get a wide range of different sounds. I don't think of monophonic as a downside.
This box has a very good and versatile Arpeggiator - you can set number of notes, scale in which it plays, type of note change UP,Down,Cont,Random etc. You can really get great lines just by using the arpeggiator.
This box has a very good effects processor. Oh my ... this is a whole different story altogether. There are separate MOD, Delay and Reverb modules and you can run all 3 together. The effects are really good and usable, some combinations sound great together. Like Chorus + Space reverb = instant blade runner :). I would like to mention the "riser" reverb which makes this box capable of making ambient pads and continuous noises - it's not easy to do but work with it - ensemble mod + riser reverb + arpegiattor + VCO cutoff and resonance really low.
The effects can also be used by another device! Just plug another synth in the NTS-1 input and add NTS-1 effects to your other synth. The great thing about this is that you can still play NTS-1 even if you have another synth patched through. So the NTS-1 can process effects for another synth and also adds the same effects to its own notes and you can still play its keyboard (or play it with a MIDI controller). This makes it a companion synth and FX box for any instrument - even guitar!.
And this pairs exceptionally well with Volca Bass.
Downsides. Well for me there are no downsides. There are compromises.
Compromises:
- There is a limited amount of knobs so every control shares a knob with other controls. I learned the controls pretty fast and I would say the combinations are intuitive. When you set one control with the knob and change to another control the knob remains in the same spot so the other control will jump to the value that the knob is physically set to. This means you will change the value of the control each time you switch back to it. This also means that you won't be able to have the controls at the exact place you had them before and every setting you make will be unique. This leads to the next point..
- Settings can't be saved.
- The display is small. Once you get used to it it's enough. It only has 3 (or 4?) characters. It would be nice if every control would have a number from 1-100 displayed when you turn the knob. This way you could write down the exact position for all settings.
- The volume knob is a joke. It's just a small wheel on the side and I think it's linear. You can only set volume roughly. It's hard to balance volume. If you have another synth plugged into it this small wheel becomes your main volume.
- There is some noise always present
The knobs are good and work well.
The keyboard is ok but it's hard to hit the right key and be consistent at it. Sometimes you don't press well enough and it doesn't engage. I use a pencil with a rubber eraser to press the keys. I recommend a MIDI controller. You will need a 3.5 trs to MIDI cable and it has to be Type A cable. Look up on youtube for connection instructions.
Everything works after 6 months and I use it a lot. I don't carry it around and I have it on a board together with other mini synths.
I recommend using a power bank to power it. Make a board with the NTS-1 and a power bank. I also have a mini stereo mixer with 4 inputs and a Volca Bass and Volca Sample. This setup rocks.
1
0
Report
T
Small and powerfull
Although size is like Korg Monotron it has much more features from bigger models, waveforms, great filter, 3 LFO-s, effects.
It comes in kit, so it takes 30 minutes do complete assembly, but it is very easy to do it.
With external MIDI controller or sequencer it becomes serious device.
For MIDI input uses Type A mini connector, details on correct pinout
can be checked here:
provides all details needed for custom modifications and tweaking.
It comes in kit, so it takes 30 minutes do complete assembly, but it is very easy to do it.
With external MIDI controller or sequencer it becomes serious device.
For MIDI input uses Type A mini connector, details on correct pinout
can be checked here:
provides all details needed for custom modifications and tweaking.
3
0
Report
I
Amazing price/quality!
While the NTS-1 is indeed limited due to its monophonic nature, the amount of features this little beast has is amazing! The oscillators are what you expect from the Monologue's engine, the filters are really fun to play around with, and the on-board effects just make the whole thing sound even better! That + all the other features such as ADSR, LFO, Aux in and so on just make this synth so worth it for the price. Definitely recommend it!
NOTE: While it is possible to apply the FX of the NTS-1 to external sounds, it is not possible to use it as a "send" module - meaning, whatever audio you will input and process through it, it will always export the Dry + Wet signals (at least to my knowledge!). This means, if you're using the NTS-1 as an aux effect on a mixer, you will get the dry signal from the mixer, the wet signal AND the dry signal again from the NTS-1, so beware!
NOTE: While it is possible to apply the FX of the NTS-1 to external sounds, it is not possible to use it as a "send" module - meaning, whatever audio you will input and process through it, it will always export the Dry + Wet signals (at least to my knowledge!). This means, if you're using the NTS-1 as an aux effect on a mixer, you will get the dry signal from the mixer, the wet signal AND the dry signal again from the NTS-1, so beware!
4
2
Report
TC
Fun little item
The NTS-1 is a fun project synth that is very satisfying to use, given the right expectations. The standout feature is the capacity to add effects and oscillators from the "Logue SDK" library. These obviously won't be as sophisticated or sonically rich on the NTS-1 as they are on a larger Korg synth. But for the price it's fantastic. It works equally well as a sound module or effects box; even includes an arpeggiator!
0
0
Report
ZS
Great little synth and effects unit
I needed some effects in my setup and I had heard about the NTS-1 through YouTube, suffice it to say it's a really nice little unit for effects, on the synth side of things it's a nifty little mono synth.
Being able to find more effects and synth engines online is a huge plus.
Changing different parameters isn't too bad but not great either, twisting tiny knobs while holding tiny tactile switches can be a pain.
Still I 100% recommend this one if you need a little multi-effects box.
Being able to find more effects and synth engines online is a huge plus.
Changing different parameters isn't too bad but not great either, twisting tiny knobs while holding tiny tactile switches can be a pain.
Still I 100% recommend this one if you need a little multi-effects box.
0
0
Report
JA
Awesome! this little gadget can do it all
I can spend hours tweaking it to get the right sound
0
0
Report
TI
A little bit of everything.
If you're looking for a versatile little thing on a budget, you can't go wrong with this thing. It can work as a synth in itself, with limitations, and as a very versatile effects unit. There are a lot of third-party oscillators and effects out there which can make this thing do more-or-less anything. Buy it for the synths, keep it for the effects.
0
0
Report
S
Amazing piece of hardware
It is just mind blowing what such a little synth can do.
At first glance it doesn't look like it has so many features and controls.
At first glance it doesn't look like it has so many features and controls.
0
0
Report
a
Had issues with USB noise. Bought a Ssnake cable with a choke on, resolved.
As usual Korg make everything driver wise as difficult as possible. To the extent of crashing FL studio. I now use a windows driver without issues
As usual Korg make everything driver wise as difficult as possible. To the extent of crashing FL studio. I now use a windows driver without issues
0
0
Report
N
small and powerful
Great and relatively open source thingy. Also the stock synth engines and effects are really great. Specially the reverbs can put to shame most of nice, expensive boutique reverb pedals and we are only speaking about the default ones.
With midi implementation and midi controller and custom enclosure, this thing is part of my gigs for the last two years. Best bang for the buck.
With midi implementation and midi controller and custom enclosure, this thing is part of my gigs for the last two years. Best bang for the buck.
0
0
Report
