Hi, thanks a lot for your videos. I learn from them, and they are like meditation at the same time, because of your relaxed way of presenting. I'm very new to synthesizers and making music. I don't have much gear, but exactly some of the stuff you talk about. I intend to use the Korg nts-1 to learn more about music and synthesis, after being introduced via secondhand PO's. I was wondering two things in this video. One: what's the use of the Tascam? You record the sound and mix it later with the video? And second: I tried using Little Bits with my PO's, but it always gave almost more noise then sound, is that a known problem? It seems to work with the NTS, so maybe not... Thanks again.
Hey, thanks so much for the feedback🙏🏼! Yes, that's right about the Tascam. For most close-up shots I sync 3 tracks: the video, voice audio from a Zoom field recorder (my camera's audio is pretty bad), and synth audio from the Tascam. I seemed like a hassle at first but it gives a lot of control over volume and editing, good synth quality too. I don't know of a known issue between PO's and LittleBits. How are you set up? PO into the Bits? Bits into the PO? If you are doing PO into Bits and here some sort of clicking sound then it might be that the Bits are picking up the PO sync signal, idk? Let me know👍🏻! Thanks again for checking out the video!
@@undulations Hi sir, no, it's not the click-track for syncing. It's really noise. But they're secondhand as well, so you never know. I tried feeding the sound and sync from PO's into the Little BIts. I'll check it again sometime, but for now, I think I'll have fun enough with the NTS-1, with and without PO's. The other groovebox I found cheap, is the Elektron Model:Cycles, I checked your video's on that machine as well. Now I stop buying stuff, I have my hands full for a lot of months or even years, I think!
@@TaxicletteSan That sounds great about the Model:Cycles! It can do a lot of different things. The NTS-1 is a great companion for it (especially because the M:C delay repeats don't go through the reverb, which can sound a little unnatural, so the NTS-1 reverb is really helpful in that regard). Also, it's easy to overlook because the NTS-1 is so tiny, but it has midi-in and can be controlled by a track on the M:C. It may be a little tricky if the Korg and Elektron are using different 3.5mm midi schemes (but I posted a short on here that gives a workaround if it's a problem). Have fun with it all👍🏻!
Being new to the world of synthesizer I find your channel a true goldmine of knowledge. And I'm learning tons of new stuff, which really is great. I just got myself a NTS-1 AND a SQ-1 and the pair of them is giving me SO-MUCH-FUN. I also think you're approach to explain things is really inspirational, so: thank you so much for posting, seriously. :)
You're welcome! This comment helped me to decide what to use for a short piece at the beginning of the next video (uploading later today). NTS-1 and SQ-1 are a really great combo to explore! Thanks for watching🙏🏼
With regards to sound, you are no impostor, Dr Nim. I still can't decide if I want to pick one of these up. Was hoping you would have a video on the NTS-1 as I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thanks.
Stranger Sun Thank you for checking it out 🙏🏼! Based on it’s potential for growth, I’d say that even if you decide not to get one - keep an eye on future content around the internet, using it, because some new sound or feature might appeal to you👍🏻.
scott sturgis Thanks a ton, man! The Kastle is always such a solid companion on that sort of thing. I got kind of frustrated with the Bits at first, not being able to get the midi to work (still not exactly sure why), but the syncing+audio_in combo seemed to gel at some points. i really enjoy the Bits, have used them for maybe 5 years but it always turns out different. I want to try the NTS-1 with BitRanger and Synapsis at some point🤔. Thanks again!
Awesome! I really relied on it heavily during Jamuary on Instagram. It's just so easy to use as an FX box. I've got plenty of 1/4"-1/8" sorts of conversion cables, so connectivity with guitar pedals isn't really an issue - I think part of the power of the NTS-1 is that it's always ready to chip in drone notes or an arpeggio - and of course the sound quality. There are some deeper features features on it that I need to go back and refresh on (the manual is quite dense, as is typical of Korg). I also need to look at new oscillators and fx available, has been a while.
Been waiting for this box for a year, just picked it up and loving it. Now i have an fx box to replace some of my bulky rackmount fx, plus a bonus synth voice. Been enjoying making drum beats in caustic to run through it, while playing the keys and arp on top.
Aether Vagrant Ahh, that sounds great! I wanted to have it teamed up with Caustic in the video but I struggled to get it to work :( I was trying with camera adapter, various unpowered/powered hubs, iPhone 6s, iPad Mini, and just came up empty-handed😢. Got any tips? Interface suggestions? Some IK thing?
@@undulations im on android, but caustic runs pretty well even on crap phones.i tend to keep caustic on an old phone that I use just for that. Can even use a second crap phone as a midi controller to be a little less cramped, or use my ik uno usb out to midi control caustic, run caustic to audio input of the uno, then into the phone via zoom h4. I'm excited to throw the nts into that little chain for a great little micro setup.
i've used it in so many different shots, contexts, etc. since then (even in the video I'm about to upload). I don't think you'll be disappointed! Thanks for checking this out! ps I think Chris Lody's channel has a LOT of stuff about importing new oscillators, new effects, etc.
The midi over trs comes in two different standards, trsA and trsB (difference is that the R/L leads are swapped around) Korg uses trsA. Arturia, Novation and others use trsB. However, as of 2021, the industry seem to have agreed to adopt one single standard, which is going to be trsA. This means that newer hardware from Arturia and Novation etc. aren't directly compatible with old ones. It is a mess. The good thing is that you can easily make your own adaptor cable, by taking a standard stereo trs extension cable, cutting it in half and shifting around the white and red leads. The ground (sleeve) should be reconnected as it is. For a more advanced project, you can make a combined midi breakout cable/trs-adaptor. It takes some rudimentary skill with a soldering iron, but it is pretty basic once you figure out which lead goes to wich pin.
Well, I think the way I was talking about in the video uses a MIDI host box (mine is made by MidiPlus). So then the controller plugs into the box, the box is powered, and then the pad notes go out a 5-pin midi port. Then, 5-pin midi cable to a Korg-type midi breakout cable (an adapter that is 5-pin female to 3.5 mm male. Then that goes into the NTS-1 midi in. The result is pretty minimal: can do notes, arps, but idk if velocity data comes through. Another possible way to test this out is just with a daw like Live. Live can take data fron Launchpad, Live can send to nts-1 midi notes, like from a clip. I think in principle you can have the Launchpad track route midi to the nts-1 track. Not sure about the track midi i/o settings. One more thought would be some software called LoopMIDI. Maybe? In that case you plug pad and nts-1 into pc and then set LoopMIDI to have pad as input and nts-1 as output. Anyway, I hope some of this helps. Thanks for checking out the video👍🏻
Brilliant breakdown of this wonderful box Mr undulations. I plan to get this as a pure FX unit for my other synths. It's basically a guitar pedal that is syncable and controllable from other hardware/daw. If I recall correctly the FX comes from the prologue/minilogue xd
eTurnigy - Thank you🙏🏼! Yes, I think that’s correct, sort of a “logue” digital family. Totally makes sense to go the pedal route with it! Fingers crossed for some sort of user add-ons that allow filtering of the audio in, a link from the envelope to the cufoff, and a no-sound oscillator - all to allow something like “filter arps” on an external signal. Until then, as you say, can do it from a daw or such. Thanks for checking out the video and thanks a lot for the feedback!
I did the same thing when I bought mine. Had a pin out. Easy fix. Problem I'm having now is the ribbon after being used. The key where the ribbon goes inside the nu:Tekt does play very well. Gonna send back to Sweetwater for another.
Understood👍🏻 Mine has been solid (since that first glitch building it). I've been using it a lot for #jamuary posts on instagram this month - super handy for quick setups. Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼!
@@undulations I'm na big fan. You're a quality go too like Loopop, Ricky Tinez, Cuckoo, etc. I truly value "your" shared knowledge of gear you host on your shows.
The Korg is on backorder and isnt available right now, however I saw your Tutorial on the Craft Synth and I purchased it and it will be here tomorrow. I was just wondering what are your thoughts about the differences between the Korg NTS - 1 and the Modal Electronics Craft Synth 2.0?
I like them both a lot, but for different reasons (although there is some overlap). First, the keyboard on the CS2.0 is quite a bit more advanced; you can set complex multi-note and multi-octave arpeggios vs. the preset chords for arps on the NTS-1. Next, there are a ton of presets (and slots for custom sounds) on the CS2.0 and the Modal App to help with preset management, whereas the NTS-1 has fewer oscillator settings straight out of the box. BUT the NTS-1 is very open, you can add new effects and oscillators (Korg has software for this). I like the full-sized MIDI i/o on the CS2.0. They both have nice filtering, delays, and reverbs, but I feel like fx is where the NTS-1 shines because it has AUDIO IN and you can use it as an effect box (which I do all the time). I hope this helps - many subtle differences but they both are very nice and have some unique features. Thanks for checking out the videos!
@@undulations Thank you for replying so soon and for your knowledge. Your Channel is a treasure trove of information on synthesis! I also have the MicroFreak and I am getting so much information on the 2 videos you have made about that keyboard!
great video, as usual! I love this little synth. I'm curious about the device @20:43 during the Pocket Operator demo. It looks like it may be used for stereo audio routing? If that's the case, where can I get one?
Hey, thank you much! That is the Dude audio mixer from Bastl Instruments. Full disclosure, it does have some pops and clicks, some roughness, when tuning the gain knobs and turning a channel on/off. BUT, that said, I have found it invaluable. It's pretty cheap and it can be either battery or powered (doesn't come with a supply though), 6 channels in, every input converted to mono, the output is 'fake' stereo (duplicated mono). It can reduce big signals and _really_ amplify low signals. I think Perfect Circuit has them (probably plenty of other places but I'm not sure). Hope this helps!
@@undulations thank you! I've just ordered a device called the mickxer from myvolt to solve this problem. It's a passive stereo mixer with, I believe, 4 inputs and one stereo output. Great for anything with a 1/8" headphone out. I may need a full size mixer to incorporate guitar into my jams, though. Thanks again for the info about the mixer! I'm going to check it out
For the MIDI breakout cable, you need a Type A one, the Type B ones used by Novation and Arturia won't work. Learned that the hard way :) Regarding the lack of audio in through the filter, i think that is so you can have the ability to not play the onboard synth while sending MIDI through it (the filter cutoff becomes the 'volume knob' for the onboard synth). I've found this to be useful. For the PO-32 jam, you could use the sync out on the NTS-1 to the sync in on the PO-32 (in SY2 mode). So NTS-1 becomes master clock. It would be a simpler setup, and no other external gear needed. Audio routing would remain the same. Love the Kastle pairing! Makes me want one! Have you had any issues with low audio level output from the NTS-1 when passing through audio input? That's my only complaint about it, sometimes the audio output is very low and need to be gain boosted. Even with the trim set to 0 dB. Final suggestion, put some tape on the exposed pins on the front panel so you don't accidentally short out the lower circuit board (per the manual). Overall, I'm loving the NTS-1, best $100 I've spent so far!
Stephen Shumaker Thank you for adding that here! Sorry that I was vague about it in the video (I was going to mention in some overlay text but forgot). The manual was quite clear about it. I’m just used to fishing around in a box of them by either brand or memory of what works, but I should clarify that using a Keystep requires a Type A breakout cable and a 5-pin midi cable, BeatStep requires those 2 cables plus a Type B breakout cable (which it should have come with). Thanks again and thanks for checking the video out👍🏻!
Stephen Shumaker And you’re absolutely right about using the filter being useful for volume control (similar thing possible with envelope somehow, have not tried). I guess I’m just saying if the audio in routing is selectable then having the filter in the path, as an option, would be great for external-only audio uses. ps I’ll try that with the NTS-1 syncing the PO-32 at some point, just to compare👍🏻.
Check the manual, you gotta adjust the trim on the audio input, it comes set at the lowest setting, -36db or some such. You hold reverb while powering on, then select a trim level. Ah just read youd already adjusted the trim. Mine sounds pretty loud at 0db
It's a crazy amount of features and quality for the money. I did a bunch of Kastle synth/drum videos earlier this year, and the NTS-1 is such an easy way to get stereo reverb/delay fx. I'd want it even if that was all it could do!
Hi, I've been away for a while for work but I haven't forgotten... my NTS-1 finally arrived a couple of weeks ago, I built it and saw that even in hardware it can be expanded and customized! in Korg have thought well, this is an open source machine to all intents and purposes. unfortunately I haven't had a chance to explore it 100% yet, I haven't yet installed its software to load other oscillators and effects and I hope to do so soon. I was a little disappointed to discover that the filter only works with the oscillator, but I thought it could be used across a line-in as an effect. but I see from the video you use the filter together with Kastle 1.5 or synchronized pocket operator. but is it the nts-1 that plays or the other devices and did I miss something along the way? .... I always follow the channel and greetings from Italy
I forgot to ask you something... when I use the arpeggiator sometimes, when playing (with its stripbed) it gets stuck as if it were being held. I don't understand why.
Those were some of the coolest far out demos I've ever heard. I could see you at an art installation. You are an Audio Artist Ever tried triggering a light or laser show with one of those sequences you played in this video?
Hey, thanks very much! I've kind of thought about some installation things over the years, but have not made it happen (yet). I've done some LED sequencing on a pad controller (Novation Launchpad Mini), but not a lot more than that. I have a lot microcontroller gear (Arduino, Trinket, MicroBit, etc.) so it's certainly possible. I've also done some code-based stuff in Processing. Check out a couple of my Delta Waves videos for the coding+music. Also, the What Is Undulations? video (old channel trailer from a couple of years ago) uses some tiny robots to do midi control - it was sort of a short-lived home installation piece 🙂. Anyway, thanks again for checking the video out 👍!
Well, there might be a tutorial for it somewhere, idk, but it depends on if you want to control the nts1 from Live or record the synth into Live or both? If you just want to control the synth then a little gadget called a "MIDI 2x2 Box" will work. If you want the audio too, then you'll need a so-called "Audio Interface", which can be pretty expensive (but doesn't have to be). Either of these hooks to the computer by usb: a lot of times an Audio Interface will have a MIDI port too. So, after that you'll need some cables. A 5-pin midi cable will go into either of the above boxes, but then you'll need a "TRS to MIDI adapter" or "breakout cable" to get midi into the nts1. Then for audio you may need some sort of adapter or cable to go from 1/8" stereo on the synth (headphone out) into the Audio Interface. Once you have the setup you want, in Live you have to make sure that new gear has been "seen" and maybe change some audio and midi settings for what you're doing. Lastly, your tracks need to be set up to send midi out when you play a note clip or to record the incoming audio. I hope this helps. Look around YT - even if you can't find a specific Live-nts1 video, a video about Live and another hardware synth might help too👍🏻
Plug the NTS-1 into your PC/Mac, fire Ableton up and then in a track, activate the track to record, set track MIDI out to NTS-1, and remember to plug your headphones into the NTS-1 audio port (not your computer)
How you doing Dr Nim? This looks cool. Must pick one up. Great review again. Have you got the Model Cycles yet? Regards and best wishes from a very rainy Brighton.
Mini Synth Collective Hey, doing fine here👍🏻. Thank you for the feedback🙏🏼! I do have a Model:Cycles - looking forward to uploading a couple of videos about it in the coming weeks! Best wishes from central North Carolina (kinda gloomy here today, but has been generally nice).
19:30 They intentionally cripple everything that they make so that you have to buy one of everything to be able to do the things that you want to do. Yamaha does the same thing.
This got me excited to play with the NTS-1 again yesterday, and I made this little video on how I've been using it lately: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IH-pizVzRks.html
Excelente vídeo, te felicito. Aquí una explicación básica del NTS1 en español latinoamericano: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ieeKop0JUQo.html
Muy buen vídeo, te felicito. Aquí una explicación básica del NTS1 en español latinoamericano: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ieeKop0JUQo.html
