Korg NTS-1 Custom Oscillators and Effects

[@TimShoebridge]

Thanks Robin for such a great review of my oscillators :) I’m still waiting to get my NTS-1 but it’s very comforting to know the oscillators seem to be working without issues on this new platform. I will be developing new oscillators for the NTS-1 in the New Year that specifically get the best from a mono synth platform. Thanks again.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Nice - looking forward to it.

[@dyjomat]

Thank you for pointing me towards some free add ons. Any other links would be greatly appreciated. Im a complete noon when it comes to programing etc. Many thanx in advance.

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

Please do, Tim. I've been eyeing your oscillators and it does kind of appear that they're mostly aimed at the minilogue and prologue, but they all look really good.

[@Sinevibes]

Big thanks and respect for showcasing our plugins! You did a great overview of this incredible platform. We ourselves are quite surprised how versatile and useful the NTS-1 turned out to be as an outboard effects processor, since you can chain up to three different algorithms (any or all of which can be plugins).

[@MoltenMusicTech]

You're welcome! Sound on Sound review will appear in a month or two I imagine and you'll definitely get a mention - thanks again for letting me try them out.

[@zoned7609]

oh my god the github link basically caused my NTS-1 to become one of the most versatile synths i have. the FM is way better than i thought

[@shaneturner9336]

As your 1000th like for this video , I MUST come on here and tell how these SineVibes plugins will change your LIFE !! the Korg NTS-1 already sounds brilliant but with these its a real gamechanger for micro devices . going to buy a few more of these things now!

[@keepitshortnsweet]

The title of this video should be: "How To Transform A Hundred Dollar Toy Into A Thousand Dollar Synth In A Few Short Days." Nevertheless, this is the best demo I've found on the internet so far that demonstrates what the NTS-1 is capable of (it's most certainly not just a "toy"). It also has the potential to grow the sort of cottage industry that grew around DX7 programming in the 80s.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks!

[@BravosReviews]

Even though the setup seems complex the sound quality out of this device is excellent

[@voreshbo7031]

Thank you very much for taking time to explain and teach us! I have been making elektronic musik for 2 decades, mainly in the box with a midi and too many Moons ago a old 303 groovebox and a dx7, sold it all a long time ago to my big regret and i have made the choice to come home and dabble and learn to make sounds again not only in daw, but with hardware, and to my big surprise, the prices on synths and machines are now so low it is really hard to make a decision on which one to buy first, im really in move with both the mini and monologue, but this little big thing NTS1 has my heart melting 🎉

[@Unikladhalo]

Thanks so much for this video. Right now, I’m away from my rig, but by adding the nts-2, you’ve illustrated a new world of synth sounds to explore. I really can’t wait to get back to it… Thanks again for the video. Seems like a cheap way to add modular sounds to what I’ve already got!

[@BravosReviews]

The sound at about 29:50 is amazing

[@foolishness6261]

When Korg finally drop their Drumlogue, these custom oscillators and effects are going to be utterly astounding. cannot wait.

[@DECIMA1]

Great video with good information. I just got my NTS-1 this video was very helpful.

[@exitritual]

Great overview. Already planning on getting one, but it was nice to see an in-depth exploration.

[@Filippist]

Is It possible to input an external synth into the nts1 and play both with midi (so having a sort of additional oscillator)?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Sure, i think so

[@zugel]

Many thanks for a great presentation. How awesome what is possible to do with this little thing. Always love to watch your videoes.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Interesting looking at this from the perspective of having a Minilogue XD and contemplating adding a NTS-1 since I got the plugins for the bigger synth where the pricing is more appropriate.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

This is a really great video. Your analysis is spot on ! The thing that annoys me about NTS-1 is the nasty 1970's 7 segment LED's ! If they'd spent another $2 they could have used a 128x64 OLED !! What are the two apps you're running on your tablet ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Melda Productions scope and analyser - comes in their free pack of plugins

[@freejazzbone]

awesome workshop Molten MT, question: is the NTS1 audio output mono? I hear there are “stereo” effects onboard, awesome sound, thanks

[@HenricWallmark]

stereo!

[@justinrodriguez1900]

Did you use an adapter? Or run from computer to nts1? I don’t understand how a launchkey which has usb B an sustain pedal ports on the back plugged into an controlled (or at least send audio through) the nts1. Appreciate any help on these questions, sorry for being a NOOB :/

[@MoltenMusicTech]

The Launchkey has a midi out so I use that direct to the midi in on the nts1. Checkout the Setup section of the video

[@justinrodriguez1900]

Thanks!! I saw that, but I was initially under the thought that launchkey only had usb b from a KZbinrs video on which ones are good to buy for cheap price haha

[@camlong89]

I'm a noob and am trying to have the NTS 1 effects on multiple Volcas. I have a Behringer Xenyx1002 mixer and a bunch of 1/8" to 1/4" cables. I tried to go from the NTS headphone out to the fx send on the mixer, but it isn't doing anything. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Hey, we all have to start somewhere 😁 try plugging the FX Send to the input on the nts1. Then take the output of the nts1 back to the mixer. Then turn up the Send knob on any channel you want to go through the effect.

[@mirkomontaldo]

Hello can the NTS-1 perform the three effects (Mod, Delay and Reverb) at the same time on ext source? or they can only work one at the time? Wonderful demo.

[@jevogroni4829]

they apply to both at once, at least by default. there is a global parameter to change the routing, see the manual pdf you can download.

[@aloharay]

Thank you so much for this detailed exploration of this technology!! I wonder if the knobs and buttons on the unit can be assigned to respond to midi, allowing a controller to control all its parameters without having to use its small knobs.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Some of them, yes

[@olldomu5790]

@@MoltenMusicTech every single one, bar the "hold osc and dive into the custom params". Everything else is completely midi controllable, its quite the list of cc"s

[@ayalavalva]

​@@olldomu5790 Yes, and that's truly a bummer. Can't believe Korg didn't do anything on this side. Makes custom oscillators much less appealing, honestly.

[@richardanderson9015]

Hi, Awesome sounds.... can it record your tunes or do you need an separate recording device? I’m new to synths, so any advice you could give would be Greatly Appreciated.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It doesn't have a sequencer so you'd need to record the music you make to a recorder/computer/phone or some sort.

[@richardanderson9015]

@@MoltenMusicTech Excellent thank you, so that’s what a sequencer is..... among other things..... thank you....

[@shniblob]

Noob question but just trying to verify if you can connect this to a midi controller with a regular double ended 1/8th inch cable and get no noticable latency?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It’s just midi so latency is not a factor

[@justinrodriguez1900]

Great video! Major question for a newb, what’s the name of the hardware used to convert a USB B make cable to midi 3.5 mm? Lot of searching but I only come up with 5 pin to usb b male adapters. Is there a third cable/converter I need in addition to usb b - midi 5 pin? :) much appreciated!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah, there's not really any such thing. You can get adapters to turn a regular 5-pin DIN MIDI cable into a minijack but to turn USB MIDI into a regular MIDI cable you need a box of technology called a USB MIDI Interface.

[@annother3350]

It's called a DAW ;O)

[@fremenondesand3896]

Can you use a midi controller to control all of the ADSR envelope? I've only seen attack and release on mine.

[@manifestomode1]

Cool video man ,,.What are the proper cords to hook up this together with the micro freak with midi?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

You'll need a MIDI-to-minjack adapter for both the freak and the nts-1 and then a MIDI cable in between.

[@manifestomode1]

@@MoltenMusicTech thanks very much!

[@alexandrosroussos]

Thanks for the review. The Sinevibes FX especially ones are so good, but man so expensive. Kinda feel strange to spend more on the software FX package than on the NTS-1 :) Probably good strategy from Korg though, makes us want to buy the Prologue to capitalise on the investment :) Will only do when they add aftertouch though !

[@EarJuice]

All the paid ones are super expensive. Must take a lot of development to make or something. But Wavestate custom performances are like $20 for 40. I might pay $10 but $60.... yeah I could get a software synth that does alot more.

[@cloudrun654]

Thought the Tim Shoebridge oscillators sounded great. Now have a NTS on pre order. :)

[@TheEdittube]

I'll pick mine up NOW!

[@Arperture]

Just bought one from Sweetwater. I have a Minilogue XD and love the effects on that unit, but you can't pipe audio into the XD. This gives me access to those effects at $99. Plus there's the custom effects. Think of it as a poor man's Zoia.

[@drahtmachine4601]

Nice vid! In Japan all-ready on the market, I wonder how long we do have to wait in Europe.

[@zorbanongreco]

I'm waiting too ! At first they said November , now they say end of January 2020 🙄🐂💨💨💨💨💨

[@jc3drums916]

Tim Shoebridge's oscs don't have NTS-1 versions. Did they run ok? Do you lose any parameters to adjust? I'm especially interested in Three, and maybe One. Maybe any missing parameters, or parameters that require menu diving on the XD, can be added into OSC+TYPE...?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I showed them working in the video yes? I don't know if I lost any parameters because i don't have a Minilogue XD to compare them to. It's mostly all there as far as i can tell

[@jc3drums916]

@@MoltenMusicTech Yes, but I have no idea if you came across any bugs while not filming that you didn't mention, etc. He has videos for each osc where he explains them in great detail. But I suppose that isn't as fun as exploring all the parameters hands-on.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Well if you believe that people are withholding information from you then all you can do is get them and try them yourself :D

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

May I ask? Did you buy all these? That must have cost 10x the cost of the NTS1! I might add I bought some of Tim’s and this was my first try with the Librarian, and it won’t recognize the synth. I’ve tried everything. It’s just bad luck for me I guess, none of my CC arms will work in the UK I even bought a gift card visa specifically for this and it won’t do it either. Finally using the numbers on the Apple Card worked. Then the Librarian does that. It updates but that’s a separate piece of software. I updated the Korg drivers, I ran a driver updater with it running, I unloaded it and reloaded 3 times, this is on Windows so I figured I’ll fire up my old MacBook Pro and try that, Nope it’s on white panther or something like that. Plus the screen wont come on but it works with an external monitor, all this pain in the tail and nothing works. I’m on brand I7 Windows 10 that won’t update to 11 because of some BS. It’s just bad luck! Any suggestions? I also have a brand new M2 IPad but don’t see a way to make that work either.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It's tricky - you've got to make sure the NTS-1 has MIDI all to itself. Don't open it in a DAW, use it stand alone - that's my advice. Some of the plugins are free and some were lent to me for the video. They can get expensive.

[@ukbloke28]

did you go in Librarian - properties - midi and select the NTS?

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

@@ukbloke28 oh OMG I’m stupid! Lol

[@gautrstafr]

great FX, I want one just to use it as an FX Processor.

[@andyq9669]

That's what I've been using it for

[@benbauer1065]

Loved the video. I m very confused searching online how and where to get the Plaits custom user oscillators. Iv never seen those mentioned anywhere but would love to have those in ny minilogue xd. Where can I buy or download them.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

The link was in the description :D github.com/peterall/eurorack-prologue

[@benbauer1065]

@@MoltenMusicTech lol. Got it. I honestly just discovered the video description part of KZbin because of that espen craft video recently. Thank you.

[@margateswede]

If you use components you can use the launchkey knobs to control it I should imagine.

[@DRHORSELEACH]

I cannot find anyone on the internet that knows exactly what cable is needed to control this with a standard midi controller. (Female out from controller to TRS midi on NTS-1). Every single cable I find that is midi male to 3.5 is reviewed as "does not work for midi". Can you possibly shed some light on this?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Sure just search for "midi to trs cable" and the internet will give you lots of information. For the NTS-1 specifically then this will help = cdn.korg.com/us/support/download/files/40b4cf13fa40a3f9f821559b794dd9f5.pdf - but ultimately you need a Type A MIDI-to-TRS cable or adapter. You'll find a load more info here - www.reddit.com/r/synthesizers/comments/f4z8qs/midi_on_the_nts1_how_to_get_it_to_ing_work/ - hope that helps!

[@evryordnryprsn]

What app are you using on your iPad?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It's a Surface Pro and they are plugins from Melda Productions

[@izme4700]

Can it be used as a hardware fx processor through midi and with no computer?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Not through midi no as midi had no sound. But yes you can run audio through it with no computer

[@peterfuzz3887]

the sounds presets come from the software ?

[@MeerkatMuzic]

Hope it drops shortly heard next month, will sell like hot cakes 🧁

[@Dandelunar]

what's the difference between this one and the Microkorg S

[@MoltenMusicTech]

One's a single voice oscillator and effects box the other is a synthesizer with a keyboard and inbuilt vocoder.

[@Evgen-gf5eu]

Thank you, for this review

[@stevewoywitka3258]

Thanks for the post. I just got mine and want to explore all options. Should I do update first??

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Updates are good

[@arnehauer3687]

Great video, thank you!

[@niknayme3754]

Very impressive, good info video too

[@AleLoy]

MeldaProduction... such an underrated awesome plugin's brand.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Couldn't agree more!

[@peterfuzz3887]

is there a midi implementation of functions beyond the keyboard and clock ?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes

[@yeyesysteme]

Super vidéo, merci ! 🙏🎶

[@J.M.Stigner]

"wow, what a thing" indeed

[@frankschneider7190]

good job thanks

[@hammondeggsmusic]

Cool! Can't wait for mine to come in, looking forward to developing with it. Lots of more free / donationware plugins at hammondeggsmusic.ca too!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah - nice - if i get a chance i'll spin out a video on those.

[@hammondeggsmusic]

Molten Music Technology Cool thanks! I haven’t got mine yet (supposedly arrives early January but you never know) so I haven’t had a chance to test any of my effects / oscillators with one, and I haven’t built anything to the nts api yet. I’m not sure if like the minilogue xd if it can load prologue files. By all means let me know if you have any issues.

[@HenricWallmark]

awesome stuff mate!

[@natebrooks7015]

tried these. love em. donated.

[@hammondeggsmusic]

Nate Brooks Hey, thanks! Glad you like them. More stuff still coming!

[@Philtho]

I think some of those sound brilliant. But you might be right because the effects are so well done. Honestly, this has the capability to be used as an effects box with it's audio pass-through so this might be a good secret sauce to sit behind any synth. (Edit: You get to this at 55mins :D ) Out of curiosity, what Oscilloscope software are you using here?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

www.meldaproduction.com/ - there's a free version amongst the huge bundle of plugins

[@jonnyhead]

Nice effects but this unit is terribly made and falls apart, audio out ports break of from PCB on all 3 of mine and I'm a careful user so nts-1 are not good for long use.

[@iantanner7579]

Interesting concept, still think korg should have made it eurorack-compatible, - personally i'm not a fan of open ended synthesizers, that require a computer to add and subtract options, - but i expect that's just my age... quality demo though Robin, you certainly teased out its sweet-spots and potential love to ALL, feel no hate

[@dingalarm]

I believe it is Eurorack compatible, at least according to this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpWyhpJteb5qbrs 🙂

[@junglejon74]

Hey. We could’ve done with one of these for Fifths Finale eh? :-)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

That's odd. Is this some strange reference to an event I was involved at high school in 1987? And if so - who are you?

[@junglejon74]

@@MoltenMusicTech wasn't sure you'd get it! My friend and I were talking about it. I shared a video of the nts-1 you put up saying I was going to buy one. And he remembered you before I did. :)

[@sergeyv4908]

Is it possible to program custom filters on this device?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes you can develop custom effects with the SDK which can include filters as an effect

[@Congasjones]

Just realised how much buying all these oscillators would cost .......

[@blaablaa22]

Yeah... I mean: I DO understand there's some serious work behind many of them, but some (not gonna name names, everyone can see the prices themselves) of the oscillators are pretty damn expensive. I'll most likely will support the donationware developers and hook my NTS-1 on other gear I have. And maybe buy a second one, loving it. :)

[@Congasjones]

Nice one -there is an app for iOS called VividTracker that can export /save a wav as an NTS oscillator but awaiting video on have to do that ? That could be fun ?

[@valley_robot]

Yep, get a used micro freak ,better value, new oscillators being released by arturia with updats

[@DarkDao]

imo It sounds quite meh when trying to produce "big" sounds or heavy leads/basses, but works really good for lighter pads and ambient/atmos pew-pews/sfx. For the price though, really cool instrument.

[@zoned7609]

yikes, the price on those sinevibes ones are prohibitive. i'd just get hardware if im gonna be shelling out multiple hundreds of dollars

[@roxyamused]

I just bought tube cause it was the only one that interested me and it was $29, effects are like $19. Unless getting the whole packs, it doesn't seem that wild.

[@tux4205]

The free ones sound better to me. You just cannot use the parameters properly.

[@WalterGiroldi]

Muy buen sonido y diseño del J6 en Korg NTS-1. Aquí una explicación en español latino: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvQaoypnLuYjrc

[@sevenserpentssynthsociety658]

Blimey, Plaits is probably my favourite eurorack VCO, on this it sounds absolute arse :) other ones sounded good mind you, good demo btw it looks good value for money. I had a go one a friends prologue recently which this is from but it's not for me. I've just ordered a second hand microfreak (which I think you don't like much) hopefully I will.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah, somethings not right there with the Plaits. I wouldn't say i don't like the MicroFreak it's just that i wasn't blown away by it like many people but i've found some good stuff in there. I would say that the thing with the Plaits stuff in the MicroFreak is that it was designed for Eurorack use and so that means step sequencing rather than keyboard and so it can sound a bit limp when trying to play chords with it.

[@sevenserpentssynthsociety658]

@@MoltenMusicTech Hopefully Arturia will do something similar to what you can do on the NTS and allow you to upload different oscillators to the freak. I would get an NTS as well but ive run out of plug sockets/adaptors.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

That would be an interesting idea

[@streetshooters]

I found my MicroFreak at a price I couldn't say no to and it's taught me a lot about synthesizers plus I'm watching tons of great online videos like this one. Have a MB 2S on orderr to go with my DrumBrute Impact and now I've got to find a few more bucks for the Korg. What have I gotten myself into?

[@wul01]

Come on Korg what the fuck have the uk done to you, get it distributed here.

[@WalterGiroldi]

Muy buen vídeo, te felicito. Aquí una explicación básica del NTS1 en español latinoamericano: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5bIfKKmZa-Ih9E

[@superdad942]

RAD

[@Stadsjaap]

Wow, those custom oscillators are truly horrible! XD Love my NTS-1 for the fx tho.

[@Stadsjaap]

Update: just got to Tim Shoebridge's OSCs. That's more like it!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes, he’s a genius

[@sonicmistress]

To be fair there are better free ones that are around now and the free one in this Video wasn't used with the Arp as the 'money' ones where so not a true test and also lots of parameters to change to get where you need to be....Which would take too much time of course but a sound is a sound whether paid for or not, it's up to you how you use it. ; )

[@destroyoid]

NOT POLYPHONIC?????! Why not? Seems kind of strange.

[@philipmumford7871]

Probably so they can sell us all a poly version in 12 months - you know how it goes!

[@seanalexander6310]

2 minutes of my life that I'll never get back....

[@MoltenMusicTech]

You should have given it more time

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Did you include the time you wasted making a pointless comment?