KORG NTS-1 MK2 // What’s new, and 5 ways to make the most of it // NTS-1 mkII Tutorial & Review

Breaking news! Check out my Phase Looping plugin for the NTS-1 and logue platform here!
► bit.ly/PhaseLoopop
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► / loopop
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► Cool Holographic scopes?
The scopes I use aren't real - I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle.
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:05 What’s new?
1:25 New “keys”
1:55 MIDI out
2:15 Sequencer
3:30 Noise osc
4:30 Waves osc
5:45 Osc LFO (same)
6:05 Audio osc mod
8:50 Filters (same)
9:20 EG (same)
9:50 New Mod FX
11:05 New Delays
12:00 New Reverbs
13:00 Connectivity
13:25 Build
13:55 New SDK
15:20 Preset lib
15:40 Arp (same)
16:25 TIPS & IDEAS
16:45 MIDI CCs
17:20 Settings
17:45 USB noise
18:05 TRS A dongle
18:15 Plugin links!
18:50 Pros & cons
20:45 Outro jam
Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@loopop]

Breaking news! Check out my Phase Looping plugin for the NTS-1 MK2 and logue platform here! ► bit.ly/PhaseLoopop

[@leave-trace]

I'm so happy to see all the ports on the back now. That front audio out always made it tricky to fit into a larger setup.

[@dankeplace]

It's funny how some of the cheapest gear sitting right in front of us, can reward us the most. Great upload Ziv.

[@mack_solo]

IMO this is a better re-incarnation of an older synth than kingkorg Neo is.

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to see that you went full-on Peter Gunn too;)

[@loopop]

Transposable 8-step melodies to the rescue! And good to see you here :)

[@SalmoneTattico]

you'll be liking this time of the year, at least 3-4 "straight to BadGear" releases just this week

[@Leandrob13]

@AudioPilz do your thing!

[@flyddw]

Coming soon to a Bad Gear episode! @AudioPilz

[@GizzyDillespee]

No, this is great gear! You should see the King Korg Neo comments tho... they could send Audiopilz a beta unit, due to the comments from just the intro videos🤣

[@leave-trace]

The killer feature of the NTS-1 is as a multi-fx unit for other gear. The synth is fun, but the FX for other gear is where it's at.

[@Eli_B3000]

That's all I use it for. I have oscillators for drone use (including the actual drone one), but mostly it's just for FX on the go for me.

[@SamToulouse]

It is a very competent FX box. But I am also in love with its filter, especially using the Volca Bass custom OSC.

[@Fractalite]

Exactly .

[@wackerburg]

I am beyond excited to see what the creative and skilled developers will come up with on this one 😊 The algorithms for the MK1 were incredible already imho. For such an affordable machine.

[@soacker25]

Can you use it as an external filter unit?? Like the monotron but with a much cleaner signal?

[@sCealt]

Don't you love it when you come back from work on Friday after a long week and find a loopop video about a successor to one of the coolest device on the market ? Thank you Sir!

[@loopop]

🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@rexcellencemagee6729]

I’m loving all the minis being released! I like to have SOMETHING to show from every paycheck, it was POs, then Arias, now the m2, kaos pad mini, and NTS-3. How fun is this!

[@Kdkjdjewerdnxa]

Gear season is crazy rnn

[@goldenstarmusic1689]

I almost bought an NTS-1. Glad I waited and will instead save up for this when it comes out. Awesome video

[@flyddw]

you definitely lucked out. however - only saved $99 (or so). it's not like you almost bought a Moog One - lol

[@goldenstarmusic1689]

@@flyddw A hundred dollars in my world might as well be a Moog One LOL, but yeah that's certainly true.

[@Daphoid]

A second day of seeing Loopop sitting right next to Bobeats in my subscriptions :). Good stuff!

[@nomad1517]

I guess this year is the year everything comes out. Sweet.

[@MrTanukiD]

Another great overview. That external audio cross mod is a very interesting feature.

[@hovermotion]

Cool, I loved the original ..I put large knobs and a full case, also a external on off switch on the power wire.. Hooked up to say a midi keyboard like the Arturia key step or Akai Mpk series it's just stunning.. Great vid..

[@Pulse2AM]

Sounds really good. People today sure have a lot of great synths for little money compared to when I started.

[@RJ_Eckie]

Great update! Loving the midi out as well as all ports on the back. Not sure whether it’s worth an upgrade at this point. The distortion effects do look kinda cool, but the Mk1 is still a pretty stellar FX box as is!

[@repeatdefender6032]

Duuuuude I was just about to buy a second one, I’m so glad i waited! I hope this one’s not too much more than the o.g.

[@r.h.616]

Nice review! Waiting for the New MicroKORG!!!

[@MichaelCoombes776]

Korg seem to be going for it with new stuff just now. I like this, particularly the module versions of the Wavestate/Modwave.

[@johnghadimi]

Great video as always. I REALLY wish they had added battery-power to this version! Solving for those pesky noises has been a headache in the original (getting a shielded cable, separate power brick, etc, etc...)

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

Thx for a great video! In depth & thorough. Enjoy your 2024

[@regmtait100]

Delighted with tempo sync for the delays!

[@kh7955]

I love cheap gear and all the limitations that accompany them. Forces creativity. I ordered a Liven Lo-fi 12 not bc it was cheap but bc it has only 4 second sample time at 12 bits. It's like how people used to use the Casio sk 5 or the rz1 which had even shorter sample time.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

This is a superb looking audio processor and fx unit. Loved the OG for all the fx I could load on and use on inputs

[@soacker25]

Can you use it as an external filter unit?

[@PANTA-Music]

Do you need to ask this question to dozens of people here? ​@@soacker25

[@hasko_not_the_pirate]

Thanks for the great video. Does the sequencer have rests?

[@karolwasilewski6528]

Hi. Arp is synchronised, but you have to combine the keys. Press the first key to add the second and release the first...🙂

[@leewightman8619]

Nice iv got the o.g nts1 so gonna have to get this it sounds like it sounds better and the keyboard looks much better and has a sequencer ..and noise generator It's a power house especially for sound design

[@hellf.o]

Wow finally! Just got my second NTS-1 this week and I can't believe we'll have a mark two now😮 I feel so freakin excited thanks Korg! Filters also for external audio this time?! Would be a dream

[@I.O.M.]

I think you need at least 2 to have a quartet 😁

[@hellf.o]

@@I.O.M. 🤣🤣 Glad to meet you here buddy! Why only a quartet?! What about a NTS-1 orchestra?! I saw a video with about 15 Korg Volca Keys playing at the same time a thing like that! 😌👍

[@I.O.M.]

@@hellf.o I really want to see the NTS-3 demo.

[@hellf.o]

@@I.O.M. Me too! I'm interested in NTS-3 much more than NTS-1 MK2 cause it's almost the same to the old one working with plug ins.. Can't wait!

[@supercompooper]

Love this

[@jorcis67]

Thanks for this review. I have the original NTS-1 and I really like it. Too bad about the lack of SDK backwards compatibility. Yet, the little sequencer might be something that I'd consider exploring an upgrade down the road. Cheers!✌

[@cirisirpula152]

Thanks for the amazing videos! If you don mind me asking, what are you using for those frequency visualisers?

[@coconutlust470]

Very cool. All these mk II's and new versions of old korg gear make me wonder if we're going to see a prologue II drop soon.

[@jocee2257]

What's wrong with the first one?

[@coconutlust470]

I am a fan, it's a great synth. I just wish it had more modulation options and after-touch.

[@wackerburg]

@@jocee2257 It's not available anymore afaik.

[@jocee2257]

@@coconutlust470 oh it definitely needs an update then, with the same keybed as their keystage midi keyboards

[@nyanko2077]

I just bought a syntakt and I find it small. But this is an entire new level of tininess lol.

[@wackerburg]

For the price tag, it is such a great unit. And it's an original design, unless most boxes these days that just mimic classic designs. Korg really did nail it again imho. No need to ask for any other features. That SDK is genius. I mean, which of the big guys really did something like that before? Roland, Yamaha, Moog? None.

[@80Jay71]

Nooo! Not another thing I didn't know I needed!

[@Rollur1234]

Cool resonator❤

[@yayawewheats969]

i love loopop

[@andivax]

Amazing synth IF there will be vst editor. Thanks for your video review, Ziv ❤

[@loopop]

My pleasure! I didn't hear from Korg any plans for that but the MIDI implementation is pretty open so hopefully a third party VST isn't far off

[@JeremyForTheWin]

(obvs not mk2 compatible yet)

[@JabunAudio]

Loving all the cool stuff Korg's coming out for NAMM this year and great overview of the new instruments! For those who have the original NTS-1 but are missing that new noise oscilator, I built a more basic free/donation based one you can use here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4OWnn-IacZ2a9E It's on Korg's official logue sdk unit index too so you know it meets their standards! Enjoy and can't wait to see what people come up with using these new NTS's!

[@AttraKtors]

Cheers man

[@goonfish]

Holy hel finally - just starting the video, and some comments have me a bit nervous (this better not lose its FX capabilities) & hope it isn't $200+... but word!

[@nexuzeb79]

such a delightful device! thank you again for your xcellent demo vids! what was/is ur preferred genre? goa, dnb, detroit?

[@loopop]

my pleasure! I don't know what to call my preferred genre, there are links to my music in the description so perhaps you tell me!

[@dreamstaticsounds]

NIIIIIICE!

[@monatooo]

16:26 i actually like that it doesnt sync to the pattern, so you can sequence ″craazy″ patterns^^

[@dyscotopia]

It's kinda funny that I like the timbre and find it more analog sounding than the King Korg Neo 🤣

[@darkambience]

What does Korg have against sequencers? Volcas have 16 steps which kinda ruined them and Korg decides to chop this in half to 8? Why? Just don´t get it. It´s not like they have a solid product to sequence things as the SQ-64 is full of problems and they have already abandoned that. King Korg - No sequencer, Microkorg 2 - No sequencer, Modwave - Broken sequencer. All of these products are an instabuy for me if they had proper 64 step seqencers with banks. Sold my XD after a couple fo weeks because I couldn´t get over the fact of the gimped sequencer.

[@Gainn]

Interesting improvements. A whole-ass button just for an 8-step sequencer seems like underplaying it's possibilities though.

[@rhythmguild4333]

So in other words, it’s a really cool, mini, cassette-sized, monophonic Electribe (underrated), made by kORG. Not bad. 👍

[@frevrix]

Oh man! And I JUST got my NTS-1 last month! That’s ok, there’s plenty to love about the mark one and looks like it’ll still be a wait before the mark two is available for general purchase. Do they have an estimated cost? I assume it’ll be a little more than its predecessor?

[@JayKaufman]

I wish they'd have gone with a stereo pair 1/8th TRS jack instead of the single out.

[@cheapnoiseinthehouse5578]

Very nice video as always. Are you planning on doing an NTS3 or kaoss pad diy video? There are no reviews of it anywhere.

[@loopop]

Thanks! I don't have it yet

[@Post-destination]

Guess I picked the wrong week to finish assembling my NTS-1 😅

[@cshft]

Just got one and haven't even unboxed it yet, I feel you!

[@dingalarm]

​​@@cshftWell, I haven't even opened the parcel containing the NTS-1! 😲😬

[@Pintosonic]

Let’s hope for a Prologue MK2 with velocity sensitive keybed, more LFOs, more envelopes and a modulation matrix. If they can pull that off without raising the price too much compared to the current prologue 8 and 16 they would have a winner in their hands.

[@Jason75913]

Why didn't they do all that from the start? That's why I won't buy a Prologue or Minilogue XD.

[@jammin023]

This is great, and addresses all but one of my reservations about the original. The one thing they missed out? Saving presets. For the sake of an EEPROM that would've added a few cents to the BOM, this seems like such a weird omission.

[@AssabetStrings-xw3ms]

I grabbed the frame at 13:45 and it looks like the connectors have at least one pin (in rear - possibly two more in front) going through the pcb. IIRC the MK1 were completely surface mount. If there are several pins going through the pcb, the connector would be much more robust. ps Just saw a pic of the other side of the pcb and it does look like there are thru hole tabs for the connectors - will have to wait for a unit...

[@Jengalese]

Havent built the first on yet

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Too bad they didn’t use this update to add a mono in option , it makes an excellent effects box , but if you have a mono out synth you have to go through a passive guitar pedal or adapter that does mono to stereo. Bummer. Love the Sinevibes algos , especially droplets , I wonder if we will get an upgrade price because I don’t fancy buying them all again for the mk 2 tbh. Other than that I love the Nts , I wish they did a stand alone unit with proper I/0 and a bigger prebuilt size , like a pro version, I really like this platform.

[@PANTA-Music]

I don't get your mono part? When I hook up a mono synth to my NTS-1, I recieve stereo out? Used for, for example Ping Pong delay, Chorus, etc. I don't need passive pedals or anything in between to make it stereo.

[@TooSlowTube]

Does the PCB still have holes (unpopulated header) for wiring up MIDI sockets and alternative audio sockets?

[@raymondreed5708]

I’m waiting on Behringer to release the mini version.

[@4estral]

The biggest issue I have with the NTS 1 is that it doesn't remember your settings... if you turn it off, you have to start over setting everything up the next time you use it. That's a major pain for any device that relies on menu-diving

[@loopop]

The MK2 remembers the machine state when you power down

[@4estral]

Very nice! @@loopop

[@MsZastra]

Wow, what the release date?!

[@hammondeggsmusic]

Well I’ll have some work to do!

[@withak30]

I had multiple mk1 units where the headphone jack solder points peeled off the board, hopefully they fixed that this time around. If not then the first thing you need to add a step during assembly where you reinforce the jacks with ropy gobs of hot glue.

[@radfaraf]

I saw the recommendation of the hot glue somewhere else, but does it actually work?

[@Arkansya]

dame with the midi jack for me...

[@soacker25]

Can you use the it as an external filter unit via audio in???

[@radfaraf]

@@soacker25 yes even the original can do that.

[@asbjrnandersen4222]

It has an on/off button now? Nice 😊

[@PANTA-Music]

No more sleep mode, or having to physically remove usb cable...

[@asbjrnandersen4222]

@@PANTA-Music Yeah, I have a main switch for my entire setup, so units without on/off button are just always on. I think, sleep mode can be turned off, which I should maybe do.

[@PANTA-Music]

@@asbjrnandersen4222 I turned it off. I didn't want to switch it on or off though. Because it is a pain in the *ss to have the Korg connected to the PC and it not being recognised by the software... Another downside of the NTS. Hope the MK2 doesn't have this connectivity issue.

[@alexandrosroussos]

More advanced SDK ? But is it still compatible with the older NTS/Logue multiengine SDK plugins ? Or isn’t it already a vocoder actually ? What happens if we connect a microphone as modulator ? I hope they are easy to port and companies like Sinevibes will provide ported updates to current version owners 🙏

[@OWL.]

I will stick to Jt-4000. When I put NTS-1 next to jt-4000 korg device look like synth from Wish or Temu.

[@alexandrosroussos]

Not sure to understand if this is actually capable of polyphony if someone makes a poly OSC for it. Or is it just the built in keyboard so only for controlling other synths with polyphony through the MIDI output ?

[@SynthOSphere]

As critical as I was regarding the « new » KingKorg, I have to say Korg did a GREAT job on this synth update. Many improvements!! Not sure what the price will be, and that might be a factor, but in any case, at least it’s a great improvement and worth considering, for those who like and use the NTS-1 mk1 (like me… I own 3). So: Good job Korg! Now apply this update philosophy to the next KingKorg please.

[@TooSlowTube]

Thomann (Germany) are listing it at $118 or 129 Euros, or £111 GBP.

[@SynthOSphere]

@@TooSlowTube I've compared prices for Thomann over and over and it always end up more expensive, when you factor in shipping and customs. I'm in Canada, so I shop at places like Cosmo and LongMcQuade, and have always been happy. You also have to consider warranty... some products bought outside of your country will not have warranty, depending on maker (had bad experience shopping at Sweetwater with that. No more for me). The only advantage I found at Thomann is availability: when a product is sold out everywhere, they sometimes have it. Especially true for Behringer.

[@TooSlowTube]

@@SynthOSphere Thomann have their own warranty, or did the last time I checked. Their customer services do tend to answer if you want to ask them. The best choices depend on where you live, certainly. They're never my first choice but they're usually an option.

[@sCealt]

Neat! Do you know if the SDK will also include access to the MIDI/sequencer library ?

[@loopop]

I don’t

[@Kdkjdjewerdnxa]

Would’ve expected at least 3 or 4 voices of polyphony for a mk2 tbh. Running midi into and playing chords would be nice. I know people made custom chord oscillators but those have their own limitations especially with how they handle midi.

[@TENMAJKL]

The unit supports polyphonic midi notes unlike previous model. now you can make polyphonic oscillators, but the default are monophonic. Its only matter of time to see polyphonic oscillators

[@frevrix]

That’s probably coming, and like he said, even if it doesn’t come pre-packaged with a polyphonic synth it’s only a matter of time before the fanbase develops one!

[@TheBroDotTV]

Hit the nail on the head. If this had 4 voices it would be worthwhile. For me it is $170 too much. Not interested.

[@privateer9116]

I love my MK1, especially with the Sinevibes stuff (Dense is amazing). Due to the CPU limitations it's been largely relegated to being used as an FX insert, so I'll be interested to see if the MK2 can happily run a Sinevibes oscillator, plus the chorus, tape delay and subnatural verb. On the MK1 it can do 2 effects only before giving up and outputing noise. The other MK1 pain point (micro-usb - so hard to get quality cables) has been addressed, so I'll probably pick one up as soon as they appear locally.

[@zehoo2]

I’ll be waiting for Sinevibes to update his stuff before I jump in.

[@ukbloke28]

I've run 3 FX at once, often. it depends which ones you go for.

[@privateer9116]

Yeah, I can happily run 3 of the default FX at once, but not at the same time as a Sinevibes Dense oscillator. If the MK2 can do that, I'll definitely upgrade both my MK1s.

[@widgetman]

now I feel bad about rushing in to buy the mki, thinking that this would be one of the last units they would go and revise 😅

[@darkpolarmusic]

Nice! For me the main flaw of mk1 is that you cannot adjust volume of the NTS-1 synth engine and aux input separately. That means that if you connect for example a Microfreak (which has low output volume) to the input of NTS-1 (to get effects) the NTS-1 internal synth will be so much louder than the Microfreak. It is possible to attenuate the input (microfreak in this example), but not the internal NTS-1 synth sound. Has this been fixed in mk2?

[@melomotioncomposing]

That would be interesting indeed.

[@Phoenix_2A]

Yes you can. It's in the global menus.

[@PANTA-Music]

Are the solderings of the I/O's just as bad as the OG one?

[@compucorder64]

I don't think this has any cv/gate inputs. Only asking because it would be quite cool addition to a small eurorack rig, to add an oscillator, digital filter and I guess FX unit. But I guess only way to do that would be trigger it from another device with MIDI and I/O, like MPC One or Oxi One etc ...

[@alexandrosroussos]

Is it me or does this external input modulator ability allow for crazy Vocoder plugins ? Or isn’t it already a vocoder actually ? What happens if we connect a microphone as modulator ?

[@apanebia]

hi Loolop, if placed as the second device of a midi chain does it correctly send the clock received from the first to the third device? in the global parameters under sync midi source I only find internal/auto (no external) and there is no specific option such as midi clock sync out. I also have the same doubt about seq sync start/stop Thank you

[@SparklesofGold]

what? I also see a NTS-3 kaoss pad? Thx for the review!

[@loopop]

My pleasure! yes, there's an NTS-3 but it's too early for review units I believe

[@SparklesofGold]

@@loopop I also see 3 desktop modules! Opsix, wavestate etc

[@loopop]

@@SparklesofGold yes, but not much to cover for me

[@incaroads001]

Attempting to use the original with the Circuit Tracks ws very frustrating because the output volume was very low even at max. Has the output level been increased?

[@Laze-Mz]

hopefully this is more durable ,, I remember having the first one and the midi jack input broke off after a few months

[@radfaraf]

From what it looks like it doesn't look like they improved the connectors at all, I broke the audio out on mine and got a warranty replacement.

[@litup6465]

Is the output volume of the device you run through it louder than the original NTS-1? That is a big issue with the original.

[@OmenAhead]

I wonder if there will be a version with only the effects and probably the filter, with a lower price as well. I'm sure most people use these things purely for the cool effects for their other synths, rather than a sound generator haha.

[@fiftyshadesofurban]

3:05 Spy Hunter!

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

if Korg add patch memory an a mini oled display, THAT would be evolutionarily

[@soacker25]

Can it be used as an external filter unit?

[@graysynther2169]

Have they killed the usb interference from the display, if so, count me in🤗😊

[@TilliKommunikation]

Thank you! My GAS will never end ... ;-)

[@VictorSteiner]

Were any of the firmware requests looked into by Korg?

[@boeiend100]

maybe now we see a prologue mk2 in the nearby future. Which will cost at least $2500 seeing what they charge for their other new synths

[@Vim-Wolf]

Heck, why don't the big keyboards (often) have a transposable sequencer, yet they can do it on this?

[@klinkske]

Hey Korg. Build something in the up range. I m done buying toys like the nts 1. I never use it. I do have a monotron jahtari!

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

Is the LFO to pitch now +/- ? Or still weirdly + as in the OG? - Meaning vibratos suck because they oscillate over your note, not at the center, detuning upwards in average

[@IrisBone-i6b]

Some noobish questions. Has anyone recommend the proper cables for putting other gear on 1/4 ? Does routing the output through an audio interface improvd the sound quality? Not very jmpressed by the sounds so far with the headphones straight in. Anyone used this on a track that I could reference.

[@kopiller]

Mi biggest problem with the nts-1 is that you can't control the logue oscilator parameters through midi, is this solved in the mkII? And the diy tinkering is very difficult and badly documented.

[@brendanwilliamson4590]

Am I the only one interested in the KAOSS pad, lol. Wonder if it plays nice with Ableton, always see that xy pad on all the devices..

[@karolwasilewski6528]

Hi. I can't connect nts1 mkII to minilogue XD via midi. Connected via adaptor,nts1- IN, XD-OUT, same channel and nothing. You need to set something else in nts1 in addition to the channel???

[@ayalavalva]

I hope Korg has finally implemented MIDI CCs in the MK2 for controlling the custom parameters (Osc+Type) and values (B) of user oscillators. This was a major drawback in the MK1.

[@fcfc]

did you get the NTS-3 ?

[@jorgeuribera]

This is cool, thank you! Do you know if the mod effects can be tempo synced as the delay ones?

[@loopop]

not that I saw

[@jorgeuribera]

@@loopop Thank you!

[@jamesglewmusic]

Anyone know if the output is any louder?