LITTLE BIG SOUND: Ambient orchestral cinematic Korg NTS-1 & Volca Keys: Jam Impro

Gary's albums available here garyphayes.bandcamp.com/
Support me here / garyphayes
Such a surprise this little box and although I would have loved to take it outdoors, torrential persistent rain put an end to that, so a little duo with Volca Keys. The effects in the NTS-1 are pretty amazing, particularly what they call 'riser' reverb, which is almost as good as Strymon's shimmer, so this is used throughout. Other notables are crisp ping-pong delay and some great chorus's. It can also cover everything from deep rich basses through to very complex non standard arpeggios... obviously it has significant limitations compared with instruments 20x the price, but that limitation is what allows you to explore and find treasures, vs being given the universe and hardly exploring anywhere because it is too vast ...
Continuous Live Dawless Jam / Impro on Korg Nu:Tekt #NTS-1 & #VolcaKeys
First recording almost straight after assembling. vKeys routed through NTS-1 all effects from NTS-1
Composed & Performed © Gary P Hayes in Mount Victoria Blue Mountains Australia
SUPPORT ME:
Bandcamp Album Releases - garyphayes.bandcamp.com/

[@Metamerist625]

Very nice indeed! some Bladerunner and Stranger Things vibes going on in the first part. I also like what you were doing around the 28minute mark, those simple one note progressions over the arpeggio are really captivating and give the effects a lot of space to create a larger atmosphere around them. I am not great at describing music so hope that comment makes sense! My own NTS-1 arrived today, I make music on a VERY limited budget (possessing two ancient keyboards and second hand Volca Keys) my $20 (£10) Yamaha keyboard sounds MAGNIFICENT through this, the Submarine and Riser Reverbs are a real treat and add a huge amount of soul to a very basic sound pallette. I think it is easy to forget sometimes that we live in a very inspiring age and we all have some incredible musical tools available to us for extraordinarily reasonable sums of money. Thanks for posting this video and for sharing the inspiration, will definitely be coming back to see you play it out in the field, hope you have a great time putting this instrument to use!

[@GaryHayes]

Hey Metamerist - thanks for this long and detailed comment. Yes less is more for sure with these little instruments, but what blew me away like you is that big reverb (combined with chorus and delay), I suppose we always expect big sounds to come in big packages?! The melody over the simple 3 chord arpeggios always work nicely, slow flowing over busy :) Yes you don't need to buy a massive modular wall or the latest $10k box to make music and for me at least I excel when I have to concentrate on the music because the 'machines' are so limited :) Enjoy yours too!

[@teatime2595]

Yeah thanks to Korg I've been wanting to play live music forever now I can finally get started I never had the cash so I got a gutair had it for years but still hurts my fingers the synth pedal whould be sweet to!

[@teatime2595]

I'm torn between the bass or keys? I'm getting the sample furshure and the mono delay!

[@Hakucho64]

I'm getting a bit of Jean Michel Jarre.

[@madvinyl75]

This should be the soundtrack to the new Dune

[@GaryHayes]

haha I wish, I suspect they have to spend a fortune on orchestras otherwise it isn't proper film music :)

[@robguitarwizard]

Yes. Very Jarre / Vangelis / Tangerine Dream - esque!

[@robguitarwizard]

@@GaryHayes That's exactly what happened when synths first came out. People thought that they would put 'real' musicians out of work.

[@grouponspeam9236]

Can’t believe my ear. This setup sounds like a 20x more expensive one! Congrats on this splendid work.

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks! GS ... appreciate the listen

[@mattfraser4636]

That's bloody ace

[@otdalenno]

Awesome!!!

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@grainblanc_]

Wow sublime!!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks SoV :)

[@perspectivaimporta494]

I love it!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks PI

[@georgeingmire7258]

this is great. thank you

[@GaryHayes]

You're very welcome! George - thanks for dropping by!

[@lucagunther5405]

Really beautiful. Thanks for posting.

[@GaryHayes]

thanks v much Luca!

[@nervedamage3097]

Wow the sounds you can get just from these two small machines is incredible! The keys sound so good through the nts1 and exactly the sort of stuff I want to create. May have to get the nts1 after listening to this!

[@GaryHayes]

Couldn't agree more - think it is already a classic!

[@tonysharp1615]

Currently £85 on Amazon; makes it the best value hardware synth for sure. I’ve had mine a couple of weeks now, and I’ve been amazed by the potential of this synth, especially with all the 3rd party support. Best £85 I’ve spent in many a year.

[@nihil1]

This is amazing! Brilliant!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Nihil!

[@trikOsk]

OMG! It's Amazing!

[@GaryHayes]

thanks trikOsk!

[@beanacomputer]

Okay this is just awesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you enjoyed it oiralire!

[@108ganbao108]

Thanx for a great jam!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks for listening Gan - cheers

[@robguitarwizard]

Totally Awesome. Can't wait to hear your other work.

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks a lot Rob

[@Solidahmed]

This is beautiful.

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you Solidahmed!

[@dmallegro613]

This is excellent !

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks DM!

[@TheNinjaSpaceman]

Awesome really enjoyed it

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks for the visit Bleep!

[@MarkMoriArts]

Amazingly good!

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you! Cheers! Mark

[@davidreidy5750]

Good lord that sounds awesome!!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers David!

[@alonelyowl3709]

Awesome!!! it sounds so good, I love that kind of textures.

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you like it! ALO! Appreciated :)

[@pangrooviahomemadehousemus9284]

monumental sound,great!!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks PHHM!

[@transition6559]

Excellent job!

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you very much! T65

[@staalklang]

Really like this one. Such emotions.

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks Staalklang, yes must do more, small and emotional ones!

[@MusiclifeArtist]

Sound wonderful

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks v much DB!

[@ubrz209]

Just wow! Amazing sounds at such small setup!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks UBRZ - yes and now moving into complex modular setups, simpler times here :)

[@dianamiino7391]

Absolute beauty ❤

[@GaryHayes]

cheers mate

[@LesterH25]

Brilliant mate.

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks v much Lester!

[@djformalin]

clever done. thx !

[@GaryHayes]

You're welcome!

[@KenKthulhu]

Nice. Very nice.

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you Ken!

[@TheDjFac]

Amazing soundscape...

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks v much FM

[@ghostandiv]

This is dope. Peace and Blessings!!!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers mate - appreciate you dropping by and Peace too!

[@ch8049]

Excellent and inspiring, thank you for sharing...

[@GaryHayes]

My pleasure!

[@TracknJoy]

many thanks

[@GaryHayes]

Welcome!!

[@DECIMA1]

great session. it really shows off the power of these devices.

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks Decima1 !

[@patrickbodine1300]

You have inspired me, sir. Thank you.

[@GaryHayes]

My pleasure - glad it had a positive effect PB!

[@kentxx12]

This is just so good music :)

[@GaryHayes]

thanks KO!

[@paulw2604]

This is stunning, a beautifully crafted piece of music.

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks for the listen Paul! Appreciated :)

[@markfdesimone]

This is really lovely! I just ordered the nts-1, and can't wait to dig in. Thanks for making it even harder to wait.

[@GaryHayes]

Hope you enjoy it! - I liked it so much I got 3! Thanks MArk

[@Sadlive]

Very good..it works...fire...😀🎶

[@GaryHayes]

Yes it does!

[@kylerogersmusic]

Very nice, amazing how lush you can get with just those two boxes

[@GaryHayes]

THanks Kyle - yes we live in good times for music tech!

[@tsibren]

Absolutely mesmerizing.... wow.

[@GaryHayes]

Appreciated tsibren!

[@tweakmygroovebox608]

Amazing sounds and lovely composition using these two tiny synths to perfection.

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks! TmG!

[@TH3_FURY]

The best 33 minutes of my beginning day ! Great job Gary, all sounds are beautiful !

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you enjoyed it Eric - thanks for checking in!

[@danielmarron3508]

this is honestly very beautiful

[@GaryHayes]

Appreciate that Daniel!

[@MD_is_me]

"Good god man, what have you done?!?" This is amazing what you did with just those two boxes. I'm gobsmacked.

[@GaryHayes]

haha - thanks MD ... yes I often look back on these small box jams when I am using the bigger setups and think exactly the same!

[@Charlieboy2680]

This is really cool ! Ive been looking at the nts and this just made up my mind. Sounds amazing!

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you like it Massa - yes I bought 3 of them, like swiss army knives of audio

[@alonelyowl3709]

Heaven... just like heaven.

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers A L Owl!!

[@alexmousley7213]

What a fantastic combination and you use them very well..goosebumps.

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you like it! Alex - yes some nice moments fell out in that piece :)

[@ludwigkopp8130]

Amazing how much you got out of this two humble synths : played all life , too! Big musicality 👏👍I

[@GaryHayes]

cheers Ludwig!

[@ethanclem3383]

Holy cow this is amazing! Can’t wait for my volca keys!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Ethan - enjoy

[@tmm9112]

Nice soundscapes.

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks! TMM!

[@alessandromemoli7083]

Awesome

[@GaryHayes]

thanks Alessandro!

[@perspectivaimporta494]

Listening to this again. That arpeggiator is a beast!

[@GaryHayes]

Agree PI - it needs a little taming at times, but pretty flexible. Wish it had active step too like other korg lower end gear

[@peeknic]

Beautiful!!! You are very talented!

[@GaryHayes]

Many many thanks Peeknic

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Really very amazing how versatile this two Korg's are! Really impressive presentation my friend ! 😎

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks EK - yes I was still scratching the surface on this video too

[@repeatdefender6032]

beautiful! I was already messing around with my nts-1 so i jammed along with you for a bit.

[@GaryHayes]

Nice - yes easy key to play along with - cheers RD!

[@Pai3000]

This is just plain genius

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Pai!

[@oomingmakroo]

Very nice! I just got an NTS-1 and it's awesome! The free looper is really cool when you've got a synced synth like in your setup. And anyone reading this who doesn't know, check out tweeeeeak's Volca Bass oscillator which adds a 16 step sequencer, 3 oscillators, and slide! He also has an arp with probability. I got this thing as an effects box and am loving the synth more than I expected.

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you like it! Yes some great waves for it for sure - I was keeping it pretty basic here

[@drstupid1]

Fantastic sounds. Hi from Perth

[@GaryHayes]

hey waves from Blue Mtns! Cheers DR S!

[@telantas]

Listening to this track has been a joyful experience. You extract wonderfully pleasant and imteresting sounds from this little deviced and convry a broad range of emotions. You have also been generous by allowing us to listen to more than half hour of your wonderful work in a single sitting. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing it.

[@GaryHayes]

Wow many thanks Telantas - appreciate the comment and thanks for listening to the whole piece too!

[@Arnie_Liv]

I just got an nts1 & was looking at a volca keys. This is awesome

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Arnie! Yes a keeper is the vKeys!

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

I love this song/ Ambient track! I’ll be listening to this a lot - headphones, people! ❤ Thanks for sharing your ‘thang’ with us!

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks Sarah! and yes headphones work great :)

[@hellf.o]

Great

[@GaryHayes]

ta

[@hoover2615]

OK. That's it... Now I'm going dawless! Fantastic!

[@GaryHayes]

haha - well this route is on a budget for sure!

[@lesnorton7384]

You always seem to pull such amazing sounds out of whatever gear you use. Your skills baffle me.

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Les - I think with decent quality acoustic or music tech, you can often get something basic out of it, whether it is your complete expressive voice, that requires much more time :)

[@SleepwalkWithMeMusic]

i have a volca keys, and i just ordered an nts-1. this video was very inspiring! can't wait for it to come!

[@GaryHayes]

Hope you enjoy it! - yes the pair are a great travel kit for sure! Cheers SwwM

[@ilyazotak]

Просто нереально круто!!!Лучший!)

[@GaryHayes]

Большое спасибо Илья

[@dani_raudvik]

I think I need to spend some time with my NTS-1 and volca keys this weekend after listening to this. What a great reminder of how well they work together

[@GaryHayes]

cheers - yes all about putting in the time!

[@J.M.Stigner]

This is sick - what an ad for these little synthy beasties

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers JM - sometimes less is more for sure!

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Incredible...Ethereal ! Like the opening of a dimension, for the passage of the Gods ! Just Love Korg Products ! Great presentation my friend !!!

[@GaryHayes]

Great metaphor EK :) Thanks for listening

[@krostifmusic]

A big like for this ! Beautiful melody ❤️ Nts wasn't on my list yet.. You changed the game 😆

[@GaryHayes]

Good job it wasn't a moog one :) Thanks Krostif !

[@robguitarwizard]

Came back to this again. Awesome sounds. Both of these synths are still on my wish list. Well done Gary!. Hope you are keeping well.

[@GaryHayes]

Many thanks! Rob - yes keeping well as we get into 65 days of lockdown in nanny state Oz ... reminding me to do some baby instrument jams again! Cheers and enjoy if you get them!

[@robguitarwizard]

Gary, I know its tough. Not so bad here in SA. But I guess it could be worse. Keep jamming. I am feeling the GAS, but trying to keep it under control. Got enough gear already (?). Bought the Drumbrute impact recently. Cheers.

[@mobularmusic6491]

The harmonic progressions wisely used on arpeggios are interesting and prestigious. Your music is as beautiful as your Australia.

[@GaryHayes]

Very kind MM - I have a few more, tiny jams, coming up - keep watching!

[@chicken_flavoured_bacon3230]

wow, that was really nice

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks! CFB

[@chicken_flavoured_bacon3230]

@@GaryHayes most welcome, that was a great litle jam

[@DendriticFractals]

Talent

[@GaryHayes]

Ta DF

[@Noisylab]

Very amazing, you know what you do..sound is Hypnotik,,,,you're Tuned in with your soul...GREAT !!! Best Regards from Bavaria!!!!

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you enjoy it NoisyLab!! Appreciate that comment v much, souls are good :)

[@rayderrich]

I would not have the patience to work with the tiny NTS-1 but those Volca machines are very tempting for sure. Thank you for making magic for 33 minutes.

[@GaryHayes]

My pleasure! RR - thanks for checking my stuff out!

[@DrDroogkloot]

That riser reverb does something beautiful to the sound. It just adds some extra texture. Beautifully done👍👍 sounds a bit like those old synthesizer tunes from the 80’s.

[@GaryHayes]

Glad you like it! DrD - yes i meant it to be a bit Jarrey/TD/Vangelisy

[@outerspacebass]

I want to do exactly this now

[@GaryHayes]

Go for it...

[@Ddog666]

Wow! I just bought a PO-33 and put the NTS-1 on my shopping list to pair with it later in the year. Looks like I'm adding the Volca Keys as well. This sounds incredible.

[@GaryHayes]

Yes a great machine, just used it in my latest video with the Analog Four outside on the coast . cheers Ddog

[@lofimob3586]

waaaaouuuuu magnifique

[@GaryHayes]

thanks lfm!

[@TJNorton]

Wow, this is amazing. Less kit, more musical ability! Very inspiring. Thank you. Subscribed 🤩

[@GaryHayes]

Awesome! Thank you very much TJ!

[@TJNorton]

@@GaryHayes I'm listening again first thing as i get ready for my day, and this sounds even better. I asked my wife for both of these units for xmas so fingers crossed. Thanks for the inspiration. Happy Xmas 👍👏🔥

[@GaryHayes]

@@TJNorton They make lovely pressies for sure! Wish I was on commission from korg :) Have a great musical xmas mate

[@minalist7139]

This was great. My NTS-1 gets here tomorrow and I'm looking forward to spacing out with my volca fm and pocket operators. Cheers.

[@GaryHayes]

Have fun! minalist! Cheers

[@teatime2595]

We just need a little sun some blankets and yeah good time's!

[@GaryHayes]

yup

[@angelovintelservis]

Super - Klass!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Angelov!

[@chaosme1ster]

Damn... that was amazing. And with just those 2 tiny machines. Congrats, you just earned a new subscriber...

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks CM! :) Think I should call it Tiny Music ?

[@chaosme1ster]

@@GaryHayes I don't suppose you'd like to go with Tiny Knob Music, would you? %-)

[@GaryHayes]

@@chaosme1ster haha - well you know what they say ... "it's not the size it's how you use it" :)

[@chaosme1ster]

@@GaryHayes rofl... yes, and you're a prime example of that :). Keep up the good work!

[@popwa6977]

good!!!

[@GaryHayes]

Very good!

[@gerryk9]

Beautiful!! I never had any luck pairing these with sync. Neither worked properly. Yours sound amazing

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks Gerry - odd they didnt sync, just one simple stereo cable here ..

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

I can’t really say anything that hasn’t been said already. I love JMJ and this was very reminiscent and yet your very own. I have both of these machines and have yet to try them together. Definitely will be doing that. Thank you for the lovley reminder. Subbed too

[@GaryHayes]

Wow, thank you! Maria - yes the NTS1 can make many things sound great ... have fun with them!

[@MariaCalfaDePaul]

My pleasure ! 😊

[@scunnerdarkly4929]

Jarre had a few decent moments on his first two albums but this is next-level. This is Vangelis territory, and not a single CS-80 in sight.

[@GaryHayes]

Wow thanks SD ... even coming close to those two you mentioned on these little toys is enough for me! :) Best

[@GL-uy3fd]

This is not usually my cup of tea, but I can’t stop listening to this, great sounding toys!

[@GaryHayes]

Cheers Reg - Yes many folk call them toys, but small size is not always small sound nowadays

[@ursbrunnengraber6988]

@@GaryHayes have you ever considered the Modal Craftsynth 2.0? Would fit perfectly...

[@GaryHayes]

@@ursbrunnengraber6988 Thanks. I prefer analog wherever possible and I have other similar instruments to the Modal, my MicroFreak or Model:Cycles are similar small footprints - but currently moving into small modular stuff anyhow :)

[@jjlopez5764]

Another wonderful performance. At any given moment, I was expecting David Gilmour to come with those signature guitar riffs from "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." Brilliant as always!

[@GaryHayes]

Thank you very much! Jj - yes definitely elements of Floyd, Jarre, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and a few more contemporary electro musos in there!

[@jjlopez5764]

@@GaryHayes I found your Bandcamp page and it's wonderful! Are you in the Apple Music directory?

[@GaryHayes]

@@jjlopez5764 Cheers mate! I have a lot of early tracks in a Podcast on Apple podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/gary-p-hayes/id364949554?mt=2

[@DaVeTheWaVe]

very good work bro! also other composition are very good. I liked them and subscribed =) waiting for delivery of nts-1 I'm learning from you!

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks for the sub! Appreciated Dave! Enjoy the new toy

[@WillianSilva-yk7bz]

NICE MAN. very incredible!!!!!

[@GaryHayes]

thanks a lot Willian? with an N!

[@WillianSilva-yk7bz]

@@GaryHayes yes kskskks

[@WillianSilva-yk7bz]

@@GaryHayes I really appreciate this style of music, you know. I wanted to build a synthesizer and learn to use it. have any tips?

[@GaryHayes]

@@WillianSilva-yk7bz thanks mate - the NTS-1 is not really a build it yourself, just assemble already built parts, takes 10 minutes ... there are some great articles on types of synths you can make which are more involved and satisfying heres one thevinylfactory.com/features/8-diy-analogue-synthesizers-you-can-build-at-home/

[@WillianSilva-yk7bz]

@@GaryHayes thanks man, I really appreciate!!!

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Wonderful sounds from budget gear...,.that's what I like...will have to commit to one of these and just give up on all that eurorack and elektron gear...no point in getting in debt when music like this can be created at a fraction of the cost...nice one Gary. Liked & shared.

[@GaryHayes]

Yes a few other commenters have made similar remarks about not needing to spend a fortune. Thats why I like the volcas and these little boxes (certainly over the expensive tinys like the OP-1). That said I do like the surface limited instruments (cheap end) but also ones like the analog four, which is both surface but you can go deep if you want to too - whether deep means better results, that is up to you and the listener

[@dillipphunbar7924]

@@GaryHayes I have to base it on affordability because I am poor and have no means of income. Would love the more expensive equipment, though not the op1 on principle...that company is greedy

[@Chewbury]

@@GaryHayes seconded. Sitting here looking at the obscene amount of kit I'm surrounded by and thinking it's maybe time to downsize!

[@JDSoundsets]

Very nice I love mine :) Subbed

[@GaryHayes]

Thanks for the sub!

[@CoolGreenApple]

Awesome use of 7, kinda like a prog ambient piece

[@GaryHayes]

Yes I tend to use 5s or 7s all the time in these little pieces so to keep the music more second guessing ... cheers CGA

[@rossquaresmini5834]

assolutamente oki !!

[@GaryHayes]

thanks Ross

[@KyleBartReidFilm]

Doooooope bro

[@GaryHayes]

cheers Kyle

[@KyleBartReidFilm]

@@GaryHayes inspired me to get this setup

[@GaryHayes]

@@KyleBartReidFilm cool - have fun!