Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-3 Synthesizer

KAOSS Touch Performance in a DIY Multi-FX Kit

The Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-3 kaoss pad kit packs the iconic KAOSS XY pad touch interface into a compact, programmable DIY effects unit built for live performance. With up to 4 simultaneous effects drawn from a 35-effect engine, this model turns finger gestures on the metal touchplate into real-time filter sweeps, delay throws, reverb swells and oscillator modulations. The Nu:Tekt NTS-3 kaoss pad kit is the right choice for performers, producers and sound designers who want a tactile, performance-grade multi-FX that fits in a backpack and integrates into any rig.

What Sets the NTS-3 Apart in the Multi-FX Category

Few multi-FX units let performers stack four effects at once with full per-effect parameter editing on the hardware itself. This kit goes further with the open logueSDK on GitHub, allowing users to develop entirely new effects and load them via the dedicated KORG KONTROL Editor and Librarian. An internal switch converts the Sync I/O to MIDI for hardware sequencer integration, and 3D data plus schematics are published for physical customisation.

35-Effect Engine With 4-Slot Stacking

The effects engine is the heart of any KAOSS unit, and this model delivers a curated 35-effect library covering every core processing category. Players can run individual effects or stack up to four simultaneously with independent on/off control and configurable routing, then save the combination as a performance program for instant recall on stage.

• Total Effects: 35 — covers filter, modulation, delay, reverb, mastering, oscillator, looper and grain-shifter categories
• Filter Effects: 5 — high-pass, low-pass, isolator and decimator sculpting tools
• Modulation Effects: 6 — chorus, phaser, tremolo and LFO-driven movement
• Delay Effects: 4 — tempo-synced throws and rhythmic repeats
• Reverb Effects: 5 — including the distinctive Submarine Reverb character
• Mastering Effects: 7 — onboard tools for shaping the final mix bus
• OSC Effects: 3 — built-in oscillator-driven sound sources

200 Programs, XY Pad and Latch Control

Memory and interface design determine how fast a performer can move between ideas on stage. The unit ships with 100 preload programs and reserves 100 user slots for customised patches, all accessible via the KAOSS XY pad, dedicated Mute, FX Depth touch strip and tap BPM control. The Latch function lets one finger hold an effect while another is modulated, enabling layered performances with a single hand.

• Performance Programs: 200 total (100 preset + 100 user) — instant recall of stacked effect chains
• XY Pad: metal touchplate — drives Mute, FX Depth and tap BPM with finger gestures
• Latch Function: independent per-effect hold — control multiple effects simultaneously with one hand

USB-C Power, Sync/MIDI I/O and Headphone Monitoring

Compact multi-FX units live or die by their connectivity, and this one keeps the cabling minimal. It runs on USB bus power at 500 mA or less, so a single USB-C cable from a laptop or power bank is enough to run a full session. The 3.5 mm TRS audio I/O pair handles line-level signals, while the switchable Sync/MIDI pair keeps the unit locked to external gear.

• Power Supply: USB bus power mode, 500 mA or less — single-cable operation from laptop or power bank
• Audio I/O: 3.5 mm TRS stereo mini-phone jacks (IN and OUT) — line-level integration with mixers and instruments
• Sync I/O: 3.5 mm TRS mini-phone jacks (IN 20V max, OUT 5V) — switchable to MIDI via internal switch
• Headphone Output: 3.5 mm stereo mini-phone jack — private monitoring in any environment
• USB Port: Type-C — data transfer for Librarian, editor and firmware updates

Performers, Producers and DIY Sound Designers

This kit is the right choice for live performers who want a tactile, gesture-driven multi-FX that fits on a pedalboard or in a DJ booth. Electronic producers will appreciate the 35-effect engine and 200 program slots for shaping drum loops, synth lines and external instruments in the studio. The DIY assembly — under 20 minutes with no soldering — also makes it ideal for sound designers and educators who enjoy building their own tools. With switchable MIDI I/O, Sync IN/OUT and USB-C bus power, it slots into hybrid setups alongside volca gear, modular systems and computer-based DAWs.

The Nu:Tekt DIY Lineage and KAOSS Heritage

The Nu:Tekt series extends Korg's DIY philosophy into the modern era, offering solder-free kits that let musicians assemble their own instruments and effects. This model is the third entry in the line, joining the NTS-1 digital synth kit and the NTS-2 oscilloscope kit to complete what reviewers call the Holy Trinity of Korg NTS builds. By combining that DIY ethos with the legendary KAOSS XY pad architecture — first made famous in the KP3+ and KAOSS Replay — Korg delivers a programmable effect kit that bridges hands-on hardware building with stage-ready performance control.