NAMM 2020: Korg Nu:Tekt DIY range adds distortion pedal and headphone amp

The OD-S Overdrive and HA-S Headphone Amp will be exhibited next week at NAMM

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Korg Nu:Tekt NAMM 2020 Hero

NAMM 2020: Next week, Korg will have two new valve Nu:Tekt devices on show: OD-S Nutube Overdrive and HA-S Nutube Headphone Amplifier.

Korg’s Nu:Tekt collection started with the NTS-1 digital synthesiser and requires you to assemble it yourself out the box. Following suit, the HA-S and OD-S effect units will come as a DIY kit that you will enjoy putting together as if it were Lego.

These two modules incorporate Korg’s Nutube, a vacuum tube that applies fluorescent display technology to achieve substantial power saving and quality improvements in comparison to a conventional vacuum tube.

Feedback? Negative

Korg’s HA-S is a Headphone Amplifier kit that, when assembled, is portable to enough offer high-quality audio in any environment. No soldering is required to build the amp, meaning you won’t need any prior experience to get this warm, analogue tube-driven signal boost to your sound sources.

With a Negative Feedback switch, you are able to choose between a high fidelity tone with clarity, or a warmer, more harmonically rich sound that is usually expected from a vacuum tube.

Korg Nu:tekt HA-S

Korg has included two OP amp options for the output for more flexibility in sound modding. The NJM4580 is the industry standard, whilst the MUSES01 is a more premium oriented option, both from JRC. Audiophiles will be pleased to hear that these can be easily replaced to customise and adapt the sound of the HA-S as much as they like.

Into Overdrive

The second Nutube-equipped kit to be showcased at NAMM is the OD-S Overdrive. According to Korg, “making your own pedal has never been easier”. Two gain knobs are featured on the unit, Gain and Tube Gain. Gain will allow you to adjust the input level to the vacuum tube, and the anode load of the vacuum tube amp circuit can be changed with Tube Gain.

Similar to the HA-S, the OD-S has a switch on board that lets you choose between two different overdrive types, with different Low to High ranges and a True Bypass, which could make this an ideal pedal for live performances.

Korg Nu:Tekt OD-S

Again, those fond of modifying their audio gear will take joy in the options available for customising the unit further, with a layout that allows you to change discrete components.

The pricing of the Nu:Tekt is currently TBC, as is the official date of release. Both units will be exhibited at NAMM next week, which you can follow here.

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