It’s not often that when a new overdrive, distortion or fuzz pedal is released you say to yourself, “now this is different!”. Well, this is exactly the case with Korg’s Nu:Tekt branded TR-S Power Tube Reactor and HD-S Harmonic Distortion effect pedals. These pedals certainly push the ordinary boundaries of what you would normally expect from tube/overdrive/distortion/fuzz-type pedals. Besides the versatility and type of tones that these pedals are capable of, one of the quirky advantages of the Nu: Tekt series is that you assemble these yourself. The kits don’t require soldering, and the necessary tools for assembly are included.
Check out Andy’s home video to hear the versatility and sonic differences these pedals produce across guitar, bass, synth and even drums!
Nu: Tekt TR-S Power Tube Reactor
According to Korg, the TR-S features a patent-pending circuit design that drives the compression for the vacuum tube itself. The Nutube recreates sag (the compression feeling), a behaviour of vacuum tube power amps that can be used in a variety of situations such as when you’re playing through a transistor amp or recording on a desktop music setup. The TR-S also includes three trimmer knobs inside the top cover of the housing, in addition to the four knobs on the panel, which brings you even closer to the sound you want. The TR-S also achieves a natural-sounding compression effect with other instruments besides the guitar.
Features at a glance
- Tube-like compression and feel in any situation
- Nutube’s unique circuit configuration, in which the vacuum tube itself is operated by compression
- The natural compression effect can be used for instruments other than guitar.
- In addition to the four knobs on the panel, there are three adjustment knobs inside the TR-S so you can further customize your settings.
- Easy and fast to assemble – and no soldering required!
Nu: Tekt HD-S Harmonic Distortion
The HD-S effects pedal combines three different distortion circuits to create harmonic modulation. This effects unit was developed by Fumio Mieda, developer of many famous legendary devices such as the Univibe. What we found is that this pedal differs from the usual “fuzz” or “distortion” pedal in many ways. It allows you to freely combine the three different distortion circuits to produce a wide range of sounds, from the traditional fuzz to out-of-this-world distorted sounds and more. We found that this wide range of traditional and all-new sounds meant that the HD-S can be used not only with guitars but also with bass guitars, synths and drums!
Comments from Fumio Mieda
“As of 2022, sixty years have passed since the first compact effects unit, the Maestro Fuzz-Tone was released. Even nowadays, distortion-based effects including overdrive and distortion are the mainstay for guitar effects units, and the vast majority of these effects units are simply rehashing the sounds of the past. For this reason, we’ve developed a new kind of distortion based on harmonic synthesis that covers both traditional and all-new sounds.”
Features at a glance
- Three distortion circuits create previously unheard sounds that go from conservative fuzz to aggressive distortion and so much more.
- In addition to the four knobs on the panel, there are three extra interior adjustment knobs to fine-tune your sound.
- Comes with a sticker with a portrait of the legendary creator, Fumio Mieda
- The HD-Scan be used with guitars of course, but also bass, and synths.
- Easy and fast to assemble – and no soldering required!
So if you are looking for something a little different and like the idea of building your own pedal with a D.I.Y kit, then check out these Nu: Tekt pedals at a dealer near you.
Expect to pay $349.00 for either pedal.
Korg Nu: Tekt pedals are distributed by CMI Music & Audio in Australia
