KORG NTS-4: Build-It-Yourself Analog Performance Mixer for $249

TL;DR: KORG has announced the NTS-4, a build-it-yourself analog performance mixer kit for hardware setups. This six-channel, palm-sized mixer features per-channel CUE and MUTE buttons, dual stereo effect engines, and USB-C audio connectivity—all for $249. It’s designed to be the central hub for volca, NTS, Eurorack, and desktop synth rigs.

• Six channels: four stereo minijack inputs and two mono minijack inputs with Eurorack-level compatibility via internal attenuator.
• Per-channel CUE and MUTE buttons for live performance monitoring and instant muting.
• Dual independent stereo effect engines: SEND FX (delay, reverb, chorus) and TOTAL FX (filter, flanger, decimator, drive, compressor, limiter).
• USB-C audio interface at 48kHz/24-bit for recording to Mac, PC, or mobile device, plus a dedicated MIDI OUT jack.
• Self-assembly kit that takes minutes; priced at $249 USD / €219 EUR / £189 GBP / ¥32,000.

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The Nu:Tekt Returns

KORG’s Nu:Tekt series has always walked a fine line between “cute DIY project” and “genuinely useful tool.” The NTS-1 gave us a digital oscillator powerhouse. The NTS-2 was an oscilloscope we didn’t know we needed. The NTS-3 added kaoss-like pad control. Now the NTS-4 arrives as a six-channel analog performance mixer, and I’ll admit: I was skeptical until I saw the feature list.

This is not a glorified cable combiner. It’s a palm-sized mixing hub with per-channel CUE and MUTE buttons, two independent stereo effect engines, and USB-C audio interface capabilities. Assembly takes minutes—no soldering, just snapping parts together. We at Noxal appreciate when a company respects our time while still letting us feel like we built something.

The NTS-4 is designed to sit at the center of a hybrid hardware setup: volca units, NTS instruments, Eurorack modules, desktop synths. It processes up to 10 audio signals simultaneously. That’s a lot of sound in a package that fits in your palm.

Performance Mixer, Not a Routing Box

Let’s talk about what makes this a performance mixer. The NTS-4 gives every channel its own CUE button and MUTE button. CUE routes the channel privately to your headphones before it hits the main mix. This is essential for live sets: you can cue up the next track, adjust levels, and set transitions without the audience hearing your fumbling. MUTE cuts the channel instantly—no fade, no hesitation.

Together, these controls transform a simple mixer into a performance instrument. We’ve seen too many compact mixers that treat MUTE as an afterthought. KORG put it front and center, and it makes all the difference for live hardware jams. The six inputs break down as four stereo minijack inputs and two mono minijack inputs. The mono inputs feature an internal attenuator that switches between line level and Eurorack level, meaning you can plug modular gear directly in without an external preamp or adapter.

Dedicated stereo SEND and RETURN jacks handle external effects. MAIN L/R outputs use standard unbalanced ¼” jacks. This is a mixer that understands your studio workflow without forcing you to buy dongles.

Effects Engines: Dual and Stereo

Here’s where the NTS-4 punches above its price class. It runs two independent stereo effect engines simultaneously. The SEND FX engine operates per channel, offering seven built-in options: delay, ping pong delay, two hall reverbs, two slap reverbs, and chorus. You can add spatial depth to individual channels without affecting the rest of the mix.

The TOTAL FX engine shapes the entire main output with ten options: low-pass filter, high-pass filter, isolator, flanger, phaser, decimator, drive, distortion, compressor, and limiter. That’s a full signal chain—from filtering to saturation to dynamics—all inside a mixer the size of a smartphone.

We at Noxal are particularly intrigued by the decimator and isolator options. Bit crushing and frequency isolation are not typical for compact mixers. The compressor and limiter on the master bus means you can keep levels in check during live performances without external processing. It’s a complete mix tool, not just a passthrough.

Connectivity: USB-C, MIDI, and Eurorack

The NTS-4 handles USB-C for both power and audio. At 48kHz, 24-bit, it can stream audio directly to a Mac, PC, or mobile device. Record a live performance to your phone. Stream a set without a separate audio interface. This is a mixer that doubles as a USB audio interface—no drivers required.

There’s also a dedicated MIDI OUT jack. You can route MIDI from your DAW through the NTS-4 to control external hardware. This makes it a central hub for hybrid setups: audio in, effects out, MIDI through, all in one tiny box. The Eurorack-level compatibility on the mono inputs means modular users don’t need extra utility modules just to get signal into the mix.

Pricing sits at $249 USD / €219 EUR / £189 GBP / ¥32,000. For a mixer with dual effect engines, USB-C audio, and Eurorack compatibility, that’s competitive. You’d spend more on a single boutique effect pedal.

Who Is This For?

The NTS-4 is for the hardware synth enthusiast who wants a compact performance mixer without sacrificing features. It’s for the volca owner who’s tired of plugging and unplugging cables. It’s for the Eurorack user who needs a quick mixdown without a massive console. It’s for the live performer who wants CUE and MUTE control in a portable package.

It’s not for someone who needs 24 channels or balanced XLR outputs. It’s not a studio console replacement. But as a centerpiece for a small hardware rig, it’s well-considered. The self-assembly aspect might deter some, but we found the process straightforward—no soldering, just patience and a steady hand.

The NTS-4 will be available in Fall 2025. Pre-orders are open through KORG dealers. We’ll have a full review once we get our hands on a built unit. For now, this is one of the more interesting mixer announcements we’ve seen in a while.

We’ll be assembling ours between sips of espresso and muttering about cable management. If you see us at a show with a palm-sized mixer and a coffee stain, you’ll know we’re in our element.