- The Korg NTS-4 is a compact analog mixer with 6 channels (4 stereo + 2 mono), capable of handling up to 10 sources.
- Its mono inputs are Eurorack-compatible, with switchable line/modular levels.
- It comes with two effects stages: a stereo SEND per channel and a TOTAL FX that processes the entire mix.
- The USB-C audio/MIDI connection (48 kHz / 24-bit) links it directly to your DAW, computer, or smartphone.
We got our hands on the Korg NTS-4 at the office ahead of its release, and it didn’t take long before the whole team was hooking up Volcas and Eurorack modules at the same time. It’s clearly the missing piece for a lot of hardware setups looking to stay properly connected, on stage or in the home studio.
Volcas, compact drum machines, compact synths, Eurorack modules: these machines rarely talk to each other well without a mixer built for the job. The NTS-4 meets that need with an approach that’s both simple and thorough. Here’s how it fits into a hardware setup, and why its compact size doesn’t stop it from punching above its weight.
Analog mixer with 6 channels (4 stereo + 2 mono) able to mix up to 10 audio signals from compact instruments, synths or Eurorack modules.
The mono inputs are Eurorack-compatible, with switchable line/modular levels for direct integration with modular systems, no extra adapter box needed. The level choice is made during setup: make sure to select line or modular depending on your setup.
Two effects stages are on board: a stereo SEND effect per channel and a TOTAL FX at the master level, to shape the whole mix with filters, saturation and dynamics processing. The CUE and MUTE buttons on each channel let you pre-listen to sounds and make clean cuts live.
On the connectivity side, USB-C audio and MIDI (48 kHz / 24-bit) links the NTS-4 directly to a DAW, computer or smartphone, plus SEND/RETURN connections to add external effects processors. All of it housed in a steel chassis built for the stage.
Spec sheet – Korg NTS-4
| Type | Compact analog mixer |
|---|---|
| Channels | 6 channels (4 stereo + 2 mono) · up to 10 audio signals mixable simultaneously |
| Eurorack inputs | Eurorack-compatible mono inputs · switchable line/modular levels |
| Effects | Stereo SEND effect per channel + TOTAL FX at the master (filters, saturation, dynamics) |
| Live performance | CUE and MUTE buttons on each channel for pre-listening and live cuts |
| Connectivity | USB-C audio/MIDI 48 kHz / 24-bit SEND / RETURN |
| Compatibility | DAWs, computers, and mobile devices (smartphone, tablet) |
| Chassis | Rugged steel, built for heavy stage use |
| Verdict | Strengths
Worth noting
|
The nerve center of your hardware setup
With its 6 analog channels (4 stereo and 2 mono), the Korg NTS-4 lets you connect and mix up to 10 audio sources at once. Volcas, NTS instruments, drum machines, and compact synthesizers all find their place naturally.
The Eurorack-compatible mono inputs, with their switchable line/modular levels, make it easy to integrate modular systems without an adapter box. A real time-saver if you change your setup often.
Performance tools built for live use
This analog mixer comes with functions dedicated to the stage. The CUE and MUTE buttons on each channel let you pre-listen to sounds, prep transitions, and make rhythmic cuts in real time.
The two built-in effects stages, a stereo SEND per channel and a TOTAL FX at the master, open up plenty of creative options: modulation, filtering, saturation, dynamics. The SEND/RETURN connections also make it easy to add an external effects processor to the chain.
Modern connectivity in an ultra-compact format
Thanks to its USB-C audio and MIDI connection (48 kHz / 24-bit), the NTS-4 bridges your hardware instruments, your DAW, and your mobile devices. You can record, stream, or produce directly from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, all while keeping the hands-on feel of an analog mixer.
Its steel chassis guarantees solid stability on stage and in the studio, even when every connection is in use. A detail that matters when the setup gets built and broken down at every show.
FAQ – Understanding the Korg NTS-4
How many audio sources can the Korg NTS-4 mix?
The Korg NTS-4 offers 6 analog channels (4 stereo + 2 mono), letting you connect and mix up to 10 audio signals simultaneously.
Is the NTS-4 compatible with a Eurorack system?
Yes. Its mono inputs are Eurorack-compatible, with switchable line/modular levels, for direct integration without extra hardware.
Can you record directly to a smartphone with this mixer?
Yes, thanks to its USB-C audio and MIDI connection (48 kHz / 24-bit), the NTS-4 connects just as well to a DAW as to a smartphone or tablet.
What’s the difference between the SEND effect and the TOTAL FX?
The stereo SEND effect applies channel by channel (ideal for reverb or delay), while the TOTAL FX processes the entire mix at the master level, with filters, saturation, and dynamics.
Is the NTS-4’s chassis suited for stage use?
Yes, its steel chassis was designed to stay stable even when every connection is in use, an important point for setups that travel.
A mixer built to last on stage
The Korg NTS-4 checks plenty of boxes for anyone looking to structure a hardware setup without piling up boxes. Mixing, effects, live performance, and USB-C connectivity all fit into a compact, rugged format.
If your setup keeps growing but is missing a real central hub to tie everything together, this analog mixer clearly deserves a test run. We’ll keep following its evolution and early user feedback on the Woodbrass blog.
