The Korg Nu:Tekt HS-2 Harmonic Distortion is a DIY kit pedal: it ships semi-assembled, needs no soldering, and comes with all the tools required to put it together. It is a harmonic distortion effect, developed by Fumio Mieda, the original designer of many legendary Korg pedals and synths such as the Univibe and the MS-201.
Like other pedals in the Nu:Tekt line, it uses Korg's Nutube, a mini-tube visible through a glass opening on the bottom left of the pedal. Korg describes the device as delivering amp-like character in the form of "sag", the compression feeling typical of vacuum tube power amps1.
Controls
The HS-2's control layout splits into two groups. Three trim pots labeled "Harmonic", accessible directly from the top of the case, let you combine three separate distortion circuits. By using these trimmer knobs to adjust the balance between the three different distortion circuits, you can create a wide range of distortion tones1.
On top of that, four main knobs control other, more traditional aspects of the tone1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 3x Harmonic trim pots | Set the balance between three separate distortion circuits1 |
| 4 main knobs | Control traditional aspects of the tone1 |
The Nu:Tekt kit approach
Because the HS-2 is a kit, building it is part of the design. The pedal arrives semi-assembled and requires no soldering, with all the necessary tools for assembly included in the box1. That makes it approachable for a player who wants to understand what is inside their distortion without needing workshop skills.
Related pedals
The HS-2 is a DIY kit pedal from Korg's subsidiary, developed by Fumio Mieda, the original designer of many legendary Korg pedals and synths like the Univibe and the MS-201. For a wider look at the category, see the site's pages on Distortion Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Fuzz Pedals.
News
Sources (1)
- New Pedal Kit: Korg Nu:Tekt HS-2 Harmonic Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-12
