Sculpting Sound with the S-4: Can a Single Sine Wave Become a Track?

I filmed a video using the Torso S-4 and the KORG Nu:Tekt NTS-2 oscilloscope kit.

This time, I stepped away from my usual style of carefully constructing a track and took an experimental approach:

“How far can I turn a single sine wave into music?”

In this article, I’ll explain in detail how the sound transforms step by step over time.

[embed]

Please note that the content of this article is based solely on my personal experience and perspective.

Table of Contents

・Purpose of the Video

— Creativity Lies in Detours

・About the KORG NTS-2

・Sound Transformations

1. Granular Effect 1 (00:00–)
2. Spatial Effects (00:30–)
3. Granular Effect 2 (01:00–)
4. Filter (01:24–)
5. Modulation (02:41–)
6. Into Chaos

・Conclusion

・v2.0 Release

Purpose of the Video

I sent a simple sine wave from the KORG NTS-2 into the Torso S-4, and by applying granular effects, filters, and other real-time modulation, I challenged myself to see whether it could eventually sound like a complete track.

Creating music under the restriction of using only a single sine wave felt almost like a form of discipline or training. As the piece developed, some sounds turned out the way I liked, while others didn’t — it was a process full of trial and error.

However, because the oscillator was so simple, the changes made with the S-4 stood out clearly. In the end, I unexpectedly gained a wider range of sound design techniques from the experiment.

Creativity Lies in Detours

This is a bit of a tangent, but personally, I find it fascinating when I turn an image that comes to mind while experimenting with gear into sound.

It’s not always about creating a perfectly finished track — I’m also deeply interested in the process of freely experimenting and exploring sounds itself.

Even if these experimental attempts don’t go as planned, there’s a good chance they’ll lead to discoveries that can’t be made through conventional music production.

It’s like taking a completely unfamiliar route instead of the one you always use — you might end up finding a great little shop you never knew existed, even if it’s farther from your destination.

I believe creativity often hides within detours that may seem wasteful or inefficient at first glance.

Going forward, I want to keep pursuing things that interest me, even if others might say, “What’s the point of doing that?”

Nu:Tekt NTS-2 Oscilloscope Kit

About the KORG NTS-2

[embed]NTS-2 oscilloscope kit - MULTIFUNCTIONAL UTILITY KIT | KORG (USA) The modern musician's multi-toolwww.korg.com

Let me briefly introduce the KORG Nu:Tekt NTS-2 oscillator kit, which I used for the sine wave output in this video.

This device can be easily assembled without any soldering and can also run on batteries. In addition to visually checking audio signals from synthesizers using its oscilloscope or spectrum analyzer functions, it also features a tuner and can function as an oscillator by using the waveform generator mode.

NTS-2 Waveform Generator Mode

While there are plugins that can serve similar purposes, I decided to buy the NTS-2 because it’s handy for quickly checking the waveform of hardware gear or when I want to use a simple oscillator.

It’s compact, well-designed, and reasonably priced, which makes it one of my favorite tools.

Sound Transformations

Here, I’ll explain the changes in sound that occur in the video.

Please note that I do not fully understand the S-4, so there may be aspects I haven’t completely grasped. I ask for your understanding in advance.

[embed]

1. Granular Effect 1 (00:00–)

To make an otherwise static sine wave sound like music, pitch variation is essential.

I started by using the granular effect to alter the pitch, added movement with the PATTERN, and adjusted the length of the effected sound using SIZE.

Gradually increasing the WET amount from 0 made the movement in the sound more noticeable, making the changes easier to hear. At this point, the WET was around 80%, so the original sine wave could still be heard alongside the effect.

I also preconfigured the LFO modulation (MOD) to apply variations to the pitch and other parameters.

2. Spatial Effects (00:30–)

Adjusting the reverb mix added a sense of depth to the sound, creating an ambient atmosphere. At the same time, I added a slight delay to give the sound more spatial width.

3. Granular Effect 2 (01:00–)

Setting the WET to 100% left only the effected sound, which started to sound more like a track.

Increasing the SIZE made the sound sustain longer, and dynamic expression began to emerge.

4. Filter (01:24–)

Using the LPF to cut the high frequencies softened the sound’s edges and added more expressiveness.

At 01:28, I slightly increased the SHAPE on the NTS-2 to make the sine wave attack faster. This was intended to balance the high frequencies cut by the filter.

I also adjusted the TONE to slightly reduce the low end and applied WAVE to the filter to introduce periodic movement.

At this point, the sound is still simple, but it already conveys a sense of musicality.

5. Modulation (02:41–)

By further altering the preconfigured LFO modulation, I made the changes in the sound more complex.

Adjusting the SIZE in particular introduced periodic changes in the sound’s length, creating a more musical atmosphere.

From 03:01, I increased the SHAPE on the NTS-2 from 70 to 80 to make the attack faster and clarify the sound’s edges.

At this point, the sound began to convey an ambient, contemporary music-like atmosphere.

6. Into Chaos

Afterward, I varied the settings of the granular effect, and around 05:00, the sustained sounds gradually layered on top of each other, moving into a chaotic state.

In the end, I increased the NOISE level, creating a sense of hazy, overall texture to close the piece.

Conclusion

Even with a simple sine wave, sending it through the S-4 showed that it’s possible to create a track-like atmosphere.

By using the S-4’s modulation to introduce periodic or random changes and adjusting the granular effects to taste, I was able to produce a satisfying ambient vibe.

It’s interesting when conventional synthesizers provide clear guidance, like “move this parameter to get the exact sound you imagine,” but with the S-4, the process is more about exploring sounds through trial and error, never fully knowing how it will turn out — which I also find fascinating.

The S-4 can produce unexpected expressions in an ambient live setting. One method I often use is to run a recorded track through the S-4, record it again, and then trim only the parts I like.

Another fun idea is to sample sounds or textures you like and use them for rhythms or other creative purposes.

v2.0 Release

On June 19, 2025, the firmware v2.0 was finally released. It included numerous bug fixes for performance improvements and crash avoidance, among other enhancements. In addition, the following new features were implemented:

• PERFORM: Global macros and punch-in effects. Any parameter on all four tracks of the S-4 can now be assigned to eight slider macros (both unipolar and bipolar supported).
• SCENE: Save and recall up to 128 snapshots per project, capturing the full state of the device. Using CHANCE or RULE, scenes can be played in sequence or randomly chained.
• TEMP: Temporarily change parameters during performance and instantly revert using the [TEMP] button.
• COPY: Use the [COPY] button to copy and paste scenes, tracks, or devices.
• DISC: Added a new device, MATERIAL, for direct audio streaming from internal storage.
• FOLLOW: Added a new envelope follower as a modulation source. It can use internal or external audio as a control signal, with adjustable attack/release, sample & hold, and application to any parameter.
• Track Launch: Start and stop each track individually from the mix view. The traditional track mute function has been moved to [CTRL] operations.

[embed]

I plan to continue using the S-4 for music production.

Thank you very much for reading until the end.

Index page

[embed][**The Archive: where every idea lives

• Welcome to my story index -* Hi there! This is an index page where I’ve grouped my articles by category. Enjoy browsing!*medium.com](https://medium.com/@nicafelt/the-archive-where-every-idea-lives-welcome-to-my-story-index-189caa487f6e)