Nord Modular

[Ruben A]

..is it great!??? I know it is- but give me the "kick" and I´ll buy one..

Name three great things and three bad things about this wonky "piano"!!!!

Does it make you sit in front of computer to much or?? Is it easy to use - work fine as a stand-alone machine and nasty as hell????!

thnx!

:)

[euterke]

I have 2 Micro Mods...

Goods :

1) Illimited creative process (only with polyphony' but when u start to play with this limit... can do some nice thing).
2) Kind of easy to learn compare to Reaktor Architecture
3) over to 26 000 patches available from the Topica mailing List


Cons :

1)Mod wheels don't come with the keybord version (but easely assignable with a nobs)
2)You will not sleep anymore...
3)Actually It's depends on the way you work... and if u like to create or rebuilt some patches... But it's definatly a must...

[c s]

Originally posted by euterke

2) Kind of easy to learn compare to Reaktor Architecture

hmm really ? actually i thought it's vice versa. i think the two different views in reaktor (structure & gui i.e. knobs, faders etc.) make it easier to get an overview, also the modules don't snap to one another which is - for me - a great advantage when trying to understand a structure and also while building. and thirdly the virtual cables never cover the modules. that's why i think reaktor is in fact easier to understand.

[Dibu-Z]

hi ruben...

pro:
- brilliant sound
- easy to use
- some new modules from time to time

contra:
-you´ll get addicted
- its a drug
- it won´t let you sleep

...i personally don´t like to watch on the screen all the time.
But if you have the money, buy it buy it buy it! Its a beast!!!

[mattp]

I've got a Nord Mod Rack ... best thing I've ever bought

My list ...

Pros

1. Sounds fantastic
2. Brilliant on-line community (loads and loads of patches every day)
3. You get to learn about all type of synthesis techniques
4. It's Red.

Cons

1. I never seem to write any music just patches ; (

[Ruben A]

... cool!!! But is it right you dump the patches over in the machine??? How is it connected to the computer??
I´m still too "old School" not using my laptop further than just as a sequencer - so I see the idea of creating my own patches and making them more "strange" and tough... but when playing I fysically turn the nobs on the machine..!!


That should be possible I guess!??
- I can read some reviews myself.... hehehe

[r_v]

Originally posted by Ruben A
... cool!!! But is it right you dump the patches over in the machine??? How is it connected to the computer??


Hi Ruben,

The modular has 2 MIDI ports; one for playing notes and so forth and one for control from the computer. This means that, if you're sequencing from your laptop, you'll need a MIDI interface with 2 ins and 2 outs. So, for editing and creating patches, you have the modular hooked up all the time and the changes you make can be heard real-time. You can create patches 'off-line' and then dump them over if you want though.

My pros and cons:

pro

1. Very well supported on-line with OS and editor updates and one of the biggest patch libraries plus tutorials and stuff.
2. Great for learning about sysnthesis and messing about. This instrument doesn't just encourage experimentation, it demands it!
3. It really is just about all things to all people, there is little that this box cannot accomplish if it puts its mind to it. I'm using it for all my drums at the moment. It makes a great drum synth.

con

1. Its limited. With almost every patch I create, I end up thinking "If I just had 10% more DSP power.... ". But this encourages you to be creative and squeeze the most out of the machine. Efficiency is the key!
2. Although there are ways round it, it can have a very 'digital' sound, the filters especially. You learn how to avoid it.
3. I don't like the fact that it ties you to a computer. I sequence mine on my MPC2000 and, if I didn't have to use the computer for editing the modular, I wouldn't use it at all. However, you seem to be using a computer for other applications already so this probably isn't a big concern for you.

I can't reccommend this synth enough. I love my MPC to death but my micro modular is vying pretty heavily for my affection right now.

Please get one Ruben, I wanna hear what you can do with it!

MPC + micro mod makes a great combination for live use. Its what I'm using just now.

peace out

r_v

[Dibu-Z]

Yeah its right. I use a midiman 4x4 to connect it with my pc.
You can store the patches with all controllers in the Nord and switch between them while running. Great for playing live

[Ruben A]

hmm.. it all sounds very nice!!!!

MPC2000; had one once. Kind of disapointed cause it couldn´t place one sample into a whole keyboard - you had to place each sample into keys!!!??? So I sold it again - should have replaced my Akai sampler.
But I know it could be the spot when it comes to live acts! I really don´t see myself in front of a laptop.. I wanna press buttoms and tweek knobs and stuff... thta´s me!

So maybe I should have a look on that too - again!

Hey, anyone wanna buy my:

Roland SH-101
Roland JD-800
Korg Ms-20

???
8-()

[Dibu-Z]

I lust after a MS20 a long time...unfortunately haven´t the fuckin money, need a MPC2000 first. Hmmm won´t you skip it to me, because of you got both T elepathicslol

[mattp]

For a pretty in-depth review of the Nord Modular ... have a look @

Original Review Part One (http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/apr98/articles/nord_modular.html)

Orginal Review Part Two (http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/may98/articles/clavia.html)

Version 3.03 Upgrade (Latest Version Of The OS) (http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/jul00/articles/clavia.htm)

enjoy ...

[Ruben A]

it´s gonna be expensive then - fuck you boosted those records to a higer level..hahahahaha!!!lol

It´s sad to say goodbye to it - but I don´t use it too much...so.

I´m just so hooked on that Modular.

[Dibu-Z]

I take over the shipping costs, so it will costs you nothing mate!lol

Or gimme those fucking records! 8-()

[Ruben A]

IT´S (the ms20) gonna be expensive...!!!!!
Not the shipping... maybe, it would...Yeah, it sure would be expensive aswell.. but you´ll pay that? Fine with me.

haha

Let´s see

The records - no. I´ve been looking for those in years!

[Dibu-Z]

Yeah me too, was happy to see both at the same time. Maybe i´ll get them tomorrow...haha

[Ruben A]

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...r.r.: D

[Dibu-Z]

Check out Clavia (http://www.clavia.se) !!!

There you´ll find a lot of infos of the editor and all the modules!

[syt]

1 real reason ! it's the most flexible synth I know sofar!

but realy if you wanna buy it then buy it coz there is no other like this only a computer does more! but I prefere the modular sound compared with soundcards!... I only have a Micro and it's the first thing that doesn't bore me after a year! well eather a modular or the fattest PC or MAC you can get together with Reaktor. it's the only thing I can compare with it eventhough reactor does much more, ofcause Raktor has + and - aswell ,hope this helps?!:)

[mr.shot]

I propose a Waldorf Q+ ---->

General Features:

up to 100 voices
16 part multi timbral
300 single programs
100 multi programs
100 step sequencer patterns
20 drum maps
58 endless dials
39 buttons for editing
2 x 20 character display
5 octave keyboard
1 Pitch Bend Wheel,1 Modulation Wheel
2 Control Buttons
6 analog outputs (3 stereo outs)
2 analog inputs (1 stereo in)
1 coax S/PDIF output (44.1kHz)
MIDI In/Out/Thru
2 Switch Inputs (e.g. Sustain Pedal, Gate In etc.)
2 CV Inputs (e.g. Foot Pedal, external controller etc.)
built-in universal voltage power supply
Dimensions: Width 995mm, Height 135mm, Depth 360mm
rubyred colored

Per Voice:

up to 5 Oscillators per voice
Pulse with Pulse Width Modulation
Sawtooth
Triangle
Sine
2 wavetables with 128 waves each plus Sub Oscillator per Alt Wave
FM, Oscillator sync
Noise generator
Ring Modulator
Mixer with Balance, each signal source (oscillator, noise, ringmod, external audio material) can be balanced individually between filter 1 and filter 2
2 independent multimode filters with different types including a fat comb filter and legendary PPG filter
16 analog filters with resonance and analog distortion
Modulation Matrix with 16 slots, freely routable
Pre-routed Modulation destinations, sources selectable
modulation update frequency in audio range to allow the oscillators to be used as modulation sources
4 Modifiers
Arpeggiator with user pattern, including accents, timing information, swing, glide, chords and more
Step Sequencer with 32 steps, polyphonic, different controller values per step
3 LFOs up to audio range (> 1000 Hz)
4 envelopes, enhanced ADSR configuration with loop and one shot function, bipolar
Poly, Mono, Dual, Unisono modes
HMT for realtime tuning
2 individual high-quality effects per sound
Effect Types:
Reverb
2 x Surround Delay
Tap Delay
Chorus
Flanger
Phaser
Distortion
Delay
5 FX
Vocoder with 25 bands

[d-stroy]

ruben:

1. get your couple of bucks left (even if you have to sell your ass on the street)

2. run to your local music store

3. and GRAB THAT MEAN RED KILLER BOMB ASS PIECEASSHIT!

trust me, your wintertime is booked then! no more parties, no more snowboarding, no more dates, you will just sit in front of that thing an plug the hell out around back and forth!

GET IT NOW!!!

[Ruben A]

...shit....shit... that´s too good!!?

I´m selling some stuff now.. Must have it! Thanks everybody - you have been helpfull!

[Dibu-Z]

....but be carefull Rups!

[syt]

If you're not nice to it it'll bite ya so watchout and welcome in da modula-scene!!!lol
good luck with your new beast!

[piscaries]

now that you've decided to get the modular, it would probably be good to get the wizoo guide for it too. and lucky you... they're clearing them out @ us$5! It used to cost us$35. just go to www.wizoo.com. mine is on its way to me - yay!

by the way- you will thank yourself once you have the mondular in your possesion. it is the most wonderful, most versatile thing i've ever encountered. it's an amazing synth, a great effects/filter box (great for tweaking samples), has nice vocoder modules, and you can also assign some of those knobs to midi controllers and control your external midi gear. there's not too much you can't do with this wonderful red box. oh, and as mentioned by many people before... plan on not sleeping for the first month after you get it. make sure you get on the topica mailing list as well.. there are some amazingly talented programmers on the list and there's always a constant flow of ideas and theories.

enjoy!

[M H]

All I can say, best bit o kit I ever bought...I have the full on 4 Part keyboard... you should see the state of my place now tho, looks like a bombs hit it ever since I had the nord... tidying up seems like far too much of a chore now I have more fun things to do... as for it sounding very digital, to be honest, you can get anything you want out of it, it sounds no more digital than any of the "anologue" softsynths about, but obviously sounds better than virtual instruments due to the fact the sound isn't coming out of a sound card... I love the MPC<>Nord Modular combination, be prepared for devastation when I embark on my live tour in october...

[Ruben A]

..the goal is to be joining the tour-idea! So - about to have enough money - will buy it soon. Can´t wait....! ;)

[r_v]

yey - Ruben's going on tour (at least that's the goal)! Nice one. Hope you can come to Scotland...

[Ruben A]

@r_v: yeahh.. I would love to visit Scotland!! But more to come... it´s gonna be hard to figure out how the shit should work out...zzzzz
Let´s see - maybe something great happens?

Anyway, who are you?

:)

[r_v]

Anyway, who are you?

Just a nobody from Edinburgh (my 'real' name is Harvey). I've got a small studio set up and I'm working towards getting a record out (gotta start a label first :( )and doing some live dates later this year with a club in Glasgow.

I've picked up a couple of your records locally, one of my faves is the War on Wheels E.P. on Pro-jex.

If you like, I'll post up some mp3s of my 'experiments' or send you a CD or something?

[Ruben A]

Okay, uhhh.. go ahead! :)

Ruben Andersen
Bjelkes Alle 26, 3.-66
2200 Köbenhavn N
Denmark

Goes out to the rest of you freaks - send me your stuff - I like music! (or what we call it!?)

[piscaries]

Originally posted by M H
...be prepared for devastation when I embark on my live tour in october...

you comin to chicago? i'd love to see you live.

[M H]

Working on sorting out some US dates as we speak..

[Vlendi]

another argument that is not needed : next OS for the NM soon
i am dreaming of getting those modulations (the "whatever" steps seq and all ) out on the midi out jack...
you can beg for rest, now

[zongkong]

I'm thinking of getting myself a Micro Modular; I'm interested in the vocoder patches - comments on these anyone?

[Triptonizer]

I don't know about the patches, but the vocoder itself is f*cking great: 16 analysis bands each of which can be rerouted, for the carrier part you can use one of the patches from the library, but also build your own synthesizer with the osc modules.
The sound quality is Clavia - enough said.

Only downside perhaps, although not so important when working with the vocoder: the micro has VERY limited CPU power/polyphony, compared to native software on today's pc's.

[zongkong]

triptonizer - that sounds very interesting (about the vocoder).

hmm aight so it's worth getting the big stuff then you think?
the rack version has actually come down to a good price here (in sweden), about 700-800 euro.. (dunno if that's the upgraded version though)

[Triptonizer]

€ 800 for a full modular rack? that's almost what I paid for the micro a year or two ago... Depends on what you wanna do, if it's just for the vocoder a micro will do, but if you're into modular sound design at all, and would want to use it as a polyphonic/multitimbral synth (would be a shame if you didn't), and have the money :) , then go for the big one I'd say; you won't regret it.

On the polyphony issue: a vocoder module is the most cpu hungry of the lot, it takes up 49% of the chip's resources! (a big Nord Modular has 4 such chips, a micro only 1) Imagine what you could do if the modular was equipped with a modern day powerhorse instead of this chip from years back.......

[zongkong]

Well, I don't know about you, but I always do my best stuff when I have limited resources actually..
then again, of course I'd like the big one :)
but I think I'll settle for the Micro this time - it's just a lot cheaper than the big one.. (about 300-350 euro here)

Do you know if it's possible to control the parameters in the Micro from my Pocket control?

[Ruben A]

"Well, I don't know about you, but I always do my best stuff when I have limited resources actually.. "

limited resources..... - you have to be creative!!! That´s very good!


So I´m actually glad I have sold a lot of my gear now. Must take a look on what I have left. hmmhm

[Triptonizer]

Originally posted by zongkong
Do you know if it's possible to control the parameters in the Micro from my Pocket control?
As in Doepfer pocket? Yeps, no prob, it has three freely assignable knobs of its own, and then you can use any remote controller if you need more.... I have a Phatboy and midi keyboard hooked up to a pc usb midi interface, I send MIDI from the pc (using either Cubase or MIDIOX) to the micro.

Mind you you'll need 2 MIDI ports to control the micro, one for realtime control, keyboard, sequencer etc. and one to communicate with the software editor. So if you're running a software sequencer, or if you're used to sending MIDI data from the pc to outboard gear, you'll need an additional port reserved solely for the editor!

[zongkong]

aight, thx for the info trip!

ruben - have you got your big one yet then?

[Ruben A]

..still waiting.... zzzz... but it´s sooo close now. It´s somewhere between Schweiz and Denmark.

uuhuuh....hephep...uhuuhuh

[Ruben A]

AHRHHAAHRHARHARHRHARAHARRHRAHA RHRh.rhARHa.rh,h,rh,arh,,a,rh, ah,a,ha,har.h.arh.arhr--.rh.rh.r.h.dkgldg--d-f--d-f--f-fd

(I got the modular today)...
TAWRTWRWERWFAWERarA3RWRA34RAW. ..FUCKFUCKF...FKF..IT´S AWESOME...TOTALLY...AdaraDFUCK ED....ST...UP...

WILL NOT SLEEP ANYMORE... WON´T BE AT THE BOARD FOR SOME TIME...OHOOHOHOH....
.the vocoder is incredible!!!
lol lol lol

[M H]

Ruben, check out my funky little dx patch on the downloads page....

[zongkong]

hihi

I'm getting mine on monday :D
*joy*

[Ruben A]

hahahaha... yeah, good luck with the "child"! :D

[Triptonizer]

Where (did u find that)? When? Specs?

Can't wait...... :!

[syt]

Originally posted by Triptonizer
Where (did u find that)? When? Specs?

Can't wait...... :!

that was a mistake ! it's still top secret so shout up about it please! but it's gonna happen that's for sure! thanks !

[mattp]

In a poll held receintly on the maillist these were the top bunch of the wish list for version 4.0 ..

197: midi out from modules
184: MIDI synced LFOs
176: Internal audio & ctrl routing between the different slots...
138: no interrupts when loading patches
129: "multi" files - a file that contains the four patches and the synth
settings


It's thought that @ least these will appear in the next version.

[syt]

so it wasn`t that secret at all well I think they will make us all happy with it!

[zongkong]

monday is so close
but has yet to come
my micro will arrive..

:)

[Triptonizer]

try to concentrate on something else and keep that bloodpressure under control lol

[syt]

someone's getting nervous here!
have a beer or two lean back go to bed and dream of all the new sound you'll be experiencing from of monday! coz it's going to be a long night I swear!

[zongkong]

hehe..
I got myself a headset mic last friday for the vocoder part.. :)

[Ruben A]

you´re actually gonna communicate with the box??

[actionjetzon]

Originally posted by euterke
I have 2 Micro Mods...

Goods :

1) Illimited creative process (only with polyphony' but when u start to play with this limit... can do some nice thing).
2) Kind of easy to learn compare to Reaktor Architecture
3) over to 26 000 patches available from the Topica mailing List


Cons :

1)Mod wheels don't come with the keybord version (but easely assignable with a nobs)
2)You will not sleep anymore...
3)Actually It's depends on the way you work... and if u like to create or rebuilt some patches... But it's definatly a must...


Where can i find that Topica Mailing List with all that patches....please post the link

cheers aj

[mattp]

Hi,

The modular list has left topica .... but can now be found @ http://www.code404.com/nord-modular/

[actionjetzon]

thanks mattp!:)

[mattp]

No probs ...

It's a fantastic list .... I never thought for one minute when I joined that any of the people who design synth patches would turn into heros of mine ...... but some of the people on there are brillient ..

Look out for patches from the following list members ....

Roland Kuit [roland.kuit@12move.nl]
Wout Blommers [blommoo@wanadoo.nl]
Jan Punter [J.Punter@iaf.nl]

[zongkong]

I got the micro today!
However, I have a problem - when using my mic (which I've tried in Wavelab and works perfectly there), it generates very very little sound into the micro.

Would anyone know why, and how to solve this?

[Triptonizer]

do you have a pre-amp? if you need good sound quality you really should use one (bitresolution blabla), for now you can add one (or more) amplifier modules (they multiply the input up to 4 times, i.e. +24dB)

and if you get bored, I've uploaded a little looppatch to sing along to :)

[marcin]

if you have mixer, for sure it has some built in preamps.
you can just plugin your mic into mic input then
use aux send to send signal to nord's input.

[syt]

I agree with those suggestions but don't get any mic-preamp or mixer I suggest VLZ-Mixers from makie they go up to 60dB and sound good!!! :) or anything alike!

[piscaries]

mackies tend to be a little noisy though. soundcraft seems to be a slightly better choice in that price range and they have excellent mic pre's. avoid roland mixers at all costs though... really high signal to noise ratio.

[zongkong]

Well, I've got a Soundcraft Spirit Auto (16 channels, 4 stereo subs, big and built like a tank :)),
however I'm not using it at the moment since I don't have anything to put it on...
hmm would anyone perhaps now of a good mixer stand, that you can put the mixer at an angle on?

[syt]

Originally posted by piscaries
mackies tend to be a little noisy though. soundcraft seems to be a slightly better choice in that price range and they have excellent mic pre's. avoid roland mixers at all costs though... really high signal to noise ratio.

well guess you're Right! But the preamps are good!

[piscaries]

Originally posted by zongkong
would anyone perhaps now of a good mixer stand, that you can put the mixer at an angle on? you can actually get single-post rolling stands that have adjustable side braces to fit things of different widths. unfortunately i've seen them selling for about $100. i think quick-lock might make them. i've also seen keyboard stands that are single tier but angle adjustable for about $30 but they don't roll.

now lets get dis thread back on de topic:

i love my nord modular.

[zongkong]

well, if you'd seen my mixer you'd agree that single post stands are definetely out of the question, but thanks for the tip :)

I just spotted this one
http://www.proelgroup.com/objects/techshten/040.pdf
however I don't think it's deep enough.. :/

the search goes on

[piscaries]

what kind of board are you running?

[piscaries]

oh yeah, i guess it helps to read your previous post. i don't know how big that mixer is off the top of my head. they do sell 4 legged mixer stands though, but those are usually for the larger 24 or 32 track desks. it's not the most beautiful looking thing, but a couple of keyboard x-stands do the trick, but if you've got pets or kids that could get knocked over fairly easily.

[Triptonizer]

hey zongkong, did you get the audio in to work now?

happy vokoding :)

[zongkong]

http://www.clavia.se/News/modularsinchina.htm

check the picture on the lower left.. 8-()

[zongkong]

hey trip it's workin out just the way I want it to!
*joy*