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.

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

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

???

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 elepathics

[mattp]

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

Original Review Part One

Orginal Review Part Two

Version 3.03 Upgrade (Latest Version Of The OS)

enjoy ...

[Ruben A]

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

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.

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

Or gimme those fucking records!

[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!

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

Check out Clavia !!!

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

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

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!

....but be carefull Rups!

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

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!?)