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nord modular G2 User Manual

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User Manu
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Summary of Contents for nord modular G2

  • Page 1 User Manu User Manu User Manu al User Manu User Manu tware V tware V ersion 1.1x ersion 1.1x Sof tware V tware V ersion 1.1x ersion 1.1x tware V ersion 1.1x...

  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    Trademarks: The Nord Modular logo is registred trademark of Clavia DMI AB. All other trademarks mentioned in this publication are the properties of their respective holders. Specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice.
  • Page 3 Note! The ’Operator’ and ’DXRouter’ modules described on pages 134-135 and 168-169 are not yet implemented in the system. These modules will be included shortly in an upcoming software update which can be downloaded at http://www.clavia.se - free of charge.
  • Page 5 Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! .................................................... 13 ..................About the Nord Modular G2 system About the Nord Modular G2 system ................13 About the Nord Modular G2 system About the Nord Modular G2 system ................About this manual...
  • Page 6 Basic functions ....................26 Basic functions Basic functions ....................Introduction to the Nord Modular G2 Introduction to the Nord Modular G2 ........Introduction to the Nord Modular G2 Introduction to the Nord Modular G2 ......................26 Modules..........................26 Connections...........................
  • Page 7 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Table of contents Patches (in-depth) Patches (in-depth) ............................40 Patches (in-depth) Patches (in-depth) ............................Edit a factory Patch ........................40 Create a new empty Patch window ..................40 Add modules to a Patch ......................40 Rename a module ........................41 Move a module........................41...
  • Page 8 Table of contents NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Storing a Performance ............. Storing a Performance .............55 Storing a Performance Storing a Performance .......................... Storing in the synth ....................... 56 Saving on the computer ......................56 Renaming single Patches in Performances ................56 Extracting Patches from a Performance Extracting Patches from a Performance .......
  • Page 9 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Table of contents Performances Performances ................................ 74 Performances Performances ................................ What is a Performance?......................74 Entering Performance Mode....................74 Load a new Performance from the internal memory ...............75 Creating a Performance ......................75 Editing a Performance ......................75 Global (Performance) Parameter Pages ...................76...
  • Page 10 Table of contents NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Performance menu ..............Performance menu ..............87 Performance menu Performance menu ............................Performance Settings ......................87 Download..........................87 Synth menu Synth menu................. Synth menu Synth menu ..................................87 ................. Synth Settings ........................87 Upload Active Slot.........................
  • Page 11 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Table of contents Patch window Patch window................................99 Patch window Patch window ................................Patch Name..........................99 Category ..........................99 Voice Mode ..........................99 Var ............................99 Patch Level ..........................99 Visible cables ..........................99 Hide all cables........................100 Shake cables..........................100 Patch window split bar ......................100...
  • Page 12 Table of contents NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Note group ................Note group ................116 Note group Note group ................................NoteQuant .......................... 116 KeyQuant ..........................117 PartQuant..........................118 NoteScaler ........................... 118 Glide............................ 119 PitchTrack ........................... 119 ZeroCnt..........................120 LevScaler..........................120 The Oscillator group The Oscillator group ............
  • Page 13 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Table of contents Shaper group Shaper group ..............................148 Shaper group Shaper group ..............................Common Shaper parameters....................149 Clip ............................149 Overdrive..........................149 Saturate ..........................150 ShpExp ..........................150 WaveWrapper........................150 ShpStatic ..........................150 Rectifier ..........................151 Filter group Filter group Filter group Filter group ................
  • Page 14 Table of contents NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Switch group................Switch group ................163 Switch group Switch group ..............................Common Switch parameters....................163 SwOnOffM ......................... 164 SwOnOffT .......................... 164 Sw2-1M..........................165 Sw2-1 ..........................165 Sw4-1 ..........................165 Sw8-1 ..........................165 Sw1-2M..........................
  • Page 15 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Table of contents Logic group Logic group ................................177 Logic group Logic group ................................Common Logic module parameters ..................177 Gate............................177 Invert............................177 FlipFlop..........................178 ClkDiv ..........................178 ClkDivFix..........................178 Pulse .............................179 LogicDelay ...........................179 8Counter ..........................180 BinCounter ..........................180 ADConv..........................180 DAConv..........................180...

  • Page 16: Synthesis Basics

    Table of contents NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 MIDI group ................MIDI group ................195 MIDI group MIDI group ................................Common MIDI module parameters ..................195 CtrlSend ..........................195 PCSend..........................197 NoteSend..........................197 CtrlRcv ..........................198 NoteRcv ..........................199 NoteZone ..........................199 12.
  • Page 17 The Nord Modular G2 system consists of two parts: the synthesizer, which will be called the synth from now on, and the editor software, which will be called the Editor. Nord Modular G2 comes in two differ- ent hardware models, the Nord Modular G2 Key with a three-octave keyboard and the 1U high 19” rack mountable Nord Modular G2 Engine.
  • Page 18 N N N N T T T T E E E E R R R R N N N N E E E E T T T T If you have access to the Internet, you can check out the Nord Modular G2 section at Clavia’s web site.
  • Page 19 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 2. Overview: Nord Modular G2 front panel 2. O 2. O 2. O 2. O V V V V E E E E R R R R V V V V I I I I E E E E W W W W...
  • Page 20 2. Overview: Nord Modular G2 front panel NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 P P P P L L L L A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H O O O O A A A A D D D D Press this button when you want to load a selected Patch or Performance into the focused Slot.
  • Page 21 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 2. Overview: Nord Modular G2 rear panel act value is shown above in the corresponding A . You can assign a maximum of 15 SSIGNABLE ISPLAY Columns (see below), each containing 8 parameters (in total 120 parameters) per Patch.
  • Page 22 1-4 route the audio signals from the four UTPUT virtual mix buses in Nord Modular G2. Use O 1 if you are going to use Nord Modular G2 with UTPUT a mono sound system. If only O 1 is connected, it will route the audio from O 2 as well.
  • Page 23 By connecting external sound sources to the unbalanced, line level (-10 dBV) inputs I 1-4, you can NPUT Patch in audio signals and process in the Nord Modular G2 Engine. The H output routes audio signals which are assigned O 1 and 2.
  • Page 24 A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H E E E E S S S S When you have turned on the Nord Modular G2, a Patch is automatically loaded in Slot A and the Patch name is shown in the M .
  • Page 25 A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R V V V V A A A A R R R R I I I I A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N S S S S Below the 8 A are 8 Variation but- SSIGNABLE NOBS tons. A Nord Modular G2 Variation is a complete set- EnvADSR1--------- ----------------| EnvFilter1------ up of parameter values in a Patch. In other words, it’s...
  • Page 26 3. Synth quick tour: Check out some Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A P P P P ) ) ) ) C C C C C C C C E E E E S S S S S S S S A A A A S S S S S S S S I I I I G G G G N N N N E E E E D D D D...
  • Page 27 The computer has nothing to do with the actual sound processing in the Nord Modular G2 - it is used only for visual Patching and to send instructions to the Nord Modular G2. The Editor is designed for minimum 1024 x 768 pixels screen area, and minimum 16-bit color (thou- sands).
  • Page 28 I I I I N N N N T T T T H H H H E E E E S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H Note! If you received a brand new Nord Modular G2 or G2 Engine, the latest operating system is al- ready installed from factory.
  • Page 29 G2 synth for some rea- son, even tough the USB Driver has been prop- erly installed, you may have to enter Update Mode manually in the synth. On the Nord Current OS v1.10 Ready to receive Modular G2, hold the S...
  • Page 30 O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L E E E E S S S S A module in Nord Modular G2 can be, for example, an oscillator, an envelope generator, a filter or a step sequencer.
  • Page 31 A multitimbral setup of Patches can also be saved as a Performance. Thanks to the flexible routing pos- sibilities in the Nord Modular G2 system it’s possible to route audio and MIDI between Patches in a Per- formance for really powerful configurations. (See “Performances”...
  • Page 32 (0 units) or high (+64 units). The types of output signals of each module in Nord Modular G2 will be described further on in this man- ual using the definitions: bipolar, unipolar and logic.
  • Page 33 R R R R E E E E D D D D C C C C O O O O N N N N N N N N E E E E C C C C T T T T O O O O R R R R S S S S Audio signals are bipolar as described above. The audio signals in Nord Modular G2 are 24-bit at 96 kHz sampling frequency for extremely high quality, and they have highest priority in the Sound engine.
  • Page 34 A A A A N N N N D D D D W W W W I I I I D D D D T T T T H H H H C C C C O O O O N N N N S S S S I I I I D D D D E E E E R R R R A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N S S S S The two different bandwidths of the signals in Nord Modular G2 are important to keep in mind. You can Patch a red audio output to a blue control input and vice versa but sometimes the results might be surprising.
  • Page 35 N N N N O O O O B B B B S S S S A knob is the type of circular knob found on almost every module in the Nord Modular G2 system. For example the Pitch modulation, Semitone and Fine tune knobs of the Os- cillatorA module.
  • Page 36 As you will see, there are some modules in Nord Modular G2 that can change the polarity of a modulator signal. Some modules can be set to send either bipolar or unipolar control signals, like the Constant module or the Control Sequencer module.
  • Page 37 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 5. Basic functions: Modulation considerably less than 0.5 (leaving less than half of the level of the incoming signal to modulate). A setting of 0 shuts off the modulation completely. The pitch mod-input on the various oscillators and the ‘dB’...
  • Page 38 5. Basic functions: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 F F F F (FM) (FM) (FM) (FM) R R R R E E E E Q Q Q Q U U U U E E E E N N N N C C C C Y Y Y Y M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N...
  • Page 39 Patches. play. The Nord Modular G2 note recognition system operates according to the “last note” principle. If you run out of polyphony and continue to play notes, the synthesizer will always add the last note played and remove the first note, with one exception: it will try to keep the lowest note sounding.
  • Page 40 A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H When you want to create new Patches in the Nord Modular G2 system you always have to do this in the Editor on the computer. Open the Editor on your computer. In this first example we will create a basic subtractive synthesis Patch.
  • Page 41 ‘EnvADSR1’ module is on by default which makes it possible to gate the envelope without connecting the Gate input. If you play on Nord Modular G2 (via the keyboard or MIDI ), the envelope Gate LED lights up and the Patch will sound.
  • Page 42 First we need to tell the ‘2-Out1’ module in the Voice Area to route the signal to the FX Area instead of the physical O of the Nord Modular G2. Do this by clicking the FX destina- tion button on the module. Click on the In/Out tab and click-drag one ‘FX In’...
  • Page 43 Play the keyboard and notice how the filter “opens up” with increasing Velocity. 15.Finally, to make the Patch editable and controlla- ble from the Nord Modular G2 front panel, you can assign any parameter in the Patch to any of the . Simply right-click on a...
  • Page 44 D D D D E E E E P P P P T T T T H H H H When you want to create new Patches in the Nord Modular G2 system you always have to do this in the Editor on the computer.
  • Page 45 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 6. Patches: Patches (in-depth) Another way of adding modules to the Patch is by right-clicking on the background of the Patch win- dow and selecting ‘Insert’. A popup of the module groups appears. Select desired module by selecting it from the popup.
  • Page 46 N N N N P P P P U U U U T T T T S S S S A A A A N N N N D D D D O O O O U U U U T T T T P P P P U U U U T T T T S S S S There are two types of main connectors on the modules in the Nord Modular G2 Editor: inputs and out- puts.
  • Page 47 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 6. Patches: Patches (in-depth) It is also possible to make a serial connection between several inputs, without connecting to an output. This won’t result in any signal flow, but can be useful if you want to choose an output after having con- nected all inputs.
  • Page 48 R R R R E E E E A A A A Editing a button A Nord Modular G2 Patch can consist of two parts: a polyphonic part and a monophonic part. In the Editor, these two parts are represented by two sections of the Patch window, divided by a horizontal split bar.
  • Page 49 Patch before saving to disk. File|Save All will save all open Editor Patches to their origi- nal locations. 2. Store a Patch in one of the Nord Modular G2 internal memory locations by pressing the S but- TORE ton on the front panel once.
  • Page 50 As mentioned above, the Nord Modular G2 internal memory is divided into 32 banks with 128 memory locations each. However, it’s not possible to fit in 4096 (32x128) Patches at the same time in the Nord Modular G2 memory due to the total size of the Patches. Considering that an average Patch uses around 5 kB memory, this means you’ll be able to fit in approximately 1200 Patches.
  • Page 51 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 6. Patches: Patches (in-depth) Right-click on a Patch icon and select ‘Delete’. C C C C P P P P V V V V R R R R E E E E A A A A T T T T I I I I N N N N G G G G...
  • Page 52 NOBS UTTONS assigned to almost any parameter in a Nord Modular G2 Patch. You have direct access to 5 x 3 pages with 8 assignable controllers each for a total of 120 assignable parameters per Patch. T T T T...
  • Page 53 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 6. Patches: Knobs and controllers 1. Right-click on a parameter in the Editor window, select Assign|Page|Knob from the popup menu and select one of the Knobs in the menu. To deassign an A , select Disable at SSIGNABLE the bottom of the popup menu.
  • Page 54 6. Patches: Knobs and controllers NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A S S S S S S S S I I I I G G G G N N N N A A A A L L L L L L L L M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L E E E E P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R S S S S T T T T O O O O A A A A S S S S E E E E T T T T O O O O F F F F K K K K N N N N O O O O B B B B S S S S You can easily assign all module parameters to a set of Knobs.
  • Page 55 This lets you produce radical changes in a sound in a very fast and easy way. Nord Modular G2 features eight separate Morph groups per Patch. A parameter can also be assigned to several Morph groups - all Morph groups, actually - and thus be controlled differently from several sourc- es.
  • Page 56 6. Patches: Morph groups NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A M M M M S S S S S S S S I I I I G G G G N N N N P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R S S S S T T T T O O O O A A A A O O O O R R R R P P P P H H H H G G G G R R R R O O O O U U U U P P P P 1.
  • Page 57 Keyboard Morph lets you control the Morphed parameters differently depending on where on the key- board you play. The minimum source value is the lowest key of the Nord Modular G2 keyboard when no Octave Shift is used, i.e. note C2, and maximum is the highest key, i.e C5. When you transpose the keyboard up or down, the Keyboard Morph range will extend beyond the set Morph limits.
  • Page 58 E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E A Performance is a complete setup (combination) of up to four Patches - one in each Slot. The Nord Modular G2 has 1024 (8 x 128) memory locations for Performances.
  • Page 59 E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E Note! When the Nord Modular G2 is shipped from factory, Memory Protect is set to ‘On’. To be able to store Performances, first disable the Memory Protect function.
  • Page 60 7. Performances: Extracting Patches from a Performance NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S T T T T O O O O R R R R I I I I N N N N G G G G I I I I N N N N T T T T H H H H E E E E S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H Storing a Performance in the synth from the Editor can be done in two ways.
  • Page 61 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 7. Performances: Exiting Performance Mode E E E E P P P P M M M M X X X X I I I I T T T T I I I I N N N N G G G G...
  • Page 62 8. Working with the synth: Panel controls NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. W 8. W 8. W 8. W O O O O R R R R K K K K I I I I N N N N G G G G W W W W I I I I T T T T H H H H T T T T H H H H E E E E S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H...
  • Page 63 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Panel controls S S S S S S S S Y Y Y Y S S S S T T T T E E E E M M M M A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H A A A A N N N N D D D D...
  • Page 64 8. Working with the synth: Panel controls NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 P P P P E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E C C C C O O O O N N N N T T T T R R R R O O O O L L L L S S S S...
  • Page 65 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Load a Patch from memory the corresponding A . You can assign a maximum of 15 Columns (see below), each SSIGNABLE ISPLAY containing up to 8 parameters (120 parameters in total) per Patch.
  • Page 66 8. Working with the synth: Create a Patch NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 memory location number. However, you can change the sort/search mode to either ‘Alphanumerical’ or by ‘Category’. S S S S P P P P E E E E A A A A R R R R C C C C H H H H F F F F O O O O R R R R A A A A...
  • Page 67 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Edit a Patch Play on the synth and turn the A SSIGNABLE NOBS MultiFilter1----- ----------------- ----------------| Freq Freq M dB/Oct Bypass PWidth instantly hear what is hap- pening with the sound. If...
  • Page 68 8. Working with the synth: Assign parameters to panel controls NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Wheel or Off) with the Button below the Knob. Set the Vibrato rate in the System menu described on page G G G G L L L L I I I I D D D D E E E E The Glide function is mainly intended for use in mono or legato Voice Mode (see above).
  • Page 69 Each of these Variations are simply different parameter settings of one and the same Patch. You could compare a single Nord Modular G2 Patch with a complete hard-wired synthesizer where you have a predefined number of hard-wired “modules”. A Variation in a hard-wired synthesizer would then be a...
  • Page 70 8. Working with the synth: Patch parameter Variations NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 complete setup of parameters - usually called a “Program”. A Variation in the Nord Modular G2 is exactly the same but is based on a Patch instead. P P P P ’...
  • Page 71 Storing a Patch will permanently overwrite an existing Patch. Be careful so that you don’t accidentally erase Patches you want to keep! Note! When the Nord Modular G2 is shipped from factory, Memory Protect is set to ‘On’. To be able to store Patches, first disable the Memory Protect function. See “Memory Prot”...
  • Page 72 8. Working with the synth: Store a Patch NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 C C C C D D D D A A A A T T T T E E E E G G G G O O O O R R R R Y Y Y Y...
  • Page 73 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Copying Patches 3. Press the D button once and AVIGATOR select letters for the Patch name by turning the . Change the cursor position with OTARY the L (and R buttons.
  • Page 74 L L L L O O O O T T T T S S S S Due to the Sound engine architecture of the Nord Modular G2, which always tries to optimize the Patch Load and voice allocation resources, there are some things to bear in mind:...
  • Page 75 This lets you produce radical changes in a sound in a very fast and easy way. Nord Modular G2 features eight separate Morph groups per Patch. You may assign a total of 25 param- eters to these 8 Morph groups in each Patch. A parameter can also be assigned so several Morph groups (all 8 if you like), and thus be controlled differently from several sources.
  • Page 76 8. Working with the synth: Morph groups NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A M M M M S S S S S S S S I I I I G G G G N N N N P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R S S S S T T T T O O O O A A A A...
  • Page 77 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Morph groups Note: If you have assigned the same parameter to several Morph groups and control the parameter si- multaneously from the different Morph group control sources, the parameter values will be added to- gether.
  • Page 78 Keyboard Morph lets you control the Morphed parameters differently depending on where on the key- board you play. The minimum source value is the lowest key of the Nord Modular G2 keyboard when no Octave Shift is used, i.e. note C2, and maximum is the highest key, i.e C5. When you transpose the keyboard up or down, the Keyboard Morph range will extend beyond the set Morph limits.
  • Page 79 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: Performances L L L L P P P P O O O O A A A A D D D D A A A A N N N N E E E E W W W W...
  • Page 80 8. Working with the synth: Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 G G G G P P P P L L L L O O O O B B B B A A A A L L L L E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E...
  • Page 81 E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E Note! When the Nord Modular G2 is shipped from factory, Memory Protect is set to ‘On’. To be able to store Performances, first disable the Memory Protect function.
  • Page 82 8. Working with the synth: Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 point means that there is no need to store the Patches separately. As soon as you save the Performance, all Patches that it uses are also saved, within the Performance. This also means that if you later change any of your Patches, in Patch mode, the Patches in the Performances are not affected in any way.
  • Page 83 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: The System functions ) button. (This function is the same as using the Delete key on a computer keyboard.) If you want to move all letters to the right of the cursor one step forward and thus make room for more...
  • Page 84 Local Off should be used with external sequencers if the MIDI O jack of Nord Modular G2 is routed back, via the external sequencer, to the MIDI I jack. If Echo is active in the sequencer, “double notes”...
  • Page 85 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 8. Working with the synth: The System functions MIDI C MIDI C MIDI C MIDI C S S S S L L L L K K K K E E E E N N N N D D D D...
  • Page 86 8. Working with the synth: The System functions NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 tion is the same as using the Delete key on a computer keyboard.) If you want to move all letters to the right of the cursor one step forward and thus make room for more letters, hold down S...
  • Page 87 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: File menu 9. W 9. W 9. W 9. W Editor Editor Editor Editor O O O O R R R R K K K K I I I I N N N N G G G G W W W W I I I I T T T T H H H H T T T T H H H H E E E E In the Editor, the usual Windows98SE/2000/XP keyboard commands are available.
  • Page 88 9. Working with the Editor: Edit menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S A A A A V V V V E E E E This command will save the current Patch or Performance to a storage disk on the computer. If the Patch or Performance wasn’t opened from the computer using the File|Open command (see above) or if you...
  • Page 89 USTAIN EDAL Modular G2 should act as a Sustain pedal and On/Off switch or only as an On/Off switch. Note! If you use it only as an on/off switch (the ‘Off’ alternative), you have to assign the switch to module parameters in a Patch to the Foot Switch Morph group (see “Morph groups”...
  • Page 90 Here you select the octave setting of the Patch. This information is saved with the rest of the Patch data in the Patch. Note that this setting is active only if you play the Patch from a Nord Modular G2 keyboard version.
  • Page 91 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Performance menu P P P P E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E M M M M E E E E N N N N U U U U...
  • Page 92 A A A A M M M M E E E E Type in a name for your connected synth and press Enter. This is especially useful if you run several Nord Modular G2 synthesizers from the Editor. The name will also be displayed in the Synth Name display box in the Toolbar.
  • Page 93 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Synth menu Send Clock: Here you choose whether or not to send out MIDI Clock to the MIDI O jack of the synth. Sending out a MIDI Clock signal will only work when you use the internal Master Clock as clock source.
  • Page 94 9. Working with the Editor: Synth menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S I I I I S S S S A A A A V V V V E E E E N N N N Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H This function lets you save the Patch or Performance of the active Patch window in any of the synthesizer’s...
  • Page 95 Editor. Note! The entire memory bank you chose to download to will be overwritten in the Nord Modular G2 syn- thesizer. Even if the bank you download from the computer doesn’t contain Patches/Performances in all memory locations, all previously stored sounds in the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer bank will be erased.
  • Page 96 9. Working with the Editor: Setup menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S E E E E T T T T U U U U P P P P M M M M E E E E N N N N U U U U...
  • Page 97 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Tools menu P P P P O O O O A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R...
  • Page 98 Slots of the connected synth and open the Patch in the Editor Patch window, or to save the selected Patch in an internal memory location. The last function is exactly the same as storing a Patch using the S TORE button and the R on the Nord Modular G2 front panel (see “Store a Patch” on page 67). OTARY...
  • Page 99 Double-click on a Performance to automatically load the Performance to the Slots in the synthesizer and open up the Performance in the Editor. This function is exactly the same as loading a Performance using the P button and the R on the Nord Modular G2 front panel (see “Load a new ATCH OTARY Performance from the internal memory”...
  • Page 100 9. Working with the Editor: Window menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 W W W W I I I I N N N N D D D D O O O O W W W W M M M M E E E E N N N N U U U U...
  • Page 101 O O O O N N N N N N N N E E E E C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N I I I I N N N N D D D D I I I I C C C C A A A A T T T T O O O O R R R R S S S S Here, the connected Nord Modular G2 synth is visible.
  • Page 102 9. Working with the Editor: Toolbar NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L E E E E G G G G R R R R O O O O U U U U P P P P T T T T A A A A B B B B S S S S The Module group tabs are located in the left section of the Toolbar.
  • Page 103 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Patch window clicking and selecting ‘Edit name’. You can also assign the Morph group knob to a MIDI controller by right-clicking and selecting MIDI Controller|Assign. See “Morph groups” on page 51 for more info about Morph groups.
  • Page 104 9. Working with the Editor: Patch window NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 the in- and outputs of the connected modules. The white button represents any remaining connections after you have broke a part of a cable chain (see figure below). Let’s say you want to break the cable between the ‘LFOA1’ output and the ‘OSCA1’ Pitch input in the upper picture.
  • Page 105 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Useful functions in the Editor U U U U E E E E S S S S E E E E F F F F U U U U L L L L F F F F U U U U N N N N C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N S S S S I I I I N N N N T T T T H H H H E E E E...
  • Page 106 9. Working with the Editor: Useful functions in the Editor NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R P P P P O O O O P P P P U U U U P P P P Right-clicking on a module parameter brings up the parameter popup.
  • Page 107 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Useful functions in the Editor C C C C A A A A B B B B L L L L E E E E P P P P O O O O P P P P U U U U P P P P Right-clicking on a cable connection brings out the cable popup.
  • Page 108 C C C C O O O O M M M M P P P P U U U U T T T T E E E E R R R R K K K K E E E E Y Y Y Y B B B B O O O O A A A A R R R R D D D D S S S S H H H H O O O O R R R R T T T T C C C C U U U U T T T T S S S S Any commands that can be launched from the computer keyboard are shown next to the command/func- tion name in the menu drop-down lists.
  • Page 109 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 9. Working with the Editor: Computer keyboard shortcuts T T T T H H H H E E E E F F F F U U U U N N N N C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N K K K K E E E E Y Y Y Y S S S S You can get a read-out of all parameter settings, Morph range, Morph group assignment, Knob and MIDI controller assignment in a patch by pressing the function keys F5 to F12.
  • Page 110 O O O O N N N N T T T T R R R R O O O O L L L L L L L L E E E E R R R R S S S S In the Nord Modular G2, MIDI Controllers have to be manually or automatically assigned to module parameters separately for each Patch.
  • Page 111 M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E M M M M E E E E N N N N T T T T A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N H H H H A A A A R R R R T T T T Model: Clavia Nord Modular G2 OS V1.1x Date: 2004-02-18...
  • Page 113 Each time you add a module to a patch, Nord Modular G2 mutes the outputs for a short moment when it recalculates and optimizes the Sound engine data. Theoretically, you could use up to 254 modules in each patch, 127 in the Voice Area and 127 in the FX Area, but you will probably run out of Patch Load before that.
  • Page 114 11. Module reference: In/Out group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 you like. In the figure below, the different audio signal channels in the Nord Modular G2 system are de- scribed: Note that the four audio Bus channels are parallel and can be used by Patches in the Slots in no specific order.
  • Page 115 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: In/Out group O O O O N N N N F F F F F F F F Click the On/Off button to mute the signal(s) of the In/Out module. Blue color indicates ‘On’...
  • Page 116 “Patch Settings” on page E4 (MIDI note 64), which is the middle E on the Nord Modular G2 keyboard when the O CT SHIFT selector is in the center position, represents an output signal level of 0 units. MIDI note 0 (C-1) represents -64 units and MIDI note 127 (G9) represents +63 units.
  • Page 117 E E E E L L L L O O O O C C C C I I I I T T T T Y Y Y Y This blue output provides you with the release velocity signal from the keys that you play on the Nord Modular G2, or any release velocity that is received via MIDI.
  • Page 118 11. Module reference: In/Out group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A F F F F T T T T E E E E R R R R T T T T O O O O U U U U C C C C H H H H The blue Aftertouch output provides a positive control signal according to the current Keyboard After- touch value.
  • Page 119 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: In/Out group E E E E 1: 4 1: 4 1: 4 1: 4 X X X X A A A A M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E S S S S E E E E P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A T T T T E E E E L L L L Y Y Y Y D D D D E E E E T T T T U U U U N N N N E E E E D D D D V V V V O O O O I I I I C C C C E E E E S S S S Let’s say we want to simulate an old analog 4 voice...
  • Page 120 E E E E T T T T E E E E C C C C T T T T This module can detect a note, either from the Nord Modular G2 keyboard or from the MIDI . A logic high sig- INPUT nal will be transmitted, together with a velocity control signal, when the selected key is detected.
  • Page 121 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Note group N N N N O O O O T T T T E E E E S S S S Set the desired quantization grid (interval), in semitones, with the buttons. Range: Off and 1 to 127 sem- itones.
  • Page 122 The range of the partial generator is 0 to +/- 64 partials in steps of 0.5 partials. Note that the practical limit of Nord Modular G2 is +/- 32 partials. If the range is set above +/- 32 partials, the oscillator will remain on its 32nd partial until the control signal amplitude has decreased below +/- 32 partials.
  • Page 123 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Note group D D D D I I I I S S S S P P P P L L L L A A A A Y Y Y Y B B B B O O O O X X X X Displays the note range limits.
  • Page 124 11. Module reference: Note group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 threshold value. The Pitch Tracker is not very sensitive to overtone content of the input signal but FM signals cannot be correctly tracked due to the constantly shifting input frequency. I I I I N N N N P P P P U U U U T T T T The input of the PitchTrack module.
  • Page 125 S S S S C C C C I I I I L L L L L L L L A A A A T T T T O O O O R R R R G G G G R R R R O O O O U U U U P P P P The Nord Modular G2 oscillators produce sound constantly. If you connect an oscillator output to a mix bus, it will generate a constant sound - just as you would expect.
  • Page 126 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 W W W W - - - - A A A A V V V V E E E E F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M D D D D R R R R O O O O P P P P D D D D O O O O W W W W N N N N S S S S E E E E L L L L E E E E C C C C T T T T O O O O R R R R S S S S Oscillator C and D have drop-down waveform selectors.
  • Page 127 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group T T T T S S S S ( ( ( ( F F F F /P /P /F /F /F /F ) ) ) ) H H H H E E E E...
  • Page 128 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 FM Lin in the Nord Modular G2 system is deep linear frequency modulation. FM Lin modulation gen- erates varying “size” of the frequency bands when you change the oscillator pitch. In FM Trk, or Tracking Frequency Modulation, all frequency bands tracks the oscillator pitch equally across the note range.
  • Page 129 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group O O O O A A A A S S S S C C C C This oscillator can produce one of six waveforms: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square, 25% Pulse or 10% Pulse. The os- cillator has two pitch modulation inputs.
  • Page 130 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O D D D D S S S S C C C C This oscillator is similar to OscillatorC but has less modulation inputs. See also "Common Oscillator parameters”.
  • Page 131 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group W W W W A A A A V V V V E E E E F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M S S S S A A A A N N N N D D D D S S S S H H H H A A A A P P P P E E E E S S S S...
  • Page 132 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O S S S S B B B B S S S S C C C C H H H H P P P P This Shape oscillator is able to generate a vast variety of waveform shapes.
  • Page 133 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group W W W W A A A A V V V V E E E E F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M S S S S A A A A N N N N D D D D S S S S H H H H A A A A P P P P E E E E S S S S...
  • Page 134 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Pulse is a Pulse with selectable asymmetric pulse width. This is the type of pulse waveform found in most analog synthesizers. At 50% Shape setting, the signal is a perfect Square, at 75% a Pulse with 25%/75% pulse width and at 99% a Pulse with 1%/99% pulse width.
  • Page 135 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group Tip! The Dual Oscillator is perfect for creating a ba- sic “analog” synth. Connect the modules according to the figure to the right and you’re there. The LFO controls both the width of the Pulse wave as well as the Phase of the Sawtooth wave and gives the sound a nice “chorusing”...
  • Page 136 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O P P P P S S S S C C C C E E E E R R R R C C C C This oscillator generates percussive sounds.
  • Page 137 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group Tune: The tune of the Master can be set between 20.0 and 784 Hz. The Slave ranges from 1 to 6.26 times the Master frequency. Dcy: Decay determines the decay time for each oscillator. Range: 0.5 ms to 45 s.
  • Page 138 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O P P P P E E E E R R R R A A A A T T T T O O O O R R R R...
  • Page 139 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: The Oscillator group the Level settings also affect the Rates. The greater the difference between two adjacent Level settings, the longer it will take to “travel” between the Levels. If two adjacent Level settings are the same, the Rate value between these levels is of no importance.
  • Page 140 LFOs, Low Frequency Oscillators are good sources for periodic modulation. The waveforms they pro- duce can be used for vibrato, tremolo or as clock sources. Some of the LFOs in Nord Modular G2 have a very wide frequency range, from very low to audible frequencies.
  • Page 141 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: LFO group R R R R S S S S T T T T I I I I N N N N P P P P U U U U T T T T An input signal which goes from 0 units or below to anything above 0 units will force the LFO to restart its waveform cycle.
  • Page 142 11. Module reference: LFO group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O U U U U T T T T P P P P U U U U T T T T The signal output on the LFO. Signal: Bipolar or Unipolar depending on Output Type selection (see above).
  • Page 143 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: LFO group W W W W S S S S A A A A V V V V E E E E F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M S S S S A A A A N N N N D D D D...
  • Page 144 Here you set the interval for sending a logic pulse on the Sync output of the Clock Generator module. This logic pulse can be used for resetting the sequencer modules in Nord Modular G2 to the “first beat in the bar”. If you do not use the Sync function, the sequencer modules have no chance of knowing where they are in a bar.
  • Page 145 ‘Sync every nn beats’ parameter mentioned above. The Sync function provides a method of telling the Nord Modular G2 sequencer modules where the first beat in a bar is. Patch this output to the Rst (reset) input of the sequencer modules. This function is absolutely essential to use if you plan to syn- chronize patches in different slots to each other, or if you want to synchronize Nord Modular G2 to an external sequencer.
  • Page 146 The output control signal from an envelope is usually unipolar, with a range of 64 units (+ or -), but can also be bipolar. All Nord Modular G2 envelope generators also feature a built-in envelope controlled amplifter (known as VCA’s in analog synths). This makes it possible to patch in an oscillator signal directly to the envelope generator and take out an amplified signal with the desired level “contour”.
  • Page 147 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Envelope group T T T T R R R R I I I I G G G G I I I I N N N N P P P P U U U U T T T T A high logic signal appearing at this yellow input will trig the envelope.
  • Page 148 11. Module reference: Envelope group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 ) ) ) ) U U U U S S S S T T T T A A A A I I I I N N N N Sets the sustain level. This level will be held (sustained) for as long as the logic Gate signal is high.
  • Page 149 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Envelope group O O O O T T T T U U U U T T T T P P P P U U U U T T T T Y Y Y Y P P P P E E E E S S S S C C C C R R R R O O O O L L L L L L L L B B B B U U U U T T T T T T T T O O O O N N N N With the Output Type scroll button you determine how the envelope control signal should be output and affect the envelope controlled amplifter.
  • Page 150 11. Module reference: Envelope group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 N N N N V V V V This is a Hold Envelope. It has a Hold time control and an AM input. The Hold Envelope has an extremely short attack and decay times which makes it suitable for controlling the initial pitch of percussive and transient sounds.
  • Page 151 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Envelope group AHD-E AHD-E AHD-E AHD-E N N N N V V V V The Attack-Hold-Decay envelope is an envelope with three stages: Attack, Hold and Release. The AHD Envelope is well suited for audio gating applications, for example.
  • Page 152 11. Module reference: Shaper group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 When you then restart the envelope at the L4 stage, the start level will be the same as L4. If the R button is de- pressed, the envelope will always restart at zero level. The levels can be either unipolar or bipolar as described above.
  • Page 153 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Shaper group C C C C S S S S O O O O M M M M M M M M O O O O N N N N H H H H A A A A P P P P E E E E R R R R P P P P A A A A R R R R A A A A M M M M E E E E T T T T E E E E R R R R S S S S...
  • Page 154 11. Module reference: Shaper group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O V V V V E E E E R R R R D D D D R R R R I I I I V V V V E E E E Sets the initial overdrive amount.
  • Page 155 Most of the Nord Modular G2 filters can be dynamically controlled from various modulation sources. In Nord Modular G2 you have several different filter modules to choose from, ranging from traditional LP/HP/BP filters to complex special filters such as the Vocoder and the Vocal filter.
  • Page 156 11. Module reference: Filter group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S C C C C R R R R O O O O L L L L L L L L B B B B U U U U T T T T T T T T O O O O N N N N KBT, KeyBoard Tracking, is the hard-wired connection between the cutoff frequency and the keyboard (and the MIDI input).
  • Page 157 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Filter group LP-F LP-F LP-F LP-F I I I I L L L L T T T T E E E E R R R R This is a non-resonant lowpass filter with selectable slope (6/12/18/24/30/36 dB/ Oct.) and a modulation input for cut-off...
  • Page 158 11. Module reference: Filter group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 18 or 24 dB/octave. The cut-off frequency can be modulated from external sources. See also "Common Filter parameters”. F F F F M M M M L L L L T T T T...
  • Page 159 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Filter group F F F F T T T T R R R R E E E E Q Q Q Q U U U U E E E E N N N N C C C C Y Y Y Y M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N I I I I N N N N P P P P U U U U T T T T...
  • Page 160 11. Module reference: Filter group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 E E E E O O O O M M M M P P P P N N N N F F F F F F F F Click on the Emp On/Off button to emphasize the high frequencies of the analysis signal. This is a very useful function to get a more even frequency response in the modulated sound.
  • Page 161 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Filter group H H H H G G G G I I I I A A A A I I I I N N N N With the Hi gain knob you change the gain at 12kHz. Range -18 to +18 dB. See also "Common Filter...
  • Page 162 11. Module reference: Filter group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 N N N N O O O O T T T T C C C C H H H H By clicking on the up and down arrow buttons you select the number of notches (allpass filters). 1 to 6 notches can be selected.
  • Page 163 I I I I X X X X E E E E R R R R G G G G R R R R O O O O U U U U P P P P The mixer modules in Nord Modular G2 can mix audio signals as well as control signals. If you connect several sound sources to a mixer with high or amplified levels, the signal may distort.
  • Page 164 11. Module reference: Mixer group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 M M M M 1-1A 1-1A 1-1A 1-1A I I I I X X X X This mixer has one Dynamic Control/ Audio signal input, a chain input and one output. The mixer has an On/Off button for enabling/disabling the input.
  • Page 165 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Mixer group M M M M 4-1C 4-1C 4-1C 4-1C I I I I X X X X This mixer has four Dynamic Control/ Audio signal inputs, one Chain input and one output. Each input is equipped with a separate attenuation control.
  • Page 166 11. Module reference: Mixer group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 M M M M S S S S I I I I X X X X T T T T E E E E R R R R E E E E O O O O This mixer has six Dynamic Control/ Audio signal inputs and a stereo output.
  • Page 167 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Switch group F F F F A A A A D D D D E E E E This is a fader with one input and two outputs, and a fader rotary knob to fade the input signal between the two outputs.
  • Page 168 11. Module reference: Switch group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 2. Now, click on the In 2 button of the 8-1Switch and note that the second LED of the 1-8Mux is lit. 3. Click on the In 8 button of the 8-1Switch and note that the last LED of the 1-8Mux is lit instead.
  • Page 169 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Switch group S S S S 2-1M 2-1M 2-1M 2-1M W W W W The 2-1SwitchMom module has two in- puts, one output and one momentary Switch button which can also be la- belled.
  • Page 170 11. Module reference: Switch group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S W W W W The 1-8Switch has one input, eight out- puts and eight Channel Select radio but- tons which can also be labelled. See also "Common Switch parameters”...
  • Page 171 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Switch group M M M M U U U U X X X X The 8-1Multiplexer has eight inputs and one output. The channels are enabled by sending a control signal on the Ctrl in- put.
  • Page 172 11. Module reference: Switch group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 ple&Hold module. As soon as a signal at the leftmost input is shifting from 0 units or below to anything above 0 units, the switch closes and the input signal is routed to the output. When the signal at the left- most input switches to 0 units or below, the module transmits the value of the latest input sample to the output.
  • Page 173 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Level group In the example above, algorithm 5 is used. If you look in the graph you can see that the output signals of Operators 1, 3 and 5 are mixed to the DXRouter output. You can also see that Operator 2 is frequency modulating Operator 1, Operator 4 is frequency modulating Operator 3 and Operator 6 is frequency modulating Operator 5.
  • Page 174 11. Module reference: Level group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 offset level when you click the Switch button. The Switch button can also be renamed. See also "Com- mon Level module parameters”. L L L L A A A A E E E E V V V V...
  • Page 175 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Level group L L L L M M M M E E E E V V V V U U U U L L L L T T T T The Level Multiplier module performs...
  • Page 176 11. Module reference: Level group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 R R R R I I I I N N N N G G G G M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L A A A A T T T T O O O O R R R R E E E E X X X X A A A A M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E...
  • Page 177 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Level group Balanced (Ring) Modulation: amplitude amplitude time frequency Fig 4. Carrier wave amplitude amplitude time frequency Fig 5. Balanced Modulator wave amplitude amplitude The side bands appear on each side of the carrier wave on the...
  • Page 178 11. Module reference: Level group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 N N N N G G G G O O O O I I I I S S S S E E E E A A A A T T T T E E E E The Noise Gate can be used to “filter...
  • Page 179 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Level group E E E E X X X X A A A A M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E S S S S...
  • Page 180 11. Module reference: Level group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A P P P P P P P P L L L L I I I I C C C C A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N E E E E X X X X A A A A M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E...
  • Page 181 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Logic group L L L L O O O O G G G G I I I I C C C C G G G G R R R R O O O O U U U U P P P P These modules can modulate and generate logic signals in a number of different ways.
  • Page 182 11. Module reference: Logic group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 output transmits a low logic signal (0 units). When an incoming signal is between 0 and -64 units it trans- mits a logic high signal (+64 units). See also "Common Logic module parameters”.
  • Page 183 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Logic group P P P P U U U U L L L L S S S S E E E E This module can use a signal that in- creases from 0 units or below to any-...
  • Page 184 11. Module reference: Logic group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O U U U U N N N N T T T T E E E E R R R R The 8-Counter outputs a high logic sig- nal, sequentially through outputs 1-8, for every incoming clock pulse.
  • Page 185 The sequencer modules can perform different functions during the course of a specified time. The se- quencer modules in the Nord Modular G2 system has (up to) 16 steps each. They can easily be linked together in series to provide longer sequences and they can be clocked by various clock sources, originat- ing from other modules or from the Master/MIDI clock.
  • Page 186 11. Module reference: Sequencer group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S T T T T E E E E P P P P B B B B U U U U T T T T T T T T O O O O N N N N S S S S Click on the buttons to make the sequencer send a Trig/Gate signal each time it pass- es the step.
  • Page 187 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Sequencer group S S S S V V V V E E E E Q Q Q Q A A A A L L L L This is a sequencer which sends one con- trol signal value for each step.
  • Page 188 11. Module reference: Sequencer group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 each step by clicking on the desired “key” in the window. Where in the total keyboard range the notes are placed is determined with the Magnifier and Octave selector described below. I note values should be outside the currently visible keyboard range, these will be indicated by triangular arrows in the window.
  • Page 189 “middle“ E key (MIDI note number 64) on Nord Modular G2, when the octave shift function is in the middle position. If a filter is using the key- board tracking control, a transposition might close the filter and reduce the sound from Nord Modular •...
  • Page 190 11. Module reference: Sequencer group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 S S S S 1 1 1 1 E E E E R R R R I I I I A A A A L L L L C C C C O O O O N N N N N N N N E E E E C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N In this example we have created a 32 step sequence based on two “serially connected”...
  • Page 191 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Sequencer group want the second sequencer to stop (Park) immediately when the first sequencer restarts. Therefore, we patch the Keyboard Gate signal also to the Park input of the second sequencer (green cable).
  • Page 192 11. Module reference: FX group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Clock Generator modules in the two slots. The sequencers should also use the Sync output from the Clock Generator module as the Rst source to ensure proper alignment to the first beat in the bar.
  • Page 193 P P P P H H H H A A A A S S S S E E E E R R R R The Phaser is based on the Nord Electro phaser effects and simulates a vintage type of phaser. The phaser effect has a very characteristic “sweep”...
  • Page 194 11. Module reference: FX group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 left of the display box. Attenuate the modulation signal with the knob to the left of the display box [At- tenuator Type I]. Q Q Q Q ) ) ) )
  • Page 195 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: FX group R R R R E E E E V V V V E E E E R R R R B B B B The Reverb module is a stereo reverb with selectable reverb type, time and brightness.
  • Page 196 11. Module reference: Delay group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 R R R R E E E E L L L L E E E E A A A A S S S S E E E E With the Release rotary knob you set the release time, i.e the time it takes for the compressor to return to the original input level.
  • Page 197 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: Delay group T T T T I I I I M M M M E E E E L L L L K K K K S S S S C C C C R R R R O O O O L L L L L L L L B B B B U U U U T T T T T T T T O O O O N N N N Click this scroll button to change between Time and Clk (Master Clock sync).
  • Page 198 11. Module reference: Delay group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 D D D D E E E E L L L L Y Y Y Y I I I I G G G G H H H H T T T T An 8-tap delay with selectable time con- trol between the taps.
  • Page 199 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: MIDI group D D D D S S S S L L L L Y Y Y Y T T T T E E E E R R R R E E E E O O O O...
  • Page 200 Patch, for example, the Control signal output of a CtrlSeq module and let it modulate the filter cutoff frequency on a MIDI connected Nord Lead 3. Select the correct MIDI CC# and cor- rect MIDI channel and make sure the Value knob is set to ‘0’.
  • Page 201 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: MIDI group E E E E N N N N D D D D The PCSend module is used for sending out MIDI Program Change messages on a selected MIDI channel. S S S S...
  • Page 202 11. Module reference: MIDI group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 V V V V E E E E L L L L Manually select the Velocity value you want the module to send with the knob. By patching a positive unipolar control signal to the Vel control signal input, you can control the Velocity from an external source.
  • Page 203 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 11. Module reference: MIDI group N N N N R R R R O O O O T T T T E E E E C C C C V V V V The MIDI Note Receive module works...
  • Page 204 11. Module reference: MIDI group NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A P P P P P P P P L L L L I I I I C C C C A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N E E E E X X X X A A A A M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E Let’s say we want to create a “master keyboard”...
  • Page 205 Even new digital instruments such as workstations and sample playback devices employ many of the basic principles of subtractive synthesis. With the Nord Modular G2 system, Clavia introduces a new concept: a modern digital instrument that combines a faithful reproduction of the behaviour of the old analog favourites with the convenience and stability of the newer designs.
  • Page 206 12. Synthesis basics: Connections NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 LFO is an abbreviation for Low Frequency Oscillator. It is used for repeating variations in a sound, such as vibrato or tremolo. C C C C O O O O N N N N N N N N E E E E C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N S S S S There are many ways in which the modules outlined below can be connected in a synthesizer, but the one in the picture below is a basic and common one, used in some older synthesizers.
  • Page 207 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms • By Modulation. Modulation allows you to make the pitch vary “automatically”. The most common example is probably to use an LFO to make pitch go up and down, to create a vibrato. But you can also put the pitch under envelope control, or make the pitch vary with your striking force (velocity).
  • Page 208 12. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 T T T T R R R R I I I I A A A A N N N N G G G G L L L L E E E E The triangle wave does not have very strong harmonics.
  • Page 209 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms In the first, the jump happens 5% in from the beginning of the period. This is referred to as a pulse wave with a 5% pulse width (sometimes called duty cycle). The second wave has a pulse width of 10%. The third wave has a pulse width of 50%.
  • Page 210 “hollow” quality. On many synthesizers (including the Nord Lead) the pulse width can be adjusted, to set the timbre of the pulse wave. The more narrow the pulse width, the more “thin” the sound will be.
  • Page 211 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: The filter pitch of the synchronized oscillator (Oscillator 2), this will be perceived as a change in timbre, rather than in pitch. This leads to a spectrum with deep resonances at Osc2’s harmonics, like this:...
  • Page 212 12. Synthesis basics: The filter NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 As you can see the curve is flat in the low register (which means it doesn’t affect this part of the spectrum at all) and then, at a certain point, gradually starts falling. When applied to the wave above, this filter cuts...
  • Page 213 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: The filter B B B B A A A A N N N N D D D D P P P P A A A A S S S S S S S S F F F F I I I I L L L L T T T T E E E E R R R R This let’s frequencies in a certain range of the spectrum (the band) pass through while dampening fre-...
  • Page 214 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 In the Nord Modular G2, the Nord Filter filter can be switched between 12 and 24dB modes. For sounds with high resonance (see below), similar to those in the Roland TB-303, we recommend the 12dB vari- ation.
  • Page 215 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: The filter R R R R E E E E S S S S O O O O N N N N A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E Resonance in a filter is created by connecting the output of the filter to its input, in other words setting up a “feedback loop”.
  • Page 216 12. Synthesis basics: The Amplifier NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 T T T T A A A A H H H H E E E E M M M M P P P P L L L L I I I I F F F F I I I I E E E E R R R R An amplifier is most often used at the final stage of a synth signal chain, to control volume.
  • Page 217 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: Envelopes After the envelope has reached full level, it starts to fall back again. How long this should take, is set with the Decay parameter. The level of the envelope does not necessarily have to fall all the way back to zero level at the end of the Decay.
  • Page 218 12. Synthesis basics: Envelopes NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 As described above, the envelope stays at the Sustain level until the key is released. It then falls back to zero level. The time it should take for this to happen is set with the Release parameter, which works just as the Decay, only it is not applied until you lift your finger off the keys.
  • Page 219 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: LFOs • If you release a key before the envelope has reach its sustain, it will immediately “jump” to the Release. The effect of this can be studied in the illustration below: Often envelope levels can be made to vary with how hard you play the keys. This is used to make a sound vary with your playing style, for example to make the sound brighter (filter envelope) or louder (amplifier envelope).
  • Page 220 12. Synthesis basics: Additive synthesis NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 A A A A D D D D D D D D I I I I T T T T I I I I V V V V E E E E S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H E E E E S S S S I I I I S S S S Additive synthesis basically is the opposite of Subtractive synthesis.
  • Page 221 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: Other synthesis and modulation methods O O O O T T T T H H H H E E E E R R R R S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N T T T T H H H H E E E E S S S S I I I I S S S S A A A A N N N N D D D D M M M M O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N M M M M E E E E T T T T H H H H O O O O D D D D S S S S...
  • Page 222 12. Synthesis basics: Other synthesis and modulation methods NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 amplitude amplitude The side bands appear on each side of the carrier wave on the frequencies: f and f time frequency Fig 3. Amplitude Modulation R R R R...
  • Page 223 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 12. Synthesis basics: Other synthesis and modulation methods amplitude amplitude The side bands appear on each side of the carrier wave on the frequencies: f and f time frequency Fig 3. Ring Modulation As you can see in the figures above, the main practical difference between amplitude- and ring modula- tion is the sideband amplitudes and the appearance of the carrier wave.
  • Page 225 A A A A cables Acoustic (sound category) break Active Slots/Focus changing color ADConv module connecting ADDSR-Env module connecting to Nord Modular G2 ADR-Env module delete ADSR-Env module disconnect ADSRMod-Env module editing the appearance in the Editor aftertouch hide all...
  • Page 226 Index NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 control pedal display gain assignable editing from the Editor main editing from the synth Display Mode button Morph distortion 149, controller snap shot modules sending from the Editor DlyClock module controllers DlyEight module MIDI DlyShiftReg module...
  • Page 227 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Index editing on the synth rate Morph Glide module Global (Parameter Pages) F F F F Global Octave Shift editing from the Editor Fade1-2 module editing from the synth Fade2-1 module Global Parameter Pages Fantasy (sound category)
  • Page 228 Index NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 assign to module parameters MIDI in the Editor assign controllers on the synth channels assignable editing from synth control options in the Editor editing from the Editor module Clock using to send MIDI controllers editing from the Editor...
  • Page 229 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Index Mixer module group in the Editor MixFader module on the synth MixStereo module in the Editor Mod Wheel on the synth ModAmt module deassigning parameters modulation in the Editor amplitude on the synth attenuators deleting...
  • Page 230 Index NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 O O O O download to slot edit octave shift on the synth editing from the Editor extracting from a Performance Octave Shift buttons layering Operator module on the synth Organ (sound category) load from Modular memory...
  • Page 231 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Index R R R R Performance create new Rate creating and editing Glide in the Editor rear panel deleting Nord Modular G2 in the Editor Nord Modular G2 Engine download to synth from the Editor recent files...
  • Page 232 Index NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 synchronizing between patches editing from the synth SeqVal module Sw1-2 module Shaper module group Sw1-2M module Shift button Sw1-4 module ShpExp module Sw1-8 module ShpStatic module Sw2-1 module signal types (internal) Sw2-1M module signals Sw4-1 module...
  • Page 233 NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1 Index V V V V X X X X ValSw1-2 module X-Fade module ValSw2-1 module Variation Z Z Z Z buttons ZeroCnt module clear on the synth copy in the Editor on the synth create in the Editor...