I'm actually the person referred to in the video that asked about using the Surface Pro to edit the Clavia Nord Modular (I have the Micro Modular). Big thanks to acemonvw for testing this out! I was curious if the touch interface would work well. It appears that with the pen it indeed does. One thing I didn't think about though, was whether the Micro Modular would be recognized by the editor running on Windows 8. You'd think it would but someone I know and trust wasn't so sure. Also, I recently switched to a Mac and tried the editor using Wine which runs Windows programs. The editor picked up my MIDI device but oddly it did not pick up the Micro Modular. If anyone out there has a Nord Modular and a Surface Pro, let us know if the editor picks up the hardware and works with it. Regardless, the G2 editor does work, produces audio and best of all, it is free. If you have a Surface Pro, you have a free modular.
Update: it looks like it works with the Roland UM-ONE MIDI out on Windows 8 as you can see in this video with an Acer W510.
Video description:
"This demo goes through using the Nord Modular (0:00) and G2 (6:00) editors on the Surface Pro. If you want to just know 'Does the Surface Pro work well with these editors?' my answer is 'yes, but...'
The 'but' being that it seemed most useful using the pen throughout. While I at first felt that your fingers would work fine for knob twisting and such, even on the Nord Modular editor (not G2), I looked back at the video and felt that my finger still had trouble catching the knobs. However, I would say WITH the pen, you would have very little trouble using the editors. I hope you enjoyed the video and that it provided you with some insight into this combination. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you :)"
"A short update on the browser based Nord Modular Editor that I am currently working on as a fun hobby project."
Additional details via https://nordmodulareditor.com where you can try it out yourself if you own an original Nord Modular:
"Nord Modular G1 Editor
Create, edit and (soon) share your Nord Modular patches with the community.
Some quick remarks:
This is still a very early version. A lot of things don't work or don't work correctly yet. You should be able to edit patches, browse slots, add modules and cables, adjust parameters and load patches into a slot. You probably want to run this in the Chrome browser, i haven't tested others. I have only tested this with a Nord Modular Keys for now, I assume the Rack version will work the same but I don't know about the Micro. I assumed it would work the same but it appears that some people have issues getting it to connect. Parameter values are often shown as their raw 0–127 values. None of the displays work yet. When something is wrong, updates don't come through, or communication seems to be stuck: refresh the page. When using a trackpad, you probably want to use "scroll to pan" navigation. You can select this in the settings. To add a module, drag it from the toolbar on top. To delete a module or cable, select it and hit delete. The tab key in the editor will toggle rendering cables behind or in front of the modules. If you were following my personal YouTube channel for updates, please follow my other channel instead. Feedback is much appreciated, but I don't have a proper way to do that yet. This is a personal hobby project. I am not affiliated with or connected to Nord in any way. Peter van der Noord"
"Patching a modular synthesizer can stimulate your musical creativity. On the other hand, retracing specific patch points through dozens of cables can boggle the mind, and reproducing a patch after you've moved lots of cables is nearly impossible.
In 1997, Clavia introduced the Nord Modular to uniquely address these issues. It combines hardware with a software editor to digitally transform the modular synthesizer experience. The Nord Modular Keyboard's hardware portion consists of a 25-note velocity-sensing keyboard with 18 user-assignable knobs and four independent voice channels for multi-timbral sound, and it sounds incredible!
The Nord Modular's editor software allows you to configure your own synthesizers on a Macintosh or Windows computer - complete with a bevy of module types and virtual cables for conducting audio, control, logic, and slave signals among modules - and download them via MIDI (not USB) to the hardware unit. As long as you don't need to add new modules or reconfigure cable routings, the synth doesn't require an attached computer and can function as a stand-alone electronic instrument. Among the available modules are multiple types of oscillators, envelope generators, filters, EQs, LFOs, step sequencers, waveshapers, audio and logic processors, control modifiers, and mixers. You can design complex patches without hitting the DSP ceiling, the supply of patch cords is essentially endless, and available synthesis types include subtractive, additive, FM, AM, and ring modulation.
List prices in 1998: $2,795 for the Nord Modular Keyboard and $799 for the optional voice-doubling expander board, which this unit has (attached power cord for U.S. AC). It's also running the latest V3.03 OS.
Included in the deal are both a cushy softshell carrying bag and a footswitch. All have belonged to me since 2003 and have never been subjected to cigarette smoke. There are no dings or scratches in the Nord Modular's case and the synth is in perfect working condition. Also included is the original manual and CD-ROM with Macintosh and Windows editors, but you can find updated editor software for both platforms online."
"Introduced in late 1997, the Modular is something really innovative from the point of view of programming facilities and sound research. The basic idea comes from the original analog modular synthesizer, a technological masterpiece that during 70's inspired the most important artists, from Wendy Carlos to Keith Emerson. Despite his incredible power in sound programming, the analog modular synthesizer's success was limited by four important problems: programming time, high cost, large size and overweight. Clavia surpassed these limits proposing a new idea: a little sized unit that, for a reasonable cost, offers the same programming power thanks to a virtual patching enviroment supported by an external computer (Mac/Win platform).
via this auction SYNTHESIS TYPE - Filtering - FM - AM - Additive - Other synthesis available soon thru new modules POLYPHONY Up to 32 notes (Micro Modular: up to 4), depending from the complexity of the patch MULTITIMBRAL MODE Up to 4 parts (Micro Modular: 1 part) PATCH PROGRAMMING Supported by the Nord Modular Editor software for: - PC-Win (Pentium/133MHz and Windows 95/98 required) - MacOS platform (PowerPC/120MHz and MacOS 8.6 with OMS are required) - Parameters inside a patch can be reprogrammed directly from the Modular AUDIO OUTPUTS - 4 mono out + headphones (Micro Modular: 2 outputs + headphones) - 18-bit D/A converters AUDIO INPUTS 2 inputs for external sound processing CONTROL INPUTS 1 Pedal control + 1 Sustain / Pedal switcher on/off (Modular only) MIDI INTERFACE - Editor software dedicated MIDI IN/OUT - Ext. Kbd/Sequencer MIDI IN/OUT (THRU) REALTIME CONTROLS Volume + 18 assignable knobs (Micro Modular: Volume + 3 assignable knobs) DISPLAY Backlit, 16 character x 2 lines (Micro Modular: 2-digit LED display) MEMORY Up to 9 Banks (x 99 user memories) depending from the patches size
MODULES
Note: this list is based on the release 1.0 of the Nord Modular software. Additional modules were added with the last released upgrade versions. - Master and Slave oscillators (VCO) - Percussion Oscillator - Noise generators (NG) - Resonator Filters (VCF) with variable slope - Controlled amplifiers (VCA) - Mixers, Audio switchers, etc. - Envelope Generators (EG) - Low Frequency Oscillators (LFO) - Clock Generators and Clock Divider - Random Step Generator, Random Pulse Generator - Portamento and Glide - Note scaler and Note quantizer, Key quantizer - Gate Delay, Gate Inverter - Sample & Hold, Audio Delay, Clip, Overdrive, Quantizer, Inverter - Diode processing, Unison, Level shifter, Shaper - Envelope Follower - Sequencers (Control Seq., Event Seq., Note Seq., ecc.) - Morphing controls PATCH CONNECTIONS Through virtual cables inside the Modular Editor 3D graphic environment UPDATING The operating system can be easily updated thanks to the internal flash-RAM
"A demonstration of patching with the Nord Modular Editor on an Acer Iconia W510 tablet with Windows 8 (Full not RT) Roland UM-One Mk2 USB to Midi cable used to communicate between G1 Rack and software."
Follow-up to this post on the Surface Pro controlling the Nord Modular editors. Windows 8 does recognize the Nord Modulars.
via Manuel: "Hi everyone, the second release of Nomad - Nord Modular Editor is finally out. After 1.5 years of developing since the first release we are happy to announce that Nomad is almost feature complete. Apart from the basic things we implemented some new features to improve the experience with the editor: - embedded file browser - macros: create tiny template patches which can be inserted into other patches - module transformation: transform a module into another without loosing parameter values and connections - randomizer: randomize the parameters of a patch or a set of modules - arbitrary number of Nord Modular/Micro Modular synthesizers supported." Runs on Windows, MacOSX and Linux. More info including video at http://nmedit.sourceforge.net/ For support, questions, bug reports or anything else visit the forum.
Published on Jan 15, 2017 Carl Mikael's Cabinet of Curiosities
"This is a video adaptation of a live lecture I did during Eter Festival. There the subject was ”Introduction to Subtractive Synthesis”, but I felt I strayed into modular territories. So for this tutorial I’ve decided to split the content into two parts:
Intro to Modular - Part 1 Subtractive Synthesis (how to make bass, kick, hats and snare)
Intro to Modular - Part 2 Pulsewidth, Sync and FM (examples of lead and pad)
The examples take part on the Nord Modular. A superior environment for learning synthesis.
"This listing is for a Clavia Nord Modular Keyboard with a CD-R.
This CD-R contains Modular Editor, PDF Manual, Preset Patches(Nord Modular Factory Presets, micro Modular Factory Presets and Extra Patches; Total about 600 Patches).
This unit is 100% perfect working. In good condition."
"This listing is for a Clavia Nord Modular Keyboard with a CD-R.
This CD-R contains Modular Editor, PDF Manual, Preset Patches(Nord Modular Factory Presets, micro Modular Factory Presets and Extra Patches; Total about 600 Patches).
This unit is 100% perfect working.
This synth is AMAZING Synthesizer.
You can build any synthesizer patches as you want even."
YouTube via Ema996Roma. "Illustrazione di alcune funzioni del sintetizzatore modulare di casa Clavia" The first sequence does sound like the original Nord Lead and Nord Modular. It's interesting because the Nord Lead 3 is a completely different sound engine. It sounds different than the original Nord Lead. The original Nord Modular is based on the same engine as the original Nord Lead. The G2 was supposed to be a new engine as well. I was always curious if it was based on the Nord Lead 3, or a third core engine. It's great to hear it covering the original Nord Lead sound. BTW, if anyone knows more about the different engines feel free to comment.
Update: remember you can get the free G2 soft synth from Clavia here. It's the editor but it is the same engine and will produce sound without the hardware. For realz... The limitations are minor (monophonic only) considering its a free full blown modular.
"Virtual analogue synth hardly used, near mint condition 2 octave synthesizer capable of modular, subtractive and FM applications. The Nord Modular allows you to build your own synthesizer specification using the internal modules provided from oscillators, envelopes and filters tomini sequencers, mixers and effects using the editing software from a DAW. Infull working order with its original packaging/ box, Operation manual, powerlead, 3 pin plug adapter and editing software CD-ROM.
Basic Features include:
- 4 note polyphony and 4 part multi-tumbrel
- 4 outputs,2 inputs, sustain pedal, control pedal and headphone input (1/4 inch jack)
- MIDI in and out plus PC in and out
- Front Panel - 18 editing knobs and 18 function buttons, master volume, rotary encoder and Navigator2x20 character backlit LCD display
- Software Editor CD-ROM - Runs on PC (Windows 95 on to Windows XP) and Mac (OS9 - OSX10.4)
- Note: This Nord Modular unit is NOT fitted with the polyphony expansion board. (This expansion board does not increase the modular’s synth engine power, just the polyphony)
"The Nord Modular G2 OS and the G2 Editor have been updated to version 1.6. This update is also accompanied by a new universal XP- and Vista-compatible USB driver - v2.14. This driver can also be used with the Nord Stage EX, Nord Electro 3, Nord Wave and the Nord C1. The driver is digitally signed which allows users with a Vista 64-bit system to install it.
The 1.6 OS and Editor update brings Windows Vista compatibility to the G2 system. Macintosh users will benefit from a native support for the Intel-based computer models. The update and the driver is available in the Nord Modular G2 Download area."
"This listing is for a Clavia Nord Modular Keyboard with a CD-R.
This CD-R contains Modular Editor, PDF Manual, Preset Patches(Nord Modular Factory Presets, micro Modular Factory Presets and Extra Patches; Total about 600 Patches).
This unit is 100% perfect working."
"This web-based hypertext document is intended to provide the advanced user of the Clavia Nord Modular synthesizer with a toolbox of techniques for creating complex and interesting patches. Although the emphasis is on the Nord Modular, the techniques described in this document can be applied to any modular synthesizer, from a modular Moog to the Native Instruments Reaktor softsynth. For more information on the Nord Modular, check out Clavia's web page at http://www.clavia.se."
Title link takes you there.
If you're interested in exploring the world of modular synthesis for fee, here you go. For a free G2 demo editor that will give you more than enough to get started go here.
The X-Bay Ultimate Synthesizer by Anatal Electronics is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. Note you can find a banner link to the X-Bay campaign in the top right banner section here on MATRIXSYNTH, so you can get back to the campaign anytime.
In short the X-Bay is an analog modular synthesizer and patchbay in a 4U rack mount enclosure. It will host analog modules featuring designs from classic vintage synths, for example Roland oscillators and Oberheim filters. You can freely patch and route the modules as you would on a classic modular system, however you do so in a software editor. One way to think of it is as a true analog version of Clavia's Nord Modular, or a software modular with an analog synth engine. What is the main advantage? Size, flexibility, true analog synth engine, and of course, the ability to save patches, all at a lower cost; and it will be expandable. Interestingly, the system can also be used as a cable free patchbay for full integration with your other gear, including other modular hardware and software. The X-Bay offers a cost effective and space saving way to expand your current system or to explore the world of modular from scratch.
The following is the description from the Kickstarter campaign. Be sure to check out the campaign for additional demos and images.
Imagine that you can capture all the patch capabilities of your analog modular in one magic box. Maintaining the full analog signal path, configuration and recall via software. Imagine that you can put together an analog synth like a car in a computer game. A Jupiter oscillator, an Oberheim filter, a Korg envelope ... assembled in a few clicks and with endless routing options.
Nothing virtual, genuine vintage analog sound with famous synth chips from the 70's and 80's.
Completely modular with cable-less analog patch matrix.
Patch cable-less with analog switching chips and software, full digital control.
Without AD/DA conversions between matrix input and output for 100% analog signal path and true zero latency.
Option to function partly or fully as cable-less patchbay for all external devices too.
Option to cable-less patch and control other 3th party modular synths too.
Total analog recall, switch between cable-less wiring configurations instantly. Option to work with downloadable presets too.
Extendable cable-less patch matrix with switching cards, can grow to your needs and desires.
Extendable sound with vintage module cards.
Compact and robust 19" enclosure with optional custom front plate for enclosure pledges that fill up our goal.
Xtreme price break, affordable automated analog audio matrix (search ebay on "64 audio matrix" and see for yourself).
Hard gold plated pcb's assembled in Europe, build to last a lifetime.
We from Anatal Electronics worked for many years on an extendable analog patching matrix that works with chips and software. Upon that patch matrix we build a modular synthesizer with real analog sound that can be controlled with chips and software instead of cables. All analog settings and patch configurations can be saved and restored. For your reference it can be seen as a real analog Nord Modular, an extendable polyphonic Arturia Matrix Brute or a modular Omega infinity with up to 256x256 modulation matrix size.
X-Bay works with cards for extending the matrix and also for adding more of our our vintage modules. The matrix can be extended from 32x32 to 256x256 IO.
Affordable quality
Because every aspect can be controlled digitally there is no need perse for physical buttons or sliders, they are optional not mandatory. This saves a lot of development time and production costs and is the reason why we don't need to compromise on quality for an affordable price. We use ddr pc memory connectors for all extension cards because they are around for decades and many are familiar with their ease of use. Another benefit of not having physical knobs or sliders is that they cannot wear out and cause noise.
The price of components and connectors often depends on how many are sold. Because the connectors we use are in every pc they are affordable and reliable.
Our offer is so generous compared to comparable products that one might wonder if it can be any good. Our pricing is partly business strategy but for the greater part the result of having the right group of people get together at the right point in history. Over a century of combined experience in electronics, software development and vintage synthesizer technology, ignited with passion and the desire to make a difference, can cause a true genuine revolution in a significant industry. We did it because we can and now we need you to make it happen. Be part of something majestic!
Proven technology and components
The underlying concepts for the switching modulation matrix is like other networking technologies, complex but around for many decades. The audio signal switching chips we use are in production for more than 25 years. Our effort made it possible to have such a matrix in a small enclosure so that it will fit in a 19" rack.
The synthesizer modules are implemented with reissued, cloned or original chips from Curtis Electronics and SSM. By many considered as the best choice and many well known vintage synthesizer from the 70's and early 80's are implemented with these chips.
How to play
Connect a midi keyboard or midi software like cubase and control it like any other midi device. Modular connections and analog settings can be applied with our software that runs on devices with internet browsers. Also over WIFI for phones and tablets. Separate mouse and touch interface is provided. It does not mean that X-Bay cannot be controlled by knobs or sliders. It is even remarkably easy to make a true analog controller with direct contact pots. Mind you many, if not most, synthesizer have encoding controllers which is basically digital control and differs not much from a midi controller that you can already use since X-Bay is midi controllable. For sure in the near future an analog controller will be provided by either us or 3th parties."
30 modular systems in a multi-instrument and sequence designer
Quadra Modular is a powerful 4-part multi-instrument and sequence designer, ideal for the creation of dynamic, rhythmic, and evolving sequences utilizing an incredible selection of patches created on a wide range of modular synthesizers, from vintage to modern, stand-alone to fully customized and purpose-built systems. We approached recording these beasts as if they were acoustic instruments, creating discrete velocity layers and round-robins in order to capture their organic soul.
Quadra is a versatile instrument, capable of a wide range of sounds and uses from standard fare instrumentation to evolving, complex, and adaptive progressions and harmonizations that can be morphed and performed in numerous ways to suit the needs of your production. With a masterful selection of hundreds of professionally designed presets, Quadra offers incredible sound quality and near endless inspiration on-demand.
Quadra leverages a powerful instrument selection, deep factory library, focused and intuitive workflow, and expressive performance controls to deliver cinematic sound quality and near endless musical inspiration.
Curated Instrument Selection Quadra provides 4 robust instrument layers that can be used together to create striking and evocative performances. Each layer can be assigned from a selection of 30 multi-sampled sources including massive stand-alone systems like the Colossus, to popular small format systems like eurorack.
At the heart of each of Quadra's instrument layers is a powerful, multimode 64-step sequencer with MIDI effects, allowing you to quickly add rhythmic grooves, create arpeggiator sequences, add harmonies, and even quantize the incoming notes to specific scales. Choose a global rate, gate length, and max velocity, then customize your sequence with per-step velocity, link, harmonization, pitch offset, octave offset, gate, step repeat and panning. Save your patterns to disk as presets to share, or use the handy "copy-to" button to quickly duplicate your finished sequence from one layer to another.
Quadra includes a number of MIDI effect modules that allow you to embellish and augment your sequences in creative ways, including Euclidean Emphasis which adds rhythmic accents, MIDI Delay, Random, and Pitch Drift which enrich your sequence, and a scale quantizer that allows you to snap all notes to a scale of your choosing. You can even drag-and-drop the modified sequences as MIDI into a track of your DAW.
"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. There is no shortage of synth manufacturers offering costly top-shelf instruments: PolyBrutes, UDOs, all the old stuff but new and even Roland started channeling their inner Teenage Engineering.
Today, however, we are going to talk about Nord Modular. This range of digital high-end modular synths was introduced in 1998 and not only is there no modern successor in sight, they also made it incredibly hard to use the originals properly. This time it’s personal!
Chapters: 00:00 Intro tune 00:56 Overview Nord Modular G1 01:12 The Nord Modular Range 01:17 The Concept, UI, Computer Integration 01:43 The Software Editor Situation 02:00 Freeware Editor ( Byte Order ) 02:16 The Modules ( Oscillators, Drums, FM ) 02:54 Generative Patches vs. Normal Synth Duties 03:04 Filters 03:40 Modulators 04:08 Using it as a Groovebox ( Clock Generator, Sequencers ) 04:43 Effects (or lack thereof) 05:09 Features for Keyboardists 05:26 Even more weird Features 05:44 What else??? (Connectivity, Pricing,...) 06:10 H*te Screen 06:35 Jam 1 ( Techno Groovebox Patch ) 07:29 Jam 2 ( Many, Many Patches Jam ) 08:34 Finale ( 90s Psytrance ) 08:46 VERDICT"
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