The Nord Modular series is a line of

synthesizer A synthesizer (also spelled synthesiser) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis and ...

s produced by

Clavia Clavia Digital Musical Instruments (Clavia DMI AB) is a Swedish manufacturer of virtual analog synthesizers, virtual electromechanical pianos and stage pianos, founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1983 by Hans Nordelius and Mikael Carlsson. Since 1995 ...

, a Swedish digital synthesizer manufacturer. The Nord Modular series, in common with their sister range the

Nord Lead The Nord Lead is a series of Analog modeling synthesizer, virtual analog Subtractive synthesis, subtractive synthesizers, manufactured by Clavia. Released in 1994, the original Nord Lead was the digital synthesizer that made the term ''virtual a ...

series, are analogue modelling synthesizers, producing sounds that approximate those produced by conventional analogue synths by using DSP chips to digitally model analogue circuitry.

Overview

The Nord Modular range approximates the much more flexible capabilities of

modular synthesizers Modular synthesizers are synthesizers composed of separate modules for different functions. The modules can be connected together by the user to create a patch. The outputs from the modules may include audio signals, analog control voltages, ...

. Unlike most other analogue modeling synth hardware, which generally simulates one or a small number of (usually subtractive ) synth circuit layouts, the Nord Modular provides an almost unlimited variation of synth architectures, with the facility to simulate, in addition to subtractive synthesis,

additive Additive may refer to: Mathematics * Additive function, a function in number theory * Additive map, a function that preserves the addition operation * Additive set-functionn see Sigma additivity * Additive category, a preadditive category with f ...

, FM, and, in the second generation of the series,

physical modelling synthesis Physical modelling synthesis refers to sound synthesis methods in which the waveform of the sound to be generated is computed using a mathematical model, a set of equations and algorithms to simulate a physical source of sound, usually a musical i ...

methods, as well as a number of other sound generation and processing techniques. ;Patch editor Because of the flexibility offered by these synths, patches cannot be programmed from the control panel. Instead, patch editing is performed on a PC (connected via 2 dedicated MIDI ports in the case of the first generation and USB in the second generation or G2 systems), running editor software bundled with the synths. The editor software is in appearance and function not dissimilar to computer-based modular synthesis environments like

Reaktor Reaktor is a graphical modular software music studio developed by Native Instruments (NI). It allows musicians and sound specialists to design and build their own instruments, Sampler (musical instrument), samplers, effects and sound design tool ...

which offer a graphical representation of the simulated modules and the associated connections between them. Unlike those systems however, the Nord Modulars are capable of functioning independently of a computer — the host computer plays no part in sound generation and is needed only to provide the patch editing interface. ;Modules The Nord Modular line of synthesizers features a range of modules familiar to users of hardware modulars: audio input and output modules,

Oscillators Oscillation is the repetitive or periodic variation, typically in time, of some measure about a central value (often a point of equilibrium) or between two or more different states. Familiar examples of oscillation include a swinging pendulum ...

, Low Frequency Oscillators (or LFOs),

envelope generator In sound and music, an envelope describes how a sound changes over time. It may relate to elements such as amplitude (volume), frequencies (with the use of filters) or pitch. For example, a piano key, when struck and held, creates a near-immedi ...

filters Filter, filtering or filters may refer to: Science and technology Computing * Filter (higher-order function), in functional programming * Filter (software), a computer program to process a data stream * Filter (video), a software component tha ...

of various kinds, mixers, audio effects such as

distortion In signal processing, distortion is the alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of a signal. In communications and electronics it means the alteration of the waveform of an information-bearing signal, such as an audio signal ...

and

chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song) or refrain, line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in which all verse ...

logic gates A logic gate is an idealized or physical device implementing a Boolean function, a logical operation performed on one or more binary inputs that produces a single binary output. Depending on the context, the term may refer to an ideal logic gate ...

and four

sequencer Sequencer may refer to: Technology * Drum sequencer (controller), an electromechanical system for controlling a sequence of events automatically * DNA sequencer, a machine used to automatically produce a sequence readout from a biological DNA sam ...

modules, which can be connected in almost any configuration- there is for example no restriction on connecting audio signal outputs to control signal or logic inputs (or vice versa), allowing for a great deal of flexibility in patch creation. Patches are only limited in complexity by the available DSP resources. ;Polyphony However, the more complex a patch is in general, the smaller the available polyphony is, and in practice the specified full polyphony of the unit is only achievable when using a very small number of modules in a given patch. However, because of the flexible nature of the unit 'polyphony' does not correspond strictly to 'number of different notes sounding at one time'- indeed with some thought and careful programming it is possible to exceed the specified polyphony of the unit (by this definition of polyphony at least).

Nord Modular G2

Clavia introduced the first generation in 1998. The series was discontinued in 2004 upon the release of the next generation ''Nord Modular G2'' series. The G2 is an updated and more powerful version of the original Modular (the G2 uses a new version of the Editor software as well), with greater polyphony and a large number of new modules to address the perceived limitations of the first generation, most notably a range of MIDI sequencing and output modules (the first generation's sequencing capabilities were limited to control of internal parameters, a restriction which many users felt to be the system's biggest limitation), time-based effects (

reverb Reverberation (also known as reverb), in acoustics, is a persistence of sound, after a sound is produced. Reverberation is created when a sound or signal is reflected causing numerous reflections to build up and then decay as the sound is abso ...

delay Delay (from Latin: dilatio) may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Delay 1968'', a 1981 album by German experimental rock band Can * ''The Delay'', a 2012 Uruguayan film People * B. H. DeLay (1891–1923), American aviator and acto ...

, etc.), and

physical modelling Physical modelling synthesis refers to sound synthesis methods in which the waveform of the sound to be generated is computed using a mathematical model, a set of equations and algorithms to simulate a physical source of sound, usually a musi ...

oscillators. However, there has been some debate in the NM community as to which generation produces the best raw sound, with many users feeling, for example, that the original series' filters had a more subjectively pleasing, grittier sound. The first G2 Modular serial number 001 was presented to

Derek Sherinian Derek Sherinian (born August 25, 1966) is an American keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, and Joe Bonamassa, among others. He was also a member of Dream Theater from 1994 to 1999, is the founder of Planet X and ...

by Bengt Lilja in 2004 to honor Sherinian for his high profile usage of Nord/Clavia products. G2 series was discontinued in 2009.

The original Nord Modular (or 'Classic') series

(from the Clavia website) The (first generation) Nord Modular family consists of three hardware models: Nord Modular Key, Nord Modular Rack and Nord Micro Modular. They are all built around the same type of electronics and use the same type of DSP. Nord Modular Key and Rack have 4 DSPs as standard (can be expanded to 8 with the Nord Modular Voice Expansion Board), and the Nord Micro Modular has 1 DSP (non-expandable).

Nord Modular Key and Rack

General :* Programmable polyphonic modular synthesizer :* Minimum 4 voices expandable to minimum 8 voices :* Maximum 32 voices depending on patch complexity :* 4-part multi-timbral :* Holds patches (sounds) and operating system in

flash ram Flash memory is an electronic non-volatile computer memory storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. The two main types of flash memory, NOR flash and NAND flash, are named for the NOR and NAND logic gates. Both use t ...

. :* Software upgradable via computer. :* Dynamic patch storage in 9 banks with 99 memory locations. The number of patches which can be stored depends on their size (i.e. number of modules used). :* 24-bit internal processing at 96kHz sampling frequency MIDI features :* All parameters, except for the Master Level, can transmit and receive MIDI Control Change messages. :* Notes can be received over the entire MIDI range. :* MIDI clock sync. Hardware :* 18 user-assignable editing knobs :* 18 dedicated function buttons :* Rotary dial :* 2×16 character backlit LCD display :* Two audio inputs, analog, line level. :* 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, 48kHz sampling frequency :* Four audio outputs, assignable, line-level. :* 18-bit linear DACs, 96kHz sampling frequency :* Headphone output :* MIDI In and Out for "public MIDI" :* PC In and Out for communication with computer Editor :* Control pedal, Sustain or ON/Off pedal inputs :* 2 octave velocity sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons (+/- 2 octaves) (Nord Modular Key) :* MIDI In trig indicator (Nord Modular Rack) Dimensions (Nord Modular Key) :* W × D × H :* Weight: Dimensions (Nord Modular Rack) :* W × D × H :* 19" rack mountable with supplied rack ears :* Weight:

Nord Micro Modular

General :* Programmable modular synthesizer with polyphonic capacity :* 24-bit internal processing at 96kHz sampling frequency :* Maximum 4 voices (practical limit) depending on patch complexity :* 3 user-assignable editing knobs and one user-assignable button :* 3 dedicated function buttons :* 2×7-segment LED display :* Holds 99 user patches (sounds) and operating system software in

. Software upgradable via computer. MIDI features :* All parameters, except the master level, can transmit and receive MIDI Control Change messages. :* Notes can be received over the entire MIDI range. :* MIDI clock sync. Hardware :* Two analog audio inputs, line level. 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, 48kHz sampling frequency :* 2 assignable outputs, line-level. 18-bit linear DACs, 96kHz sampling frequency :* Headphone output :* MIDI In and Out for "public MIDI" :* PC In and Out for communication with computer Editor Dimensions :* W × D × H Used Nord Modulars can still be found for sale online. The Nord Modular appears in the

Nine Inch Nails Nine Inch Nails, commonly abbreviated as NIN and stylized as NIИ, is an American industrial rock band formed in Cleveland in 1988. Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Trent Reznor was the only permanent member of the band ...

video for Into The Void. Other known users are Autechre and Apparat.

References

External links

Clavia.se - Nord Modular G2 Page
- download page for a software demo that reproduces (to a limited extent) the sound and operation of the G2 (both Mac OS and Windows versions).
Clavia.se - Nord Modular Page
- for the discontinued NM 'Classic' line.

- download page for freely available.pdf versions of the NM and G2 manuals.
Nomad - Nord Modular open source editor
- alternative software editor for the Nord Modular
Electro-Music.com - NM forums
- largest online forums and patch exchange for the Nord Modular Classic and G2 series.
Retrosound - Nord Modular 1 sounds by Marko Ettlich
{{Clavia Clavia synthesizers