Clavia Nord Micro Modular

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$666.70 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (18)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Clavia Nord Micro Modular

6 wishlisted

34 saved

Page last updated Jun 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (2)

$666.70 2 available Used

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Average Price: $667

Standard/Professional

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Tabletop Synthesizers category, Clavia Nord Micro Modular is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unlock the world of modular synthesis with the Clavia Nord Micro Modular, a tabletop synthesizer that fuses innovative sound design with compact convenience. This powerful unit is a favorite among DJs and electronic musicians who crave flexibility and creativity in their setups. Featuring a unique virtual modular architecture, the Nord Micro Modular offers an extensive range of sound-shaping possibilities, all within a surprisingly small package.

The intuitive software editor allows for seamless patching and customization, enabling users to build complex sounds with ease. With its robust DSP engine, this synthesizer handles everything from lush pads to aggressive leads, making it versatile enough for any genre. Its comprehensive library of modules, including oscillators, filters, and effects, provides endless opportunities for sonic exploration. The dedicated MIDI control ensures easy integration with other gear, perfect for live performances and studio sessions alike.

Whether you're an experienced synth enthusiast or a newcomer to modular systems, the Nord Micro Modular offers an accessible yet deep synthesis experience. Its compact size makes it ideal for musicians on the go, while its expansive capabilities ensure it can hold its own in any professional setup.

Key Features:

Virtual modular architecture for extensive sound design
Intuitive software editor for easy patching and customization
Comprehensive library of modules, including oscillators, filters, and effects
Robust DSP engine for high-quality sound processing
Dedicated MIDI control for seamless integration with other gear
Compact design, ideal for live performances and portable setups

Product specs

Brand	Nord
Model	Micro Modular Desktop Virtual Synthesizer
Finish	Red
Year	1997 - 2003
Made In	Sweden
Categories	Desktop Synths, Digital Synthesizers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Polyphony	4 Voices

FAQs

What is the primary difference between the Nord Micro Modular and the Nord Modular G1?: The Nord Micro Modular is a single-part multitimbral synthesizer, meaning it can play one patch at a time, while the Nord Modular G1 offers four-part multitimbrality, allowing for more complex sound layering.
Can the Nord Micro Modular be edited without a computer?: No, the Nord Micro Modular requires a computer for editing its synthesis engine. It uses a software editor to create and modify patches, which is essential for accessing its full range of capabilities.
How many voices of polyphony does the Nord Micro Modular support?: The Nord Micro Modular supports four voices of polyphony, allowing for the simultaneous playback of up to four notes.
What type of connections does the Nord Micro Modular have for MIDI integration?: The Nord Micro Modular features both MIDI Input and MIDI Output connections, enabling it to integrate seamlessly with other MIDI-compatible devices and controllers.
Is the Nord Micro Modular suitable for live performance use?: While the Nord Micro Modular can be used for live performance, its reliance on a computer for patch editing may limit its flexibility on stage compared to other standalone synthesizers.

Videos

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180 Fact

Signal Path: Logos – Nord Micro Modular acid

180 Fact

Faxi Nadu - Clavia Nord Micro Modular Review | Deep Dive into Unique Features & Sound Design

Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Nord Micro Modular - Digital Spaghetti from the 90s [No Talking Demo]

Marshal Arnold

Nord Micro Modular on Windows 10, does it work?? - Live EDM Studio Session

Marshal Arnold

Nord Micro Modular - mr.Oizo - Flat Beat

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Nord Micro Modular #2

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Making a groove on a Nord Micro Modular Tutorial

Doc Bolus

Reviews

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PROS

Ahead of its time in connect-ability to computer via MIDI
Great for learning modular synthesis
Impressive selection of customizable instruments

CONS

Lack of support and updates from Clavia
DIY editors available are unstable
Requires outdated technology (e.g., XP laptop) for full functionality
No modern OSX compatible editor, forcing use of workarounds like Parallels

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Clavia Nord Micro Modular.

Setup and maintenance

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A dedicated MIDI interface is essential to prevent crashes; disconnect or disable ports in DAWs like Logic and Ableton to avoid issues.
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Replacing a faulty potentiometer can be done with a new part, but careful desoldering is crucial to avoid damaging the circuit board pads.
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Software and compatibility

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On Mac, it only works with PPC and Intel processors; M1/M2 are incompatible. A Windows editor needs to be installed via a Wine bottle.
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Build quality

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Some MIDI cables may not fit properly due to the low-sitting top case, a unique design flaw by Clavia.
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The circuit board inside the Nord Micro Modular is noted for being well-organized and efficiently designed, packing significant functionality into a compact space.
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Features and functionality

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Known as the "Red Devil," it serves as a versatile alternative to Reaktor and eurorack, offering extensive FX and processing capabilities.
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The hardware performance knobs are highly praised for live setups and are frequently used for processing external audio.
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It's noted that the Micro Modular lacks a decent delay and reverb, yet offers versatile external processing with multi-band compression and modulation capabilities.
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User experience

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Owners find using cheap MIDI to USB interfaces effective, although Edirol and Presonus interfaces are also compatible with the unit.
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Owners often dedicate a cheap old laptop specifically for the editor due to challenges with modern computer compatibility.
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Use cases and applications

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It's commonly used for complex envelope following, sync'd rhythmic logic, and advanced signal processing like comb filters and wavefolders.
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Grouping patches by themes (e.g., pads, distorted sounds, sound effects) is a popular method to maximize its flexibility.
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Comparisons

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While not fully comparable to a DX7, the Micro Modular offers similar polyphony and tweaking capabilities, giving it an edge over items like the Volca FM.
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Mods and upgrades

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Copper braid can be more effective than a solder sucker for desoldering, offering an easier way to remove old solder from component legs.
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Critic Reviews

Clavia Nord Modular v3.03 & MicroModular

soundonsound.com

The Clavia Nord Micro Modular offers remarkable synthesis power in a compact package. Its Mac compatibility and vast sound design capabilities make it a unique and enjoyable instrument. The ability to create diverse architectures, from Moog-like sounds to new, experimental ones, keeps users engaged. However, its lack of MIDI Thru and certain controls like pitch-bend can be frustrating. Additionally, bugs in the software need addressing, and the editor's dedicated MIDI I/O requirements can be a nuisance. Despite these shortcomings, the overall experience is rewarding, especially for those passionate about sound design. Highly recommended for creative exploration.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 18 Ratings

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m_thirteen

340

about 6 years ago

Highly versatile piece of kit

I have owned mine since new, for about 20 years. It’s connect-ability to the computer editor via MIDI was ahead of its time, but unfortunately Clavia did not support with updates over the years. There are a few DIY editors out there which work but are unstable. Best bet is to find a cheap old XP laptop and use it as a dedicated editor for this unit. Mine has a great selection of instruments i have created and built up over the years so i really don’t delve into editing anymore (maybe again one day)

Roles:

Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Synthpop

alfa_trax

195

over 6 years ago

digital modular

the nord modular's little brother, great synth to learn modular

Roles:

Composer Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Pop

deepsignalstudios

493

over 10 years ago

Great piece, hard to use today

I really wish someone would make an editor that runs in modern OSX other than than buggy Nomad. I end up running XP in Parallels to use the solid version that Calvia made 15 years ago.

Roles:

Composer Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Techno Ambient