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Description

With the Nord Modular you are able to construct the “synthesizers of your dreams”. Simply drag synth modules out onto the computer screen, make your connections using “virtual patch cords”, and in no time you’ll have your new synthesizer in front of you.

The innovative and flexible architecture of the Nord Modular allows for extensive sound sculpturing. How about a 5-oscillator-per-note synthesizer with 5 LFO’s, two resonant 24 dB/oct low-pass filters with separate envelopes or maybe a fat string sound with 14 oscillators – in stereo. Move your body to a mega fat bass sequence built up with 4 oscillators and a distorted classic analog lowpass filter in combination with a note sequencer module. Or, why not a classic 6 operator FM patch for that “electric” piano sound or a 24 sine wave oscillator patch for additive synthesis.

All your patches can be stored in the Nord Modular synthesizer and recalled later on – also without a computer connected! Stereo analog inputs open up for extensive sound processing possibilities. 16-band vocoding, anyone? Nord Modular has it all. Your imagination is only the beginning...

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-modular

Product specs

Brand Nord
Model Modular Rack Desktop / Rackmount Virtual Synthesizer
Finish Red
Year 1997 - 2003
Made In Sweden
Categories Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Polyphony 32 Voices

FAQs

What is the polyphony capability of the Clavia Nord Modular?

The Clavia Nord Modular offers 32-voice polyphony, allowing you to create complex patches with multiple simultaneous notes.

Does the Clavia Nord Modular support MIDI connectivity?

Yes, the Clavia Nord Modular features MIDI Input and MIDI Output, enabling integration with other MIDI-compatible devices and software.

What makes the Clavia Nord Modular unique compared to other synthesizers?

The Clavia Nord Modular is a digital modular synthesizer that combines hardware DSP with a software editor, offering extensive sound sculpting capabilities and flexibility for creating custom patches.

Is the Clavia Nord Modular suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Clavia Nord Modular is designed for both studio use and live performances, providing versatile sound design options and reliable MIDI connectivity.

Can the Clavia Nord Modular be used as a standalone unit?

The Clavia Nord Modular is a rackmount synthesizer and requires connection to a computer for patch editing through its dedicated software, making it ideal for studio setups.

Jannis Fransson

Jannis Fransson

Clavia Nord Modular G1 / Classic - My Demo #2

Video thumbnail for Clavia Nord Modular G1 / Classic - My Demo #2 by Jannis Fransson

Clavia Nord Modular G1 / Classic - My Demo #2

Jannis Fransson

Jannis Fransson

Video thumbnail for Clavia Nord Modular Rack G1 // Sound Editing & Mapping In The Machine - No Computer by LESINDES

Clavia Nord Modular Rack G1 // Sound Editing & Mapping In The Machine - No Computer

LESINDES

LESINDES

Video thumbnail for Depeche Mode The Things You Said synth cover Clavia Nord Modular G1 Atari ST Steinberg Cubase by Obsolete Nonsense

Depeche Mode The Things You Said synth cover Clavia Nord Modular G1 Atari ST Steinberg Cubase

Obsolete Nonsense

Obsolete Nonsense

Video thumbnail for Yazoo (Yaz) Don’t Go instrumental synth cover Clavia Nord Modular G1 Atari Mega ST Steinberg Cubase by Obsolete Nonsense

Yazoo (Yaz) Don’t Go instrumental synth cover Clavia Nord Modular G1 Atari Mega ST Steinberg Cubase

Obsolete Nonsense

Obsolete Nonsense

Video thumbnail for Clavia Nord Modular G1 / Classic - My Demo #1 by Jannis Fransson

Clavia Nord Modular G1 / Classic - My Demo #1

Jannis Fransson

Jannis Fransson

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior sound quality, reminiscent of early Nord Leads

  • Capable of generating experimental modular synth patches

  • Thousands of patches available online

  • Flexible control with freely assignable knobs

  • Can process external audio through two channels

  • Still compatible with current operating systems

CONS

  • Requires a computer to create new sounds

  • Small keyboard size

  • Editor not updated past Windows 2k/XP era, though workarounds exist

  • Concerns about future OS compatibility with the editor

Owner Insights

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

Software and compatibility

  • The Nord Modular G1 editor can be run on modern OSX with a current program, eliminating the need for vintage hardware or a Windows XP virtual machine.

    Source
  • On Mac, works only on PPC and Intel processors; M1/M2 are not supported.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Nord Modular G1 is noted for its ability to mimic the Nord Lead 1/2 with thousands of patches available, providing flexibility in sound design.

    Source
  • The G1 allows for using one of its four slots as an FX processor, enhancing its utility beyond just a traditional synthesizer.

    Source
  • The Nord G2X is lauded for its unique capabilities, with owners expressing there's nothing comparable in hardware.

    Source
  • The Nord Modular G2 is considered one of the best FX units, offering four inputs and outputs for versatile sound processing.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners use the Nord Modular G1 as a control center for modular systems, integrating it with analog oscillators and filters through MIDI to CV interfaces.

    Source
  • The G2 engine is praised for its ability to create complex delays, with higher RAM allowing more intricate soundscapes compared to the original Nord Modular.

    Source
  • Autechre and Chemical Brothers have been noted to utilize the G2 for their music production, showcasing its professional-grade capabilities.

    Source

Build quality

  • It is critical to check all buttons, rotaries, and the encoder for functionality before purchasing, as these are prone to wear over time.

    Source
  • Some MIDI cables may not fit due to Clavia's low top case design.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Dedicated MIDI interface is essential; connecting via PC port can cause crashes or erratic behavior.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Seen as a solid Reaktor and expensive eurorack alternative, offering ample sound processing capabilities.

    Source
  • Owners note a distinct character in Nord's digital filters, highlighting their punchiness compared to the Virus synth, which is better for analog trance sounds.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite its age, MIDI interface ensures longevity and compatibility across different systems like Linux.

    Source
  • Many who sold their Nord Micromodular regret it, as it retains a unique sound quality that's hard to replicate with other gear.

    Source
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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3582

Mini monster, able to generate wild, experimental modular synth patches to use on the go...

Gives you the sound quality of the early Nord Leads which is subjectively better than newer versions. It has the possibility to generate wild, experimental modular synth patches (but you will need a computer based editor to create new patches). Once created you can store them withing the synth and freely assign knobs to the various parameters of the modules used. Did I already say that I really like the flexibility and sound of this synth? There are literally thousands of patches on the internet for this little monster synth.

The only downsides are the small keyboard and the fact that you need a computer to create new sounds. Fortunately the editor still works with the latest operating systems but I fear the day that the editor will stop working in Windows 25 or OSX El Crappo...

I've looked into upgrading to the V2 which has a larger keyboard and more modules but less knobs (but more usefull encoders with ring LEDs) and does seem to sound more "polished". But I didn't really think the benefits would outweigh the downsides (and additional cost). Maybe one day...

If only Clavia would make a Modular V3 where you could plug in a KVM like the old Roland Samplers so you would not need a computer anymore to edit it. Or just create a browser user interface (BUI) to which you could simply browse with any web enabled device...

lostchildren

Flexible synth, but with an aging editor that is hard to get running on modern hardware.

The Nord Modular is a great virtual modular synth but the editor was't updated past the version which ran on Windows from the Windows 2k / XP era. There is a version which wraps the old editor with Wine though. The virtual modules still sound good today, and you can run two channels of external audio in for processing as well.

elements

Prime tool. 24 bit 96khz back in the 90s.

Incredible sounding musical instrument and sound design tool.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Trent Reznor uses Clavia Nord Modular

Trent Reznor

Singer, Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via YouTube

seen playing this synth towards the end of this music video (3:06) as well as in the alternate video for 'into the void' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv8UjkiTZCo at 3:07

See how The Chemical Brothers uses Clavia Nord Modular

The Chemical Brothers

Music Producer

The Chemical Brothers

...
Verified via Kreativsound

Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers discusses their creative process in the studio, noting the influence of raw and primal sounds. In this context, the Clavia Nord Modular synthesizer is highlighted as a key tool in shaping their distinctive dance music style. This insight is drawn from the Kreativ Sound article, "Chemical Brothers – Tom Rowlands – In Studio."

See how Autechre uses Clavia Nord Modular

Autechre

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo shared from Autechre's website, you can see a Clavia Nord Modular on the left side of the table.

See how Bernard Sumner uses Clavia Nord Modular

Bernard Sumner

Singer, Guitarist

Joy Division

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview, Bernard is asked, "Are you still using hardware synths, or have you begun using the virtual ones? What experiences have you had with them?" Showing a preference for hardware, he replies, "We used the Nord Modular on the new album... I think it's good to take your sounds from a lot of different sources - that way everything's not going through the same d-a. However some of the virtual ones make really interesting new sounds. I just can't stand doing everything with one hand and two eyeballs. Well, some things are alright!"

See how Chromeo uses Clavia Nord Modular

Chromeo

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 20:00 the Nord Modular can be seen at the backround.

See how Front 242 uses Clavia Nord Modular

Front 242

Music Producer

...
Verified via gearnews.de

Per this May 04, 2021 feature from gearnews.de:

There is a photo of the clear studio from that time in the transition to the two absolutely different-floating-sounding albums (Evil) Off or (Fuck) up evil. There is a Korg Z1 perched and the 2003 album Pulse is released. The Nord Modular & G2 series is clearly involved here. There are some contemporaries in the studio.

See how Laurent Garnier uses Clavia Nord Modular

Laurent Garnier

Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"I'm more a hardware guy. I've got two Nords that I use a lot — the Lead Version 2 and the small one, the Nord Modular, with all the editing stuff inside the computer. I like the texture of the Nord Lead. I'm not too much into the Modular because I'm not a software person really. I like tweaking knobs and having a straight effect. I really enjoy being able to touch the equipment and see what I'm doing, I relate much more to that. What I like about the Nord Lead is it's got tons of buttons and you don't have to go into pages and pages to actually have something happening."

See how Harry Gregson-Williams uses Clavia Nord Modular

Harry Gregson-Williams

Composer, Music Producer

Kind Heaven Orchestra

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Harry Gregson-Williams's LA studio complex, Wavecrest Music, commenced operations in Venice Beach in August 2003, and comprises three floors of editing suites, mix rooms and a live room, as well as Harry's own studio on the top level. This houses the following gear:

Sequencing and digital audio

*Steinberg Cubase SX and Ableton Live running on dual 3.6GHz Xeon server with 4GB RAM, two RME HD*SP 9652 soundcards, 75GB mirrored SATA system drives and 400GB mirrored SATA audio/sample storage drives. MIDI is streamed over LAN to Gigastudio PCs, and an Emagic Unitor 8 and AMT8 are used for hardware synths. *Pro Tools HD Accel system running on dual 2GHz Apple G5, with one 192 Analog and seven 192 Digital interfaces.

Samplers

*14x Emu E4X. *24x Roland S760. *7x 3.0GHz Pentium 4 PCs with 80GB SATA system drives, RME HDSP 9652 soundcards and 250GB SATA sound drives with custom and commercial sound libraries, running Tascam Gigastudio 3.

Software synths and plug-ins

*Arturia ARP 2600, Minimoog V and CS80. *Antares Filter and Auto-Tune. *Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard. *Gmedia Imposcar and Oddity. *GRM Tools. *Korg Legacy Collection. *Native Instruments Absynth 3, Battery 2, FM7, Kontakt 2, Pro 53, Reaktor 4. *Ohm Force Ohm Boyz. *Spectrasonics Stylus RMX, Atmosphere and Trilogy. *Steinberg D'Cota, X-Phraze, Virtual Guitarist, VG Electric Edition, Groove Agent and Halion.

Hardware synths

*Access Virus, Indigo 2 and Redback. *Clavia Nord Rack, Nord 3 KB and Nord Modular. *Korg Trinity Pro X, Wavestation A/D and M1R. *Novation Supernova II Pro. *Roland JP8080, JD990, JV1080 and MKS80. *Studio Electronics SE1, ATC1 and Omega 8. *Waldorf Q, Microwave II, Microwave XT and Pulse.

Recording, mixing & outboard

*Avalon 727 preamp. *Eventide DSP4000 effects. *Lexicon PCM80 and 90 reverbs. *Quested HQ108 speakers in 5.1 setup. *5x Yamaha 02R digital mixers.

See how Fjaak uses Clavia Nord Modular

Fjaak

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Facebook

can be seen in this post from October 22, 2015

See how Bryan Ferry uses Clavia Nord Modular

Bryan Ferry

Singer, Keyboardist

Roxy Music

...
Verified via Photo

It is stated on Nord's website that Ferry uses a Nord Modular.

See how Mouse On Mars uses Clavia Nord Modular

Mouse On Mars

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Resident Advisor

The Nord Modular can be seen in the photos from this interview article

See how Logic Bomb uses Clavia Nord Modular

Logic Bomb

...
Verified via Photo

Logic Bomb on Facebook, 11 February 2019

Album Usage

The Clavia Nord Modular has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Clavia Nord Modular, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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