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Average Price: $581
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$500
$1501+
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Description
Polyphony - 16 Voices Oscillators - 2 VSM oscillators: sine, triangle, sawtooth, pulse and noise LFO - 2 LFO's (triangle, sawtooth, random) control OSC 1 or 2, filter, pulse-width, ADSR envelope Filter - 12 dB/oct 2-pole lowpass, 24dB/oct 4-pole lowpass / bandpass / highpass (both with cutoff, resonance, env amount, env velocity, key tracking, ADSR envelope) VCA - ADSR envelope and Amplifier Gain control Keyboard - 49 keys (velocity sensitive) Memory - 99 patches (59 preset, 40 user), 99 performances, 10 drum kits Control - MIDI (4 parts), all knobs and controls send MIDI CC data Date Produced - 1997
Product specs
| Brand | Nord |
| Model | Rack 2 16-Voice Rackmount Virtual Analog 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 | 16 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of synthesis does the Clavia Nord Rack 2 use?
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The Clavia Nord Rack 2 is a rackmount virtual analog synthesizer, which means it uses digital signal processing to emulate the sound of traditional analog synthesizers.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Nord Rack 2 offer?
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The Nord Rack 2 provides 16 voices of polyphony, allowing you to play multiple notes simultaneously, which is ideal for complex chords and layered sounds.
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What are the MIDI connectivity options for the Nord Rack 2?
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The Nord Rack 2 features MIDI input and output, enabling you to connect it to other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded control and integration into your setup.
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Is the Nord Rack 2 suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Nord Rack 2 is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, intuitive interface, and versatile sound capabilities, making it a reliable choice for stage use.
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Can the Nord Rack 2 be used with modern DAWs?
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The Nord Rack 2 can be integrated with modern DAWs using its MIDI connectivity, allowing you to control the synthesizer from your digital audio workstation and incorporate its sounds into your projects.
Videos
SuganoMusic
Clavia nord rack 2 DEMO
Clavia nord rack 2 DEMO
SuganoMusic
Nord Rack 2 Synth Jam
Optoproductions
Clavia Nord Rack 2 (1997) Digital Synthesizer Part 1 - No Talking Demo
Nacho Marty Meyer
Nord Rack 2 Tutorial - Virtual Analog Synthesizer
Optoproductions
Reviews
PROS
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Groundbreaking virtual analog synthesis for warm, rich sounds
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Dedicated knobs for real-time control and instant sound shaping
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Versatile sound creation, from crisp to nasty analog-digital sounds
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Solid build quality ensures durability
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Individual outputs for each part enhance external effect integration
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Layering capabilities transform it into a powerful sound design tool
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Unique Pelle's Mode boosts productivity
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Amazing chorus effect for epic plucks, basses, and leads
CONS
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Limited in creating otherworldly, unique sounds
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Lacks built-in main effects like reverb and delay
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Some find it only suitable for basics despite its potential
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Clavia Nord Rack 2.
Features and functionality
Setup and maintenance
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Common issues in used units include power supply failures and worn potentiometers, often due to heavy use or mishandling.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
Build quality
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Owners praise the Nord Rack 2X for its robust build, noting the excellent quality of the knobs and overall construction.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 7 Reviews and 29 Ratings
1312
The virtual analog concept combines classic ideas with today's technology. Instead of analog components we use digital signal processors (DSPs) that we program to emulate analog synthesis.
In 1995 Clavia launched the original Nord Lead Virtual Analog synthesizer. It immediately became a ground breaking success and set industry standard. Two years later the Nord Lead was followed by Nord Lead 2 which took the virtual analog concept even further, adding a number of improvements and new features.
The virtual analog concept combines classic ideas with today's technology. Instead of analog components we use digital signal processors (DSPs) that we program to emulate analog synthesis. The programming is made very carefully to reproduce the warmth and richness of the traditional analog sound. But the virtual analog technique opens up for much more possibilities than "just" analog sound. You can create crisp or really nasty "analog-digital" sounds that widely exceeds the limits of competing products. Awesome leads, booming basses, frantic techno - at your fingertips. Every function has a dedicated knob, just like it used to be in the good old days. No more complex menus! Total real time control and instant accessibility make it a breeze to shape the sounds exactly the way you want them.
1264
It sounds pretty good
A little limited, but has a good tone. Good for basics. Great for basics really. Won't make your friends cry with the strange otherworldy beauty you've created with it. But it will get a job done well. I sold mine when I had a studio purge and I do kinda miss it. Maybe I'll get another one.
Red Predator
For the days when the house is too small and your aggression has to be removed, nice animal
2130
Pluck Factory
Just so bright and fat enough. Chorus just amazing. You can hear some epic plucks, basses and lead sounds out of it. Plus it has Pelle's Mode too. So productive. There is only missing main fx's such as reverb and delay.
Artist usage
Add artist
Above & Beyond's Jono Grant shared a photo on Twitter featuring the Clavia Nord Rack 2, highlighting its use in their music production setup.
can be seen in this post from March 14, 2016
In this video at 4:46 Fatboy slim studio he use.
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In a rare picture of SOPHIE's Studio from 2016, you can see a rackmounted Nord Lead 2.
"Studio almost ready in my new house i can't wait to get back at it pic.twitter.com/fAN668w0Uz" Nord Rack 2 can be found on top of the left-most box in the photo.
You can find it on the equipment-list on his homepage!
In the Arte TRACKS Interview with A. G., SOPHIE, Danny L Harle, and Caroline Polachek, A. G. Can be seen using the Nord Rack 2 by Clavia.
Also A. G. has released a 7G Deluxe Box Set during the release of his album 7G. Inside the digital box set is a file called "Data II.txt" within the "_README" folder. The text file explains why he got the Nord Rack:
When I say Nord I'm referring to the Nord rack 2 tho I did have ambitions of tracking down a Nord Modular (ideally G2)... it's funny I first saw a version of the Nord in Sophie's old studio (back when I was terrible at making synth sounds from scratch and was just a MIDI head) and I remember being able to generate some literal noise from it but it didn't really connect with me. I think she had it there as a kind of Autechre tribute but anyway it was many years later when I came across the Nord rack 2 in a studio in Berlin working on Jónsi's album... I think what I like about the Nord sound in general... is the exact way they've tackled 'virtual analog'. Not only is it built on a 'paradox' (virtual? analog?) or whatever but it really does sound ambiguous, the way it morphs or distorts doesn't feel like a DAW plug-in but similarly you wouldn't really hear it as analogue.
Clay Parton uses a Clavia Nord Rack 2, as evidenced by a Twitter post from the account @thisisduster, which shows the equipment.
At 10:08 in the video in which Celldweller shows off his studio to Future Music Magazine, he says "And continuing down lower . . . it's the Nord Rack 2 that I've had for a really long time. This goes back to probably even my 1st albums that I've had that".
There is a Nord Rack 2 synthesizer on the rack shelf next to blue SE1X in this photo of Gui Boratto in his home studio.
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 Rack 2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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