clavia Clavia Nord Modular G2, Clavia Nord Modular G2 Demo, Clavia Nord Modular G2 Engine, Clavia Nord Modular G2X nord modular G2 V1.4 (eng)

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x :

Table of contents

Introduction 15

Welcome! 15 About the Nord Modular G2 system 15 About this manual 15

Reading the manual in Adobe Acrobat Reader 15

Clavia on the Internet 16 G2 Basics 16

Modular synthesis 16 Patches 16 Variations 17 Slots 17 Playing multitimbrally 18 Performances 18 Special features in Performances 18 Focus 19 Modules 19 Parameters 19 Assignable Knobs/Buttons 19 Parameter pages 19 Morphs 20

Synth quick tour 21

Checking out the instrument first 21 Check out some Patches! 21

Access more assigned parameters in the Patch 22 Variations 22 Load a new Patch from the internal memory 22

Check out some Performances 23

Access assigned Performance (Global) parameters 23 Loading another Performance from the internal memory 24 Changing Variations when in Global Panel mode 24

Working with the synth 25

System Functions section 26 Edit System Settings 29 List of functions in the G2 System menu 30 Sound Functions section 33 Editing Patch Settings 34

: NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Working with Patches 36

Load a Patch from memory 36 Search for and load a Patch 36 Creating a blank Patch 36 Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch 37 Assign Parameters to Panel Controls 37 Patch parameter Variations 39 Store a Patch 40 Copying Patches 42 Rename a Patch 43 Delete a Patch 43

Working with Slots 43

Activate several Slots 43 Layering Patches 43 Changing Edit Focus but not Keyboard focus 44

Morph groups 44

Assign parameters to a Morph group 44 Deassign parameters from a Morph group 46 Edit parameters in a Morph group 46 Copy a Morph group from one source to another 46 Morph groups in separate Variations 46 A word about the Keyboard Morph 46 A word about the Pitch Stick Morph 47

Performances 47

Entering Performance Mode 47 Exiting Performance Mode 47 Load a new Performance from the internal memory 48 Creating a Performance 48 Editing a Performance 48 Global (Performance) Parameter Pages 49 Keyboard Split 49 Keyboard Zone 50 Storing a Performance 50 Extracting Patches from a Performance 51 Deleting Performances 52

Nord Modular G2 Engine front panel 53 Nord Modular G2 rear panel 53

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x :

The G2 Editor software 55

The Editor software 55

Software installation 55 Editor system requirements Windows PC 55 Editor system requirements Macintosh 55 Windows 98SE/2000/XP, Apple Mac OSX 55 When editing more than one G2 55 Installation of the usb driver 56 Installation of the Editor on a Windows PC 56 Starting up 57 Launching the Editor on a Windows PC 57

The Editor application 58

Toolbar 59

Perf: (name) 59 Master Clock 59 Slot buttons 59 Connection indicators 59 Perf 59 New 60 Init 1&2 60 Module Group selectors 60 Module Icons 60 Patch Load, Cycles and Memory 60 Undo & Redo 61 Color 61 Morph groups 61 Patch Name 61 Category 61 Voice Mode 62 Variation 62 Var Init 62 Patch Level 62 Visible cables 62 Hide all cables 62 Shake cables 62 Patch window split bar 63

Making your first patch 63 Popup menus in the Editor 68

Patch window popup 68 Module popup 69 Parameter popup 70 Cable popup 70

: NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Basic module functions 71

Cables and connectors 71 Module output sample rate 71 Module input sample rate 72 Red and blue outputs, bipolar and unipolar 72 Yellow and orange outputs, logic states 72 Yellow and orange inputs 72 Display boxes and graphs 73 leds 73

Basic module parameter controls 73

Parameters 73 Parameters that can’t be changed between Variations 73 Buttons 74 Radio Buttons 74 Arrow buttons 74 Knobs 74 Sliders 74 Drop-down selectors 74 Scroll buttons 75 Name buttons 75

Modulation 76

Modulation inputs 76 Mod-amount knobs (attenuators) 77 Knob positions 77 Modulation examples 78 Maximum modulation 79 Modulation Level knob names 80

Working in the Editor 81

Sound synthesis on the G2 81 Create a new empty Patch window 81 Add modules to a Patch 81 Rename a module 82 Move a module 82 Delete a module 82 Replace a module 82 Coloring a module 83 Connecting modules 83 Edit module parameters in a Patch 84 Voice Area and FX Area 85 Download a Patch to the synthesizer 86 Store a Patch 86 Delete a Patch 88 Creating Patch parameter Variations 88 Save a Variation 89 Copy a Variation 89 Variation Init 89 midi control of Variations 89

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x :

Knobs and controllers 89

The Parameter Pages window 89 Assign a parameter to a knob 90 Assign all module parameters to a set of knobs 91 midi controllers 91

Morph groups 92

Assign parameters to a Morph group 93 Deassign parameters from a Morph group 93 Edit parameters in a Morph group 94 Copy a Morph group to another source 94 Morph groups in separate Variations 94 Keyboard Morph and Pitch Stick morph 94

The Editor and Performances 94

Performance mode and Patch mode 94 Uploading a Performance to the Editor 95 Creating a Performance in the Editor 95 Keyboard Split (Keyboard Range) 96 Keyboard range and G2 panel split function 96 Combining Split and Layer 96 The Global Parameter Pages 96

Storing a Performance 97

Storing in the synth 97 Saving on the computer 97 Renaming single Patches in Performances 97

Extracting Patches from a Performance 97

Extract a Patch and store it in the synth 97 Extract a Patch and save it on the computer 98

Deleting Performances in the synth 98 Exiting Performance Mode 98

The Patch Mutator 99

Introduction 99

The Patch Mutator Window 100 Using the Patch Mutator 101 Quick Start 102

: NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Patch Mutator reference 103

Which parameters will be affected? 104 Exclude from mutation 104 The Quick Lock buttons 104 Probability distributions 105 Permanently locked parameters 105 Modules excluded by default 106 Mutate 106 Randomize 107 Interpolate 107 Cross 108 The Temporary Storage 109 Saving Sounds 110 Patch Mutator Shortcuts Overview 110

Historical background 111

1. INTRODUCTION

WELCOME!

Thank you for choosing the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer and welcome to the fascinating world of modular synthesis. Prepare yourself for a journey where your creativity can reach new levels, in a way that has not been conceivable with synthesizers before (except with the previous Nord Modular family). As you will find out in a few minutes, the Nord Modular G2 manages to go where no modular synthesizer has ever gone before.

ABOUT THE NORD MODULAR G2 SYSTEM

The Nord Modular G2 system consists of two parts: the synthesizer, which will be named the synth or G2 from now on, and the editor software, which is named the Editor. The G2 hardware itself is a polyphonic

synthesizer, the Editor is used to upload the synth with different sounds which were stored on a

MIDI

computer or to create sounds yourself. You will find the Editor software on the CD that is included in the back of this manual.

The Nord Modular G2 system comes in three different hardware models:

• The basic Nord Modular G2 with a three-octave keyboard, Pitchstick and Modwheel

• The large Nord Modular G2X with a five-octave keyboard and the G2 expansion board fitted as standard plus two extra Global ModwheelAftertouchs plus a goose-neck dynamic microphone

• The 1U high 19-inch rack mountable Nord Modular G2 E tional engine without any panel controls

NGINE

, offered as a G2 system computa-

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

Every time this manual wants your attention to an object on the synth panel, the name of that object will be printed referred to as the D as the ‘screen’. Whenever there is a reference to the ‘keyboard’ it means the three or five octave keyboard on the synth or to any incoming from the synth frontpanel do not apply to the rack mountable Nord Modular G2 Engine. Since the Nord Modular G2 Engine lacks the hardware user interface from the other G2 family models, it has to be programmed entirely from the Editor! Therefore, if you have the Nord Modular G2 Engine, please refer to the chapters that describe operation from the Editor.

EADING THE MANUAL IN ADOBE ACROBAT READER

This manual is also available as a PDF file. It can be downloaded, free of charge, from Clavia’s web site at http://www.clavia.se. When reading the manual as PDF file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or later. This program can be downloaded, free of charge, at http://www.adobe.com.

LIKE THIS

, e.g. ‘press the S

ISPLAYS

AIN OR ASSIGNABLE

MIDI

notes to the synth. The parts of the manual that describe operation

button’. The

TORE

displays on the G2 synth are always

LCD

) and the computer monitor is always referred to

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1. Introduction: Clavia on the Internet NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

With Adobe Acrobat Reader it is possible to use special navigation features like hyperlinks. This means that you can click with the mouse on a word or sentence and automatically get to the location indicated by the word/sentence. To better show what words or sentences are hyperlinked in this manual, these words are written in purple color.

CLAVIA ON THE INTERNET

If you have access to the Internet, you can check out the Nord Modular G2 section at Clavia’s web site. There, you will also find a sound library with Patches for the Nord Modular G2 system. Point your browser to http://www.clavia.se. In the G2 section of the Clavia website you will also find links to a Nord Modular G2 dedicated Mailing list and Forum, maintained by the Nord Modular G2 user community.

G2 BASICS

In the following paragraphs some definitions of the basic principles used in the G2 are explained. You will need to read these paragraphs to better understand what the G2 is all about.

ODULAR SYNTHESIS

The Nord Modular G2 synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that remains true to the traditional modular synthesis concept. This concept of modular synthesis means that all sounds are generated by a freely configurable set of modules. Each module will have a specific function in the sound that you create or process. The modules themselves are easy to use, most modules look and feel similar to the devices most musicians are familiar with, like a wahwah pedal, phaser stompbox, a tape echo, delayline, a vocoder, etc. Just like these mentioned devices, the G2 modules have inputs and outputs. Connecting the modules is as easy as plugging a cable from the output of an electric piano into the input of a power amplifier. The amount of modules needed for a specific sound depends on how complex you want that sound to be. There are many different modules available, all specialized to have a specific function in a sound. Some modules are used to generate raw audio signals like waveforms, others modify the waveforms by filtering, distortion or controlling the loudness dynamics like attacks and decays. Additionally there are modules which can mix signals together or switch between signals, add effects like echo and reverb, modules to sequence notes or modulation patterns, modules to manage on outside events and play controllers, etc. The current G2 system software V1.4x contains over 160 different types of modules to work with. All modules are described in detail in the Module Reference section in this manual and in the Help-file of the G2 Editor software.

ATCHES

The name P synthesizer. Basically a P are a P

ATCH

Phaser effect on audio coming in on an external audio input, a P thunderstorm, etc. A P once like in a drumkit, depending on how many sound sources are used in the P Think of a P a Patch is monophonic it can optionally be played in Legato mode to bind the notes in the same way as

is traditionally used for how specific types of sounds are set up on a modular

ATCH

defines which modules are used and how they are cabled up. Examples

ATCH

that can be a ready-to-play model of a certain vintage synthesizer, a P

that creates the sound effect of a

ATCH

can produce one particular sound like a synth lead, or several sounds at

ATCH

as a complete synthesizer that you can play in either polyphonic or monophonic mode. If

ATCH

or react

MIDI

that creates a

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 1. Introduction: G2 Basics

on traditional monophonic synthesizers from the past. If a patch is played polyphonic it can use up to thirtytwo voices, depending on the complexity of the sound.

ATCHES

made on the G2 can be stored in the internal memory banks of the synth and/or saved on the computer as a Patch-file. Patch-files can be exchanged with other G2 owners, e.g. by storing them on a floppy disk or sending them over the Internet through email. Patch-files have the file-extension *.

Even though you have to use the Editor to create your own Patches, it is possible to use the Editor program to only transfer Patches from the computer to the synth, then disconnect the synth from the computer and use the synth as a stand-alone synthesizer on stage. This solution makes the Nord Modular G2 system extremely flexible and portable. Additionally, sounds can be dumped over Keyboard and G2X models or from the G2 Editor software. Such a dump can be stored into a using common from a

sequencer program, even without using the G2 Editor program. It is common practice in

MIDI

sequencer programs. Meaning that sounds contained in

MIDI

recording studios to store sounds this way in the ‘song’, ‘arrangement’ or ‘project’ file of a

by the push of a button from the G2 panel of the G2

MIDI

-files can be uploaded

MIDI

sequencer

program, to always guarantee the correct sounds for the song.

The Nord Modular G2 has 4096 memory locations to store Patches (32 Banks with128 memory locations each). The size of a Patch in memory depends on the complexity of the Patch, very complex Patches use more memory, decreasing the total amount of patches you can store in the G2 Patch Banks. The Banks should therefore be considered more like the “folders” you find on a computer.

ARIATIONS

Each P A Nord Modular G2 V

can contain up to 8 different complete parameter setups which are named V

ATCH

ARIATION

is a complete setup of module knob and push button settings plus all

ARIATIONS

patch settings like Arpeggiator On/Off, etc. In other words, it’s possible to have up to eight completely different “sounds” as V of the V

ARIATION

wired synth, a G2 V

buttons. If you compare a P

ARIATION

ARIATIONS

in each Patch. V

ATCH

ARIATIONS

in the Nord Modular G2 with a traditional hard-

can instantly be selected by pressing one

is like a ’Sound’, ‘Program’ or ‘Preset’ in that synth, ready to be instantly recalled. All V

ARIATIONS

in a Patch are automatically stored within a Patch or a Patch-file.

PCH

-file

LOTS

A Patch loads into a S its own

channel and can have its own keyboard split range and keyboard transposition. A S

MIDI

be considered an individual instrument for playing and editing. You activate a S

buttons on the Nord Modular G2 front panel.

LOT

There are four S

can be active at the same time. As you can load a different Patch in each S

LOTS

, which is the physical location from where a Patch can be played. A Slot has

LOT

labelled A, B, C and D on the Nord Modular G2. Any combination of these four

to four Patches at the same time, by stacking them and/or using keyboard splits. The that it is using computational resources. If the Slot is inactive (

below the S

LED

button indicates that the Patch in the S

LOT

is actually loaded and active, and

LOT

is dimmed) there is actually still a Patch

LED

in the Slot, but the Patch is deactivated and is not using any computational resources. The If a S

LOT

above the S

LED

is active but the S

LOT

button will be lit to indicate that the S

LOT

can still be played by incoming

is ready for playing by the keyboard.

LOT

is not connected to the keyboard (only the lower

signals in the

MIDI

channel the S

MIDI

LOT

by pressing one of the

you can play up

LOT

lights up) the

LED

is assigned to. The M

Page 17

can

AIN

1. Introduction: G2 Basics NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

ISPLAY

shows the memory bank location from where the Patch was recalled, plus the name of the

Patch as well as a possible Sound Category selected for the Patch.

LAYING MULTITIMBRALLY

The S

LOTS

can receive

information on separate

MIDI

channels, making the Nord Modular G2 up

MIDI

to 4 part multitimbral. If you want to use the G2 multitimbrally, you first have to load the Patches you want to layer into individual S in the multitimbral configuration. Then, simultaneously press the S

. Hold down S

LOTS

and press the S

HIFT

buttons you want to include

LOT

buttons for the S

LOT

LOTS

you want to play by the G2 keyboard. One of the active S optional editing. You can change the focused S another active S desired S

LOT

button(s). The M

LOT

has its active

LOTS

flashing, this is the focused slot, the slot that is ready for

LED

LOT

. To deactivate and reactivate S

AIN DISPLAY

shows the memory location and the name of the Patch as

by pressing the corresponding S

in a multitimbral setup, hold S

LOTS

LOT

HIFT

button of

and the

well as the Sound Category for the focused Patch.

! If you don’t use a slot for play by the keyboard or play by incoming

to allow for more voices in the other S

LOT

ERFORMANCES

LOTS

A multitimbral setup of Patches in the four Slots can be stored as a P

ERFORMANCE

you should deactivate this

MIDI

. Basically a Performance groups up to four Slots with their Patches together, with the individual keyboard split and zone settings for each Slot. By recalling a Performance which was saved earlier, the complete setup of all four Slots and their Patches is immediately recalled. You can go into and out of Performance Mode by just one single pushbutton. Storing a P

ERFORMANCE

will store all four Slots, including what is in the

inactive Slots.

ERFORMANCES

stored. This means that the Patches which are saved in a P original Patch when they are saved in a P

ERFORMANCE

have their own memory banks, separate from the memory banks where Patches are

loose their relation to their

ERFORMANCE

memory bank. So, changing a Patch in a

will not change the original Patch stored in one of the Patch memory banks. This

relieves you from keeping track of any changes you make to the Patches used in Performances.

PECIAL FEATURES IN PERFORMANCES

The idea of a Performance is that it contains ‘as much as possible’ of what you need to perform a song, and you can recall all this ‘at the push of a button’. A Performance in the Nord Modular G2 system doesn’t necessarily have to be just four layered/split Patches. It can also be four individual patches that you use in different parts of the song. Or a sequenced patch plus a patch which you use to play along with the sequence. Or three patches you play on the keyboard plus a patch controlling other equipment by using the

MIDI OUT

three patches played by an external

features of the Nord Modular G2. Or one patch you play from the keyboard plus

sequencer device.

MIDI

The flexible routing possibilities within the Nord Modular G2 system make it possible to internally route both audio and

between Patches, which can make a P

MIDI

ERFORMANCE

a really powerful configuration. Imagine a Patch which controls another Patch in another Slot by sending it information. The four ‘inter-slot’ Audiobusses make it possible to have, for example, the audio output signals of three Patches in three Slots routed to a “global” audio Effects Patch in the fourth Slot, and additionally use the four Line In audio inputs, routing to the same or different audio Effects. Performances can be used and configurated in many different ways, for many different musical purposes and for many different musical styles. Recalling a Performance from the G2 Performance memory banks is virtually instantly. When stored on the computer P

ERFORMANCE

-files will have the extension *.

PRF

Page 18

MIDI

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 1. Introduction: G2 Basics

The Nord Modular G2 has 1024 memory locations for Performances (8 Banks with 128 memory locations each). Since a Performance can be quite large (around 15-20 kB), it’s not likely that you will be able to use all Performance memory locations. The Banks should therefore be considered more like “folders” to store different projects. A Performance-file stores information about which Slots should be active, layered and also any Keyboard Split settings plus a number of other settings.

OCUS

An often used expression in this manual is “focus”. For example, you can put a Slot, a Patch Variation or a sound parameter in a Patch “in focus”. This simply means that the focused object is currently selected and enabled for editing. The focused object will be the only object affected by the editing.

ODULES

Modules are the basic building blocks used to build up a sound. A Module in the Nord Modular G2 can be, for example, an oscillator to control pitch, an envelope generator to control the volume dynamics, a filter to control the timbre, a step sequencer to play patterns, etc. There are currently over 160 different types of modules available in the G2 system. The G2 is not limited to use only one module of a specific type in a Patch. Several identical modules can be used together, creating, for example, really fat multioscillator sounds. You can add modules until all computational resources are in use. Adding an expansion board to your system will double the computational resources and allows four more voices in Patches. The G2X model is factory fitted with an expansion board as standard, giving you the maximum power right out of the box. Note! To create a totally new Patch, with your own setup of modules and signal routing between the modules, you can use the Windows PC or Mac OSX version Editor application that is on the CD in the back of this manual.

ARAMETERS

There are usually one or more sound parameters in each module, e.g. the parameter that sets the basic pitch of a sound or the tempo of a modulation pattern. A parameter can be controlled by a knob, a slider, a pushbutton or a selector switch with ‘radiobuttons’. In fact, you can think of a parameter as a ‘knob to tweak’. You change the setting of a parameter either with an A

SSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON

on the synth

front panel or with the mouse in the Editor software.

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS

On the frontpanel are eight A

SSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON

combinations which can be linked to the parameters of the modules used in a Patch. This will turn the ‘virtual control’ on a module into a ‘real world’ knob or pushbutton on the frontpanel. The A

s that roughly indicate the current position/value of the knob. The A

LED

placed under the A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

and have a

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

that indicates if the button function is On or Off.

LED

The exact values of the knobs and buttons is displayed in the four associated D

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

ARAMETER PAGES

The eight A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS

one of fifteen P

ARAMETER PAGES

on the G2 frontpanel give access to parameters grouped in

. These fifteen P

ARAMETER PAGES

are endless rotary dials with

SSIGNABLE BUTTONS

ISPLAYS

above the

are arranged in a matrix with a

width of three pages and a height of five pages. The five pages in one column each have a character

are

Page 19

1. Introduction: G2 Basics NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

assigned to them: A to E. The three pages in a row have a number assigned to them: 1 to 3. Each P

ARAMETER PAGE

D2. You can access the eight A

corresponding buttons in the panel section named P concept gives you quick and easy access to a total of 120 A Additionally there are 15 G

UTTONS

can be assigned to knobs and pushbuttons in a mix from all four Slots. One button lets you

instantly switch between the P

ORPHS

allow you to tweak several parameters at once by one physical play controller, like by a Modwheel

can be selected by referencing the character and the number, like P

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS

ARAMETER PAGES

LOBAL PARAMETER PAGES

ARAMETER PAGES

in a patch and the G

where a total of 120 A

in a certain page by pressing the

. The P

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS

LOBAL PARAMETER PAGES

ARAMETER PAGES

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

or the Keyboard Aftertouch. Which basically means that one physical controller will ‘play’ several module knobs at once. Each parameter can have its individual M

range. In total there are eight M

ORPH

groups, each associated with its own physical controller. A total of twentyfive parameters can be assigned to the M

ORPH

groups. M

ORPHS

can be instantly assigned and their M

ranges adjusted with the

ORPH

panel controls on the G2 and G2X models.

A1 or P

AGE

in a Patch.

AGE

ORPH

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 2. Synth quick tour: Checking out the instrument first

2. SYNTH QUICK TOUR

This chapter refers to the G2 Keyboard and G2X models. If you have a G2 Engine model you can still read this chapter if you desire to do so, as virtually all described G2 Keyboard and G2X panel functions are also available as ‘soft’ functions in the Editor program.

CHECKING OUT THE INSTRUMENT FIRST

The G2 synthesizers are crafted as fine musical instruments that let themself be played expressively. They come with an extensive set of factory sounds in different musical styles, from traditional keyboard styles to hardcore underground noises. You are strongly advised to first check out the G2 system as the standalone performance synthesizer it really is, before considering to connect your Nord Modular G2 Keyboard or G2X to a computer to run the Editor program. The reason that you are given this advice is simply that if you first discover what your G2 can do for you as the expressive musical instrument it is, it will be much easier to later use the Editor software to create perfectly playable sounds for you. Sounds that will better suit your style of music and playing skills. After all, it is all about making music. If you go through this and the next chapter step by step, and try out every step immediately, you will get to know your new instrument intimately in no time. And have fun while you play...!

CHECK OUT SOME PATCHES!

Before installing and starting to use the Editor software, let’s have a look at the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer and check out some internal sounds and basic functions. Turn on the power!

When you have turned on the Nord Modular G2, a Patch is automatically loaded in Slot A and the Patch name shows up in the M upper right to make the 4 A 4 A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

Below the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

AIN DISPLAY

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

, 8 different Patch parameters are displayed together with their current values.

parameters’ coarse values. Now, if you turn one of the A sound, the

LED GRAPH

will change and the exact value will be shown in the A above the knob. .

1:1 Bass Chops Bass TB

. Then, if necessary, press the P

show some of the assigned Patch parameters. In the

, the 8

LED GRAPHS

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

----------------| Sustain Release

around the A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

ARAMETER PAGE

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

EnvFilter1------Attack Decay

A button to the

to make changes to the

SSIGNABLE DISPLAY

----------------| Sustain Release

show the

The Patch that you just loaded (and in fact all Patches) contains eight different sounds, named

ARIATIONS

. Just above the middle of the keyboard you see a row of nine buttons and the left most

Page 21

2. Synth quick tour: Check out some Patches! NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

eight are numbered 1 to 8. Play some notes on the keyboard and press one of these numbered V

ARIATIONS

buttons. Listen to how these V

ARIATIONS

based on the same Patch. Now tweak some of the A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

while you play some notes on the keyboard. Listen to how the sound changes. When you have lost the original sound by too much tweaking you can immediately restore the original sound of a V numbered button for the V

CCESS MORE ASSIGNED PARAMETERS IN THE PATCH

ARIATION

by keeping the grey S

which has its

To the bottom right of the front panel are 5+3 programmable P

ARAMETER PAGES

selection buttons. See also “Parameter pages” on page 19. Pressing the A and the 2 buttons give access to

ARAMETER PAGE

in the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

A2. Now, 8 new parameters are shown

and you can edit them right away. If you press the 3 button, another 8 parameters are displayed. You can continue by pressing other combinations to check out more assigned parameters. The P

buttons are conveniently arranged in a way that you

AGES

ARAMETER

can press two buttons simultaneously at once with two fingers for super fast Page selection.

are indeed complete new sounds, although all

button pressed and press the

HIFT

blinking.

LED

LP_Filter1------| Freq Res

LP_Filter2------| Freq Res

ARIATIONS

Below the 8 A

BUTTONS

The

LED

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

. See also “Variations” on page 17.

s above the buttons show which V is currently active. Select another V pressing another V

ARIATIONS

plus the V

HIFT

ARIATION

can be selected plus restored by pressing

ARIATION

are 8 V

ARIATION

button.

button. This will restore

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

the knobsettings to the same positions as when the patch was loaded from memory. This S

HIFT-VARIATION

1-8 ‘select and restore’

function is indispensible when playing on stage, as it undoes all the tweaks in an earlier played V during a stage performance, S

HIFT-VARIATION

ARIATION

. If you go wild on expressively tweaking the sound

1-8 gives you immediate and reliable control over what

sound to play next, no matter the earlier tweaks you did on that sound.

OAD A NEW PATCH FROM THE INTERNAL MEMORY

Load a new Patch into the active Slot (Slot A in this example) by first turning the R

OTARY DIAL

to select the Patch. If you like you can also switch between Banks by pressing the U

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

button. Load a Patch into the Slot by first turning the

OTARY DIAL

ATCH LOAD

to select the Patch, then press the

button to load and activate the Patch

for play. Now, you can try out other Patches from the

----------------| Sustain Release

1:2 Synth Dream synth

EnvFilter1----Attack Dec

EnvADSR1------Attack Deca

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 2. Synth quick tour: Check out some Performances

internal memory banks, tweak the parameters knobs and check out different Variations as described above. Note that to be able to load individual Patches the Performance Mode

should be

LED

OFF

CHECK OUT SOME PERFORMANCES

A Performance is a combination of up to four Slots. See also “Playing multitimbrally” on page 18 and

“Performances” on page 18.

Enter Performance mode by pressing the

ERFORMANCE MODE

button (button

LED

lights

1:1 Welcome

up). Load a Performance into the Slots by first turning the R

OTARY DIAL

press the P

ATCH LOAD

Performance for play. As you can see, several S

are now lit to indicate that several Patches are used in the Performance. The Performance name is

LEDS

shown in the M A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

to select the Performance, then

button to load and activate the

AIN DISPLAY

and the first 8 parameters of the focused Patch are shown in the

LOT

Note that a Performance always loads in all four Slots, storing any previously loaded Patches in the Slots in a temporary buffer, so changing back to Patch mode will reload those previously loaded Patches before Performance mode was activated. Also note that in the loaded Performance not all Slots need to be active. If a Slot

does not light up it simply indicates that this Slot is inactive.

LED

OSC1------------| Freq Fine

OSC2------Freq

CCESS ASSIGNED PERFORMANCE

Each Performance can have a separate set of G P

ARAMETER PAGES

, in addition to the Parameter

Pages of each Patch in the Performance. See also

LOBAL

LOBAL) PARAMETERS

--------| Release

A:Filter2-------| Freq Res

B:OSC2----------| Freq Fine

“Parameter pages” on page 19 and “Global (Performance) Parameter Pages” on page 49.

Hold down S button to access G Alternatively you can ‘double click’ the P

ETTINGS

in the A

button. Now, 8 new parameters are shown

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

If you go to the P

and press the P

HIFT

LOBAL PARAMETER PAGE

and you can edit them.

A2, another 8 Performance

AGE

ATCH SETTINGS

A1.

ATCH

parameters are displayed, and so on. If you want to access the Programmable Parameter Pages of each individual Patch, hold down S ‘double click’ the P Slot is shown in the A

ATCH SETTINGS

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

and press the P

HIFT

ATCH SETTINGS

button again. Alternatively you can

button. Now, the first Parameter Page of the Patch in the focused

. This means that a total of 600 knob assignments can be stored in a Performance, 120 for each Slot plus and extra 120 in the Global pages. The assignments in the Global pages can be a mix of module knob assignments from all four Slots. Note that globally assigned knobs do not have to be previously assigned in the individual Slot pages themselves.

Page 23

2. Synth quick tour: Check out some Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

OADING ANOTHER PERFORMANCE FROM THE INTERNAL MEMORY

Load another Performance into the Slots by first turning the R

OTARY DIAL

Performance. If you like you can also switch between Banks by pressing the U button. Then load the selected Performance into the Slots by pressing the P can try out other Performances of the internal memory and edit parameters as described above. To revert to “Patch mode”, press the P

turns

HANGING VARIATIONS WHEN IN GLOBAL PANEL MODE

Changing V P K

button. If the P

ODE

you’re back in Patch Mode.

OFF

ARIATIONS

ATCH PANEL

NOBS/DISPLAYS

mode where the A

show Parameters from the active

Slot, or when the G2 is in G

LOBAL PANEL LED

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/DISPLAYS

Parameters from all Slots/Patches. When in G

ARIATION

LOBAL PANEL

with one of the V

cause all active Slots to switch to this selected

ARIATION

ANEL

ARIATION

. However, when the G2 is in P

mode (the G

for the focused Slot.

to select another

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

ATCH LOAD

ERFORMANCE MODE LED

button. Now, you

ERFORMANCE

differs for when the G2 is in

SSIGNABLE

LOBAL PANEL

mode (the

lights up), where the

can show a mix of

mode, selecting another

ARIATION

LOBAL PANEL LED

buttons will

ATCH

is dimmed), selecting another V

A:EnvADSR1----Attack Deca

1:2 Scream synth

--------| Release

A:Filter2-------| Freq Res

B:OSC2----------| Freq Fine

ARIATION

will only change the

Page 24

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Check out some Performances

3. WORKING WITH THE SYNTH

ORD MODULAR

System Functions section

AND

G2X

FRONT PANEL

Sound Functions section

The frontpanel is divided in two sections, the S S

OUND FUNCTIONS

In the S

YSTEM FUNCTIONS

section at the right side.

setting you can recall sounds from the G2 sound banks, change modes for

YSTEM FUNCTIONS

multitimbral play and layering of sounds, edit system default settings,

section at the left side and the

settings, etc. All system

MIDI

settings changes you make in this section will be immediately memorized by the G2 and when the G2 is powered up it will use the settings that where last made before the G2 was powered down. In the S This S

OUND FUNCTIONS

section you can make edits to the sound or sounds you are currently playing.

section is designed to give you easy access to all tweakable knobs and buttons in a sound. A modular system can have many knobs to tweak, much more than the eight physical knobs and buttons located under the four displays. The G2 uses a clever paging system named P

to access up to 120 tweakable parameters in a single sound. To make the changes to a sound

AGES

ARAMETER

definitive, the sound can be stored in the G2 sound memories. Use the Store function in the System Functions section to save your tweaks.

Page 25

3. Working with the synth: System Functions section NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

SYSTEM FUNCTIONS SECTION

ASTER LEVEL

The M

ASTER LEVEL

EADPHONES

set the sound level when using headphones. Tip! The Master Level knob does not send or receive any used to control the entire instrument’s output level. To affect the volume of an individual Patch through

(.e.g. from a sequencer track), you can use

MIDI

in the respective Slots (see more about this on “Patch Level” on page 62).

MIDI LED

The

MIDI LED

channel.

MIDI

Channel are indicated by long short short

MIDI

blinks. Long

LED

blinks mean that there is

LED

channels the Slots are ‘listening to’.

knob controls the output level of all four OUT jacks and the

output. Use this knob to set the overall volume level of your instrument or

# information, but is only

MIDI SYSEX

Channels are indicated by

MIDI

messages on any

MIDI

indicates incoming

MIDI

messages on any of the Slot’s

blinks. Messages on other

LED

blinks means that there should most probably be sound, and

LED

MIDI

MIDI CC

#7, which is hardwired to the Patch Gain knobs

# and

Channels and/or the Global

MIDI

Note,

MIDI CC

information received but ignored, as this information is not in

MIC L

The MIC L L

connected to the XLR I will indicate the input level of the line level signal routed to the I the M

Above the M

page 29) and P

EVEL

knob are three

EVEL

IC LEVEL

YSTEM

knob controls the

EVEL

which show the input level of the dynamic microphone

LEDS

NPUT

XLR

on the rear panel. If you don’t use a mic, the L

knob only affects the XLR I

, P

ATCH AND STORE BUTTONS

AIN DISPLAY

ATCH

are the S

YSTEM

(see “Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch” on page 37)

microphone input preamp level. Below the MIC

1 input instead. Note that

- not the IN 1 input.

NPUT

(see “Edit System Settings” on

buttons which can be used to enter all system and Patch related menus. The

button (see “Store a Patch” on page 40 and “Storing a Performance” on

TORE

page 50) is used for storing Patches and Performances.

AVIGATOR BUTTONS

Below the M N

AVIGATOR

ISPLAY

AVIGATOR

you can select Patches and Performances, enter various

IAL

ASTER LEVEL

buttons. These are used to navigate in the M

and to select different functions. Below the

buttons is the R

, R

OTARY DIAL AND MAIN DISPLAY

knob is a set of four buttons, the

AIN

OTARY DIAL

. With the R

OTARY

kind of data etc. Note that the functions for the N

OTARY DIAL

and the M

AIN DISPLAY

AVIGATION BUTTONS

will change when the G2

, the

is set to a different mode. Modes can be changed by pressing either the S

YSTEM

, the P

ATCH

, the S

TORE

or the P

ERFORMANCE MODE

EVEL LEDS

button.

OAD PATCH

Press this button when you want to load a selected Patch or Performance into the focused Slot/Slots (see “Search for and load a Patch” on page 36 and “Load a new Performance from

the internal memory” on page 48).

Page 26

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: System Functions section

LOT BUTTONS

Below the M

AIN DISPLAY

load one Patch in each of the Slots at a time. See “Sound Functions section” on

page 33, “Activate several Slots” on page 43 and “Creating a Performance” on page 48 for info on how to use the Slots.

CTAVE SHIFT BUTTONS

With these buttons you can either transpose a Patch in a Slot or transpose the whole Keyboard globally over a range of +/-2 octaves. In Patch Transpose mode, the O individually. In this mode the keyboard itself is not transposed. The Patch transposition takes effect immediately. In Patch Transpose mode only one of the five When pressing S

HIFT

one light up. This puts the octave shift controls in Global Octave Shift mode which will transpose the keyboard globally instead of only the Slot. When in Global Octave Shift mode all Slots will be transposed

equally. The notes played on the keyboard that are send as the synth will also be transposed, meaning that in this mode the G2 keyboard acts like a Master Keyboard.

are the four S

CTAVE SHIFT

plus the left O

buttons (A, B, C and D). You can

LOT

buttons transpose each of the Slots

CTAVE SHIFT

button the

MIDI

s will light up.

LED

s will invert, meaning that all

LED

NoteOn through the

MIDI OUT

s but

LED

jack of

KB H

Press the KB H

OLD/PANIC

OLD

button to make every note or chord you play sustain until you press any new keys. The Keyboard Hold function is also very useful together with the Arpeggiator (see “Arpeggiator” on page 35). If notes should hang or the synth should behave strange, press S

THE F

OCUS/COPY

To the right below the M

+KB H

HIFT

/(A

SSIGN/PASTE) BUTTON

AIN DISPLAY

to send an internal ALLN

OLD

section you find the F

OTESOFF

OCUS/COPY

to the synth.

button. This button can be used in many situations, for example when you want to copy & paste various things and also when you assign parameters to Parameter Pages. Holding

HIFT+FOCUS/COPY

ERFORMANCE CONTROLS

Below the M S

TICK

and M

AIN DISPLAY

ODWHEEL

“Bend” on page 35) as well as an entire Morph group. The M

alternates the functionality to Assign/Paste.

section you find the performance controls: the P

. The P

ITCH STICK

can be used to control pitch bend (see

ODWHEEL

ITCH

can control Vibrato (see “Vibrato” on page 35) and also a separate Morph group. See “Morph

groups” on page 44 for info on how to use these controls with Morph groups.

G2X G

The Nord Modular G2X model features two extra G wheels can control extra modulations. The G

LOBAL MODWHEELS

. These

are hardwired to Morph groups 5 & 8 and can control any parameter in a Patch through these Morph groups. See “Morph groups” on page 44 for info on how to use these controls with Morph groups.

! In contrast to the standard Modwheel these two extra Modwheel are not affected by the keyboard

OTE

focus, meaning that they also work in Patches played from external

MIDI

signals.

Page 27

3. Working with the synth: System Functions section NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

ISPLAY MODE

This button lets you switch between two different display modes for the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

ISPLAYS

turn an A

show module names and parameter names. When you

SSIGNABLE KNOB

. By default, the A

or press an A

SSIGNABLE BUTTON

SSIGNABLE

the parameter name is temporarily replaced by the parameter value. In the other display mode, the parameter names and values are constantly displayed. However, the module names are not shown in this mode. Think of the Display having to show three lines of text, where the display mode lets you choose to see either lines 1 & 2 or see lines 2 & 3.

FltNord1--------|

Freq Res

622.5Hz 1.72

KB S

PLIT MODE

Lets you split the keyboard and play/control Slots from a left hand and a right hand keyboard zone. The two left most Slots A and B will be assigned to the left hand keyboard zone, while the two Slots C and D will be assigned to the right hand keyboard zone. The split point can be altered by pressing the KB

button while holding the S

PLIT

point. The

s directly above the keyboard show the current split point.

LED

button. Repeating S

HIFT

/KB S

will move the keyboard split

PLIT

It is possible to make more advanced keyboard split settings through the system menu, see “Keyboard

Split” on page 49 and “Keyboard Zone |Pe” on page 32.

SUB F

Hold S of button parameters instead of knob parameters in the A have assigned combined knob+button parameters to the A

UNC

and press the D

HIFT

ERFORMANCE MODE

ISPLAY MODE

button to go into SUB F

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

mode and display the names

UNC

. This is useful when you

In Performance mode you can create Keyboard Split/Layers configurations of up to 4 Slots. In Performance mode Pathes loaded to the four Slots can be saved and recalled together as a single Performance (file). See “Performances” on page 47. When the Performance button

lights up it indicates the G2 is in Performance mode. If the

LED

is dimmed it indicates the G2 is in Patch mode.

WITCHING BETWEEN PATCH AND PERFORMANCE MODES

Patch Mode and Performance Mode are completely separate modes, each with its own separate buffer to hold the Patches loaded in all Slots for that mode. This means that when changing to Performance mode, all Patches loaded in the four Slots in Patch Mode remain in their buffer. Switching back to Patch Mode will automatically bring up those four original Patches from the Patch Mode buffer again. Note that this ‘double buffering’ allows you to have up to eight Patches instantly standby, four Patches in Performance mode and four Patches in Patch mode. Simply pressing the P

ERFORMANCE

button allows

you to switch between these two sets of up to four Patches.

OPYING PATCHES BETWEEN PATCH AND PERFORMANCE MODES

Holding the S

button while pressing the P

HIFT

ERFORMANCE

button will ‘transport’ a copy of the Patches to the other mode. This will overwrite the temporary Patch buffers for the Patch and the Performance modes. While in Patch mode, pressing S

HIFT-PERFORMANCE

will transfer a set of up to four Patches into a new Performance, which can then be stored as a Performance in the Performance memory banks. While in Performance mode, pressing S

HIFT-PERFORMANCE

will ‘separate’ the

Performance into individual Patches to be played or edited in Patch mode.

Page 28

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Edit System Settings

KB S

PLIT MODE/SET SPLIT POINT

Lets you split the keyboard and play/control different Slots from different keyboard zones. See “Keyboard Split” on page 49.

EYBOARD SPLIT LEDS

Above the keyboard are four Keyboard Split

LED

s which indicate current keyboard split position in Keyboard Split mode (see “Keyboard Split” on page 49). These

LED

s only light up if the Keyboard Split is set up through the KB Split function on the front panel of the G2 Keyboard and G2X models. See also “Activate several Slots” on

page 43 and “Layering Patches” on page 43.

THE S

The S

HIFT/CLEAR BUTTON

button is used to activate functions printed below some buttons on the front

HIFT

panel. It’s also used for deleting entire Morph groups and for clearing Variations.

UMP ONE

Hold down S

dump of the Patch in the focused Slot, or of an entire

SYSEX

Performance in Performance Mode. Note that an average

dump of a Patch is approximately 5 kB and that of a

SYSEX

and press the S

HIFT

YSTEM

button to send a

MIDI

ADSR-Env1

Sustain |Pa On

Attack Deca

Performance nearly 20 kB. This means the recording device - a sequencer, for example - must be prepared for this amount of data. It takes a

cable about one second to transfer 3kB of data, so it might take up to seven seconds before

MIDI

a Performance Dump is completed. See also “G2 MIDI System Exclusive Specification” on page 148.

Hold down S send the values of all

UMP

CC (S

HIFT

END CONTROLLER SNAPSHOT

and press the P

CC# controllers used in the Patch in the

MIDI

ATCH

button (D

UMP

)

CC) to

active Slot. See also “MIDI SendCtrl |Pa” on page 31, “MIDI

Controllers” on page 143 and “MIDI Automation” on page 144.

Sustain |Pa On

EDIT SYSTEM SETTINGS

Press the S

YSTEM

functions. The System menu is divided into three types of parameters:

1. System parameters, which are global for the entire synth (indi-

cated in the D Note that changing System parameters has an effect at the ‘top level’ of the synthesizer, meaning that they will affect all Slots equally.

2. Patch parameters, which are unique for the currently focused Patch (indicated in the D

’ in the upper right corner)

‘|P

Note that as changing a Patch parameter will only have an effect on the currently focused patch you will have to first select the Patch you want to apply a change to with the Slot buttons. You can do this by simply pressing the Slot button the Patch is in.

button to access the system parameters and

ISPLAY

by ‘|SY’ in the upper right corner).

Sustain |Pa On

ADSR-Env1 Attack Deca

ISPLAY

Page 29

3. Working with the synth: List of functions in the G2 System menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

3. Performance parameters, which are unique for the currently active Performance (indicated in the

ISPLAY

Note that some Performance parameters are actually a group of parameters for the Slots used in the Performance. The setting for each Slot can be different to that of the other Slots. Just like with the Patch parameters, you can select a Slot by pressing its Slot button and them change the Performance parameter for that particular Slot. But note that the settings for all the Slots used in the performance are actually saved in the Performance and not in the individual Patches.

by ‘|PE’ in the upper right corner)

Select a function with the D

OWN NAVIGATOR

button.

LIST OF FUNCTIONS IN THE G2 SYSTEM MENU

ASTER TUNE

Use this function to transpose the keyboard in semitones and/or fine tune the synth to other instruments or already recorded tracks. The transposition range is from -6 to +6 semitones and is set with the

OTARY DIAL

Note that if you want to transpose up from A to Bes you just go one semitone up. If you would need to transpose down from A to E you will have to go 5 semitones down, so the display shows ‘-5 semi’. Transposing down from A to D is done by first transposing 5 semitones up and additionally set the Global Octave Shift for the keyboard one octave down with the Octave Shift buttons. This results in a total transposition of seven semitones down. Fine adjustment ranges from -100 to +100 cents. 100 cents is one semitone. All Oscillator and Filter modules that are set to track the keyboard are affected by the Master Tune function. Select the fine tuning amount with the R

MIDI L

Turn the

OCAL

MIDI

to control the synth from the internal keyboard and the pedals. data is also transmitted via the the keyboard and pedal actions are transmitted only via not play the synth itself. Local Off is a function found on almost all Imagine that the

jack. Now imagine that you play a note on the keyboard to play a sound on the synth, and this note is

also send out through note will be played a second time, now from the

Local Off will prevent this, as in this mode only the ‘echoed’ note will sound. This way you can also

MIDI

be sure that the sequencer did actually receive the played note. setting named you will have to check the sequencer as well when making a change to this

Master Tune |Sy

semi 0 cent

OTARY DIAL

Local Control On or Off. Select Local On to be able

MIDI OUT

MIDI

that will set if the sequencer will or will not retransmit the received notes back. So,

ECHO

MIDI Local |Sy

MIDI

MIDI OUT

jack. In the Local Off mode,

and do

MIDI

synthesizers and is used with external

MIDI

jack of the synthesizer is routed back, via the external sequencer, to the

to the sequencer. If the sequencer ‘echoes’ this note back to the synth, the

MIDI IN

jack, which in general does not sound good.

sequencers do in general have a

MIDI

Local setting.

MIDI

sequencers.

MIDI

MIDI S

Set the

MIDI

LOT CH

channel for each S used for receiving and transmitting Slot will not receive or transmit any

button and set

LOT

Page 30

LOT

channel with the R

MIDI

(A-D). The set channels will be

data. If you select ‘Off’, the

MIDI

data at all. Press desired

MIDI

OTARY DIAL

. Then,

MIDI Slot Ch |Sy

234

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: List of functions in the G2 System menu

repeat the procedure for the other Slots by pressing the corresponding S Performance Mode, the internal keyboard will send on all Slot’s

MIDI G

LOB CH

Here you set the Global

Channel should be used for receiving

MIDI

Channel for the synth. The Global

MIDI

note data and

MIDI

control data (Modwheel, Aftertouch, Velocity, Aftertouch and Pedals) if this data needs to be played by all Slots, no matter the channel they are in. The Global

Channel should also be used for sending and receiving

MIDI

Program Change messages in Performance mode. Select Global

channels that have Keyboard Assign.

MIDI

MIDI Glob Ch |Sy

MIDI

Channel with the R

MIDI

Range: Channel 1-16, Off. See also “MIDI Global Channel” on page 142.

MIDI CLK S

Here you choose whether or not to send out

jack of the synth. Sending out a

OUT

when you use the internal Master Clock as clock source. Select On or Off with the R

MIDI CLK R

Here you choose whether or not to accept external signals received on the set to ‘On’, the Master Clock of the G2 will automatically sync to any incoming

MIDI

END

OTARY DIAL

ECV

MIDI IN

MIDI

Clock signal will only work

MIDI

connector at the back of the G2. If

Clock. Select On or Off with the R

Clock to the

Clock

MIDI

OTARY DIAL

MIDI

MIDI Clk Send |Sy

MIDI Clk Recv |Sy

buttons. Note that in

LOT

MIDI

OTARY DIAL

MIDI PRG C

Here you select how the synth should handle Program Change and Bank Select (

MIDI CC

Receive (only) and Send and Receive with the R

MIDI C

TRL

Here you select how the synth should handle Select Off, Send (only), Receive (only) and Send and Receive with the

OTARY DIAL

MIDI S

ENDCTRL

This function lets you send the current values of all the controllers that are used in a patch to the the back of the G2. This function can be used to record all current

MIDI CC

MIDI

# values to one position in a song on a

recording software. Note that it takes a little time to send all When the G2 is controlled by an external is connected to the current values of the knobs and sliders on the a variation change is initiated from the G2 panel. Alternatively, the

HNG

# 32)

MIDI IN

messages. Select Off, Send (only),

MIDI

OTARY DIAL

MIDI CC

MIDI OUT

connector on

# messages.

MIDI CC

MIDI Prg Chng |Sy

end & Receive

MIDI Ctrl |Sy

end & Receive

MIDI SendCtrl |Pa Press > to send

sequencer or

MIDI

MIDI CC

controller device and the

MIDI

of the controller device, this function can be used to instantly refresh the

controller. Using this function is often necessary after

MIDI

# values.

MIDI OUT

controller device can be

MIDI

at the back of the G2

programmed to send a SysEx command to the G2 to initiate this function each time a variation change is initiated from the Press the rightmost (Ins) Navigator button to start the transmission over the function can also be activated by holding down S

controller device. See also “1.5 All Controllers Request” on page 149.

MIDI

MIDI OUT

and pressing the P

HIFT

ATCH

button (D

connector. The

CC).

UMP

Page 31

3. Working with the synth: List of functions in the G2 System menu NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

MIDI SYSEX ID |S

Here you can set an ‘Instrument SysEx ID’. This is very useful if you’re sending SysEx dumps of sounds from a sequencer to the Nord Modular G2 and have several G2 synthesizers Let’s say you have two G2 synthesizers. These two instrument models have the same ‘Manufacturer ID’ and ‘Model ID’ in the SysEx protocol. By defining separate SysEx ID’s on each of the two synths, you will be able to “direct” the SysEx dumps from the sequencer to one of the G2’s while the other one will ignore the dumps. Just make sure that you define a separate SysEx ID before dumping the sounds to the sequencer. Select Instrument SysEx ID with the R

. Range: 1-16, All. See also “G2 MIDI System Exclusive Specification” on page 148.

IAL

UST PED POL

Different sustain pedals use different polarity to activate the sustain switch. Select between ‘Open’ and ‘Closed’ with the R

MIDI SysEx ID |Sy

connected.

MIDI

OTARY DIAL

OTARY

Sust Ped Pol |Sy

Open

TRL PED GAIN

Different control/expression pedals have different characteristics. Here you can select Gain to adjust the control pedal functionality of the synth to your specific expression pedal. Select range (x1.00-x1.50) with the R

EMORY PROT

Select memory protection for the entire internal Patch and Performance memory. Select On or Off with the R

EYBOARD ZONE

Here you can set individual note ranges for each of the Slots in a Performance. Press desired S with the R set the highest note limit with the R procedure for the other Slots by pressing the corresponding S overlapping keyboard zones. Note that these ranges are also affected by any Keyboard Split setting you have in your Performance (see “Keyboard Split” on page 49). When you store your Performance, these settings will be stored with it.

OTARY DIAL

button and set lower note limit

LOT

. Press the R

OTARY DIAL

IGHT NAVIGATOR

OTARY DIAL

. Then, repeat the

button and

LOT

Ctrl Ped Gain |Sy

.00

Memory Prot |Sy

Keyboard Zone |Pe

- B3

C-1

buttons. It’s also possible to have

USTAIN PEDAL ON/OFF

Select if you want the Sustain Pedal functionality on or off in the Patch. If set to On, a connected sustain pedal will control both sustain and any parameters assigned to the Switch Morph group. Select On or Off with the R

IBRATO RATE

Select Vibrato Rate for the Patch. Range: 4.00-8.00 Hz. (The Vibrato Amount is set in the Patch Settings “menu” for the Patch. See

“Editing Patch Settings” on page 34).

YNTH NAME

Here you can name your synth. Select characters with the R D

and change the “cursor” position with the left/right

IAL

AVIGATOR

buttons. Alternatively, press and hold the D

OTARY DIAL

Page 32

OTARY

OWN

Sustain Pedal |Pa

Vibrato Rate |Pa

.02 Hz

Synth Name |Sy

odularG2

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Sound Functions section

AVIGATOR

button and select letters with the R button the cursor in the D

ISPLAY

OTARY DIAL

. Each time you release the D

advances one step. Repeat the procedure for the entire Synth name. If you want to delete a letter/position and thus move all the letters to the right of the cursor one step back, hold down S

and press the L

HIFT

EFT NAVIGATOR

(DEL) button. (This function is the same as using the Delete key on a computer keyboard.) If you want to move all letters to the right of the cursor one step forward and thus make room for more letters, hold down S

AVIGATOR

(INS) button.

and press the R

HIFT

SOUND FUNCTIONS SECTION

SSIGNABLE KNOBS AND BUTTONS WITH DISPLAYS

Module parameters in a Patch can be assigned freely to any of the 8 A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

or B

UTTONS

below the four

. These knobs are designed to be the main controls to tweak the sound of a Patch. See also

“Assignable Knobs/Buttons” on page 19 and “Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch” on page 37 .

ARAMETER PAGES BUTTONS

To the right are 8 P

ARAMETER PAGE

Select one of the 15 available P pressing a

ROW

and a

COLUMN

selection buttons.

ARAMETER PAGES

button. See “Parameter

pages” on page 19. See also “Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch” on page 37 and “Global (Performance) Parameter Pages” on page 49 for info on how to use these

pages.

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

----------------| Sustain Release

OWN

IGHT

EnvFilter1----Attack Decay

ARIATION/MORPH BUTTONS

There are 8 V

ARIATION

buttons with which you can

Attack Decay Sustain Release Attack Decay

select up to eight different Patch Variations (complete parameter setups) within each Patch (see “Patch

parameter Variations” on page 39).

In Morph Mode, these 8 buttons double as Morph group selection buttons to set Morphing ranges when you want to control several parameters in a Patch from a single controller source (see “Morph groups” on page 44).

ATCH SETTINGS/GLOBALPANEL

This button is used when you want to switch the four parameter displays between either showing the Patch parameters, which are printed above the A

ISPLAYS

ARAMETER PAGES

Pressing S

(see “Editing Patch Settings” on page 34), or the

(see “Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch” on page 37)

HIFT+PATCH SETTINGS

or ‘double click’ P

SSIGNABLE

ATCH SETTINGS

mode (see “Global (Performance) Parameter Pages” on page 49).

50 cnt 1.0 s Off Off

to enter the G

2 semi -7.3 dB On MuteOff

LOBAL PANEL

Page 33

3. Working with the synth: Editing Patch Settings NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

EDITING PATCH SETTINGS

Press the P

1:1 Bass

ATCH SETTINGS

120 BPM 14 (16) Stop Poly

button to the top right of the panel so the button

1/16 Rnd Off 1 Oct

50 cnt 1.0 s Off Off

2 semi -7.3 dB On MuteOff

lights up. This mode

LED

displays basic Patch settings for the Patch. The parameter names are printed on the panel above each

SSIGNABLE DISPLAY

SSIGNABLE BUTTONS

You can revert back to Patch Edit mode by pressing the P

ASTER CLOCK

and you can edit them by turning the A

ATCH

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

and/or the

button again so the button

LED

dims.

Set the Master Clock Rate with the corresponding Knob. Run/Stop the Master Clock with the corresponding Button below the Knob.

The Master Clock can control several different functions:

4. It can be the

MASTER MIDI CLOCK

for your whole

MIDI

setup

5. It controls the Arpeggiator Speed

6. Several LFO modules can be controlled directly by the Master Clock

7. The Delay-time of some Echo Delay modules can be synced to the Master Clock

8. When several Slots are active they can all sync to and follow the current Master Clock rate, as the Master Clock is global to the whole G2 system.

9. When the Master Clock is the

MIDI START

and

MIDI STOP

commands over the be set in the System menu to send G2 system for the Sending

MIDI CC

MIDI MASTER CLOCK

#80 on the Global

is particularly useful when a G2 E

10. If the G2 is set to receive connector, this external

MIDI CLOCK

MIDI MASTER CLOCK

MIDI CLOCK

in your setup.

channel will also start/stop the Master Clock. This feature

MIDI

NGINE

model is controlled by an external

commands and a

will automatically take over and start to be the Master Clock.

in your setup, the Run/Stop button will send out

MIDI OUT

commands over the

connector. Note that the G2 system must

MIDI OUT

connector to use the

controller device.

MIDI

MIDI CLOCK

signal is present on the

MIDI IN

The Arpeggiator, the LFO’s and the Delay modules set to Clk mode will now sync automatically to the external

MIDI CLOCK

. The average tempo of the external

MIDI CLOCK

panel display and the endless knob that normally sets the tempo will become inactive. Note that an

EXTERNAL MIDI CLOCK

signal must be stable and ‘jitter free’ for reliable control of the

will be displayed in the

delay time on delay modules.

OICE MODE

Set requested polyphony with the Knob (2-32 voices). The actual polyphony is displayed together with the requested polyphony within parenthesis. Actual polyphony depends on the complexity of the loaded Patches and how many Slots are loaded and active (Slot

s light up).

LED

Page 34

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Editing Patch Settings

Select Voice Mode (Poly, Mono or Legato) with the Button below the Knob. In Legato mode, the Envelope modules do not retrigger when you play in a legato fashion, i.e. when you play a new key before releasing the previous key.

RPEGGIATOR

Select Period (note length/sync division rate) for the Arpeggiator in relation to the Master Clock rate with the Knob. Run/Stop the Arpeggiator with the Button below the Knob. Note that the Master Clock has to be active for the Arpeggiator to run. Select Direction with the right Knob and Range with the Button below the Knob. If you want the Arpeggiator to continue when you release the keys, use the KB Hold function described on “KB Hold/Panic” on page 27.

The Arpeggiator uses

MIDI SONG POSITION POINTER

when synched to an external

MIDI CLOCK

, which means that if you record the chords that control an arpeggio in an external sequencer, it will always play back the pattern exactly the same way it played while recording the chord - even if you start the sequencer in the middle of the sequence.

IBRATO

This is a separate vibrato which affects all Oscillator modules in the Patch set to Keyboard Tracking. Set the Vibrato amount, in cents of a semitone, with the Knob and select control source (Aftertouch, Modwheel or Off) with the Button below the Knob. Set the Vibrato rate in the System menu described on “Vibrato Rate |Pa” on page 32.

LIDE

The Glide or portamento function is mainly intended for use in mono or legato Voice Mode (see above). The glide characteristics can be described as “constant rate”. “Constant rate” means that the greater the “distance” between two subsequent notes, the longer the glide time. Turn the Knob to adjust the glide rate and press the Button to select glide mode. ‘Normal’ means the glide is always active and ‘Auto’ that glide is active only when you play legato (you press a new key before you release the previous key). Range: 19 milliseconds per octave to 6.27 seconds per octave.

Note that if you use Glide in polyphonic mode, the glide will be unpredictable and perceived as more or less random. This is because the glide is between voices rather than between keys. The glide will therefore be from the available voices’ latest note values to the new notes rather than from the previously pressed keys.

END

Set the Pitch bend range, in semitones, with the Knob. The pitch bend will affect all Oscillator modules in the Patch set to Keyboard Tracking when you bend the P

ITCH STICK

. Switch on/off the pitch bend

function with the Button below the Knob.

ATCH LEVEL

Set the total output level of the Patch with the Knob. Mute the output from the Patch by pressing the Button below the Knob.

Page 35

3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

WORKING WITH PATCHES

OAD A PATCH FROM MEMORY

Before loading a patch first check that the Performance

LED

Press a S the Patch. Load the Patch into the Slot by first selecting Bank (if necessary) with the U buttons and then turning the R Patch. Load the selected Patch into the Slot by pressing the P a Patch into a Slot, there will be a brief moment of silence when the Sound engine recalculates the Patch data

EARCH FOR AND LOAD A PATCH

OFF

button to select the Slot in which to load

LOT

ATCH LOAD

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

OTARY DIAL

to select the

button. Note that every time you load

1:2 Synth Dream synth

By default, when you load a Patch into a Slot, by first selecting Bank with the UP/D buttons and then turning the R

OTARY DIAL

and pressing P

ATCH LOAD

, the Patches are displayed by

OWN NAVIGATOR

memory location number. Note that you can change the sort/search mode to either ‘Alphanumerical’ or by ‘Category’.

EARCH FOR A PATCH IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

By pressing the S you will be able to load Patches in alphabetical order rather

HIFT

+ D

OWN NAVIGATOR

buttons

D 1:2 Dream synth

than by memory location number. Select letter by pressing the U select Patch with the R

EARCH FOR A PATCH IN A SPECIFIC SOUND CATEGORY

By holding down S N

AVIGATOR

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

OTARY DIAL

and pressing the D

HIFT

button twice you will be able to load

buttons and

OWN

Synth 1:2 Dream synth

Patches by Category rather than by memory location number. The Patches within a Category will now be displayed in alphabetical order. Select Category by pressing the U

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

select Patch with the R

OTARY DIAL

buttons and

REATING A BLANK PATCH

This can only be done with the G2 E

DITOR SOFTWARE

and you will need a suitable Windows computer

or Macintosh OSX computer. Please refer to “Making your first patch” on page 63.

Page 36

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches

CESSING

Press the P Hold down S

DIT) ANY PARAMETER IN A PATCH

button above the M

ATCH

and press the D

HIFT

AIN DISPLAY

OWN NAVIGATOR

button to get to the first module in the Voice Area (VA) of the Patch. The module currently “in focus” in the Patch will appear in the M

AIN DISPLAY

with its

Morphs

name and visual position in the Editor within brackets [1:1] (first row, first column). These rows and columns refer to how a Patch would show up on the computer screen when the Editor program would be used.

The names of the modules should give you a clue on what they do in a sound. Sometimes the clue is pretty clear, like when a module is named FltNord or OscA. Other times the name might be obscure. If tweaking a knob in a module that you have no idea about what it is doing should give strange and unwabted behaviour you can simply restore all tweaks in the Variation you’re in by pressing Shift and the current Variation button.

The first module’s (up to) eight parameters will appear in the A change the values of the parameters by turning the A

UTTONS

turning the R

. Navigate to the next module by pressing the D

OTARY DIAL

. If a module should contain more than eight parameters, the remaining parameters can be found by pressing the 2 and 3 P button and press the U

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

OWN

ARAMETER PAGES

button to immediately change Patch Area focus between

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

or pressing the A

or R

IGHT NAVIGATOR

buttons. Hold down the S

. You can now

SSIGNABLE

button or

the Toolbar (Morph groups), Voice Area and the FX Area. Note that all changes you make to parameters are only made in the current Variation you’re in right now. The same parameter will not be affected in the other Variations.

HIFT

Play on the synth while turning the A

NOBS

SSIGNABLE

to instantly hear what

effects they have on the

PA [1:1] MultiFilter1

MultiFilter1----Freq Freq M

----------------Res dB/Oct

----------------| Bypass PWidth

sound. If the G2 system is connected to a computer running the Editor software, the Editor will echo any adjustments that you make from the synth front panel on the computer screen and vice versa. When editing module parameters it can be useful to switch Display Mode (see “Display Mode” on page 28) to constantly view the actual values of each parameter in the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

. Some modules, like

Mixers with Mute buttons, have a combination of button+knob parameters assigned to each individual control. By default, the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAY

parameter name instead, hold S

and press the D

HIFT

shows the knob parameter name. To view the button

ISPLAY MODE

button.

Note that while in Patch mode you have access to literally any knob/parameter in a Patch. In the factory patches all sensible parameters are already assigned to A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

, so it hardly pays to use Patch mode. But for the Patches that you made yourself, and probably know very well, Patch mode gives you total control on literally everything that can be tweaked in your Patch.

SSIGN PARAMETERS TO PANEL CONTROLS

It’s possible to assign nearly every module parameter in a Patch to a separate A A

SSIGNABLE BUTTON

on the synth front panel. Do like this:

SSIGNABLE KNOB

Page 37

3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

1. Press the P to enter Patch Edit Mode (button

PLAY

up). Hold down S N

AVIGATOR

the Voice Area of the Patch.

2. Use the N

button above the M

ATCH

and press the D

HIFT

AIN DIS

LED

OWN

button to get to the first module in

AVIGATE

buttons to ‘scroll’ to the mod-

lights

Morphs

ule which contains the parameter you want to assign. The module’s name and first parameters are shown in the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

. (If a module contains more than 8 parameters, you can access the remaining parameters by pressing the 2 and 3 P

ARAMETER PAGES

buttons.)

3. When you have found the module and parameter you want to assign to an A

SSIGNABLE BUTTON

button and turn the parameter K

SSIGN

push the parameter B

, hold down the F

UTTON

SSIGNABLE KNOB

OCUS

NOB

if the module

(or

FltMulti1--------

Filter1

[1:1]

Freq Freq M

----------------Res dB/Oct

parameter is a button). In this example we choose the FltMulti1 Freq parameter. Note that some modules, like Mixers with On/ Off buttons, have a combination of button+knob parameters assigned to each individual control. If you want to assign these types of “combination parameters” to an Assignable Knob and Button, you have to copy the knob parameter and paste it by turning the Assignable Knob for the parameter combina tion to be assigned properly.

4. Press the P

dims) and revert to normal “play mode”.

LED

5. Press the desired P

button or a P

ATCH

ARAMETER PAGE

ARAMETER PAGES

button to exit Patch Edit Mode (P

buttons to get to the desired destination. You can choose freely where to assign a parameter but it could be convenient to use the P

ARAMETER PAGES

group names printed in blue on the front panel. Here, we choose P

6. Hold down the S

ARAMETER PAGE

and F

HIFT

tons (Paste) and turn the A

BLE BUTTON

) you want to assign the module parameter to. We

choose to assign the parameter to the first A

LED GRAPH

UTTON LED

around the A

) will light up with the pasted module parameter’s cur-

D1 (Filter).

OCUS/COPY

SSIGNABLE KNOB

but-

(or push the A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

(or the A

SSIGNA

SSIGNABLE

rent value and the parameter name will be shown in the corresponding

SSIGNABLE DISPLAY

. The

s Bass TB

Bass

ATCH

button

MultiFilter1 Freq

Page 38

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches

7. If you want to assign more module parameters, press the P

button and repeat the procedure

ATCH

from step 3 above. If you have assigned several parameters from the same module to adjacent

SSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS

in a P

ARAMETER PAGE

the first parameter. There will be dashes in the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

, the module name will only be shown for

to indicate that the following

parameters are from the same module.

ATCH PARAMETER VARIATIONS

HAT IS A VARIATION

A V

ARIATION

is basically a memory of all current knob settings in a patch both for the module knobs and the

global patch parameter settings. See “Variations” on page 17.

HANGE A VARIATION

1. Load a Patch in a Slot. The V

ARIATION

2. Select another Variation by pressing the V

2 button. The V

TION

ARIATION

to indicate it’s now the focused Variation.

LED

lights up.

LED

ARIA

lights up

ADSR-Env1 Attack Decay Sustain Release

3. Change the settings on a couple of parameters in

the Patch either by using the P buttons and turning the A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

ARAMETER PAGES

by entering Patch Edit mode by pressing the

button and navigating to the parameters.

ATCH

Filter-Env1 Attack Decay

4. Now, press the V

ARIATION

1 button again to put

Variation 1 in focus. The parameters you changed now revert to their original settings belonging to Variation 1.

If you want to change more Variations in your Patch, simply press another V

ARIATION

button and change parameter settings. When you store your Patch, all changed Variations will automatically be saved within the Patch.

AVE A VARIATION

All current Variations are automatically saved when you store the Patch (see “Store a Patch” on page 40).

OPY A VARIATION

To copy the parameter settings of an existing Variation to another Variation in the Patch, hold down the

OCUS/COPY

hold down S

button while pressing the V

HIFT+FOCUS/COPY

ARIATION

(Paste) while pressing the destination V

button that you want to copy parameters from. Then

ARIATION

button to paste all

parameter values.

ARIATION INIT

The VAR I

is a “default” parameter setup for your

NIT

Patch. This Init parameter setup can be recalled in any Variation by pressing the V (S

HIFT+MORPH

) to the right of the Variation

AR INIT

buttons. When you do this, the V

button

AR INIT

parameter

Page 39

3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

settings will be copied to the currently focused Variation. The VAR I

itself can be seen as a ‘hidden’

NIT

ninth Variation, as it can not be used as a regular Variation.

AVE A VARIATION INIT

This has to be done in the Editor. Refer to “Variation Init” on page 89.

LEAR A VARIATION

You clear a Variation and reset all module parameters in the Patch to their default settings by pressing

HIFT

and desired V

ARIATION

button. The default settings are the settings when the Patch was loaded

from Patch memory.

TORE A PATCH

Storing a Patch will permanently overwrite an existing Patch. Be careful so that you don’t accidentally erase Patches you want to keep! Note! When the Nord Modular G2 is shipped from factory,

Memory Protect is set to ‘On’. To be able to store Patches, first disable the Memory Protect function. See “Memory Prot |Sy” on page 32.

Storing a Patch on the Nord Modular G2 can be done in two ways:

TORING WITHOUT CHANGING THE PATCH NAME

1. First, press the S above the S

TORE

button once. The

TORE

button will start flashing.

LED

2. Now you must select a location in the current memory bank to save the patch to. Turn the R

OTARY DIAL

Store To 1:2 Dream synth

to an empty location or a location that can be overwritten. Optionally you can switch between memory banks by pressing the U

GATOR

buttons. As you scroll through the mem-

P/DOWN NAVI

ory bank locations, you can see the Patch names in the D

ISPLAY

3. Press S (To cancel the operation, press

TORING WITH NEW CATEGORY AND/OR NEW PATCH NAME

. This prevents you from overwriting a Patch that you want to keep.

again to actually store your Patch in the selected location in the selected memory bank.

TORE

ANY OTHER

button.)

To make it easier to find differe nt ty pes o f sounds in the G2 system memory banks, it is possible to define a category for each Patch. When you’re looking for a specific type of sound you can then search by Category, instead of Alphabetically or Numerically. There are 13+2 different categories to choose between:

ATEGORY

ESCRIPTION

Acoustic Patches with an acoustic character like flutes, violins, guitars, ethnic sounds, bells,

mallets etc. Doesn’t necessarily have to be emulations of existing instruments

Page 40

Sequencer Sounds which use sequencer modules to produce melodic and/or rhythmic lines.

Bass All sorts of bass sounds

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches

ATEGORY

ESCRIPTION

Classic Traditional “clean” analog types of polyphonic synth sounds based on the classic

waveforms

Drum Drum and percussion sounds

Fantasy Melodic effects sounds and textures, often with rhythmic modulations

FX Atonal effects sounds like water, laser guns, explosions etc. Sometimes with heavy

modulations.

Lead Sounds meant for lead lines. Usually monophonic sounds.

Organ Different types of organ sounds

Pad Melodic polyphonic “chord” sounds with fairly slow attacks like strings, choirs,

etc.

Piano Different types of electric and acoustic piano emulations

Synth All sorts of melodic polyphonic synth sounds

UDIO IN

All sorts of Patches that make use of the Audio Ins of the synth.

User1 Reserved for your own Sound Category

User2 Reserved for your own Sound Category

To store a Patch in a specific Category and change the Patch name, do like this:

1. Hold down S

The S

TORE LED

and press S

HIFT

TORE

starts flashing and the D

(Store as...).

ISPLAY

shows the current Category or, if no Category was selected, ’

2. Select Category with the R

No Cat’.

OTARY DIAL

No name

. Let’s say we select ‘Acoustic’ in this example. Note that you can’t revert to ‘No Cat’ after you have selected another Catergory for your Patch.

3. Press the D

OWN NAVIGATOR

button once and

select letters for the Patch name by turning the

OTARY DIAL

the L

EFT

Alternatively, press and hold the D

button and select letters with the R

TOR

. Change the cursor position with

(and R

IGHT

) N

AVIGATOR

OWN NAVIGA

buttons.

OTARY

o name

No cat

Acoustic

Page 41

3. Working with the synth: Working with Patches NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

. Each time you release the D

IAL

OWN NAVIGATOR

one step. Repeat the procedure for the entire Patch name. If you want to delete a letter/position and thus move all the letters to the right of the cursor one step back, hold down S

IGATOR

(DEL) button. (This function is the same

and press the L

HIFT

EFT NAV

as using the Delete key on a computer keyboard.) If you want to move all letters to the right of the cursor one step forward and thus make room for more letters, hold down S

IGHT NAVIGATOR

(INS) button. (Press a S

and press the

HIFT

LOT

button to cancel the Storing operation).

button the cursor in the D

Guitarish

ISPLAY

Acoustic

advances

4. Press S

OTARY DIAL

through the memory locations, you can see the Patch names in the D

TORE

again. The S

TORE LED

continues to flash. Select memory location by turning the

. Switch between Banks pressing the UP/D

OWN NAVIGATOR

ISPLAY

buttons. As you scroll

. This prevents you

from overwriting a Patch that you want to keep.

5. Press S

again to store your Patch. (To cancel the operation, press

TORE

ANY OTHER

button.)

Note! If you started to save a Patch by only pressing the Store button and then change your mind and want to change Category and/or name, you can press Shift+Store right after you pressed Store the first time. This way you don’t have to abort the initial storing procedure but can continue right away.

OPYING PATCHES

ROM ONE MEMORY LOCATION TO ANOTHER

Copying a Patch from one memory location to another is just a variation of storing. You just change the memory location after you pressed S

the first time as described in “Store a Patch” on page 40.

TORE

Of course you could also copy a Patch to a new memory location and change the Patch name and/or Category. Just follow the instructions in the paragraph “Storing with new Category and/or new Patch

name” on page 40.

ROM ONE SLOT TO ANOTHER

You can also copy a Patch from one Slot and paste it into another Slot. Do like this: Press and hold the F holding it, press the S

OCUS/COPY

button containing the Patch

LOT

button and while

4:36 Synth Dream synth

you want to copy. Release all buttons. Press and hold

HIFT+FOCUS/COPY

them press the destination S

(Paste) and while holding

button.

LOT

Note: The copied Patch is not stored in any memory location after this operation. It is only copied to the new Slot’s edit buffer.

Page 42

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Working with Slots

ENAME A PATCH

Renaming a Patch is the same as saving the Patch with a new name to the same memory location. Just follow the instructions in the paragraph “Storing with new Category and/or new Patch name” on page 40 and select the same memory location.

ELETE A PATCH

Deleting Patches from the internal memory of the synth can only be done from the Editor. Please refer to “Delete a Patch” on page 88.

WORKING WITH SLOTS

CTIVATE SEVERAL SLOTS

Due to the Sound engine architecture of the Nord Modular G2, which always tries to optimize the Patch Load and voice allocation resources, there are some things to bear in mind:

In live and sequencing situations you may want to quickly (without any silence) switch between Patches by simply accessing another S

. In order for the

LOT

Sound engine to “prepare” for this, it has to recalculate the entire Slot configuration in advance. Therefore, you need to activate all the Slots you plan to use, with their Patches loaded, in advance.

4:36 Synth Dream synth

Activate the Slots you want to use by holding down the

button and pressing the S

HIFT

plan to use. The A

CTIVESLOTS/FOCUS LEDS

in the total Sound engine calculation. The selected for editing. Now, when you press another S

button(s) you

LOT

for each active Slot will light up, indicating they’re used for the currently focused Slot will flash to indicate it’s

LED

button to play another active Patch, there will

LOT

be no silence since the Sound engine has already recalculated the entire Slot configuration. If you switch between Slots which haven’t been previously enabled with the ActiveSlots/Focus function, the Sound engine has to recalculate every time you change Slot and thus cause a brief moment of silence.

AYERING PATCHES

First of all you have to activate the Slots you plan to use as described above. Then, simultaneously press the

buttons containing the Patches you want to

LOT

layer. Alternatively, double-click the S one by one, to add them to the layer. The K

SSIGN LED

light up. The A

for each selected Slot in the layer will

CTIVE/FOCUSED SLOTS LED

LOT

buttons,

EYBOARD

for the

4:36 Synth Dream synth

currently focused Slot will flash to indicate it’s selected for editing. The Patches in the active Slots will now sound when you play the keyboard or send data on the

MIDI IN

on the Global

Slot by pressing another active S

Channel (see “MIDI Glob Ch |Sy” on page 31). Change focused

MIDI

button. Deselect a Slot from the layer by double-clicking the S

LOT

MIDI

Note

button you want to exclude from the layer. (See more about layering Patches in “Performances” on

LOT

Page 43

3. Working with the synth: Morph groups NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

page 47). Note that every time you load a Patch into any Slot, there will be a brief moment of silence

when the Sound engine recalculates and optimizes the Patch data.

HANGING EDIT FOCUS BUT NOT KEYBOARD FOCUS

By default, changing keyboard focus by pressing a Slot button in a layer automatically also changes the edit focus. By ‘edit focus’ we mean the Slot which holds the

4:36 Synth Dream synth

Patch currently enabled for editing from the front panel (and from the Editor). In some situations you may want to have the edit focus on a Patch in a Slot which is different from the Patch you’re playing from the keyboard. Then, Hold down the F button and press the desired S

button. This will

LOT

OCUS/COPY

change the edit focus but not the keyboard focus. In the picture to the right, Slot A has edit focus and Slot C has keyboard focus.

MORPH GROUPS

The M

function lets you continuously control defined ranges of several Parameters in a Patch,

ORPH

using only a single control source. This lets you produce radical changes in a sound in a very fast and easy way through a single physical controller like the Modwheel, a Footpedal or an Assignable Knob. See

“Morphs” on page 20. The Nord Modular G2 features eight separate M

may assign 25 Parameters in total in each Patch to the 8 M assigned so several M

ORPH GROUPS

(all 8 if you like), and thus be controlled differently from several

sources. Also, if you use several Variations in a Patch, the M

ORPH GROUPS

. A Parameter can also be

assignments can be different

per Patch. You

for each Variation. The control sources are Keyboard Velocity, Keyboard Range, Keyboard Aftertouch, Global Modwheel 2, Modwheel, Control Pedal, Pitch/Control Stick and Global Modwheel 1, on the front panel. Note that the Global Modwheels are only presents on the Nord Modular G2X model. On the other G2 models you can assign these M

ORPH GROUPS

SSIGNABLE KNOB

SSIGN PARAMETERS TO A MORPH GROUP

can be decoupled from their default physical controller and assigned to an

instead.

ORPH GROUPS

In the example below we will assign the A, D, S and R parameters of an ADSR Envelope module to the

ODWHEEL

. However, the procedure is exactly the

to e.g. Assignable Knobs. Additionally the

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

----------------Sustain Release

same for the other parameters and Morph groups as well. First we press the P

button and navigate

ATCH

down to the EnvADSR1 module. This figure shows the current parameter settings:

------------KBG Sh

1. Press the M

Page 44

button to the right of the V

ORPH

ATIONS

buttons. The

above the M

LED

ton lights up to indicate the G2 is in M

SSIGN

mode.

ORPH

ARI

but-

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Morph groups

2. When in M M

LED GRAPHS

button and keep it pressed down. All circular

ORPH

ORPH ASSIGN

on the front panel will go blank.

mode, press the W

HEEL

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

----------------Sustain Release

Alternatively you can quickly press the Wheel Morph button two times (like a double click on a mouse button on a computer) and the Wheel Morph

3. While keeping the Wheel Morph button pressed down, turn the parameter K

will flash.

LED

NOBS

you want to

EnvADSR1--------Attack Decay

----------------Sustain Release

assign to the Wheel Morph group. The first and last

of the Morph range will light up. A Morph

LED

range can be either negative or positive according to your choice. The “zero” Morph value is the parameter’s initial setting. In this example we assign the A, D, S, and R parameters of the EnvADSR1 module.

4. Note that while the Wheel Morph

lights up steadily and without keeping the Wheel Morph button

LED

pressed, you can set the lower limit of the Morph range. And while the Wheel Morph the double press you can set the upper limit of the Morph range. When the Wheel Morph press the Wheel Morph button once more to make it light up steady again.

flashes after

LED

------------KBG Sh

flashes

When you are ready with the assignments, release the W

HEEL MORPH

will light up again to show the regular settings. Now, the Wheel Morph

button and the

will light steadily to in-

LED

graphs

dicate that there are parameters assigned to this Morph group.

Note that you can also assign parameters directly from the Parameter Pages to Morph groups. In other words, you don’t have to enter Patch Edit mode if the parameters you want to morph are already assigned to a Parameter Page.

To change the initial parameter value(s) and thus move the entire Morph range (sector), just change the parameter value without pressing any M

ORPH GROUP

button (just as you would change an unassigned

parameter).

The Wheel, Aftertouch, Control Pedal, Sustain Pedal and Pitch Stick Morphs will show the actual parameter values when you change the source value is the morphed parameters are currently displayed in the A

SSIGNABLE DISPLAYS

. The Velocity and Keyboard Morphs don’t show the actual parameter values as you play on the keyboard. It’s made this way because it gets irritating after a while to watch all flickering

s as you play.

LED

Note: If you have assigned the same parameter to several Morph groups and control the parameter simultaneously from the different Morph group control sources, the parameter values will be added together. This means that the parameter value can go beyond the ranges set for each individual Morph group.

Tip! If you want to enter “Morph Assign” mode without needing to hold the M button you can double-click the M

ORPH GROUP

button. Click again to exit Morph Assign mode.

ORPH GROUP

Page 45

3. Working with the synth: Morph groups NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

EASSIGN PARAMETERS FROM A MORPH GROUP

1. Navigate to the morphed parameter you wish to deassign.

2. Press the M

button. Then, hold the M

ORPH

ORPH GROUP

button. The parameters assigned to that

Morph group will indicate their morph ranges.

3. Turn the parameter K

you wish to deassign until it meets the initial (start) value. The

NOB

LED

will go blank to indicate that the parameter has been deassigned from the Morph group.

To deassign all assigned parameters from a Morph group, hold down S corresponding M

DIT PARAMETERS IN A MORPH GROUP

ORPH GROUP

button (Morph Clear).

and press the

HIFT

The Morph range will always start at the current position of the parameter. The relationship between the setting of the parameter and the Morph range will be fixed, even if you move the setting of the parameter after a Morph range has been set.

DIT A MORPHED PARAMETER WHICH IS ASSIGNED TO A PARAMETER PAGE

Press the corresponding P

ARAMETER PAGE

You can edit the morph range (the size of the sector) by first pressing the M holding down the M

DIT A MORPHED PARAMETER WHICH IS NOT ASSIGNED TO A PANEL KNOB

Press the P

ATCH

ORPH GROUP

button to enter Patch Edit Mode. Navigate to the parameter you wish to edit.

button and turning the morphed K

You can edit the morph range (the size of the sector) by first pressing the M holding down the M

ORPH GROUP

button and turning the morphed K

button to display the desired morphed parameter.

button and then

ORPH

NOB

button and then

ORPH

NOB

graph

OPY A MORPH GROUP FROM ONE SOURCE TO ANOTHER

The special Copy/Paste function can be used to copy an entire Morph Group with all its assigned parameters from one Morph source to another. To copy and paste a Morph Group, do like this: First, press the M press a M

ORPH GROUP

while holding them, press the new destination M another V

ORPH GROUPS IN SEPARATE VARIATIONS

ARIATION

button. Then, press and hold the F

ORPH

button. Release all buttons. Press and hold S

ORPH GROUP

by first selecting that V

ARIATION

before pasting.

OCUS/COPY

button. You can copy M

button and while holding it,

HIFT+FOCUS/COPY

(Paste) and

ORPHS

Each Variation in a Patch can have its own unique Morph group assignments.

OPY MORPH GROUPS BETWEEN VARIATIONS

All Morph groups in a Variation are automatically copied together with the rest of the parameter values when you copy a Variation to another Variation as described on “Copy a Variation” on page 39.

WORD ABOUT THE KEYBOARD MORPH

Keyboard Morph lets you control the Morphed parameters differently depending on where on the keyboard you play. The minimum source value is the lowest key of the five octave Nord Modular G2X keyboard when no Octave Shift is used, i.e. note C1, and maximum is the highest key, i.e C6. When you

Page 46

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 3. Working with the synth: Performances

transpose the keyboard up or down, the Keyboard Morph range will extend beyond the set Morph limits, in other words the Morph will still have effect outside the C1 to C6 range by using ‘extrapolation’.

DVANCED EXAMPLE

: When a Constant module is connected to the direct Pitch input on an Oscillator

and the Constant module is assigned to the Keyboard Morph set to a range between -28 to +32 units (knob positions 36 to 96), and the Keyboard Tracking on the Oscillator is set Off, the Oscillator will track the keyboard accurately through the Morph on the Constant module. Now note that when you play outside the C1-C6 range the Oscillator still keeps on tracking the keyboard.

WORD ABOUT THE PITCH STICK MORPH

The lower (or start) limit of the Pitch Stick Morph range is the Pitch Stick neutral position, so the centre position it is in when you don’t touch it. When moving the Pitch Stick to the right the Morph travels to the upper or end limit of the Morph range. If you move the Pitch Stick to the left the Morph range will be mirrored, so from the start limit to the mirrored value of the end limit. Imagine that the Pitch Stick Morph is assigned to a Constant module with a range from +20 to +32 units. Moving the Pitch Stick to the right will Morph from +20 to +32, but moving the Pitch Stick to the left will morph from +20 to +8, as +8 is the mirror value of +32 when mirrored at +20.

PERFORMANCES

NORD MODULAR G2 ENGINE FRONT PANEL

Update Mode button

PDATE MODE BUTTON

MIDI LED USB LED

Power On

LED

This button is used in the factory to manually set the G2 Engine in Update Mode. For information on how to update the system software see “Updating the Synth OS” on page 140.

MIDI LED

Indicates incoming

USB LED

Lights steadily when the G2 Engine’s

messages received on the

MIDI

USB

MIDI IN

jack.

port is connected to the computer’s

port and the Editor

USB

has established contact.

OWER ON LED

Lights steadily when the G2 Engine is powered on.

ON/OFF

BUTTON

Switch on and off the G2 Engine with the ON/OFF button.

NORD MODULAR G2 REAR PANEL

On/Off button

ONTROL PEDAL

Connect a control/expression pedal to the C

(G2, G2X)

ONTROL PEDAL

input. The sensitivity of the Pedal input

can be adjusted in the System menu for different brands of pedals. See “Ctrl Ped Gain |Sy” on page 32.

Page 53

3. Working with the synth: Nord Modular G2 rear panel NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

USTAIN PEDAL

Connect a sustain pedal to the S

(G2, G2X)

USTAIN PEDAL

input. The polarity of the input can be adjusted to suit

different types of Sustain Pedals.

USB C

The computer that runs the Editor software to the

MIDI IN, MIDI OUT

Connect any external a sequencer, a master keyboard or another

UDIO OUTPUTS

The unbalanced, line level (-10 dBV) audio outputs O virtual mix buses in Nord Modular G2. Use O mono sound system. If only O

UDIO INPUTS

By connecting external sound sources to the unbalanced, line level (-10 dBV) inputs I

ONNECTOR

(1.1) connector is used to connect the G2 to a computer. Connect a free

USB

MIDI T

AND

equipment to the

MIDI

UTPUT

Port. The

USB

HRU CONNECTOR

MIDI IN, MIDI OUT

device.

MIDI

UTPUT

1 if you are going to use Nord Modular G2 with a

1 is connected, the audio from O

connection is hot-pluggable.

USB

and

MIDI THRU

1-4 route the audio signals from the four

UTPUT

port of the

USB

ports. This could be

2 is mixed to O

1-4, you can

NPUT

UTPUT

feed audio signals into the G2 and process the audio with any of the available G2 modules.

EADPHONES OUTPUT

The H

EADPHONES

output routes audio signals which are assigned O

UTPUT

1 and 2. Note! Since the G2 Engine lacks a volume knob, be careful when you use headphones so the volume isn’t too loud. Make it a habit of always lowering the Patch Level in the Editor before using headphones with the G2 Engine.

XLR M

The

NPUT

ICROPHONE INPUT

XLR MIC INPUT

can be used for dynamic, non-Phantom powered microphones. If you use the

1, it will automatically override and disable the MIC

be sure no jack plug is connected to the I

(G2, G2X)

1. The MIC

NPUT

. So, if you want to use a microphone

INPUT

has a built-in preamp so you don’t have

INPUT

to amplify the signal externally to use a dynamic microphone on this input. The G2X model comes with a goose-neck microphone that can be readily plugged into the

G2 E

NGINE REAR PANEL

connector.

XLR

Note! The Control Pedal input, the Sustain Pedal input and the XLR Microphone input are not available on the G2 Engine model.

Page 54

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 4. The G2 Editor software: The Editor software

4. THE G2 EDITOR SOFTWARE

THE EDITOR SOFTWARE

On the CD-ROM that comes in the back of this manual you will find the G2 Editor software for Windows and Macintosh OSX computers. This software opens up the full potential of the G2 system. With this software you can manage the Patch and Performance memory banks, control all System, Performance and Patch functions and last but not least create your own synthesizer and audio Effects models as Patches and combine them into Performances ready to be recalled and played from the G2 system Patch and Performance memory banks.

OFTWARE INSTALLATION

OTE

! B

ASIC COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS ARE FOR EDITING ONE

G2.

DITOR SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WINDOWS

The Nord Modular G2 Editor software requires a Pentium II PC running at 500 MHz or better with minimum 64 MB RAM for Windows 98SE, or a Pentium II PC running at 500 MHz or better with minimum 128 MB for Windows2000 and XP. Additionally a free to install the software from CD, a keyboard, a mouse and a graphics display with an on-screen resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels and a 16-bit color or better graphics adaptor. The computer has nothing to do with the actual sound processing in the Nord Modular G2 - it is used only for visual Patching and to send instructions to the Nord Modular G2. Note that a PC with lower specifications could be used without affecting the G2 synthesis capabilities, but graphics might be dead slow and the PC might not be able to sustain the high

DITOR SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS MACINTOSH

The Nord Modular G2 Editor software requires as a minimum a Macintosh G3, 400 MHz, MB RAM and OSX 10.2 or later.

INDOWS

It is beyond the scope of this manual to explain the functions of these operating systems. In order to run the Editor, you need to be familiar with the basic functions of the computer, like mouse functions, saving and loading files to and from disk drives, moving and closing windows, closing dialog boxes etc. It is also important that the computer has a free must have been properly installed before connecting the Nord Modular G2 synth to the PC.

98SE/2000/XP, A

port. On a Windows PC the Nord Modular G2

USB

PPLE MAC

USB

(1.1) port plus a CD ROM drive

USB

data rate between the PC and the G2.

-port, 128

USB

OSX

USB

driver

HEN EDITING MORE THAN ONE

The G2 V1.4x Editor software supports up to four G2 units to be connected to the computer. The system requirements in the previous paragraphs are for editing a single G2. To edit more than one G2 you might want to use a computer that is about twice, three times or four times the specifications of the ones described, to prevent the screen graphics to appear slower. A currently ‘state of the art’ computer, like a Pentium IV running at 2GHz or faster, will easily be able to edit four G2’s and still have fast graphic screen refreshing for all the

s on the modules in a patch.

LED

Page 55

4. The G2 Editor software: The Editor software NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

NSTALLATION OF THE USB DRIVER

Before connecting the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer to a Windows PC, you need to install the for the Windows operating system. The the G2 and for the Editor to communicate with the synth. To install the

driver makes it possible for the Windows PC to recognize

USB

driver, do like this:

USB

1. Insert the ‘Nord Software CD’ installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.

USB

driver

2. Connect the

cable between the synth and the computer. The ‘Found New Hardware’ wizard

USB

should appear.

3. Let the wizard search the CD-ROM for the

NSTALLATION OF THE EDITOR ON A WINDOWS

driver and install it.

USB

1. Insert the ‘Nord Software CD’ CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Run SetupModularG2_V1_4x.exe located in the Modular G2 folder and follow the instructions in

the setup program.

3. The Editor software will be installed in a folder named Clavia in the Program Files folder on the

hard disk. During the installation you will be able to select an alternative location for the software.

4. Confirm every window in the installation procedure by clicking on the Next button. The installation

may be aborted by clicking on Cancel.

5. When the installation is complete, click the Close button to return to the Windows desktop. There is

no need to check in the ‘Synth Updater’ check box since the synth has the latest OS already installed from factory.

NSTALLATION OF THE MACINTOSH

OSX E

DITOR

To install the Editor software, simply drag the Editor V1.4x application located in the Modular G2 folder from the accompanied installation CD-ROM to the Macintosh and start the application from the computer.

Page 56

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 4. The G2 Editor software: The Editor software

TARTING UP

Make all the audio connections before turning on any of the devices. The computer that runs the Editor must be connected via an to the Nord Modular G2. The G2 V1.4x Editor software supports up to four G2 units to be connected to the computer, provided your computer is fast enough to handle all the data exchange between these four units.

OUND SYSTEM

Connect the desired outputs of the Nord Modular G2 to a sound system. We suggest that you start by connecting output 1 to the left channel and output 2 to the right channel of the sound system. Turn on Nord Modular G2 first, followed by the sound system. Alternatively you can connect a head phone to the head phone output at the rear of the G2.

USB

port

Connecting the G2 to the PC

Connecting the G2 to the sound system

AUNCHING THE EDITOR ON A WINDOWS

Power on the synth and make sure the

cable is properly connected between the synth and your

USB

computer. From the Start menu in the Windows taskbar, select Programs|Nord Modular G2 V1.4x|Modular Editor V1.4x. During the start-up procedure, the Editor software will automatically search for and establish contact with the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer. If the connection between the synth and the computer is not working properly, an error message will appear. In that case, check the

cable, make sure that the

USB

driver is properly installed and working, and that the synth is turned

USB

on. When the Editor has found the synth, the name of the connected synth is shown in the Status line.

Page 57

5. The Editor application: The Editor software NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

5. THE EDITOR APPLICATION

The Editor provides you with a single, flat interface from where all functions can be easily accessed. The Editor screen is divided into a few sections, the Menu bar, a Toolbar, a Voice Area (VA) where modules are placed that are used in an individual Voice, and an Effects Area (FX) where a mix of the signals from the individual Voices can be routed to for processing by Effects modules like e.g. reverberation.

The Voice Area shows one Voice of the Patch. Other Voices will be exact copies of this one Voice, so there is no need to show these other Voices. Every action that you do in the Voice Area will affect all Voices in the Patch. The Effects Area is per definition monophonic. This Area is similar to an External Effects unit used in a studio to give several instruments e.g. the same Hall reverberation. Note that on the G2 all types of modules can be placed in this Area, it is no problem to build up a synth here. However, that synth will only play monophonically. The Effects Area is also the ideal place to build the part of a drumkit that holds the Kick, the Snare and the HiHats, as these drum instruments are in essence monophonic. Both the Voice Area and the Effects Area can use up a Patch load of 100% of Cycles and Memory.

Menu bar “Editor menu reference” on page 115 Toolbar “Toolbar” on page 59

Voice Area

Polyphonic modules

Module that has the focus

Knob that has the focus

Effects Area

Monophonic modules

You will use the Toolbar a lot when making or changing a Patch. So, let’s first have a look at the functions in the Toolbar before delving deeper.

Page 58

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Toolbar

TOOLBAR

: (

ERF

When the connected synth is in Performance Mode, or when the synth is disconnected, you can enter a name for your current Performance by clicking in the Perf box, typing in a name and pressing Enter. When the connected synth is in Patch mode, this box is disabled for editing.

ASTER CLOCK

Set the tempo for the Master Clock in BPM (Beats Per Minutes) by clicking the arrow buttons. Start and stop the Master Clock by clicking the Run button. Note that the Master Clock settings affects Patches in all four Slots in the synth. If the Master Clock receives external red and the current arrow buttons are disabled as well. When the G2 system is sending connector the Run button will transmit

LOT BUTTONS

You can give a Slot the focus for editing by clicking on the Slot button. The window that contains the focused Slot/Patch will move to the foreground in the Editor application. The focused Slot has a white frame around it. Note that only one Patch can be focused in the Editor at the same, so you can only edit one Patch at a time. To edit another Patch in another Slot give that Slot the focus by clicking on its Slot button. You can activate/deactivate several Slots on the same instrument by Shift-clicking on the corresponding Slot buttons. If several Slots are active, this is indicated by the blue Slot buttons. If you want to change the Keyboard Assign settings (to select which Slot(s) should be controlled from the G2 keyboard), Ctrlclick the Slot button(s). All slot buttons that have a red line on top (the keyboard indicator) of them will follow the keyboard, activated slot buttons that do not have a red line will only follow

NAME

MIDI

)

Clock (see “Synth Settings {Ctrl-G}” on page 120), the display box background will turn

Clock rate will be displayed. When synched to external

MIDI

Start/Stop commands.

MIDI

Clock over the

Clock, the tempo

MIDI

MIDI OUT

MIDI

ONNECTION INDICATORS

Here, the connected Nord Modular G2 synths are visible. The name is shown in the box to the right of the Slot buttons. Connecting or disconnecting the make the connection indicator(s) automatically appear or disappear. When editing more than one G2, the names of the connected synths will appear from left to right in alphabetical order in the toolbar. Click on the Slot button next to the name of another connected G2 to start editing the patch in the Slot on the other synth.

ERF

The Perf button indicates if the connected synth is in Performance Mode or not. Performance Mode will group the four Slots together, leaving Performance Mode will ungroup the Slots. Click

cable will

USB

Page 59

5. The Editor application: Toolbar NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

this button to go into or leave Performance Mode. You can also switch mode on the connected synth by clicking the Performance Mode button on the G2 frontpanel. See also “Performances” on page 18.

Creates a new, empty Patch window. If connected to the synth, the currently active Slot will be cleared to host your new Patch. See “Making your first patch” on page 63 for info on how to create a new Patch.

1&2

NIT

Click on the Init 1 or Init 2 buttons to recall one of the two Init Patches (see “Save InitPatch1 &

2” on page 116 for info on how to create Init Patches). If connected to the synth, the selected

Init Patch will be downloaded to the currently active Slot.

ODULE GROUP SELECTORS

The M

ODULE

ROUP

selectors are located in the left section of the Toolbar. Click on a selector to select a module group. The currently focused Module Group is shown as a blue Module Group selector button.

ODULE ICONS

When a Module group is selected all the modules in that group will show up as M

ODULE ICON

by simply dragging a M

ATCH LOAD

The Patch Load indicators indicate how much computational resources the Patch uses. The VA indicator shows the Patch Load for the Voice Area (upper part of the Patch window), and the FX indicator for the FX Area (lower part of the Patch window). The reason for having two separate Patch Load indicators is because it makes it easier for the user to calculate the maximum polyphony of a Patch. If you run out of computational resources in a Patch (if 100% Load is exceeded in any of the Areas), the corresponding Patch Load indicator turns red and the outputs of the synth will be muted. Delete one or several modules to reduce the Patch Load, or change a module with radio button selectors to a module with a dropdown selector. You might alternatively use shorter delays by selecting a shorter maximum delatime in a delay module dropdown selector. See “Voice allocation and polyphony” on page 138 to read more in depth info about how the G2 uses computational resources.

ODULE ICONS

under the Module Group selectors. As you move the cursor over each

, a preview of the module with its module name is shown. Modules are added to a Patch

ODULE ICON

, C

YCLES AND MEMORY

to either the Voice Area or the FX Area.

The two Memory indicators basically have the same functionality as the Patch Load indicators, but display the use of memory in the Patch.

Page 60

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Toolbar

Note! If any of the indicators goes above 100%, the outputs of the synth will be muted. Delete one or several modules that uses memory to reduce the Memory load. See “Voice allocation and polyphony” on

page 138 to read more in depth info about how the G2 uses memory.

NDO

& R

EDO

The Undo (to the left) and Redo buttons can be used to undo or redo changes you made in the Patch. There are many levels of Undo in the Editor, which is great when experimenting with a patch. The Redo function works like a “reversed” Undo. Note! The effect of the Rnd and Clr buttons on Sequencer modules can not be undone.

OLOR

You can choose to recolor any modules in the Patch window. First select a module and then select a color from the Color selector in the Toolbar. Note that the color selector stays in its new selection, causing any new modules that you add to the Patch window to get the selected color. You can also make a selection of any combination of modules in the Patch window (CtrlLeftClick) and then click on the “paint bucket” icon, or select a new color from the drop-down list, to apply the color to the module(s).

ORPH GROUPS

There are eight Morph groups available in each Patch and you may assign a total of 25 Patch parameters to these Morph groups. You can assign each Morph group to any of the predefined controls M

OTE VALUES

LOBAL MODWHEELS

, A

FTERTOUCH

or to A

If you want to assign a Morph group to an A

, C

ONTROL PEDAL

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

SSIGNABLE KNOB

on the front panel.

ODWHEEL

, S

USTAIN PEDAL

, K

EYBOARD VELOCITY

, P

ITCH STICK, THE

, K

EYBOARD

G2X

instead of the predefined control source, simply click a Morph knob in the Toolbar to give it focus. Then, right-click the Morph group knob and select Assign|Page X|Knob. The captions above the Morph knobs can be renamed by right-clicking on a knob and selecting ‘Edit name’. You can also assign the Morph G right-clicking and selecting

Controller|Assign. Note that the fifth Morph group can be controlled

MIDI

ROUP

knob to a

controller by

MIDI

by either the Sustain Pedal, the Global Wheel 1 or a Knob. See “Morphs” on page 20 for more info about Morph groups.

ATCH NAME

Here is the name for the active Patch shown. Click in the box to type in a Patch name. Press Enter on the computer keyboard to enter the name and exit the Patch name box. To exit without changing the name, press Esc. If the Patch is active in a Slot of the synth, the name will be shown in the M

AIN DISPLAY

as well. A standard English character set is available.

Any ‘illegal’ characters that you may type will be substituted with empty spaces.

ATEGORY

Select sound category for the active Patch from the drop-down list. See “Selecting Sound

Category for the Patch” on page 87 for more info.

Page 61

5. The Editor application: Toolbar NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

OICE MODE

The actual polyphony of a Patch is displayed in the Voice Mode display box. The requested number of voices is displayed within parenthesis. Select number of voices with the arrow buttons (mono, legato, 2-32). Note that every time you change the number of voices, the Sound engine has to recalculate the Patch data which will cause a brief moment of silence. Should your request for polyphony exceed the available computational resources, the system assigns the highest possible amount of voices to the Patch instead. See “Voice allocation and polyphony” on page 138 for more info. If a patch exceeds 100% or it cannot fit because other slots have already used up all computational resources or audio delay memory, the display will turn red.

ARIATION

Select one of the 8 Patch Parameter Variations by clicking the corresponding Variation button. Click the Init button to load the Variation Init settings for the Patch. See “Creating Patch parameter Variations” on page 88 for info on how to create Variations. The Variation buttons are hard-wired to another Variation by sending Clicking with the right mouse button on one of the Var. buttons will open a popup menu where you can quickly copy the focused Variation to another Variation or to the Variation Init buffer.

CC70 plus a value to the Slot.

MIDI

Controller #70, so you can select

MIDI

VAR I

NIT

This will copy the variation settings from the Variation Init buffer to the focused Variation. Note that the Variation Init buffer is stored within a Patch along with the eight Variations.

ATCH LEVEL

Set the total output level from the Patch with the knob. Mute the output from the Patch by clicking the On/Off button. The Patch Level knob is hard-wired to

ISIBLE CABLES

Click on any of the seven colored buttons to select which cable group(s) should be visible/invisible in the Patch. “Invisible” cable connections will be indicated by a colored dot on the in- and outputs of the connected modules. The white button represents any remaining connections after you have broke a part of a cable chain.

IDE ALL CABLES

Click the {H} button to hide all visible cables in the active Patch. “Invisible” cable connections will be indicated by a colored dot on the in- and outputs of the connected modules. Pressing the space bar on the computer keyboard performs the same operation.

HAKE CABLES

Controller #7.

MIDI

Click on the {S} button to reposition - shake - the cables in a Patch. This can be useful if it is hard to see where the cables are actually connected, or if they hide visual information (display boxes etc.) in the Patch. Pressing the Ctrl key and the space bar on the computer keyboard performs the same operation.

Page 62

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Making your first patch

ATCH WINDOW SPLIT BAR

Click-hold on the Patch window split bar and drag up or down to resize the two Patch sections, the Voice and FX Areas. Click on the up arrow button to the left in the bar to show only the Voice Area, and on the down arrow button to show only the FX Area. Click on the double arrow button to place the split bar on the previous split position. Press V on the computer keyboard to toggle between the current split position and viewing only the Voice Area. Press F on the computer keyboard to toggle between the current split position and viewing only the FX Area.

MAKING YOUR FIRST PATCH

REATING A NEW EMPTY PATCH

Click on the NEW button. Modules that were shown on the screen will disappear and there is a new blank Patch.

NSERTING AN OUTPUT MODULE

Click on the IN/OUT Module Group selector. Click on the leftmost Module Icon named 2-OUT, hold the mouse button pressed and drag the Module Icon onto the grey background of the Voice Area. Output modules connect signals in a Patch to the physical LineOut and Headphone connectors on the back of the G2. So, its a good idea to always start with an Output module to be able to hear sound while patching.

NSERTING A SOUND SOURCE MODULE

Now you are going to insert a module that will actually generate sound. The module that is going to be inserted is named an Oscillator and will basically be responsible for the pitch of the sound. Click on the

Module Group selector and hold the mouse over the Module Icons until you find a Module that is

named O amplifier or set the Master Level on the G2 to very low, as you are going to connect the output of the OscDual module to an input on the 2-Out module, which will immediately output sound on the LineOut1 connector or the headphone. Click with the mouse on the squared red connector in the lower right corner of the OscDual module and keep the mouseknob pressed. Drag the mouse pointer to the left circular red connector named ’L’ on the 2Out module and release the mouseknob there. This will draw a cable between the OscDual output and the 2-Out left input. If all went well you should hear a bright tone from one of your speakers. Click again on the squared red connector on the OscDual module and again drag, but now to the circular red connector named ’R’ on the 2-Out module. After this you should hear the tone come out of the other speaker as well. Adjust the Master Level knob on the G2 or your amplifier volume knob for a comfortable sound level. Play some notes on the keyboard and hear how the OscDual automatically follows the keyboard. Oscillator modules will follow the keyboard by default. Notice that squared connectors on modules are outputs, and that circular connectors are inputs.

SCDUAL

. Drag this module onto the Voice Area background. Lower the volume of your

Output connector Input connectors

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5. The Editor application: Making your first patch NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

ISCONNECTING A CABLE

An Oscillator gives a continuous output and needs something extra to give it a loudness contour or envelope, to cause a Patch to only make sound when a key is pressed on the keyboard. For this you need an extra module inbetween the Oscillator output and the Output module input. First disconnect the cables. Do this by doubleclicking on one of the circular input connectors on the 2-Out module and keeping the mousebutton pressed on the second click. Now slowly drag the mouse away from the circular input connector onto the grey background of the Patch and release the mousebutton. If all went well the cable has disappeared. Disconnect the cable on the other circular input connector in the same way.

NSERTING AN ENVELOPE MODULE

Select the Module Group selector named ENV. Drag the leftmost Module Icon named ENVADSR in the Voice Area inbetween the OscDual module and the 2-Out module. Notice that the new module will ‘push’ the other modules away if there seems not enough space between the already placed modules. This is to prevent that modules would overlap and maybe become invisible. In fact it is impossible for modules to overlap, the Editor will not allow this. Now make connections from the E blue output connector that is in the lower righthand corner of the module to both circular input connectors of the 2-Out module. Next step is to connect the squared red output of the OscDual module to the circular blue input at the top righthand corner of the EnvADSR module. Notice that when you connect a red output to a blue input the blue input changes to a red color and the blue output on the same module changes to red as well. This red color indicates that this module will now process signals at the highest audio quality. At this point the patch should look like the illustration. Notice that you don’t hear any sound, as the

ADSR isolates the OscDual from the outputs. However, when you now press a key on the keyboard

you will hear a note play as long as you hold the key. This shows one of the basics of modular synthesis, the OscDual module and the EnvADSR module work together to do a musically sensible thing, each doing its own thing in the sound: the Oscillator defines the pitch and the Envelope defines the loudness contour. Have a closer look at the E

ADSR module. Notice the four knobs named A, D, S and R. These four

knobs define the form of the loudness contour. Click and hold the mouse on the rightmost knob named R and try to turn it so the display reads 1.60s. Again play some notes on the keyboard. You hear how the played notes die out more slowly after you released the key.

ADSR squared

AKING THE PATCH POLYPHONIC

At this point the patch plays monophonic. With the Voice Mode setting you can easily assign more voices to this Patch. Click on the upper triangle button next to the Voice mode display until it shows eight voices. When playing the keyboard you will notice that now you can play chords and the dying out of the voices will overlap new notes. The actual polyphony of a Patch is displayed in the Voice Mode display box. The requested number of voices is displayed within parenthesis. The system assigns the highest possible amount of voices to the Patch when your request for polyphony exceed the actual capacity of the Sound engine. In practice many traditional polyphonic synthesizer sounds can be played with six to eight voices of polyphony, the amount of voices one would typically find on a traditional analog polysynth.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Making your first patch

Note! The dynamic allocation method used by other multitimbral hardware synthesizers is not applicable to the Nord Modular G2, see also “Voice allocation and polyphony” on page 138. You can easily adjust the polyphony for a Patch in the synth by selecting a S and turn the K can be useful if you have a couple of Patches loaded in several

and wish to quickly redistribute the polyphony among

LOTS

the Patches.

The Nord Modular G2 note recognition system operates according to the “last note” principle. If you run out of polyphony and continue to play notes, the synthesizer will always add the last note played and remove the first note, with one exception: it will try to keep the lowest note sounding.

DDING SOME TIMBRAL CONTROL

The sound of this Patch is not really something special, it sounds overly bright, a bit thinnish and not very lively. It is time to do something about the timbre by adding a filter module that will give more character to the sound. This filter will be inserted between the OscDual output and the EnvADSR input. Select the F

ILTER

Module Icon into the Voice Area on the separation line between the OscDual and the EnvADSR module. Next step is to disconnect the cable between the OscDual and the EnvADSR. Then make a cable connection from the OscDual output to the FltClassic input and from the FltClassic output to the EnvADSR input. Notice that inputs and outputs line up nicely at the right side of the modules. When you play notes you will notice that the sound lost much of its brightness, caused by the filter removing all the high harmonics. To give the sound more character it is custom to give the timbre a contour, similar to the loudness contour. On the E an extra blue output named E produces a control signal that follows the loudness contour. This signal can cause the FltClassic to follow the loudness contour as well, which makes the filter ‘sweep’. For a filter sweep a cable connection has to be made from this blue Env output to the Pitch input on the FltClassic module. Then, by opening the knob next to this Pitch input the amount of contour that controls the FltClassic can be set. Open this Pitch knob on the FltClassic about a quarter and also lower the S knob on the EnvADSR module until it is halfway, to make the contour more snappy. At this point you have made a basic patch that has three separate modules to control the pitch, the timbre and the loudness contour. Now it is time to try out the knobs on the modules. Change knobs by small bits only, so you clearly hear in what ‘direction’ it makes the sound change.

, pressing the P

LOT

below the Voice Mode D

NOB

ATCH SETTINGS

ISPLAY

button

. This

Set the requested number of voices by clicking the arrow buttons. The requested number of voices is shown within parenthesis and the actual number of voices is shown to the left in the display box.

Synth

sSUN FH

See the actual and requested number of voices allocated to the Patch in the display.

module Group selector and find a Module Icon named FLTC

ADSR module you see

. This output

120 BPM 04 (04)

RUN Poly

. Drag the

LASSIC

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5. The Editor application: Making your first patch NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

DDING REVERB

Adding some reverberation can greatly enhance the sound of a synthesizer. Reverb can be applied globally to all voices, so it is best to place this reverb into the FX

. The audio signals from the Voices must be routed

REA

to the FX Area first. On the 2-Out module you see an

Output Destination selector. If you click on the button F 2 the signals will be routed to the FX Area. In the FX

Area these signals need to be received and there is a special module for this, the F find in the I

N/OUT

Module Group. The FX Area also

module that you will

X-IN

needs an output module to the LineOuts and this can again be a 2-O selector set to the default O

module, with its Output Destination

1/2. Between the Fx-In and

the 2-Out module in the FX Area you can connect the Reverb module that you will find in the FX Module Group. Insert these modules in the patch and make the cabling just like in the illustration. Note that there can be a lot of sound coming in on the FX-In module when routing a polyphonic patch into the FX Area and a lot of notes are played at the same time. This might cause the mix of the Voices to hit the signal headroom and cause clipping. To prevent possible clipping you must set the P on the left side of the FX-I

module to -6dB by clicking once on this button. This will give you some

extra 6dB of headroom, but will also make the overall output volume drop. To compensate for the drop in volume you can set the P

button on the 2-OUT module in the FX A

on the safe side, it is wise to make these settings in every polyphonic patch that uses the FX Area. For monophonic patches it is not necessary to make these settings.

button

to +6dB. To always be

REA

DDING VELOCITY SENSITIVITY THROUGH A MORPH

To use the keyboard Velocity Sensitivity we will use the V

ELOCITY MORPH GROUP

. The question is only where to apply it. The most logical use for Velocity is to control the loudness of each individual keypress. So, you need to apply the Velocity Morph to a volume control that is in the voice itself. But right now there is none, meaning that you first need to insert a module with a volume knob. A very interesting choice is to use a E

QPEAK

module, which you will find in the F

ILTER

Module Group. This EqPeak module has a volume control named L

. When acoustic

sounds are played louder the middle frequency range is also boosted a bit. This module gives you the possibility to both control the volume for the note plus boost the middle range by applying the Velocity Morph to both L

and G

AIN

. First insert a EqPeak module in the patch and connect it between the output of the EnvADSR and the 2-Out module in the

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Making your first patch

Voice Area. Now click on the knob above the VEL Morph Group, so this knob shows up in red. Reduce the Lev knob on the EqPeak module to about 80. Now press the Ctrl key on the computer keyboard, keep it pressed, and turn the Lev knob fully open with the mouse. You see that this leaves a red area on the Lev knob that shows the Morph range. Now set the Freq of the EqPeak to between 2kHz and 3kHz, set the Gain knob to about -2.5dB, again keep the Ctrl knob pressed and open the Gain knob to about +7dB. These actions have assigned the Lev knob and the Gain knob to the Velocity Morph. If all went well it should look like in the illustration. Play some notes on the keyboard and hear how the Velocity now works out on the sound.

ECHECK YOUR WORK

Take some time now to retrace the signal flow in the Patch until you are sure you understand how the initial signal from the Oscillator is processed by the other modules and ends up in the FX Area.

HANGING A MODULE INTO ANOTHER TYPE FROM THE SAME MODULE GROUP

When you want to check out another Oscillator instead of the OscDual, you can instantly replace it through the

ROPDOWN MENU ICON

of the module. If you click on this Dropdown Menu Icon a list will appear, showing all modules in the Module Group. Instead of the OscDual you could e.g. pick the OscShapeA module and play with its Shape knob to change the basic sound of this oscillator. Note that this Shape knob also has a modulation input where you can connect the Env output of the EnvADSR module to have the waveshape glide along with the loudness contour, just like the filter swept along with the loudness contour.

! When replacing a module by another module

OTE

the Editor will try to keep all cable connections. Note however that some modules do have extra inputs, and if these are used it might affect the recabling. Like if you change the OscShpA into a OscD oscillator the cable to the Shape input will get lost. Try out and see for yourself how choosing another module affects the recabling. Note that you can always use the Undo function a couple of times to revert to a previous situation.

in the top lefthand corner

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5. The Editor application: Popup menus in the Editor NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

SSIGNING FRONTPANEL KNOBS

Finally, to make the Patch editable and controllable from the Nord Modular G2 front panel, you can assign any parameter in the Patch to any of the 8 A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

Let’s say you want to assign the ‘EnvADSR1’ Attack to P

NOB

First, use C P

ARAMETER PAGES

from the T

-key and drag the EnvADSR

-F to call up the

TRL

menu. Hold the

OOLS

A knob to the grey display in the P

ARAMETER PAGES

above the leftmost knob. Proceed with Alt-dragging some more knobs to the P Alternatively you can drag a grey display above a knob in the parameter pages to a module knob without using the Alt-key. See also “Assign a parameter to a knob” on page 90 for alternative ways to make assignments.

AGE

window

1A,

Drag knob while holding Alt-key

ARAMETER PAGES

window until you are satisfied.

ENAMING AND SAVING A PATCH

To (re)name the Patch, click on the Patch Name display box to the upper left of the toolbar and enter a Patch name. Press Enter on the computer keyboard and the Patch name is changed in the Editor and in the M

AIN DISPLAY

Save your Patch on the computer using S of the Nord Modular G2 (and Engine), select S

AVE AS

from the F

AVE IN SYNTH

menu. To save the Patch in the memory

ILE

from the S

menu. Select memory

YNTH

location from the list(s) and click Store. Note that the original Patch in the selected memory location (if any) will be overwritten by your new Patch. Make sure you do not overwrite Patches you want to keep! It is a good idea to save a backup of all your Patches on the computer, just in case.

POPUP MENUS IN THE EDITOR

ATCH WINDOW POPUP

Right-clicking on the background of the Patch window brings up a popup with the following alternatives:

CUT/C

Use to cut and paste or copy and paste module(s) in the Patch window or between different Patch windows.

OPY/PASTE

NSERT

Brings up a sub menu which features the different module groups including their

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Popup menus in the Editor

modules. Select desired module by clicking on it from the list. A phantom frame appears and the cursor gets a plus-sign next to it. Place the phantom frame where you want the module to be placed in the Patch window and click to drop the module.

ISCONNECT PERFORMANCE

Select to disconnect your active Performance from the Slots and continue working on it locally in the Editor.

A/B/C/D/L

LOT

Select the Slot to use for your active Patch by selecting Slot X from the popup. If you want to disconnect your active Patch from a Slot, select Local.

ODULE POPUP

Right-clicking on the background of a module brings up the module popup.

OCAL

CUT/C

OPY/PASTE/PASTE PARAMS

Use to cut and paste or copy and paste module(s) in the Patch window or between different Patch windows. Use the Copy and Paste Params to copy all parameter values from the selected modules and paste the values to other modules of the same type or the same modules in another variation.

ENAME

Allows you to rename the module. Type in a new name and press Enter. Press Esc to cancel the operation.

SSIGN

Select to assign all module parameters to one (or more, if necessary) Parameter Pages.

LOBAL ASSIGN

Select to assign all module parameters to one (or more, if necessary) Global Parameter Pages.

ELP

Brings up the context-sensitive help-text for the selected module type.

ELETE

Allows you to delete the module from a Patch. All the cables that are connected to and from the module will be deleted as well. Any serial connections of cables will be rerouted.

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5. The Editor application: Popup menus in the Editor NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

ARAMETER POPUP

Right-clicking on a module parameter brings up the parameter popup.

EFAULT VALUE

Resets the parameter to its default value.

ORPH ASSIGN

Allows you to assign or deassign the parameter to/from one of the 8 available morph groups.

DIT NAME

Allows you to rename a renamable module parameter (Name buttons like the On/Off buttons on Mixer/ Switch modules, for example). Type in a new name of maximal seven characters and press Enter. Press Esc to cancel the operation. See also “Name buttons” on page 75.

SSIGN

Select to assign the module parameter to a knob/button on a Parameter Page. See also “Using Parameter

Overview to make knob assignments” on page 126.

LOBAL ASSIGN

Select to assign the module parameter to a knob/button on a Global Parameter Page.See also “Using

Parameter Overview to make knob assignments” on page 126.

MIDI CONTROLLER

Allows you to assign one of the available

controllers to the parameter. Selecting Remove clears an

MIDI

assignment. See also the chapter “MIDI Controllers” on page 143.

ELP

Brings up the context-sensitive help text file for the selected module.

ABLE POPUP

Right-clicking on a cable connection brings out the cable popup.

ISCONNECT

Deletes the connection. Any remaining cable chains will be rerouted.

REAK

Breaks a serial connection between a selected input connector and the previous connector in the serial chain. The rest of the serial chain will remain unaffected, meaning that the first part of the chain will still work, and the last part will be connected but non-functional (input-to-input connection(s) only). If you choose to break a connection at an output, the connection(s) between the output and the first input of one or more serial chains will be removed. The rest of the chain(s) will remain connected but non-functional (input-to-input connection(s) only).

Any non-functional input-to-input connections are indicated by white cable color.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Basic module functions

OLOR

The six available cable colors are identified by their names.

• Audio cables are red

• Control cables are blue

• Logic cables are yellow

• Logic cables at full bandwidth are orange

• User1 cables are green

• User2 cables are purple

You can choose another color (name) for a cable in this popup. Changing cable type will not affect the functionality in any way, just the appearance. Cables in a serial cable chain will always have the same color. Cables in a branch connection may have different colors. It’s possible to show and hide cables of different colors in the Patch to make Patching easier. See “Visible cables” on page 62.

ELETE

Deletes the entire serial cable chain that the connection is part of. If you want to delete a complete branch connection, this must be done from the cable origin of the branch.

ELETE UNUSED CABLES

Deletes all non-functional input-to-input connections (white cables) in the Patch.

BASIC MODULE FUNCTIONS

ABLES AND CONNECTORS

Almost every module and nearly every function of a module can be Patched to other modules and functions, using virtual cables. Each module has one or more connectors (except for some modules in the circular inputs and square outputs, and three different variants: red audio, blue control and yellow logic connectors. Most of the modules share the same basic layout, with the audio input connector(s) to the top right and the audio output connector(s) to the bottom right.

module group which have no connectors). These connectors come in two different shapes:

MIDI

ODULE OUTPUT SAMPLE RATE

Modules can process and output signals at two sample rates: 96kHz and 24kHz. The fast 96kHz sample rate is used for processing audio signals. Modules that generate audio signals, like Oscillators, all generate the audio at a 96kHz sample rate. You can tell the sample rate of an output signal by the color of the output connector, if it is red or orange the sample rate of the output signal is 96kHz. Cables connected to this output will inherit this color. Note that you can change the color of the cables

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5. The Editor application: Basic module functions NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

later, which does not change the sample rate! Always look at the color of the output connector, as that color will not change when changing the color of a cable and give the correct indication. The sample rate of 24kHz is used for slowly changing modulation signals, like the signals from LFO modules. A module that produces signals at the 24kHz sample rate will have a blue or a yellow output. The 24kHz sample rate is also used for Event signals (logic signals, see “Yellow and orange outputs, logic

states” on page 72) like the Gate signal of the keyboard.

It is very well possible to use signals at the 24kHz sample rate as audio signals, but they will have a slightly ’LoFi’ character, especially at higher audio frequencies.

ODULE INPUT SAMPLE RATE

The inputs of modules can also work at either the 24khz or 96kHz sample rate. Most inputs work by default at 24kHz, but when a red or orange signal is connected they will automatically change to a red or orange input and start to work at the ‘high quality’ 96kHz sample rate. This will guarantee maximum quality audio when a module is modulated by an audio signal. Red and orange inputs will use more computational resources in the G2, so you will see the Patch Load go up when an input changes color from blue or yellow to red or orange.

RED

AND BLUE OUTPUTS, BIPOLAR AND UNIPOLAR

These outputs produce smooth ‘analog’ signals with a very fine resolution. They are used for audio purposes (red) or smoothly gliding modulation purposes (blue). The signals can be bipolar, which means that they can take on positive and negative values, or unipolar which means that the signal has only positive or only negative values. On many modules a scroll button will allow you to select if the output is bipolar, unipolar, inverted and some more settings. E.g. the bipolar signal on the output of an LFO module will swing smoothly between values of -64 units and +64 units. A positive unipolar signal will swing smoothly between 0 units and +64 units. As +1 unit on the Pitch input of an Oscillator will transpose the Oscillator by one semitone, this means that a bipolar LFO signal can sweep the oscillator over five octaves up and five octaves down. Audio signals are in general bipolar, just imagine that the cone of your loudspeaker swings backwards and forwards from its neutral position. Modulation signals are often unipolar, to make a modulation go into one direction only. Imagine a tone that only sweeps up in respect to its basic pitch played from the keyboard. See for more in depth information “Signal types in a Patch” on page 134.

ELLOW AND ORANGE OUTPUTS, LOGIC STATES

These outputs produce a signal that can only be the pressing of a key on the keyboard or when the Masterclock advances a tick and are named logic signals. The output value is interpreted as a units. Logic signals can be safely scaled down in a mixer, which will change the yellow or orange signals into blue or red signals. See for more in depth information “Signal types in a Patch” on page 134.

HIGH

or a

LOW

HIGH

state, but it has an actual value of either 0 units or +64

. They are used to flag musical Events, like

LOW

ELLOW AND ORANGE INPUTS

Yellow and orange inputs will not only accept yellow and orange signals, but also red and blue signals. In this last case the input will interprete a positive signal level as a level as a

LOW

state.

state and a negative or zero signal

HIGH

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Basic module parameter controls

Yellow and orange inputs that react on a Trigger (these inputs have an arrow symbol next to their input), and receive a red or blue signal, react to the moment when the red or blue signal changes from any negative or zero value to any positive value. This moment is sometimes named the ‘zero crossing’. See for more in depth information “Signal types in a Patch” on page 134.

ISPLAY BOXES AND GRAPHS

Some modules feature one or more display boxes that display alphanumeric and/or graphical information. Some oscillator modules, for example, display the frequency. The read-out of the oscillators is selectable between Hertz (absolute frequency values) and semitones (pitches on the musical scale), by clicking on the corresponding scroll button. Graphical information in display boxes can be envelope curves, wave shapes, frequency diagrams etc.

LEDS

Some modules have Envelope or the current step position in a sequencer module are some examples of where The a visual indication about speed and waveform of some LFO’s or the VU-level of an output module.

’s of some modules can be assigned to a panel knob, making the

LED

s to indicate functions. The rate of a LFO, the opening or closing of an

LED

Text displays Graphic display LED

s are used.

LED

-ring around the knob give

LED

BASIC MODULE PARAMETER CONTROLS

ARAMETERS

See for definition “Parameters” on page 19. A knob parameter in the Editor is “turned” by click-holding it and moving the mouse. Click on the increment and decrement buttons to change the value one step at a time. You can also use the computer keyboard Up and Down arrow keys to increase and decrease the focused parameter value. A button is toggled simply by clicking on it. Tip! When pressing the Patch button on the G2 panel (associated selected in the Editor program by a mouse-click on the module will have all its knobs and controls temporarily auto-assigned to the assignable knobs on the G2 Panel. The Displays on the Panel will show the values and you can immediately tweak the Panel knobs instead of turning the knobs with the mouse in the editor program. Use the P knobs and controls. Pressing the Patch button again ( normal mode.

ARAMETERS THAT CAN’T BE CHANGED BETWEEN VARIATIONS

There are some things in the Patch that can’t be changed for different Variations: the number of modules, cable connections and functions in drop-down selectors on modules, such as the drop-down waveform selectors on Oscillator C and D, for example. This is because when the above mentioned things are changed, the internal G2 system sound-engine has to recalculate the whole Patch, which necessarily causes a brief moment of silence. Since Variation changes should be “glitch free”, these restrictions are unavoidable. If you want to be able to switch Oscillator waveforms between Variations, use modules with radio buttons instead, Oscillator A, B and ShpA, for example. The same goes for some of the LFO modules.

ARAMETER PAGES

1 to 3 buttons if the module has more than eight

goes Off) will make the Panel return to its

LED

lights up), the module that is

LED

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5. The Editor application: Basic module parameter controls NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Technically it is also not possible to ‘smoothly glide’ from one Variation into another, as Radio Buttons and Switch modules simply would not know when to switch during such a smooth glide, or ‘glide through’ or ‘jump over’ intermediate switch positions. Still, if a Parameter on a module is controlled through a Constant module connected to a modulation input, and a Glide module is inserted between the Constant module output and the modulation input, it is very well possible to make a smooth glide for that one parameter when switching to another Variation. Meaning that it is possible to create ‘smooth glide effects’ between Variations, but you have to set it all up yourself with Glide modules while creating a new patch in the Editor program.

UTTONS

A (push)button can only have two states (ON or button of the Oscillator modules. The the button ‘lights up’ to e.g. show that the module is active.

ADIO BUTTONS

Radio buttons are basically a row of selection Buttons where only one button can be button will automatically be deactivated. An example of radio buttons are the waveform buttons of the OscillatorA module. The selected button is indicated by a colored button

RROW BUTTONS

By clicking on an arrow button you increment or decrement a parameter value by one step at a time. If you click and hold an arrow button the value is auto incremented/decremented. An example of arrows button are the buttons in the Analysis section of the Vocoder module.

NOBS

A knob is the type of circular knob found on almost all modules in the Nord Modular G2 system. Examples are the Pitch modulation, Semitone and Fine tune knobs on the OscillatorA module. If a knob has a green triangle above it, you can click the triangle to reset the knob to this default 12 o’clock position.Knobs are the prime controllers to interactively tweak the sound of your patch. When you want to tweak a knob from the front panel while playing, assign it to one of the assignable panel knobs.

or active. If you click on one of the buttons, the previously active

position is indicated by a colored button, meaning that

). An example of a button is the ON/

OFF

LIDERS

A slider basically has the same functionality as a knob - only a different appearance. Just think of sliders as the faders commonly used on mixing desks. Sliders can also be found on some of the Sequencer modules.

ROP-DOWN SELECTORS

Some modules feature drop-down selectors, which are similar to drop-down menu’s in a computer program. With a drop-down selector you select between functions (oscillator waveforms for example) by selecting the option from the drop-down list. The advantage of using these drop-down selectors in a module is that the module uses less Patch Load compared to a module with radio buttons. However, changing function with these drop-

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Basic module parameter controls

down selectors will force the Sound engine to recalculate the patch and thus cause a brief moment of silence. Drop-down selectors are distinguished by a vertical rectangular button with a small black triangle on it. When you click and hold this type of selector, a drop-down list with various alternatives is shown. Some drop-down selectors also feature a graph to display the current selection (a waveform, for example). The advantage of using drop-down selectors compared to radio button selectors in a module is that the module replaces the function rather than switches between functions. This makes modules with dropdown selectors use less Patch Load than radio button modules, e.g. compare the Patch Load of the OscShpA and the OscShpB modules. However, when you change these types of drop-down parameters, it will force the Sound engine to recalculate the Patches in all active Slots and thus cause a brief moment of silence.

Note that drop-down selectors

be set to a new setting in the Editor program.

ONLY

CANNOT

Also, modules with drop-down selectors can have only one selection for all Variations in a Patch.

CROLL BUTTONS

Some buttons look like regular “single” buttons. However, they have more than two states! These buttons are called scroll buttons since you “scroll” through the different states. The different states are selected by clicking the button repeatedly. An example of a scroll button is the ‘Semi/Partial/Frequency/Factor’ scroll button on the Oscillator modules. When you click on a scroll button you activate the next function in line. When you click again the following function is activated and so on. An example of a scroll button is the Attack/Decay Shape button of the ADSR Envelope module.

be assigned to a K

NOB

, M

ORPH GROUP

MIDI CONTROLLER

, and they can

AME BUTTONS

Several modules are equipped with buttons that allow you to change their caption text. If these buttons are associated with a knob (e.g. the Mix4-1C module) and the knob is assigned to an assignable knob on the G2 panel, the button is automatically assigned to the panel push-button under the panel knob as well. Additionally the caption text shows up in the panel display that belongs to the panel knob. These buttons are a powerful way to create your own user interface for your patch. If the button is on a mixer module you can type the name of the sound that is controlled by this mixer knob, e.g. ’HiHat’ or ’Kick’ in a drumkit patch. This will make it much easier to work with the G2 on stage. Caption texts can be changed by right clicking on the button and choosing ‘Edit name’ in the popupmenu. The Name buttons not only show these names in the panel display but also act as mute buttons. Another module that can be used to make your own ‘patch to panel’ interface is the ConstSwT or Constant Switch Toggling module from the Level Module Group selector (third one from the left in the Level Module Group). This module produces a level on its output that can be connected to a modulation input on another module. By assigning the module knob to a G2 panel knob and putting your own text on the Name button you have a convenient way of naming a parameter any way you like, as long as the new name fits in seven characters. Name buttons can be toggling or momentary push buttons. If there is an arrow next to a Name button it is a momentary push button that is

as long as you keep the Name button pressed and goes

OFF

as the button is released. Modules that have a momentary Name button have a capital M in their name,

as soon

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5. The Editor application: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

like ConstSwM. When there is no arrow the Name button will toggle between ON and pressing the name button.

when repeatedly

OFF

MODULATION

The method of controlling one function in a module with another function is named to modulate. When you play on a keyboard and the oscillator changes its pitch when you wiggle the Pitchstick controller, you are manually modulating the pitch with the Pitchstick. Modulating can be done automatically (as opposed to manually) by means of varying control signals. A good example is when an envelope sweeps a filter when a key is pressed. Logic signals from the keys tell the envelope to start modulating the cut-off frequency of the filter. Modulation can be positive or negative, e.g. the cut-off frequency of a filter can increase with positive modulation and decrease with negative modulation or vice versa. As you will see, there are some modules in Nord Modular G2 that can change the polarity of a modulator signal. Some modules can be set to send either bipolar or unipolar control signals, like the Envelope, LFO and Constant modules or the Control Sequencer module.

ODULATION INPUTS

A module parameter that can be modulated through a control signal must have a modulation input where the control signal can be connected to. A modulation input is often combined with a modulation amount knob. For short a modulation input is named a mod-input. The modulation amount knob attenuates the incoming signal to the wanted modulation depth. The modinputs can be red, like the Sync, FM and Shape inputs of the OscillatorB module, which means they are capable of handling signals at full audio bandwidth. Alternatively mod-inputs can be blue, like the Vowel modulation input of the Voice Filter module, working at 1/4 audio bandwidth. The modulation inputs can also be self-optimizing, like the Pitch inputs of the Oscillator B module, meaning that they adapt their bandwidth to the incoming modulation signal bandwidth. This is indicated by the inputs changing color.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Modulation

MOD-

AMOUNT KNOBS (ATTENUATORS

There are three different response behaviors for the mod-amount knobs next to the modulation inputs: linear [Type I], exponential/dB [Type II] and amplified linear [Type III]. The different response type(s) will be indicated for each module in the module reference section starting on page 155.

YPE

The mod-amount knobs attenuates the incoming signal in a linear fashion. A setting of 100 (maximum) leaves the incoming signal unaffected, a setting of 50 attenuates the incoming signal by a factor 0.5 (leaving half of the level of the incoming signal to modulate). A setting of 0 shuts off the modulation completely. Oscillator pulse width modulation is an example of Type I attenuation. When mod-amount knobs have a value display consider the displayed value as a percentage.

)

Signal attenuation/ amplification factor

TYPE III

TYPE I

TYPE II

Mod-amount setting

II]

YPE

The mod-amount knob attenuates the incoming signal in an exponential fashion. A setting of 100 (maximum) leaves the incoming signal unaffected, a setting of 50 attenuates the incoming signal by a factor considerably less than 0.5 (leaving less than half of the level of the incoming signal to modulate). A setting of 0 shuts off the modulation completely. The pitch mod-input on the various oscillators and the ‘dB’ attenuation alternative in the Mixer modules are examples of Type II attenuation. Note that Exp and dB are in fact exactly the same scale, but display differently if the mod-amount knob has a value display.

III]

YPE

The mod-amount knob affects the incoming signal in an attenuated and amplified, linear fashion. A setting of 200% (knob position 127 or maximum) amplifies the incoming signal to twice its original level, a setting of 100% (knob position 64) leaves the incoming signal unaffected and a setting of 50% (Knob position 32) attenuates the incoming signal by a factor of 0.5 (leaving half of the level of the incoming signal to modulate). A setting of 0 shuts off the modulation completely. The frequency mod-input on the various filters are the sole examples of Type III attenuation.

NOB POSITIONS

To be compatible with the

standard all knobs have 128 physical knob positions. When a knob is

MIDI

tweaked in the Editor a temporary yellow popup will display the knob value plus the actual knob position in parenthesis. The knob position numbers in parenthesis are also the numbers send by other

devices. After recording a knob movement through a

MIDI

MIDI CC

# in a

-sequencer program

MIDI

to and from

MIDI

on a computer the sequencer data will show the knob positions, and not the values displayed at the top of the

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5. The Editor application: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

pop ups or in value displays on the module. The reason is that

only knows how to handle knob

MIDI

positions. Make note that knob positions do not show up in the G2 panel displays.

ODULATION EXAMPLES

ULSE WIDTH MODULATION

As an example the Pulsewidth of the Pulse waveform on the OscDual module will be modulated according to two scenarios:

1. If you want to modulate the pulse width from the minimum value (1%) to the maximum value

(99%) with a positive envelope (that produces a control signal with a peak to peak level swing from 0 units to +64 units), set the initial pulse width (PW) to 50% at PW knob position 0 and the modamount to 100 at knob position 127.

2. If you want to modulate the pulse width from an exact square wave value (50%) to a very thin pulse

at the maximum value (99%) with a bipolar LFO waveform (a control signal with a peak to peak level swing from –64 units to +64 units), set the initial pulse width (PW) to 75% at PW knob position 64 and the mod-amount to 50, also at knob position 64.

Note: Increasing the setting of the mod-amount on this PW mod-input can force the pulse-width beyond the limits (1% – 99%), resulting in the signal being “mirrored”. This is not common on all modinputs, some will exhibit this behaviour, while other mod-inputs will not allow a modulation signal to exceed the limits of modulation. It depends on what is modulated and if mirroring is sensible.

It is the difference between the total amount of modulation from an envelope (unipolar, 64 units) and from an LFO (bipolar, -64 to + 64 units = 128 units) that explains why the first scenario has the modamount set to 100, and the second scenario the mod-amount set to 50 for maximum modulation.

ITCH MODULATION

A signal routed to a Pitch input on a module affects the pitch by modulating it on the note scale (see figure to the right below)

The figure to the right shows an A4 note being pitch modulated by a

amplitude

A3, 220 Hz

A5, 880 Hz

symmetric bipolar signal. The modulation sweeps the pitch up and down by one octave around the A4 note. If a lower or higher note is played the sweep will still be over one octave.

REQUENCY MODULATION

A4, 440 Hz

(FM)

pitch

A signal routed to an FM input on a module affects the pitch by modulating it linearly in the frequency scale (see figure to the right below).

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 5. The Editor application: Modulation

The figure shows an A4 note being pitch modulated by a symmetric bipolar signal. FM Lin modulation will sweep the frequency by a fixed number of Hertz, on either side of the basic pitch, in the example by 300 Hz. If another note is played the sweep will still be 300 Hz, but to our ears the sweep will be larger for lower notes and smaller for higher notes. The new note will most probably sound inharmonic and severely out of tune. Still, FM Lin can be a powerful synthesis technique when the relation between the modulated pitch and the signal modulating the pitch are under tight control.

SCILLATOR SYNC

A waveform of an oscillator with a Sync input can be synchronized with a signal of another oscillator. A Sync modulation input is in a way very similar to a yellow Trigger or Rst input. Oscillator synchronization forces an oscillator module to restart its waveform at the pitch of the audio signal connected to the Sync input. Each time the modulating audio signal at the Sync input goes from a value of zero or below to any value greater than zero, the oscillator waveform will restart at either its own zero crossing point or at a flank in the waveform. The result is that the synced oscillator will inherit the pitch of the audio signal connected to the Sync input, which results in a complex waveform that depends both on the oscillator pitch setting and on the modulator pitch. When sync is used, the oscillator pitch is locked to the modulator pitch. If you change the modulator pitch, you will affect the overall pitch, and if you change the oscillator pitch, this will create changes in timbre rather than in pitch. If you let the synchronized oscillator pitch vary continuously, from an LFO or other modulator, you will change the timbre of the wave in a very interesting and characteristic way.

amplitude

Modulator wave

Synchronized oscillator wave

140 Hz

amplitude

740 Hz

pitch

A4, 440Hz

time

AXIMUM MODULATION

For most modules the maximum amount of modulation that a mod-input will accept is +/–64 units from the initial setting of the parameter. There are some exceptions, like the Filter Pitch modulation inputs which will actually accept +/–128 units of modulation. The FM Lin, FM Trk and Phase Mod inputs accept all values within the signal headroom of the G2 system. And there are modules that modulate between two ‘limit’ values, like the Pan mixer where ‘left’ and ‘right’ are the Panner limits. In this last case modulation can not exceed the two limits. The final modulation depth on a module is the sum of all modulation signals appearing at the modulation inputs, taking all mod-input attenuation knobs in account before the sum is calculated.

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5. The Editor application: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Modulation depth on the G2 can in general be very deep from a musical point of view, the G2 is capable of much deeper modulation than was possible on the analog modular systems of the past.

Let us use the OscA module as an example: there are two pitch modulation inputs and the KBT (KeyBoard Tracking) function. The total modulation amount of these three inputs can not be greater than +/–64 semitones. If you turn the coarse tuning down to e.g. E0, add a transpose value of +64 with a Constant module to the first pitch-mod input, you will reach a point, when playing on the keyboard, where the pitch of the oscillator will be fixed. Any additional, positive modulation will have no effect, which could lead to interesting effects. For example, an LFO would be able to modulate the pitch of the oscillator downwards, but not upwards.

ODULATION LEVEL KNOB NAMES

The knobs that set the modulation level for a modulation input will always be shown in displays as the name for the parameter plus a capital M after the name. E.g for a Freq input the modulation level knob will be named ‘Freq M’ in the G2 displays. This way you can easily identify modulation level knobs from parameter knobs.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Modulation

6. WORKING IN THE EDITOR

OUND SYNTHESIS ON THE

Modular synthesis is probably the most powerful way to synthesize sounds. There are many different synthesis techniques possible on the G2 system, much more than can be described in this manual. To help you on your way there is a chapter after the Module Reference section that describes in short the most common techniques. But note that this chapter will only scratch the surface of what is possible on the G2. There is an active community of modular synthesizer users on the Internet, including a mailing list and a forum dedicated solely to the G2 system. This G2 mailing list and forum are maintained by G2 users themselves and it is up to you if you want to join them. But there is so much valuable information shared over there that we from Clavia wholeheartedly recommend you to at least check them out. You can find links on the Clavia website at http://www.clavia.se. On the Clavia website you will also find links on the “G2 Tips and Tricks” pages to workshops and tutorials, and some go way deep into sound synthesis and audio processing techniques.

REATE A NEW EMPTY PATCH WINDOW

Create a new Patch by selecting File|New. This opens up a new, empty Patch window in the Editor and clears the selected S

ADD

MODULES TO A PATCH

The modules are grouped together in module groups. You access these groups by clicking the Module Group selectors in the toolbar located above the Patch window. The various modules in each group are distinguished by icons Select a Module Group, click-hold on a module icon and drag it to the Patch window. When you place the cursor over any of the module buttons, a preview image of the module appears. Drag the “phantom frame” of the selected module to the Patch window. The other modules will move, if necessary, when you drop a new one. The modules will automatically snap to a grid in the Patch window. If you like you could also double-click a module icon to automatically add it to the Patch window below the currently focused module. The Patch window will expand when needed and scroll-bars will appear at the bottom and to the right if the Patch window becomes larger than the available screen area. As you add modules to the Patch window, the Patch Load indicator(s) on the toolbar will expand, indicating the use of the Sound engines. Maximum Patch Load is 100% per Patch Area.

in Nord Modular G2. Alternatively press the [New] button in the Toolbar.

LOT

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6. Working in the Editor: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Another way of adding modules to the Patch is by right-clicking on the background of the Patch window and selecting ‘Insert’. A popup of the module groups appears. Select a desired module by selecting it from the popup. The cursor gets a plus sign next to it. Place the cursor where you want the module to be placed and click to drop the module.

ENAME A MODULE

Double-click on the name of the module to rename it. You can also right-click on the gray background of the module and select Rename. Type in the new name and press Enter on the computer keyboard. This is the name which will be shown in an A parameters to an A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

on the synth front panel.

SSIGNABLE DISPLAY

if you later assign any of the module’s

OVE A MODULE

You can move the modules in the Patch window by click-holding on the module grey background and move the frame that appears. Any connected cables will extend themselves and other modules will move out of the way automatically. You can also move several modules at the same time by placing the cursor on the Patch window background and click-hold and mark the modules you want to move. Another way of selecting several modules is to Shift-click on the desired modules. The names of the selected modules are highlighted to indicate that they have been selected.

ELETE A MODULE

To delete a module from a Patch, either click on the module and press Delete on the computer keyboard or select Clear from the Edit menu. Alternatively, right-click on a module’s background and select Delete from the popup. Note that all cable connections made to the module will also be deleted or rerouted. You can also delete several modules by selecting them as described in the example above. Then, either press the Delete key, select Clear from the Edit menu or right-click on one of the selected modules and choose Delete from the popup.

EPLACE A MODULE

There is an intelligent module replace function in the Editor. To replace a module with another module of the same module group, click the arrow button to the left of the module name. A popup appears with the names of the other modules in the group. Click on one of the modules in the popup. Now, the selected module will replace the current one - with all cable connections preserved (if possible)! This function

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Modulation

saves a lot of time if you, for example, need a Mixer with more inputs or an Oscillator or Envelope generator with more/different functions. Note that the “replacement module pop-ups” doesn’t always feature exactly the same modules as the module groups in the Toolbar.

OLORING A MODULE

To distinguish a module, or a group of modules, from other modules in a Patch, it’s possible to paint modules with different colors. Select a color from the Color selector in the Toolbar. Any new modules you add to the Patch window will now get the selected color. You can also focus any modules in the Patch window by Shift-clicking them and then clicking on the “paint bucket” icon to apply the selected color to the module(s) or select another color from the drop-down palette.

ONNECTING MODULES

ONNECTING CABLES IN A PATCH

Place the cursor on a module connector and click-hold. The cursor will change to a plug. Drag the cursor to a suitable connection elsewhere in the Patch. As you drag the cursor away from the source connector, a line will appear between the cursor and the connector. When you reach the destination connector, the cursor will change to a cable with a white dot instead of a plug. As you release the mouse button, a cable will appear between the two connections. The color of the output connection will determine the color of the resulting cable. You can later change the cable color if you like.

It is also possible to connect cables between connectors of different colors, e.g. connect an audio signal output to a control signal input etc. This depends on the actual application. If a connection is not possible to make, this will be shown; the cursor will not change to a cable with a dot as you reach the “illegal” destination connector. It is not possible to damage the system in any way by connecting “wrong” - feel free to experiment!

You can connect one output to several inputs to make a parallel connection.

You can also make a serial connection, from input to input. The result is exactly the same as in a branch connection. If a module within a serial cable chain is removed, the remains of the cable chain will be re-routed. It is also possible to make a serial connection between several inputs, without connecting to an output. This won’t result in any signal flow, but can be useful if you want to choose an output after having connected all inputs. These “non-functional” input-to-input connections are indicated by white cable color. When you connect such a chain to an output, the cable color will change to the output’s color. It is also possible to combine parallel and serial connections in several ways. For example, you could have a serial connection branch off to a parallel connection anywhere in the chain.

Summary of the connection possibilities that the editor will allow or refuse:

An output can be connected to one or more inputs

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6. Working in the Editor: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

An input can be connected to only one output and optionally share that output with other inputs Two outputs can never be connected to each other Several inputs can be connected to each other, but they must be connected to one single output to actually receive a signal

IGHLIGHT CABLES AND CABLE CHAINS

To make it easy to follow cable connections and signal paths visually in the Patch, click-holding a connector will highlight any connected cables or cable chains. The highlighted cable(s) turns light blue for as long as you hold the mouse button.

ISCONNECT OR RE-ROUTE CABLES IN A PATCH

To remove a cable, right-click on a connection (input or output) and select Disconnect, or double-click-hold or Ctrl-click on a connection (an extra wire appears next to the connector cursor) and “pull out” the connector by dragging the connector symbol away from the input/output and release the mouse button. If you place the “disconnected” plug on another connection instead, the cable will be rerouted.

right-click

Double-click/ Ctrl-click

DIT MODULE PARAMETERS IN A PATCH

PUT A

MODULE PARAMETER “IN FOCUS

”

A parameter can be a knob, slider or a selector switch (button). Put a parameter “in focus” by clicking on it. An increment and decrement button appears below the knob or slider parameter as you move the cursor over it, and the current setting of the parameter displays briefly in a yellow hintbox. When you click on the parameter, the increment/decrement buttons (or button selectors) are highlighted.

To move the focus to another parameter in the module, press the Left/Right arrow buttons on the computer keyboard.

To move the focus to another module in the Patch, press the Shift key on the computer keyboard together with the Up/Down/Left/Right arrow buttons. The modules in a Patch are accessed depending on how they were visually placed in the Patch window.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Modulation

DITING A MODULE PARAMETER

You can edit the parameters with the mouse. Place the cursor over a knob, click-hold it (put it in focus) and then move the mouse. The knobs have no end stops; you may jump from maximum to minimum by turning past the 6 o’clock position (if Knob control is set to ‘Circular’ in the Setup|Options dialog box). When a knob is in focus, two small buttons will appear beneath the knob. Clicking on the ‘up’ button will increase the value one step for each click and clicking the ‘down’ button will decrease. You can also use the computer keyboard’s Up/Down arrow keys to increase and decrease the focused parameter value. Click on a button to select e.g. a waveform button of an oscillator. The selected button will be “depressed”.

Editing a knob

Editing a button

OICE AREA AND

A Nord Modular G2 Patch consists of two Area’s: a polyphonic Area and a monophonic Area. In the Editor, these two parts are represented by two sections of the Patch window, divided by a horizontal split bar. The upper section is called the Voice Area and the lower section the FX Area. In the Voice Area you place modules that should be duplicated for each voice, e.g. oscillators, envelope generators and filters. In the lower Patch window, the FX Area, you can place modules that should act equally on all voices in the Patch, e.g. different types of FX modules. Modules used in the FX Area will act on the sum of the signals output from the Voice Area, and consequently will not be duplicated for each voice in the Patch. This gives two big advantages:

• A module in the FX Area is able to process whole chords from the Voice Area, and not just a single voice, affecting the sound the same way an external audio processor would.

• In most situations you will be able to free up Sound engine power (Patch Load) so you could increase the polyphony of the Patch. E.g. you don’t need a separate Reverb in each voice, all voices can share one Reverb module in the FX Area. This works for many audio Effects modules like the Vocoder, Echo Delay-lines, Chorusing, Phasing, Flanging, Pitch Shifting, etc. Still, on the G2 system you can use all these effects separately in each voice if you want.

Cables cannot be connected from modules in one Patch Area to modules in the other. However, you can route four separate audio signals from the Voice Area to the FX Area by using the FX In module. The routing is one-way only; from the Voice Area to the FX Area. You can also use the four global audio Bus channels to route audio signals to and from both Patch Areas of all Slots. The global audio Bus routing is “bidirectional”

FX A

REA

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6. Working in the Editor: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

XAMPLE OF A PATCH THAT USES BOTH THE POLY AND

FX A

REAS

This example shows a Patch where both the Poly and FX Areas are used: The ‘2-Out1’ module in the Voice Area is set to route the signal to FX In 1/2, the Left and Right output of the ‘FX In1’ module in the FX Area. The sum of all voices from the Voice Area is sent to the FX Area to be processed in the ‘Reverb1’ module and output at O

1 and OUT2

jack of the synthesizer.

OWNLOAD A PATCH TO THE SYNTHESIZER

If you have opened a couple of Patches in the Editor while the synth wasn’t connected and you want to download one of the Patches from the Editor to the synth, do either of the following:

1. Right-click on the Patch window background and select a Slot from the bottom of the popup. This will download your Editor Patch, overwriting the Patch that is currently in the destination Slot.

OR:

2. Select Patch|Download To Slot and select Slot in the dialog box that appears.

TORE A PATCH

A Patch can be stored in two different locations: in the internal memory of the synthesizer, and/or on disk on the computer. The examples below describes three different ways of saving/storing a Patch.

1. Save a Patch only on the computer by selecting File|Save. File|Save As will let you rename and/or relocate the Patch before saving to disk. File|Save All will save all open Editor Patches to their orig inal locations.

2. Store a Patch in one of the Nord Modular G2 internal memory locations by pressing the S ton on the front panel once. The the U

P/DOWN NAVIGATOR

firm by pressing S

TORE

buttons and a memory location (1-128) with the R

again. Abort by pressing any other button.

above the S

LED

button will flash. Select a bank (1-32) with

TORE

OTARY DIAL

TORE

3. To store a Patch in the Nord Modular G2 internal memory from the Editor, select Synth|Save In Synth. Select a memory location and a bank from the Drop-down lists and click ‘Save’. Note that

the original Patch in the selected memory location (if any) will be overwritten by your new Patch. Make sure you do not overwrite Patches you want to keep!

but-

. Con-

There is a memory protect function to minimize the risk of accidentally overwriting Patches. Read more about the internal memory protection in the section “Memory Prot |Sy” on page 32.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Modulation

ELECTING SOUND CATEGORY FOR THE PATCH

To make it easier to define different types of sounds in the synth’s memory it’s possible to specify a Sound Category for each Patch. There are 13+2 different categories to choose from. Select Category from the drop-down list to the right of the Patch Name display box in the Toolbar:

ATEGORY

ESCRIPTION

Acoustic Patches with an acoustic character like flutes, violins, guitars, ethnic sounds, bells,

mallets etc. Doesn’t necessarily have to be emulations of existing instruments

Sequencer Sounds which use sequencer modules to produce melodic and/or rhythmic lines.

Bass All sorts of bass sounds

Classic Traditional “clean” analog types of polyphonic synth sounds based on the classic

waveforms

Drum Drum and percussion sounds

Fantasy Melodic effects sounds and textures, often with rhythmic modulations

FX Atonal effects sounds like water, laser guns, explosions etc. Sometimes with heavy

modulations.

Lead Sounds meant for lead lines. Usually monophonic sounds.

Organ Different types of organ sounds

Pad Melodic polyphonic ‘chord’ sounds with fairly slow attacks like strings, choirs etc.

Piano Different types of electric and acoustic piano emulations

Synth All sorts of melodic polyphonic synth sounds

UDIO IN

All sorts of Patches that make use of the Audio Ins of the synth.

User1 Reserved for your own Sound Category

User2 Reserved for your own Sound Category

BOUT THE NORD MODULAR

INTERNAL MEMORY

As mentioned above, the Nord Modular G2 internal memory is divided into 32 banks with 128 memory locations each. However, it’s not possible to fit in 4096 (32x128) Patches at the same time in the Nord Modular G2 memory due to the total size of the Patches. Considering that an average Patch uses around 5 kB memory, this means you’ll be able to fit in approximately 1200 Patches. If you also have stored Performances, the number of Patches will be less. The reason the G2 has this many Banks and memory locations is that it makes it easier to manage your Patches. For example, you could have all your Patches for a certain song or project in a separate Bank.

The dynamic structure of the internal memory makes it suitable to consider it a storage device similar to a computer hard disk, with banks representing folders and Patches representing files.

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6. Working in the Editor: Modulation NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

When you want to store a Patch in a memory location that doesn’t contain any Patch, this is indicated in the M

AIN DISPLAY

as shown:

Store to 2:24 Empty Patch

If you should run out of internal memory when trying to store a Patch, this will be indicated by the following message in the

ISPLAY

make room for new ones. This can be done using the Tools|Patch Browser window (see below).

ELETE A PATCH

To delete a Patch from the internal memory of the synth you have to use the Patch Browser. Select Tools|Patch Browser and click the Patch tab to display the Patches of the internal memory of the synth. Right-click on a Patch icon and select ‘Delete’.

REATING PATCH PARAMETER VARIATIONS

First of all, you need to create or open a Patch to be able to create Patch parameter Variations. Let’s use the Patch we created in the ‘Getting Started’ chapter: Locate the row of Variation buttons to the right of the Voice Mode arrow buttons at the top of the Patch window. As you can see, the Variation 1 button is already focused. This is because as soon as you create a Patch, you have automatically also created a Variation within that Patch. This Variation contains the parameter data for the Patch. Now, to create more Variations, do like this:

: You will then have to delete one or several Patches to

Patch Name Memory Full

1. Click on the Variation 2 button at the top of the Patch window. The Variation 2 button is focused to indicate it’s the currently active Variation in the Patch

On the synth front panel, the V indicate it’s the focused Variation.

2. Change the settings on a couple of parameters in the Patch. Note! Modules that have a drop-down selector, for example Oscillator C and LFO B, can only have one waveform for all eight Variations. This is because when changing waveform in these types of modules, the Sound engine has to recalculate the whole Patch the same way as if you replaced the entire module. If you want to have different Oscillator or LFO waveforms in different Variations, use modules with radio button selectors instead, e.g. Oscillator A and B and LFO A.

3. Click the Variation 1 button to focus Variation 1 again. On the synth front panel, the V

lights steadily to indicate it’s now in focus. As you can see, the parameters you changed in Vari-

LED

ation 2 now get their Variation 1 values again. You have now created two Variations in the Patch.

If you want to have more Variations in your Patch, click another Variation button and change parameter settings. Each Patch contains eight different Variations. When you save your Patch (on your computer or in the synth), all Variations will automatically be saved within the Patch.

ARIATION

LED

lights up to

ARIATION

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Knobs and controllers

AVE A VARIATION

All Variations are automatically saved when you save the Patch. You can’t save Variations as separate files.

OPY A VARIATION

To copy the parameter settings in one Variation to another in the Patch, right-click the Variation button and select the destination Variation from the pop-up window.

ARIATION INIT

The last selection in the Copy pop-up window described above is the ‘Var Init’. Here you can paste parameter values of a selected Variation to be used as a “default” parameter setup for your Patch. This parameter setup can then be recalled for any Variation by pressing the Init button to the right of the Variation buttons.

MIDI CONTROL OF VARIATIONS

The Variation buttons transmit and respond to

Controller #70.

MIDI

KNOBS AND CONTROLLERS

The 8 A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

be used to tweak parameters in real-time. The A be assigned to almost any parameter in a Nord Modular G2 Patch. You have direct access to 5 x 3 pages with 8 assignable controllers each for a total of 120 assignable parameters per Patch.

THE P

ARAMETER PAGES WINDOW

The Parameter Pages window is the graphical representation in the Editor of the P with A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

both visual indication and the possibility to edit the parameters currently assigned to an A K

NOB/BUTTON

. The module name and its current value in the corresponding Parameter Pages display

box indicates that the knob/button is assigned to a module parameter.

When you edit a knob in the Parameter Pages window, by click-holding and turning the knob, the corresponding module parameter in the Patch window will be focused and change too. The value of the

SSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON

assigned A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

corresponding module parameter will change, also visually.

and 8 A

SSIGNABLE BUTTONS

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

on the front panel of Nord Modular G2 can

and B

UTTONS

and controllers can

ARAMETER PAGES

of the Nord Modular G2 front panel. The Parameter Pages window gives you

on the Nord Modular G2 front panel will also change. If you turn an

on the front panel, the knob in the Parameter Pages window and the

SSIGNABLE

Page 89

6. Working in the Editor: Knobs and controllers NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

Bring up the Parameter Pages window by selecting Parameter Pages from the Tools menu or use C “on top” anywhere in or outside the application window (as long as the application itself is “on top”).

SSIGN A PARAMETER TO A KNOB

A parameter can be either a continuous parameter (knob or slider), or a button, radio buttons or scroll button. There are three ways of assigning a parameter to a to an A and one in the synth.

1. .Right-click on a parameter in the Editor window, select Assign|Page|Knob from the popup menu and select one of the Knobs in the menu

-F. The Parameter Pages window is a floating window, meaning it can be positioned

TRL

SSIGNABLE KNOB

, two in the Editor

2. To deassign an A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

, select Disable at the bottom of the popup menu. You can also re-assign an A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

by select-

ing another (unused) knob in the popup menu.

3. The other way of assigning a parameter in the Editor is to use the Parameter Pages window. Click and hold a display box in the Parameter Pages window and then drag the cursor to the module parameter you wish to assign. The arrow gets a + sign next to it as you reach an assignable module parameter. Release the mouse button and the assignment is completed. To deassign, right-click the knob or display box in the Parameter Pages window and select ‘Deassign’ Alternatively you can keep the Alt key pressed and drag a knob from a module to a grey display area on the Parameter Pages window.

See also “Using Parameter pages to make knob assignments” on page 126

An A

SSIGNABLE KNOB

will always control the entire range of a parameter. If you need to control only a part of the range, use a Morph group instead. The Morph concept is described in “Morph groups” on

page 92.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Knobs and controllers

OVE ASSIGNED PARAMETERS

By click-holding on a display box and then dragging the cursor to another display box and releasing, you can move the assignment to another A assignment to another P

ARAMETER PAGE

SSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON

, right-click the knob or display box and select ‘Move To’ and select destination. Another way of moving a parameter assignment is to use the Parameter Overview window described on page 126.

. If you want to move a parameter

SING THE PARAMETER OVERVIEW WINDOW

Instead of using the parameter pages you can use the Parameter Overview window from the Tools menu. The Parameter Overview gives you a representation of all Parameter pages at once. See “Using Parameter

Overview to make knob assignments” on page 126

SSIGN ALL MODULE PARAMETERS TO A SET OF KNOBS

You can easily assign all module parameters to a set of Knobs. This is very useful when assigning Sequencer module parameters, for example. Rightclick the module background and select Assign|Page X|Multi Column. This will automatically assign all module parameters to as many Pages as necessary to fit in all parameters. For modules that contain 8 or less parameters, you can select Page and specific Column from this pop-up menu. Alternatively, you can click-hold a Parameter Page button in the Parameter Pages window and drag to a module in the Patch window. Release the mouse button on the module to assign all module parameters.

MIDI CONTROLLERS

Almost any parameter in the different modules can be assigned to a

MIDI CC

#. This is very useful if you want to record parameter adjustments to an external sequencer or if you want to control external devices from the A transmit

data when being edited, as well as receive data from external

MIDI

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

. When a parameter is assigned to a

MIDI CC

#, the parameter will

sources (sequencer,

MIDI

master keyboard, etc.).

Right-click on a module parameter and select

MIDI CC

# from the parameter popup. Here you can choose either to assign the parameter to the last received listed

MIDI CC

# numbers in the [Assign...] window.

MIDI CC

You are free to assign up more than 100 module parameters. Some “predefined”

# or to any of the

MIDI CC

#s to

#s like #1 (Modwheel), #0 and #32 (Bank Select) and #64 (Sustain Pedal) cannot be selected from this list. When you edit a parameter that is assigned to a

# data. It does not matter if you edit the parameter from

MIDI CC

the Editor or on the G2 synthesizer with the R

#, it will transmit

OTARY DIAL

MIDI

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6. Working in the Editor: Morph groups NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

You may also assign a parameter to an

SSIGNABLE KNOB

earlier. In that a case, turning a K will result in editing the parameter, which subsequently generates

# data. Deassign a parameter from a

MIDI CC

# by highlighting a controller

and clicking Remove in the dialog box.

as described

MIDI

NOB

UTO ASSIGN MIDI CONTROL

LERS

It’s also possible to automatically assign

MIDI CC

#s to all parameters of selected modules. Select the modules you want to assign

MIDI CC

Tools|Assign all parameters of the selected modules will be automatically assigned to to deassign

#s to, select

MIDI

MIDI CC

to Selection. Now,

MIDI CC

# numbers. If you want

#s of specific modules, select the modules and choose Tools|Deassign

Selection.

SING THE ASSIGNABLE KNOBS TO SEND MIDI CONTROLLERS

If you want to use one or several A

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

devices, you will need to take a detour and assign the A that are not used (connected) in the Patch. Then, assign the parameters to for this purpose is the resources. You determine which

Ctrl send module (see page 256), which does not use any Sound engine

MIDI

channel to use directly in this module. Read more about the

MIDI

to exclusively transmit

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

to parameters on modules

MIDI

MIDI CC

# data to external

controllers. Very useful

modules in “MIDI group” on page 256.

MORPH GROUPS

The Morph function lets you continuously control defined ranges of several parameters in a Patch, using only a single control source. This lets you produce radical changes in a sound in a very fast and easy way. Nord Modular G2 features eight separate Morph groups per Patch. A parameter can also be assigned to several Morph groups - all Morph groups, actually - and thus be controlled differently from several sources. Also, if you use several Variations in a Patch, the Morph group assignments can be totally different for each Variation.

MIDI

from

MIDI

The Morph groups and their corresponding knobs are located in the Editor toolbar. There are eight Morph groups available in each Patch and you may assign a total of 25 Patch parameters to these Morph groups.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Morph groups

SSIGN PARAMETERS TO A MORPH GROUP

1. Click on any of the Morph group knobs in the toolbar to select it. The white frame moves to the selected Morph group and the Morph group knob turns red. Then Ctrlclick on the knob, button or slider you wish to assign to the selected Morph group. Alternatively, right-click on the module parameter and select ‘Morph assign’. The color of the selected parameter will now change to red to indicate it’s been assigned to the selected Morph group.

2. Every parameter assigned to a Morph group should also be given a Morph range. Place the cursor on the knob that you assigned to the Morph group. Hold down the Ctrl key and Click-drag the cursor as if you were turning the knob. A red sector will appear, indicating the Morph range. The range will also appear in a yellow hintbox next to the parameter. The initial Morph value is where the black line is on the knob. Note that if you assign buttons to a Morph group, the Morph range

will always be fixed at the maximum range.

3. Turning the Morph group knob in the toolbar will now control the morphed parameter within the selected range. Note that the morphed knob(s) in the module(s) won’t change visually.

4. If you want to assign parameters to another Morph group, click another Morph group knob in the Toolbar and repeat the procedure from step 1. Any parameters assigned to other Morph groups will now turn blue to indicate they are morphed from another source.

You can assign each Morph group knob to any of the predefined controls

ODWHEEL

ELOCITY

OTE VALUES

FTERTOUCH

SSIGNABLE KNOBS

instead of the predefined control source, simply click the Group button below the Morph group

NOB

, K

EYBOARD

, K

EYBOARD

, C

ONTROL PEDAL

, S

USTAIN PEDAL

, P

ITCH STICK

, G2X G

LOBAL WHEELS

on the front panel. If you want to assign a Morph group only to an A

or to

SSIGNABLE

knob in the Toolbar. Then, right-click the Morph group knob and select Assign|Page X|Knob. The caption above the Mprph knobs can also be renamed by right-clicking and selecting ‘Edit name’. You can also assign the Morph group knob to a

controller by right-clicking and selecting

MIDI

Controller|Assign.

EASSIGN PARAMETERS FROM A MORPH GROUP

To deassign a parameter from a Morph group, right-click on the parameter and deselect ‘Morph assign’ in the popup.

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6. Working in the Editor: The Editor and Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

To deassign all assigned parameters from a Morph group, right-click on the Morph group knob in the Toolbar and select ‘Clear’.

DIT PARAMETERS IN A MORPH GROUP

The Morph range will always start at the current position of a knob or slider. The relationship between the setting of the parameter and the Morph range will be fixed, even if you move the setting of the parameter after a Morph range has been set.

You can edit the morph range (the size of the sector) by using the mouse in conjunction with the Ctrl key on the computer keyboard. You can also use the computer keyboard Up and Down Arrow keys in conjunction with the Ctrl key to increase and decrease the focused parameter’s Morph range.

You can also get a read-out of which Morph group a parameter is assigned to by pressing the F7 function key on the computer keyboard. Pressing the F5 key displays the Morph ranges (start and end values) of the assigned (morphed) parameters.

OPY A MORPH GROUP TO ANOTHER SOURCE

Right-click the Morph group knob in the Toolbar you wish to copy. Select Copy To|Group X. You may also want to delete the original Morph group source afterwards by right-clicking the Morph group knob and selecting ‘Clear’.

ORPH GROUPS IN SEPARATE VARIATIONS

Each Variation in a Patch can have its own unique Morph group assignments.

OPY MORPH GROUPS BETWEEN VARIATIONS

Any Morph group assignments are automatically copied when you copy the entire Variation as described in “Copy a Variation” on page 89.

EYBOARD MORPH AND PITCH STICK MORPH

To read more on how the Keyboard Morph range and the pitch Stick Morpg range work, see “A word

about the Keyboard Morph” on page 46 and “A word about the Pitch Stick Morph” on page 47.

THE EDITOR AND PERFORMANCES

See “Playing multitimbrally” on page 18 and “Performances” on page 18 for the definiton of Performances and why they are used.

ERFORMANCE MODE AND PATCH MODE

One single button on the G2 Keyboard or G2X Front panel allows you to switch between Performance mode and Patch mode. The same button is also available in the Editor program Toolbar to facilitate the G2 Engine. In practice there is little difference between working in Patch mode or in Performance mode, but Performance mode is basically a way to group everything together and store everything as a grouped unity, so all can be recalled instantly when you need it later. Note that Patches are stored as copies in a Performance. Which means that if you change the original separate Patches, the copies in the Performance do not change. It is even possible to delete the original separate Patches from the G2 Patch memory banks, without destroying the Patches in the Performances. To build a Performance you can start in Patch mode, loading and editing Patches and setting global

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: The Editor and Performances

settings. And by pressing the Performance mode button you will bring everything instantly in Performance mode and you can store the whole setup in a new Performance. Later, while in Performance mode, you can still do all types of edits on the patches in the Slots. So you see, Performance mode is mainly about how to group, store and recall whole setups, which reflects how you organize your work and keep together what belongs together in a song or project.

PLOADING A PERFORMANCE TO THE EDITOR

When you upload a Performance from the synth to the Editor, you replace the four Patches currently in the Slots A to D with the Patches in the Performance. The name of the Performance will show up in the Toolbar.

1. Click the Prf button in the Toolbar, so the Prf button is highlighted. Alternatively on the G2 Keyboard or G2X model, you can press the Performance button on the front panel. The associated Performance button Performance mode.

2. Open the Patch Browser by selecting Tools|Patch Browser from the menu. The Browser window opens up. Click on the Synth tab to display the Performances of the internal memory in the synth.

3. Double-click on a Performance icon in the Patch Browser to load the Performance in the synth and upload to the Editor. The focused Patch in the Performance is placed on top in the Editor.

REATING A PERFORMANCE IN THE EDITOR

ELECTING PATCHES FOR THE SLOTS

1. Select File|New Performance

2. Select Patches for the Slots by using the File|Open To|Slot X command. Repeat the procedure for the Slots you want to use.

3. To activate or exclude a Slot from the Performance, Shift-click on the desired Slot button in the Toolbar. To enable or disable Keyboard Assign (which Slots are going to be controlled from the keyboard), Ctrl-click on the desired Slot button(s). Note! Even if you exclude a Slot from the Performance, any Patches in deselected Slots will still be saved with the Performance. If you want to keep the file size of a Performance down, load any dese lected Slots with empty Patches (no modules in the Patch window).

will light up, indicating that the G2 system is in

LED

DITING

This is done just as in Patch (non-Performance) mode. To activate a Slot for editing, simply click the desired Slot button in the Toolbar. The focused Slot is indicated by a white frame surrounding the Slot button. Note that to be able to play the selected Slot, you also need to activate Keyboard Assign for it. Do this by Ctrl-clicking the selected Slot button (a red horizontal bar appears above the Slot button).

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6. Working in the Editor: The Editor and Performances NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

EYBOARD SPLIT

The Keyboard Split function allows you to define separate keyboard ranges for all Slots in the Performance. It’s also possible to have the Slots’ keyboard ranges overlapping each other. Activate Keyboard Split as follows:

1. Select Performance|Performance Settings from the menu.

2. Check in the Keyboard Range box. The red above the KB S bled for split.

3. Type in the keyboard ranges (

EYBOARD RANGE AND

LED

button on the synth front panel lights up to indicate that the keyboard is ena-

PLIT

EYBOARD RANGE

Note ranges) for each of the Slots in the Lower and Upper boxes.

MIDI

PANEL SPLIT FUNCTION

)

On the G2 Keyboard and the G2X models a KB Split mode allows to set up split points quickly from the panel. This KB Split mode sets up the Keyboard range settings, but in a simplified way. The KB Split sets the same left range for Slots A and B, and the same right range for the Slots C and D. Four predefined split points can be chosen and are indicated by four just very common cases to set up a simple left and right range Keyboard Split. In the Performance Settings window you can edit and override these splits set by the KB Split function into more complex split and layered configurations. Note that when the split points are not on the positions where the are above the keyboard the if you see the KB Split that there is indeed split points and/or layers set up, but in a more complex user defined setup. To see this setup on the G2 front panel, press the System button while in Performance mode and scroll through the System menu until you see ’Keyboard Zone’ in the display. Now press a Slot button to see or edit the range for that Slot.

OMBINING SPLIT AND LAYER

Layering Slots simply means that you overlap keyboard ranges for the Slots you want to layer.

THE G

Each Patch in a Performance can have its own Parameter assignments, just like in Patch (non-Performance) mode. Additionally, a Performance can have an extra separate setup of 5x3 Parameter Pages with up to 8

LOBAL PARAMETER PAGES

LED

s do not light up any more. The KB Split

LED

light up but you do not see any of the Split Point

s right above the keyboard. Note that these are

LED

however still lights up. So,

LED

s light up you know

LED

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 6. Working in the Editor: Storing a Performance

Parameters per page - the Global Parameter Pages. To assign parameters to the Global Parameter Pages, click the Global Pages button in the Tools|Parameter Pages window and assign the parameters as described in “Assign a parameter to a knob” on page 90. When you assign Parameters to the Global Parameter Pages each assignment will be displayed with an initial letter indicating from which Slot the module parameter originates from

STORING A PERFORMANCE

Note! When the Nord Modular G2 is shipped from factory, Memory Protect is set to ‘On’. To be able to store Performances, first disable the Memory Protect function. Select Synth|Synth Settings and uncheck the Memory Protect On box.

TORING IN THE SYNTH

Storing a Performance in the synth from the Editor can be done in two ways. Either, select Synth|Save in Synth from the menu. Then, select memory location and click OK, or:

1. Select Tools|Patch Browser to open the Browser window.

2. Click on the Perf tab to display the Performances in the internal memory of the synth.

3. Right-click on a Bank icon, select ‘Save Current Performance to’ and select a memory location for

your Performance.

AVING ON THE COMPUTER

Select File|Save or Save As... from the menu. If you selected ‘Save As...’, select a folder and press/click OK.

ENAMING SINGLE PATCHES IN PERFORMANCES

It’s also possible to name each of the Patches in a Performance individually. In Performance Mode, simply click on a Slot to focus the Patch. Enter a new Patch name in the Patch display box. Click on another Slot button to put the next Patch in focus. Enter a new Patch name in the Patch display box. When you’re done, store and/or save the Performance as described above.

EXTRACTING PATCHES FROM A PERFORMANCE

The Patches used in the Slots of a Performance are not references to Patches in the Patch memory of the synth, but complete Patches “on their own” in the Performance. You will find several unique Patches in the factory Performances; Patches that you will not find in any of the internal Patch memory locations. You may want to extract such a Patch, to use as a single regular Patch, or to make it part of another Performance.

XTRACT A PATCH AND STORE IT IN THE SYNTH

Click on the Slot button that contains the Patch you want to extract. Click the Prf button in the Toolbar to exit Performance mode. Then, select Synth|Save In Synth. Select Patch memory location and click OK.

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6. Working in the Editor: Deleting Performances in the synth NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

XTRACT A PATCH AND SAVE IT ON THE COMPUTER

Select File|Save From|Slot X. Select folder, rename the Patch if you like, and click OK.

DELETING PERFORMANCES IN THE SYNTH

Do like this to delete a Performance from the internal memory of the synth:

1. Select Tools|Patch Browser to open the Patch Browser window.

2. Click on the Perf tab to display the Performances in the internal memory of the synth.

3. If necessary, double-click a Bank icon. then right-click on a Performance icon and select Delete.

EXITING PERFORMANCE MODE

To exit Performance mode, click the Prf button in the Toolbar, so it is not highlighted any more. Now you return to the regular Patch mode. Note that the four Slots contain the same Patches they had in Performance mode and also that any Layering and Keyboard Range settings remain unchanged. On the front panel of the G2 Keyboard and G2X you can press the Performance button, so the Performance button

LED

goes off.

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 7. The Patch Mutator: Introduction

7. THE PATCH MUTATOR

INTRODUCTION

The Patch Mutator is a toolbox for creating new patch variations guided by your ear. It will help you explore different knob settings within a certain patch by simply listening and selecting the sounds you like. Most patches can generate a vast range of different sounds, but it is tedious and difficult to explore them manually, because of the sheer number of parameters in a patch, and because of the difficulty to predict the sonic results. Also, with the extreme flexibility of the Nord Modular G2, it is tempting to always look for new patches, and neglect the fact that one single patch often equates a full hardware synthesizer, with vast possibilities waiting to be explored.

In an interactive process inspired by natural evolution, the Patch Mutator creates a number of variations for you, based on one Mother sound, or based on a Mother and a Father, or more or less random. You listen to these new Children sounds one at a time, and select which one will be the parent of the next generation of children. This process can be repeated any number of generations, until you find the sounds you want. Usually you find lots of interesting sounds in the process.

The Patch Mutator is designed for speed and ease of use, with great care put into the interface design. In a few minutes you can create whole sets of new sounds, or series of interesting variations on existing sounds. The evolutionary approach makes it very different from simple patch randomizers available in

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7. The Patch Mutator: Introduction NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x

some synthesizer editors. You always work with a “family” of related sounds, comparing and selecting the best from each generation.

At any moment, a Child sound can be saved for future use in a Temporary Storage. Also, any sound from the Temporary Storage can be brought back into the breeding process as a parent. The G2 architecture allows eight variations to be stored with the patch, and any sounds from the temporary storage can easily be transferred to the eight variation buffers, and be saved as a patch in flash memory or on disc.

The main purpose if the Patch Mutator is encourage and simplify creative sound design, but there are many variations on this theme. A few suggestions:

• Quickly modify a sound in a studio situation where you want a specific sound.

• Explore the potential of your patches beyond the default values and your first tweaks.

• Explore other people’s patches without knowing exactly how they are constructed.

• As a composition tool: Create a number of related but different sounds or textures that can later be

put together.

• Evolve complex sequences that control other equipment through MIDI.

• Evolve mappings from MIDI controllers to sound engines, to find new and interesting ways of per-

forming.

• Evolve new sounds, loops and textures live, as a way of improvisation.

There are probably as many ways to use it as there are users. Consider it a powerful toolbox at your disposal for sonic exploration guided by your ears.

The Patch Mutator has been developed in collaboration with composer and researcher Palle Dahlstedt, based on his research in computer-aided creativity. Read more about the historical and theoretical background in the end of this chapter.

NOTE! The Patch Mutator will turn the knobs and push the buttons for you, but it will not affect the connections between modules, and it will not add or delete modules.

NOTE! The Patch Mutator only exists in the editor, and is not available in the synth itself. Therefore, it can only be used when the G2 is connected to the computer editor.

THE P

ATCH MUTATOR WINDOW

The Patch Mutator is a floater in the editor, just like the Virtual Keyboard and the Parameter Pages. It can be opened or closed by selecting Patch Mutator on the Tools menu (Shortcut: Ctrl-2). With the Patch Mutator floater open, you can still edit the patch as usual, add or delete modules or turn the knobs.

The Patch Mutator float consists of five different regions. From top to bottom:

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clavia Clavia Nord Modular G2, Clavia Nord Modular G2 Demo, Clavia Nord Modular G2 Engine, Clavia Nord Modular G2X nord modular G2 V1.4 (eng)

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

1. INTRODUCTION

WELCOME!

ABOUT THE NORD MODULAR G2 SYSTEM

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

CLAVIA ON THE INTERNET

G2 BASICS

2. SYNTH QUICK TOUR

CHECKING OUT THE INSTRUMENT FIRST

CHECK OUT SOME PATCHES!

CHECK OUT SOME PERFORMANCES

3. WORKING WITH THE SYNTH

SYSTEM FUNCTIONS SECTION

EDIT SYSTEM SETTINGS

LIST OF FUNCTIONS IN THE G2 SYSTEM MENU

SOUND FUNCTIONS SECTION

EDITING PATCH SETTINGS

WORKING WITH PATCHES

WORKING WITH SLOTS

MORPH GROUPS

PERFORMANCES

NORD MODULAR G2 ENGINE FRONT PANEL

NORD MODULAR G2 REAR PANEL

4. THE G2 EDITOR SOFTWARE

THE EDITOR SOFTWARE

5. THE EDITOR APPLICATION

TOOLBAR

MAKING YOUR FIRST PATCH

POPUP MENUS IN THE EDITOR

BASIC MODULE FUNCTIONS

LEDS

BASIC MODULE PARAMETER CONTROLS

MODULATION

on a computer the sequencer data will show the knob positions, and not the values displayed at the top of the

6. WORKING IN THE EDITOR

MIDI CONTROL OF VARIATIONS

KNOBS AND CONTROLLERS

MIDI CONTROLLERS

MORPH GROUPS

THE EDITOR AND PERFORMANCES

STORING A PERFORMANCE

EXTRACTING PATCHES FROM A PERFORMANCE

DELETING PERFORMANCES IN THE SYNTH

EXITING PERFORMANCE MODE

7. THE PATCH MUTATOR

INTRODUCTION