Nord Modular was released in December 1997, and has become a very popular sound tool amongst musicians and sound designers. Four major software updates have been released so far, and version 3.0 features nearly 110 different types of modules! In November 1998, Nord Micro Modular, the younger brother of Nord Modular, saw the light of the day. Micro Modular is built around the same flexible, high-quality concept as the bigger Modular. The low price of Micro Modular makes it possible for everyone to explore of the vast possibilities of modular synthesis.

The Nord Modular family is a series of programmable polyphonic modular synthesizers. The system consists of two parts: the hardware synthesizer and the computer Editor. You create your own synthesizer architecture by patching virtual modules together in the Editor software. The modules are digital models of traditional synthesizer building blocks such as oscillators, filters, envelope generators, audio processors, etc. plus a full array of special purpose modules.

Both the sound generating and graphical information pertaining to the modules are storable in the Nord Modular synthesizer. All of this, together with the assignable front panel knobs, allows the Nord Modular to perform as a stand-alone synthesizer, perfect for live performance. The Modules are 100% software and new modules and functions are constantly added by Clavia in Software Upgrades. New system software upgrades including new modules and additional features are available for download, FREE OF CHARGE, at the Nord Modular Update page. There is also a voice expansion available for the Nord Modular Keyboard and Rack, which doubles the amount of voices.

Extended information

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

Nord Modular Key and Rack specifications
General


Programmable polyphonic modular synthesizer
Minimum 4 voices expandable to minimum 8 voices
Maximum 32 voices depending on patch complexity
4-part multi-timbral
Holds patches (sounds) and operating system in Flash memory. Software upgradable via the computer. Dynamical patch storage in 9 banks with 99 memory locations. The amount of patches that can be stored depends on their size (number of modules used).
24-bit internal processing at 96 kHz sampling frequency
MIDI features

All parameters, except the master level, can transmit and receive MIDI Control Change messages. Notes can be received over the entire MIDI range. MIDI clock Synchronizing.

Hardware

18 user-assignable editing knobs
18 dedicated function buttons
Rotary dial
2x16 character backlit LCD display
Two analog audio inputs, line level. 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, 48 kHz sampling frequency
4 assignable outputs, line-level. 18-bit linear DACs, 96 kHz sampling frequency
Headphones output
MIDI In and Out
PC In and Out
Control pedal, Sustain or ON/Off pedal inputs
2 octave velocity sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons (5oct.) (Nord Modular Key)

Midi In trig indicator (Nord Modular Rack)

Technical specifications

Programmable polyphonic modular synthesizer
Minimum 4 voices expandable to minimum 8 voices
Maximum 32 voices depending on patch complexity
4-part multi-timbral
Holds patches (sounds) and operating system in Flash memory. Software upgradable via the computer. Dynamical patch storage in 9 banks with 99 memory locations. The amount of patches that can be stored depends on their size (number of modules used).
24-bit internal processing at 96 kHz sampling frequency
MIDI features

All parameters, except the master level, can transmit and receive MIDI Control Change messages. Notes can be received over the entire MIDI range. MIDI clock Synchronizing.

Hardware

18 user-assignable editing knobs
18 dedicated function buttons
Rotary dial
2x16 character backlit LCD display
Two analog audio inputs, line level. 16-bit Sigma-Delta ADCs, 48 kHz sampling frequency
4 assignable outputs, line-level. 18-bit linear DACs, 96 kHz sampling frequency
Headphones output
MIDI In and Out
PC In and Out
Control pedal, Sustain or ON/Off pedal inputs
2 octave velocity sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons (5oct.) (Nord Modular Key)

473(W) 264(D) 70(H) mm
18.6"(W) 10.4"(D) 3.5"(H)
Weight: 4.7 kg, 10.36 lbs