Clavia Nord Modular G2X

For specification information see the website or Clavia.
This is a modeling synths most successful, even if a bit dated (many?), Its features are really huge.
The architecture is really well thought out, the principle of variation is sufficiently great, the number of modules available can do many things, even though sometimes there to taste too little.
For a synth of this ilk, the expansion card (fitted as standard on this model) is essential, there is a tendency to combine several modules to push further editing, which consumes additional CPU resources .
It's really a synth research completely modular and polyphonic Moreover, with excellent sound color. As summed Coyote14 is a machine very comprehensive ergonomic few words, a real success.

UTILIZATION

We can get out of basic sounds without special knowledge in the field of synthesis with some modules such as oscillators, filters and envelopes. on the other hand, knowledge synthesis are essential to exploit all the available modules with the correct routing to make the quintessence of this machine. The editor interface is very intuitive, we have a very clear visual of what we do. Assigning controllers is very easy, happiness!
The manual is very well done for my taste, very clear, all modules are very well explained in detail, all with a few examples.

SOUNDS

Sound side, the bass is good, leads very active and expressive sounds FX are hell, pads excellent rendering is stunning electric pianos, in short there is nothing to get rid of this synth is ease in all registers, including the FM sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, I have tried a lot of keyboards and also has quite a bit in my set-up.
I like the ergonomics, modular side that allows a lot of things very nice, sound editing software very successful.
Cons: one additional DSP card is welcome!
I would do this choice without a doubt. The price is quite high but it is worth it.

Keyboard and controls ** **
5-octave keyboard, pitch bend lever without deadband exemplary gameplay, I use almost the modulation wheel to make my vibrato. 3 modulation wheels are available.
The controls on the front panel with LED ringed encoders and displays allow customization and dynamism unusual hardware on a machine.
You can connect a sustain pedal and a pedal control. The influence of the pedal on one or more parameters is very easy on the front panel in the same way as velocity, modulation wheels ...

Sound engine ** **
It is a modular synthesizer. It defines the architecture of the patch using modules which are classified by categories: inputs / outputs, oscillators, filters, envelopes, LFOs, mixers, effects, MIDI and more ...
The polyphony is 32 voices and although it may be reduced depending on the complexity of the patches, I never felt a lack on this point.

Edition ** **
Editing is done primarily on your computer using a dedicated editing software very well. A demo version is available that produces sound even if you do not have the synth. It allows to realize opportunities and ergonomics.
http://www.clavia.se/products/nordmodular/demo.htm

UTILIZATION

Given the range of possibilities of this machine, the ease of use is a very good level.
It is obvious that to use a modular synthesizer, you must have a minimum of knowledge. But with simple bases synthesis, already synthesizer patches, complete and original.
The manual is very educational and very complete. It includes examples and ideas to go further.

SOUNDS

Converters are excellent and the sound that comes out of this machine is just beautiful. The effects provided turnkey are simple but they sound good, and the modular architecture lets you create your own.
The range of patches available on the net is huge and you can spend months or even years to revel other patches without even a single editor
http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-44.html

OVERALL OPINION

This is the central and essential in my home studio. Its versatility combined with its compactness and reliability are also one I choose to move around.

I had several synthesizers (Jupiter, poly800, SH101, Polysix, Opera6 Six tracks ...) I also FS1R I tried many VSTi, I have a Clavinet, a pianet, j 'I played on Rhodes and Hammond, and over the years I made my selection. This synth is the best for me. If it was to remain one, this is it.

Modular Synth (same engine as its ERRF G2 and G2 engine).
- 5 octave keyboard
- 3 modulation wheels and a pitch stick
- 8 knobs (endless) + 8 switches
- 4 +1 LCDs
- Connectivity: MIDI, 4 audio outputs, 4 audio inputs, USB for shipping via the soft, between the XLR microphone with flexible desktop.
- Polyphony expansion card included as standard

Just a point less for the impossibility to use more than 4 patches simultanment, but we forgive him, since you can do almost an entire song with only one patch.

For more details, see the "News".

UTILIZATION

So the slap is the ... Ergonomics is simply excellent!
A priori, the power of the machine could leave prsager complexity of use of a terrible, but it is not.
Dj for programming the patches with the editor, it was all directly at hand (and under the eyes), while the mouse is done visually. No more endless return-alles in menus, submenus and sub-menus ... One program while at home, by assigning custom settings of their choice to other switches and knobs (which is feasible with a simple drag-OPDs), and is ready to go live without PC, with just his keyboard under his arm. Clavia thank you!

Has any pens for use in live and more intuitive. For those who are only eight knobs is not much, that they can prcisons CONTRL up paramtres 120 (15 slots x 8 knobs), which CSTA is simple via BCAN buttons. So knowing that we only have two hands ...
In addition, it is possible to assign a single number paramtres Controller (what Clavia called morph groups).

Oh yeah: each patch has eight variations instantanment accessible via switches DDIS. Basically, a patch is a synth and a variation of this is a paramtrage synth. We can therefore have trs DIFFERENT stamps on a single patch.

The manual is clear trs (who reads English) and provides examples of using the modules in the patches.

SOUNDS

L too, it's all good.
The DIFFERENT oscillator types available allow to obtain a wide range of sounds trs.
We are entitled to conventional waveforms (sine, pulse, triangle, etc..), The synthetic drums, modlisation the ropes, and even the exact reproduction of a DX7.
The filters are not bad at all, as with the variation on HP, BP, LP, Notch, 6 36 dB / Oct, comb filter, formant filter and a vocoder formidable.
And then it all sounds, nothing wrong. It was real deep bass, shimmering layers of ...

The effect is not part of the supplied, but offers enough to make dj: reverb, chorus, flanger, bit reducer, compressor, pitch shifter, phase shifter and a range of delays.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the G2X for about 3 months.
I fell in love by chance by trying the demo version.
It's the perfect combination of power and ergonomics, and I do it again the same choice without doubt.
The programming possibilities are truly standards, and when I see the price of some VA, frankly, there is no photo.
As for the price, I find it reasonable, given the capabilities of this synth.

For CHARACTERISTICS, check the site clavia, everything is

roughly four audio inputs and outputs, a USB port for shipping, the trio noon, a quantity of phnomnales paramtres assignable controller knob to no end, especially polyphony double two compared to the other two versions of G2.

a point that seems to me all the same interresting, c weight. It is lightweight.

UTILIZATION

For the audio edition, almost identical to the previous version of the Nord Modular, with flexibilities supplmentaires handy use. The big catch as a keyboard has not corrected from the NM first name, c gnration stopping the sound of / patches on) when we load a new lment in memory: a filter, lfo fx ect, or is changed in a patch of active slot. trs annoying to live ...

I had a doubt when the ability to assign controllers to paramtres, Moitiers doubts confirmed. so we can assign a module paramtres the controller, and change the names of the modules in question, which names will also change automatically to the notches of the liquid crystal synths. Well, except that the number of characters displayed on these notches is quite limited. So we still have to abrger module names, as with dnomination Clean / P, understand dosage Dry / Wet effect Phaser ... not always practical.

SOUNDS

Excellent sound! o the silent hard CRER deep groundwater with the NM first, the NMG2 so easily lends itself. Same for the bass from the NM1er more chattering, percussive and firmer. Not talking about sounds worthy of the best soundtracks to SF ... organs? You want to play the yy? no problem, there is need ... jazz set with FM sounds? no problem, you can sell your DX7 without any remorts ... Not to mention the possibility of physical modlisation ... a bte!!

Computing power can allow all prs DLIR that may have imagined. Moreover him, there is the possibility to interconnect the patches together by four audio bus, I let you see the possibilities ...

Listen to the original patch, it is immediately captivated by the music of bte. It is personal but I take the prciser: all original patch, the first test store, I was invaded! all gave me pleasure and inspired and immediately! my fingers were moving alone, I did not need to order ... trs few times love me o has happened. The very first time would be when I jou for the first time on a grand piano, which most have a Bosendorfer prpar superbly ... In short, the happiness that play on this synth!

Only the sounds of percussion had very promptly, as the MV first. My time, they are not bad, they are good, but do not touch me ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 9 months. What to say. A marvel, an absolute Russianness, no big dceptions, but two years of debt ...

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