Clavia Nord Modular V3 User manual

NORD MODULAR V3.0 Table of contents
I
Table of contents
Table of contentsTable of contents
Table of contents
1.
1.1.
1. Introduction
IntroductionIntroduction
Introduction .........................................................
..................................................................................................................
.........................................................1
11
1
Welcome!
Welcome!Welcome!
Welcome! ......................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................... 1
11
1
About the Nord Modular system
About the Nord Modular systemAbout the Nord Modular system
About the Nord Modular system..............................................
............................................................................................
.............................................. 1
11
1
About this manual
About this manualAbout this manual
About this manual ......................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 1
11
1
Editor handling definitions in PC and Macintosh.....................................................................1
Reading the manual in Adobe Acrobat Reader..........................................................................2
Windows 95/98/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.6
Windows 95/98/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.6Windows 95/98/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.6
Windows 95/98/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.6.....................................
..........................................................................
..................................... 2
22
2
Clavia on the Internet
Clavia on the InternetClavia on the Internet
Clavia on the Internet...............................................................
..............................................................................................................................
............................................................... 2
22
2
2.
2.2.
2. Overview
OverviewOverview
Overview ................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................3
33
3
Nord Modular Front panel
Nord Modular Front panelNord Modular Front panel
Nord Modular Front panel .......................................................
..............................................................................................................
....................................................... 3
33
3
Left panel section......................................................................................................................3
Right panel section ...................................................................................................................3
Nord Modular Rear Panel
Nord Modular Rear PanelNord Modular Rear Panel
Nord Modular Rear Panel.........................................................
..................................................................................................................
......................................................... 4
44
4
Nord Micro Modular Front panel
Nord Micro Modular Front panelNord Micro Modular Front panel
Nord Micro Modular Front panel ............................................
........................................................................................
............................................ 5
55
5
Nord Micro Modular Rear panel
Nord Micro Modular Rear panelNord Micro Modular Rear panel
Nord Micro Modular Rear panel ..............................................
............................................................................................
.............................................. 5
55
5
3.
3.3.
3. Getting started
Getting startedGetting started
Getting started....................................................
........................................................................................................
....................................................6
66
6
Editor system requirements
Editor system requirementsEditor system requirements
Editor system requirements......................................................
............................................................................................................
...................................................... 6
66
6
Installation of the Editor software
Installation of the Editor softwareInstallation of the Editor software
Installation of the Editor software .......................................
..............................................................................
....................................... 6
66
6
On PC......................................................................................................................................6
On Mac....................................................................................................................................6
Starting up
Starting upStarting up
Starting up..................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................. 7
77
7
USB MIDI interfaces................................................................................................................7
Multiport MIDI interfaces........................................................................................................7
Sound system............................................................................................................................8
Launching the Editor
Launching the EditorLaunching the Editor
Launching the Editor .................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
................................................................. 8
88
8
Help files in the PC version of the Editor
Help files in the PC version of the EditorHelp files in the PC version of the Editor
Help files in the PC version of the Editor .............................
..........................................................
............................. 9
99
9
Loading a patch from the internal memory
Loading a patch from the internal memoryLoading a patch from the internal memory
Loading a patch from the internal memory ...........................
......................................................
........................... 10
1010
10
Nord Modular ........................................................................................................................10
Micro Modular.......................................................................................................................11
Creating a patch from scratch
Creating a patch from scratchCreating a patch from scratch
Creating a patch from scratch...............................................
..............................................................................................
............................................... 11
1111
11
Other useful functions ............................................................................................................17

Table of contents NORD MODULAR V3.0
II
4.
4.4.
4. Basic functions
Basic functionsBasic functions
Basic functions ..................................................
....................................................................................................
..................................................19
1919
19
introduction to Nord Modular
introduction to Nord Modularintroduction to Nord Modular
introduction to Nord Modular ...............................................
..............................................................................................
...............................................19
1919
19
Modules................................................................................................................................. 19
Connections........................................................................................................................... 19
Parameters ............................................................................................................................. 19
Display boxes and graphs....................................................................................................... 19
LEDs ..................................................................................................................................... 19
The patch .............................................................................................................................. 20
Slots (not Micro Modular)..................................................................................................... 20
Patches
PatchesPatches
Patches.......................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................21
2121
21
Poly and Common Voice Areas ............................................................................................. 21
Create a new patch................................................................................................................. 21
Download a patch to the synthesizer...................................................................................... 22
Store a patch .......................................................................................................................... 22
Add modules to a patch ......................................................................................................... 23
Patch connections.................................................................................................................. 25
Edit parameters in a patch......................................................................................................27
Signals in the patch
Signals in the patchSignals in the patch
Signals in the patch .................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.................................................................28
2828
28
Definitions............................................................................................................................. 28
Audio signals, red connectors................................................................................................. 29
Control signals, blue connectors ............................................................................................ 29
Logic signals, yellow connectors............................................................................................. 29
Slave signals, gray connectors................................................................................................. 31
Bandwidth considerations...................................................................................................... 31
Experiment ............................................................................................................................ 31
Modulation
ModulationModulation
Modulation.................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................32
3232
32
Modulation inputs................................................................................................................. 32
Mod-amount knobs (attenuators) .......................................................................................... 32
Modulation examples.............................................................................................................33
Maximum modulation........................................................................................................... 36
Knobs and controllers
Knobs and controllersKnobs and controllers
Knobs and controllers............................................................
........................................................................................................................
............................................................37
3737
37
Assign a knob to a parameter ................................................................................................. 37
The Knob Floater .................................................................................................................. 38
MIDI controllers ................................................................................................................... 39
Morph groups
Morph groupsMorph groups
Morph groups ............................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................40
4040
40
Voices, mono- and polyphonic patches
Voices, mono- and polyphonic patchesVoices, mono- and polyphonic patches
Voices, mono- and polyphonic patches....................................
........................................................................
....................................42
4242
42
Poly and Common Voice patch sections................................................................................ 43
The Mono parameter
The Mono parameterThe Mono parameter
The Mono parameter..................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
..................................................................44
4444
44
The KBT parameter
The KBT parameterThe KBT parameter
The KBT parameter ....................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................45
4545
45

NORD MODULAR V3.0 Table of contents
III
5.
5.5.
5. Panel reference
Panel referencePanel reference
Panel reference..................................................
....................................................................................................
..................................................46
4646
46
Knobs and buttons of Nord Modular
Knobs and buttons of Nord ModularKnobs and buttons of Nord Modular
Knobs and buttons of Nord Modular....................................
........................................................................
.................................... 46
4646
46
Master Volume.......................................................................................................................46
Panel Split ..............................................................................................................................46
Find/Panic..............................................................................................................................47
Oct shift (keyboard version only)............................................................................................47
MIDI trig LED (rack version only).........................................................................................47
Knobs.....................................................................................................................................47
Slot buttons ............................................................................................................................48
Shift........................................................................................................................................48
Assign/Morph.........................................................................................................................49
Navigator buttons...................................................................................................................49
Rotary Dial.............................................................................................................................49
Store.......................................................................................................................................50
Save Synth Settings.................................................................................................................51
System button.........................................................................................................................51
Synth settings in the system menu ..........................................................................................52
Patch settings in the system menu...........................................................................................56
Edit ........................................................................................................................................59
Patch/Load .............................................................................................................................59
Knobs and buttons of Micro Modular
Knobs and buttons of Micro ModularKnobs and buttons of Micro Modular
Knobs and buttons of Micro Modular...................................
......................................................................
................................... 61
6161
61
Shift........................................................................................................................................61
Volume...................................................................................................................................61
1/Master Tune........................................................................................................................61
2/MIDI Channel ....................................................................................................................61
3/Patch Select .........................................................................................................................62
Display ...................................................................................................................................62
Patch Increment/Note Trig ....................................................................................................62
Patch Decrement/4.................................................................................................................62
6.
6.6.
6. Editor reference
Editor referenceEditor reference
Editor reference ................................................
................................................................................................
................................................64
6464
64
File
FileFile
File..............................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................. 64
6464
64
New........................................................................................................................................64
Open ......................................................................................................................................64
Close ......................................................................................................................................64
Close All.................................................................................................................................65
Save ........................................................................................................................................65
Save As ...................................................................................................................................65
Save All...................................................................................................................................65
Quit........................................................................................................................................65
Edit
EditEdit
Edit.............................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................. 66
6666
66
Undo......................................................................................................................................66
Redo.......................................................................................................................................66
Cut .........................................................................................................................................66
Copy.......................................................................................................................................66
Paste .......................................................................................................................................66
Clear.......................................................................................................................................66

Table of contents NORD MODULAR V3.0
IV
Patch
PatchPatch
Patch ..........................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................67
6767
67
Patch Settings ........................................................................................................................ 67
Download To Slot ................................................................................................................. 69
Save In Synth......................................................................................................................... 69
Synth
SynthSynth
Synth ..........................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................69
6969
69
Synth Settings........................................................................................................................ 69
Upload Active Slot................................................................................................................. 72
Send Controller Snapshot ...................................................................................................... 72
Bank Upload (From Modular)............................................................................................... 72
Bank Download (To Modular) .............................................................................................. 73
Setup
SetupSetup
Setup ..........................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................74
7474
74
Options ................................................................................................................................. 74
MIDI..................................................................................................................................... 75
Tools
ToolsTools
Tools...........................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................75
7575
75
Knob Floater.......................................................................................................................... 75
Keyboard Floater ................................................................................................................... 76
Notes Floater ......................................................................................................................... 77
Browser.................................................................................................................................. 77
Windows
WindowsWindows
Windows ......................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................80
8080
80
Cascade.................................................................................................................................. 80
Tile horizontally .................................................................................................................... 81
Tile vertically ......................................................................................................................... 81
Currently open patches ..........................................................................................................81
Help
HelpHelp
Help ............................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................81
8181
81
Contents (PC only)................................................................................................................ 81
Using Help (PC only)............................................................................................................81
About..................................................................................................................................... 81
Toolbar
ToolbarToolbar
Toolbar.......................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................82
8282
82
Patch (name).......................................................................................................................... 82
Voices .................................................................................................................................... 82
load........................................................................................................................................ 82
Visible cables.......................................................................................................................... 83
Shake cables........................................................................................................................... 83
Module group tabs................................................................................................................. 83
morph group knobs ...............................................................................................................84
Porta...................................................................................................................................... 84
Bend r.................................................................................................................................... 84
Connection indicators............................................................................................................ 85
Useful functions in the Editor
Useful functions in the EditorUseful functions in the Editor
Useful functions in the Editor ...............................................
..............................................................................................
...............................................85
8585
85
Patch window split bar........................................................................................................... 85
Patch window popup ............................................................................................................. 86
Module popup....................................................................................................................... 86
Parameter popup.................................................................................................................... 87
Cable popup .......................................................................................................................... 88
Computer keyboard short-cuts
Computer keyboard short-cutsComputer keyboard short-cuts
Computer keyboard short-cuts ...............................................
..............................................................................................
...............................................89
8989
89
“Special functions” keys ......................................................................................................... 89
The function keys .................................................................................................................. 90

NORD MODULAR V3.0 Table of contents
V
7.
7.7.
7. Module reference
Module referenceModule reference
Module reference...............................................
..............................................................................................
...............................................93
9393
93
In/Out group
In/Out groupIn/Out group
In/Out group..............................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................. 93
9393
93
Keyboard ................................................................................................................................93
KeyboardPatch .......................................................................................................................94
MIDIGlobal ...........................................................................................................................95
AudioIn ..................................................................................................................................96
PolyAreaIn..............................................................................................................................96
A word about the Output modules .........................................................................................96
1 output..................................................................................................................................97
2 outputs ................................................................................................................................97
4 outputs ................................................................................................................................98
NoteDetect.............................................................................................................................98
KeybSplit................................................................................................................................98
Oscillator group
Oscillator groupOscillator group
Oscillator group......................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 99
9999
99
MasterOSC ............................................................................................................................99
OscA ....................................................................................................................................100
OscB.....................................................................................................................................102
OscC ....................................................................................................................................103
SpectralOSC.........................................................................................................................104
FormantOSC........................................................................................................................105
A word about slave oscillators ...............................................................................................106
OscSlvA................................................................................................................................106
OscSlvB................................................................................................................................108
OscSlvC................................................................................................................................109
OscSlvD ...............................................................................................................................110
OscSlvE................................................................................................................................111
OscSineBank ........................................................................................................................112
OscSlvFM.............................................................................................................................113
Noise ....................................................................................................................................114
PercOsc ................................................................................................................................115
DrumSynth ..........................................................................................................................116
LFO group
LFO groupLFO group
LFO group................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................118
118118
118
LFOA ...................................................................................................................................118
LFOB ...................................................................................................................................119
LFOC...................................................................................................................................121
A word about slave LFOs......................................................................................................122
LFOSlvA ..............................................................................................................................122
LFOSlvB ..............................................................................................................................123
LFOSlvC ..............................................................................................................................123
LFOSlvD..............................................................................................................................124
LFOSlvE...............................................................................................................................124
ClkGen.................................................................................................................................125
ClkRndGen..........................................................................................................................126
RndStepGen.........................................................................................................................126
RandomGen.........................................................................................................................127
RndPulsGen .........................................................................................................................127
PatternGen ...........................................................................................................................128

Table of contents NORD MODULAR V3.0
VI
Envelope group
Envelope groupEnvelope group
Envelope group ......................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
...................................................................... 129
129129
129
ADSR-Env........................................................................................................................... 129
AD-Env ............................................................................................................................... 131
Mod-Env ............................................................................................................................. 132
AHD-Env............................................................................................................................ 133
Multi-Env............................................................................................................................ 135
EnvFollower ........................................................................................................................ 136
Filter group
Filter groupFilter group
Filter group............................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................ 137
137137
137
FilterA ................................................................................................................................. 137
FilterB ................................................................................................................................. 137
FilterC ................................................................................................................................. 138
FilterD................................................................................................................................. 139
FilterE.................................................................................................................................. 140
FilterF.................................................................................................................................. 141
VocalFilter ........................................................................................................................... 142
Vocoder ............................................................................................................................... 143
Filter Bank........................................................................................................................... 144
EqMid ................................................................................................................................. 145
EqShelving........................................................................................................................... 146
Mixer group
Mixer groupMixer group
Mixer group.............................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................. 147
147147
147
3 inputs mixer...................................................................................................................... 147
8 inputs mixer...................................................................................................................... 147
GainControl ........................................................................................................................ 148
Ring-/Amplitude modulator patch example......................................................................... 149
X-Fade................................................................................................................................. 149
Pan ...................................................................................................................................... 150
1To2Fade ............................................................................................................................ 150
2To1Fade ............................................................................................................................ 150
LevMult............................................................................................................................... 151
LevAdd ................................................................................................................................ 151
OnOff ................................................................................................................................. 152
4-1Switch ............................................................................................................................ 152
1-4Switch ............................................................................................................................ 153
Amplifier ............................................................................................................................. 153

NORD MODULAR V3.0 Table of contents
VII
Audio Modifier group
Audio Modifier groupAudio Modifier group
Audio Modifier group..............................................................
............................................................................................................................
..............................................................154
154154
154
Clip ......................................................................................................................................154
Overdrive..............................................................................................................................154
WaveWrapper.......................................................................................................................155
Quantizer .............................................................................................................................156
Delay....................................................................................................................................156
Sample&Hold ......................................................................................................................157
Diode ...................................................................................................................................157
StereoChorus........................................................................................................................158
Phaser...................................................................................................................................158
InvLevShift...........................................................................................................................160
Shaper ..................................................................................................................................160
Compressor ..........................................................................................................................162
Expander ..............................................................................................................................163
RingMod..............................................................................................................................164
Digitizer ...............................................................................................................................167
Control Modifier group
Control Modifier groupControl Modifier group
Control Modifier group.........................................................
..................................................................................................................
.........................................................168
168168
168
Constant...............................................................................................................................168
Smooth.................................................................................................................................168
PortamentoA ........................................................................................................................169
PortamentoB ........................................................................................................................169
NoteScaler ............................................................................................................................170
NoteQuant...........................................................................................................................170
KeyQuant.............................................................................................................................171
PartialGen ............................................................................................................................172
ControlMixer .......................................................................................................................173
NoteVelScal..........................................................................................................................173
Logic group
Logic groupLogic group
Logic group .............................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................175
175175
175
PosEdgeDelay.......................................................................................................................175
NegEdgeDelay......................................................................................................................175
Pulse.....................................................................................................................................176
LogicDelay ...........................................................................................................................176
LogicInv ...............................................................................................................................177
LogicProc .............................................................................................................................177
CompareLev .........................................................................................................................178
CompareAB..........................................................................................................................178
ClkDiv .................................................................................................................................179
ClkDivFix.............................................................................................................................179
Sequencer group
Sequencer groupSequencer group
Sequencer group ....................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................180
180180
180
EventSeq...............................................................................................................................180
CtrlSeq .................................................................................................................................181
NoteSeqA .............................................................................................................................182
NoteSeqB .............................................................................................................................184
Sequencing examples ............................................................................................................186

Table of contents NORD MODULAR V3.0
VIII
8.
8.8.
8. Synthesis basics
Synthesis basicsSynthesis basics
Synthesis basics .............................................
..........................................................................................
............................................. 190
190190
190
Subtractive synthesis
Subtractive synthesisSubtractive synthesis
Subtractive synthesis ...........................................................
......................................................................................................................
........................................................... 190
190190
190
Modules - the building blocks.............................................................................................. 190
Connecting modules............................................................................................................ 191
The oscillators and waveforms ............................................................................................. 191
The Filter............................................................................................................................. 196
The Amplifier ...................................................................................................................... 201
Envelopes............................................................................................................................. 201
LFO..................................................................................................................................... 204
Additive synthesis
Additive synthesisAdditive synthesis
Additive synthesis..................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
.................................................................. 206
206206
206
Creating a waveform............................................................................................................ 206
Other synthesis and modulation methods
Other synthesis and modulation methodsOther synthesis and modulation methods
Other synthesis and modulation methods..........................
....................................................
.......................... 207
207207
207
FM synthesis........................................................................................................................ 207
AM synthesis ....................................................................................................................... 207
Ring modulation.................................................................................................................. 208
9.
9.9.
9. Appendix
AppendixAppendix
Appendix ...........................................................
......................................................................................................................
........................................................... 210
210210
210
Voice definition
Voice definitionVoice definition
Voice definition.......................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................... 210
210210
210
Sound engine
Sound engineSound engine
Sound engine ..........................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................... 211
211211
211
Patch and voice allocation.................................................................................................... 211
Headroom
HeadroomHeadroom
Headroom ................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................ 215
215215
215
Troubleshooting
TroubleshootingTroubleshooting
Troubleshooting.....................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................... 216
216216
216
Editor and synthesizer communication problems ................................................................. 216
Running the Editor and other MIDI applications................................................................ 216
MIDI implementation chart
MIDI implementation chartMIDI implementation chart
MIDI implementation chart ....................................................
........................................................................................................
.................................................... 218
218218
218
Index
IndexIndex
Index ....................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................... 219
219219
219

NORD MODULAR V3.0 1. Introduction
Page 1
1. I
1. I1. I
1. IN
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Thank you for purchasing Nord Modular. We would like to welcome you to the fascinating world of
virtual-analog, modular synthesis. Prepare yourself for a journey where your creativity can reach new lev-
els, in a way that has not been conceivable with synthesizers before. Nord Modular is a digital instrument
that remains true to the traditional analog concept and, as you will find out in a few minutes, it manages
to go where no analog synthesizer has ever gone.
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The Nord Modular system consists of two parts. The first part is the synthesizer, which will be called
Nord Modular from now on, and the second part is the software editor, which will be called the Editor.
Nord Modular comes in three different models, Nord Modular Key with a two-octave keyboard, Nord
Modular Rack and Nord Micro Modular. It is possible to load Nord Modular with patches from the Ed-
itor, disconnect it from the computer and then use Nord Modular as a stand-alone instrument.
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This manual contains a lot of useful information. Please take some time and read it. The manual begins
with the necessary information for installing the software and connecting the system parts together. The
Getting started section is a quick-start guide on how to create your first sounds and patches. The Basics
section explains the fundamental components and how the different parts interact with each other. The
Reference section contains information about every function and parameter of the Nord Modular system.
Every time this manual wants your attention to an object on the synthesizer panel, the name of that object
will be printed LIKE THIS,e.g. ‘click on the STORE button’. The LCD display on Nord Modular is always
referred to as the DISPLAY and the computer monitor is always referred to as the ‘screen’. Whenever there
is a reference to the ‘keyboard’, that reference will also apply to any incoming MIDI notes of the Nord
Modular instrument. Most of the functions described for Nord Modular in the text also applies to Nord
Micro Modular unless otherwise is stated.
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• A left-button mouse click in the PC Editor, and a mouse click in the Mac Editor is specified as a
‘click’.
• A left-button double-click in the PC Editor, and double-click in the Mac Editor is specified as a ‘dou-
ble-click’.
• A right-button mouse click in the PC Editor is equal to a Ctrl-click in the Mac Editor, and will be
specified as a ‘right[PC]/Ctrl[Mac]-click’.
• A Ctrl-click in the PC Editor is in most cases equal to an Alt/Option-click in the Mac Editor, and will
be specified as a ‘Ctrl[PC]/Alt[Mac]-click’. A Ctrl-click in the PC Editor when making a selection is

1. Introduction NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 2
the same as making a Shift-click in the Mac Editor and will be specified as a ‘Ctrl[PC]/Shift[Mac]-
click’.
• Menu selection sequences are described like this: ‘Select Patch|Download To Slot’, meaning first select
the Patch menu, and from this menu select ‘Download To Slot’.
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This manual is also available in the digital PDF-file format. It can be downloaded, free of charge, from
Clavia’s web site at www.clavia.se. When reading the manual as PDF-file, you will need Adobe Acrobat
Reader 3.0 or later. This program can be downloaded, free of charge, at www.adobe.com.
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 magenta.
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S95/98/NT4.0
95/98/NT4.095/98/NT4.0
95/98/NT4.0 A
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DM
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MA
AA
AC
CC
COS 8.6
OS 8.6OS 8.6
OS 8.6
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 MIDI interface connected to the computer is properly installed.
C
CC
CL
LL
LA
AA
AV
VV
VI
II
IA
AA
A
O
OO
ON
NN
N
T
TT
TH
HH
HE
EE
EI
II
IN
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NT
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TE
EE
ER
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RN
NN
NE
EE
ET
TT
T
If you have access to the Internet, you can check out the Nord Modular section at Clavia’s web site. There
you will also find a sound library with several thousands of patches for Nord Modular and Micro Mod-
ular. Point your browser to http://www.clavia.se.

NORD MODULAR V3.0 2. Overview
Page 3
2. O
2. O2. O
2. OV
VV
VE
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RV
VV
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IE
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W
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NE
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L
L
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EF
FF
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AN
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NE
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EL
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L
S
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SE
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EC
CC
CT
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IO
OO
ON
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The MASTER VOLUME knob controls the level of the four OUT ports and the HEADPHONES output.
Pressing the PANEL SPLIT button assigns the 18 KNOBS in four separate groups, one group for each of
the Slots A, B, C and D.
The 18 KNOBS can each be assigned to a parameter in Nord Modular. These parameters can then be con-
trolled in real time. The KNOB LED(s) will be lit when a KNOB is assigned to a parameter.
K
KK
KE
EE
EY
YY
YB
BB
BO
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OA
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AR
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RD
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D
V
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IO
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You can quickly transpose Nord Modular keyboard in octave steps with the OCT SHIFT buttons. Any
settings that you make with these buttons will be saved together with the other parameters of the patch.
R
RR
RA
AA
AC
CC
CK
KK
K
V
VV
VE
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ER
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The MIDI ACTIVE light will flash when Nord Modular is receiving MIDI messages.
R
RR
RI
II
IG
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GH
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HT
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T
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NE
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N
The DISPLAY shows the name of the active patch, and the polyphony of the selected patch within paren-
thesis. The polyphony of the other active patches are shown without parenthesis.
The STORE button allows you to store patches in Nord Modular.
The SYSTEM button gives you access to the Synth or Patch settings.
The EDIT button puts Nord Modular in Edit mode.
The PATCH/LOAD button activates the Patch mode, and is also used when patches are loaded from the
internal memory to the slots.
The Slot buttons A, B, Cand Dactivate the slots for playing and editing sounds.
The SHIFT button activates a secondary function on some buttons.
The ASSIGN button lets you assign a parameter to one of the 18 KNOBS.
The NAVIGATOR buttons are used to scroll and select different functions in the menus.
The ROTARY DIAL is used to enter data.

2. Overview NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 4
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L
Use the POWER ON/OFF button to switch Nord Modular on and off.
Connect the MIDI Interface of the computer that runs the Editor software to the PC INand PC OUT
ports.
Connect any external MIDI equipment to the MIDI INand MIDI OUT ports. This could be a sequencer,
a master keyboard or another MIDI device.
Connect a footswitch to the SUSTAIN PEDAL/ ON/OFF PEDAL input. The polarity of the input can be
adjusted to suit different types of footswitches.
Connect an continuous control pedal to the CONTROL PEDAL input.
The audio outputs OUT 1-4route the audio signals from the four virtual mix buses in Nord Modular.
Use OUT 1 if you are going to use Nord Modular with a mono sound system. If only OUT 1 is connected,
it will route the audio from OUT 2 as well.
By connecting a sound source to the line level inputs INPUT L and/or INPUT R, you can patch audio from
external sound sources and process in Nord Modular.
The HEADPHONES output routes audio signals that are assigned to mix buses 1 and 2.

NORD MODULAR V3.0 2. Overview
Page 5
N
NN
NO
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OR
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L
The SHIFT button activates a secondary function on some buttons and knobs.
The MASTER VOLUME knob controls the level of the two OUT ports and the HEADPHONES output.
The 3 KNOBS can each be assigned to a parameter in Nord Micro Modular. These parameters can then
be controlled in real time. If SHIFT is pressed, the assignable KNOBS have the following functions: Master
Tune, MIDI Channel and Patch Selector.
The DISPLAY shows the patch number.
The two buttons to the right are used for selecting patches. If SHIFT is pressed, the upper button is used
for trigging notes and the lower button can be assigned to a switch function in a patch.
N
NN
NO
OO
OR
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RD
DD
DM
MM
MI
II
IC
CC
CR
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OO
OM
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R
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EE
EA
AA
AR
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P
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PA
AA
AN
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NE
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EL
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L
Connect the MIDI Interface of the computer that runs the Editor software to the PC INand PC OUT
ports. Connect any external MIDI equipment to the MIDI INand MIDI OUT ports. This could be a se-
quencer, a master keyboard or another MIDI device.
The audio outputs OUT 1 & 2 route the audio signals from the four virtual mix buses in Micro Modular.
Use OUT 1 if you are going to use Micro Modular with a mono sound system. If only OUT 1 is connect-
ed, it will route the audio from OUT 2 as well.
By connecting a sound source to the line level inputs INPUT L and/or INPUT R, you can patch audio from
external sound sources and process in Micro Modular.
The HEADPHONES output routes audio signals that are assigned to mix buses 1 and 2.

3. Getting started NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 6
3. G
3. G3. G
3. GE
EE
ET
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S
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SY
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RR
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EQ
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QU
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UI
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EM
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ME
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TS
SS
S
The Editor software requires a PC running Windows 95/98/NT4.0 (a Pentium 133 MHz or better is
recommended) or a Macintosh PowerPC running Mac OS 8.6 or later (a 120 MHz PowerPC or better
is recommended), with a CD ROM drive and a mouse. The computer has nothing to do with the actual
sound processing in Nord Modular - it is used only for visual patching and to send instructions to Nord
Modular. The Editor is designed for minimum 800 x 600 pixels screen area but 1024 x 768 is recom-
mended, and minimum 16-bit color (thousands). The computer must be equipped with a MIDI inter-
face with previously installed driver routines. The Macintosh version of the Nord Modular Editor
requires OMS, which must be installed and activated on your Mac.
I
II
IN
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NS
SS
ST
TT
TA
AA
AL
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LL
LL
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AA
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O
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FF
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NPC
PCPC
PC
1. Insert the Editor installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Select Start|Run from the Windows taskbar. Type d:\Modular3.exe and press Enter (if your CD unit
has another device letter, type that one instead of ‘d’). The setup program will start.
3. After the initial setup is complete, the Welcome window will appear. Click on the Next button when
you are ready to move on with the installation. 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 on Finish and the computer will return to the Windows
desktop.
O
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NM
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MA
AA
AC
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C
1. Insert the Editor installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Drag the files ‘Modular Editor 3.0’, ‘Modular Update 3.0’ and ‘Micro Update 3.0’ to the hard disk.
The ‘Modular Editor 3.0’ file is the Editor file for both Nord Modular and Micro Modular. ‘Modu-
lar Update 3.0’ is the update file for the Nord Modular synthesizer and ‘Micro Update 3.0’ is the
update file for the Micro Modular synthesizer. Drag the update file(s) you need for your specific syn-
thesizer model.
3. Double-click on the update file for your synthesizer model and follow the instructions.

NORD MODULAR V3.0 3. Getting started
Page 7
4. When the installation of the synthesizer Update is complete, you are set to start the Modular Editor
3.0 program.
S
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ST
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TA
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AR
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IN
NN
NG
GG
G
U
UU
UP
PP
P
Make all the audio connections before turning on any of the devices. The computer that runs the Editor
must be connected to both PC INand PC OUT of Nord Modular.
Note! You cannot use the Editor software and the Nord Modular PC ports in a traditional MIDI set-
up, using MIDI THRU-boxes or MIDI THRU connections on other instruments. The Nord Modular
PC ports have to be used exclusively for the Editor software on the computer.
USB MIDI
USB MIDIUSB MIDI
USB MIDI I
II
IN
NN
NT
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TE
EE
ER
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RF
FF
FA
AA
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CE
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M
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TO
OO
OS
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SH
HH
H
USB MIDI interfaces sometimes have problems handling MIDI data when AppleTalk is activated.
Therefore, if you are experiencing communication problems when using a USB MIDI interface, disable
AppleTalk.
M
MM
MU
UU
UL
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TT
TI
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IP
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PO
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TMIDI
MIDIMIDI
MIDI I
II
IN
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FA
AA
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ES
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S
The Editor needs a separate MIDI port (1 MIDI In and MIDI Out pair) for each connected Nord Mod-
ular/Micro Modular to run properly. If you are using several Modulars and/or a sequencer software on
the same computer as the Editor, you will need a multiport MIDI interface. You must configure the Ed-
itor and the sequencer to use separate ports of the multiport MIDI interface.
Most of the sequencer software automatically opens every port of a multiport interface. In this case
you have to deassign one or more of the ports in the sequencer software and dedicate them exclusively
to the Editor. See the MIDI setup/configuration/devices part in the sequencer program manual.
M
MM
MA
AA
AC
CC
CI
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IN
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TO
OO
OS
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HH
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A
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AN
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ND
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DOMS
OMSOMS
OMS
If you want to run one or several MIDI applications at the same time with the Editor, make sure you have
selected ‘MIDI in background’ in the OMS setup.
OR
Nord Modular Micro Modular

3. Getting started NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 8
S
SS
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Connect the desired outputs of Nord Modular/Micro Modular to a sound system. We suggest that you
start with connecting output 1 to a left channel and output 2 to a right channel of the sound system. Turn
on Nord Modular first, followed by the sound system.
L
LL
LA
AA
AU
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UN
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CC
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HH
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1. On PC: from the Start menu in the Windows taskbar, select Programs|Nord Modular 3|Editor. On
Mac: double-click on the Editor icon in the Modular 3 folder in the Program Files folder. During
the start-up procedure, the Editor software will search for the Nord Modular synthesizer(s). The very
first time you launch the Editor, you need to tell it which MIDI port(s) to use for communication
with the Nord Modular synthesizer(s).
2. In the Setup drop down menu, select MIDI.
Check in the Enabled box for Port 1. If the MIDI interface driver(s) have been properly installed, you
will be able to select a MIDI port in the In- and Out dropdown lists. Up to four Nord Modular synthe-
OR
Micro Modular
Nord Modular

NORD MODULAR V3.0 3. Getting started
Page 9
sizers are supported by the Editor. If you use several Nord Modular synthesizers, repeat the procedure for
the following Ports.
If the Nord Modular synth is not turned on, or if the connection between Nord Modular and the com-
puter is not working properly, an error message will appear. In that case, check the MIDI connections
and cables, make sure that the MIDI interface is properly installed and working, and that Nord Modular
is turned on. Click on the Apply button. When the Editor has found the Nord Modular synth, the Name
of the connected synth is shown in the Status line.
When you’re satisfied with the port selection, click OK. The port selection is automatically saved in the
Editor, so the next time you start the Editor, you don’t have to redo the selection. If ‘Auto Upload’ is
activated, which is the default setting in the Editor, the patch of the active SLOT will automatically upload
and open in the patch window.
Note! Each time you start the Editor and establish contact with the Nord Modular, information about
all patches stored in the internal memory of the synthesizer will be sent from the synthesizer to the
Editor. This will take a couple of seconds depending on how many patches are stored in the synthesiz-
er. During this information transmission, the regular communication between the synthesizer and Ed-
itor will be slower.
H
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P
F
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FI
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LE
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S
I
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IN
NN
N
T
TT
TH
HH
HE
EE
EPC
PCPC
PC V
VV
VE
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ER
RR
RS
SS
SI
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O
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T
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The PC version of the Editor comes with an extensive help section. To access the Help files, select Con-
tents from the Help menu. Every module and module parameter has its own pointer to the Help file. The
Help files can be accessed with the F1 key or by right-clicking on a module or parameter and selecting
Help. Note that Help files are only available in the Windows version of the Editor.

3. Getting started NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 10
L
LL
LO
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AD
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F
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Y
A patch in Nord Modular can be considered the same as a “sound”, even though a patch is an entire syn-
thesizer configuration that can often produce much more than just a single sound, but we will return to
that later. Nord Modular has an internal memory of up to 9 banks (1-9), each containing up to 99 (1-
99) memory locations. It’s not likely that you will be able to fit in 9 x 99 patches at the same time in the
internal memory. The total number of patches that can be stored in the internal memory depends on the
patches’ size. Thanks to the advanced compression, the internal memory can hold several hundreds of
patches (one bank of 99 patches is maximum in Micro Modular). A patch always has to be loaded to a
SLOT (A, B, Cor Dof Nord Modular) before it can be played. This is how you do:
N
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1. Activate a slot with one of the four slot buttons (A-D) on the Nord Modular front panel. The corre-
sponding LED starts flashing.
2. Press the PATCH/LOAD button on the panel. The PATCH/LOAD LED starts flashing
3. Select desired bank with the Up and Down NAVIGATOR buttons. Turn the ROTARY DIAL and select
a patch to load. The names and locations of the patches appears in the DISPLAY. (It’s possible to
scroll through the entire internal memory using only the ROTARY DIAL, but it will take a little longer
of course.)
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
;;
xxx Patch Name
Load?

NORD MODULAR V3.0 3. Getting started
Page 11
4. Load the patch by pressing the PATCH/LOAD button again. The patch is now loaded in the active
slot. The number within parenthesis indicates the current polyphony of the patch.
It is not necessary to have the instrument connected to the computer if you only want to play the patches
from the internal memory or change module parameter values. The computer and Editor is needed only
when you want to add or remove modules in a patch, change “cable” connections in a patch or create new
patches.
M
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Micro Modular has only got one slot to load a patch into, and it’s always active. The patch number shown
in the DISPLAY is always active and ready to be played and edited. To select patches, either press the upper
or lower button to the right of the DISPLAY, or press SHIFT and turn KNOB 3 (Patch Select).
It is not necessary to have the instrument connected to the computer if you only want to play the patches
from the internal memory or change the assigned module parameter values.
C
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RE
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EA
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AT
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G
A
AA
A
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AA
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CH
HH
H
When you want to create new patches in Nord Modular you always have to do this in the Editor software
on the computer. In this example you will create a basic synthesizer patch. Open the Modular Editor
V3.0 on your computer. Make sure the Editor has established contact with your Nord Modular synthe-
sizer. If it hasn’t, please see “Launching the Editor” on page 8.
1. In the File menu, select New.
Patch Name
( 4) -- -- --

3. Getting started NORD MODULAR V3.0
Page 12
2. The “Slot Selection” dialog box appears. In this example, select slot B. Click OK. A new, empty
patch window appears. If you use Micro Modular, the dialog box looks a bit different. Select “Slot”
and click OK.
3. An empty Patch window is opened. The Patch window is divided into two sections: the Poly Voice
Area at the top and the Common Voice Area at the bottom of the Patch window. The difference
between these areas will be explained later in this example. We will begin using the upper section, the
Poly Voice Area.
4. Locate the Module tabs in the upper left part of the patch window (In/Out, OSC, LFO etc.). Select
the In/Out tab. A brief description appears when you place the cursor over a module icon (PC ver-
sion only). The % figure indicates how much Sound engine power (Load) the module will use
5. Click-drag one ‘Keyboard - voice’ module and one ‘1Output’ module to the Poly Voice Area. As you
will notice, the modules will self-align when placed near each other. It doesn’t matter where in the
Poly Voice Area you put your modules, but a good idea is to place them in a “natural” flow so it
becomes easier to follow the signal paths visually.
6. Click on the Osc tab, and click-drag one ‘OSCA’ module to the Poly Voice Area.
7. Click on the Env tab and click-drag one ‘ADSR envelope’ to the Poly Voice Area.