Clavia Nord Modular G2 User manual

NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x :
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Table of contents
Introduction 15
Welcome! 15
About the Nord Modular G2 system 15
About this manual 15
Reading the manual in Adobe Acrobat Reader 15
Clavia on the Internet 16
G2 Basics 16
Modular synthesis 16
Patches 16
Variations 17
Slots 17
Playing multitimbrally 18
Performances 18
Special features in Performances 18
Focus 19
Modules 19
Parameters 19
Assignable Knobs/Buttons 19
Parameter pages 19
Morphs 20
Synth quick tour 21
Checking out the instrument first 21
Check out some Patches! 21
Access more assigned parameters in the Patch 22
Variations 22
Load a new Patch from the internal memory 22
Check out some Performances 23
Access assigned Performance (Global) parameters 23
Loading another Performance from the internal memory 24
Changing Variations when in Global Panel mode 24
Working with the synth 25
System Functions section 26
Edit System Settings 29
List of functions in the G2 System menu 30
Sound Functions section 33
Editing Patch Settings 34

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Working with Patches 36
Load a Patch from memory 36
Search for and load a Patch 36
Creating a blank Patch 36
Acessing (Edit) any Parameter in a Patch 37
Assign Parameters to Panel Controls 37
Patch parameter Variations 39
Store a Patch 40
Copying Patches 42
Rename a Patch 43
Delete a Patch 43
Working with Slots 43
Activate several Slots 43
Layering Patches 43
Changing Edit Focus but not Keyboard focus 44
Morph groups 44
Assign parameters to a Morph group 44
Deassign parameters from a Morph group 46
Edit parameters in a Morph group 46
Copy a Morph group from one source to another 46
Morph groups in separate Variations 46
A word about the Keyboard Morph 46
A word about the Pitch Stick Morph 47
Performances 47
Entering Performance Mode 47
Exiting Performance Mode 47
Load a new Performance from the internal memory 48
Creating a Performance 48
Editing a Performance 48
Global (Performance) Parameter Pages 49
Keyboard Split 49
Keyboard Zone 50
Storing a Performance 50
Extracting Patches from a Performance 51
Deleting Performances 52
Nord Modular G2 Engine front panel 53
Nord Modular G2 rear panel 53

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The G2 Editor software 55
The Editor software 55
Software installation 55
Editor system requirements Windows PC 55
Editor system requirements Macintosh 55
Windows 98SE/2000/XP, Apple Mac OSX 55
When editing more than one G2 55
Installation of the usb driver 56
Installation of the Editor on a Windows PC 56
Starting up 57
Launching the Editor on a Windows PC 57
The Editor application 58
Toolbar 59
Perf: (name) 59
Master Clock 59
Slot buttons 59
Connection indicators 59
Perf 59
New 60
Init 1&2 60
Module Group selectors 60
Module Icons 60
Patch Load, Cycles and Memory 60
Undo & Redo 61
Color 61
Morph groups 61
Patch Name 61
Category 61
Voice Mode 62
Variation 62
Var Init 62
Patch Level 62
Visible cables 62
Hide all cables 62
Shake cables 62
Patch window split bar 63
Making your first patch 63
Popup menus in the Editor 68
Patch window popup 68
Module popup 69
Parameter popup 70
Cable popup 70

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Basic module functions 71
Cables and connectors 71
Module output sample rate 71
Module input sample rate 72
Red and blue outputs, bipolar and unipolar 72
Yellow and orange outputs, logic states 72
Yellow and orange inputs 72
Display boxes and graphs 73
leds 73
Basic module parameter controls 73
Parameters 73
Parameters that can’t be changed between Variations 73
Buttons 74
Radio Buttons 74
Arrow buttons 74
Knobs 74
Sliders 74
Drop-down selectors 74
Scroll buttons 75
Name buttons 75
Modulation 76
Modulation inputs 76
Mod-amount knobs (attenuators) 77
Knob positions 77
Modulation examples 78
Maximum modulation 79
Modulation Level knob names 80
Working in the Editor 81
Sound synthesis on the G2 81
Create a new empty Patch window 81
Add modules to a Patch 81
Rename a module 82
Move a module 82
Delete a module 82
Replace a module 82
Coloring a module 83
Connecting modules 83
Edit module parameters in a Patch 84
Voice Area and FX Area 85
Download a Patch to the synthesizer 86
Store a Patch 86
Delete a Patch 88
Creating Patch parameter Variations 88
Save a Variation 89
Copy a Variation 89
Variation Init 89
midi control of Variations 89

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Knobs and controllers 89
The Parameter Pages window 89
Assign a parameter to a knob 90
Assign all module parameters to a set of knobs 91
midi controllers 91
Morph groups 92
Assign parameters to a Morph group 93
Deassign parameters from a Morph group 93
Edit parameters in a Morph group 94
Copy a Morph group to another source 94
Morph groups in separate Variations 94
Keyboard Morph and Pitch Stick morph 94
The Editor and Performances 94
Performance mode and Patch mode 94
Uploading a Performance to the Editor 95
Creating a Performance in the Editor 95
Keyboard Split (Keyboard Range) 96
Keyboard range and G2 panel split function 96
Combining Split and Layer 96
The Global Parameter Pages 96
Storing a Performance 97
Storing in the synth 97
Saving on the computer 97
Renaming single Patches in Performances 97
Extracting Patches from a Performance 97
Extract a Patch and store it in the synth 97
Extract a Patch and save it on the computer 98
Deleting Performances in the synth 98
Exiting Performance Mode 98
The Patch Mutator 99
Introduction 99
The Patch Mutator Window 100
Using the Patch Mutator 101
Quick Start 102

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Patch Mutator reference 103
Which parameters will be affected? 104
Exclude from mutation 104
The Quick Lock buttons 104
Probability distributions 105
Permanently locked parameters 105
Modules excluded by default 106
Mutate 106
Randomize 107
Interpolate 107
Cross 108
The Temporary Storage 109
Saving Sounds 110
Patch Mutator Shortcuts Overview 110
Historical background 111
Further reading 111
The Patch Adjuster 113
Introduction 113
Editor menu reference 115
Editor menu bar 115
File menu 115
New Patch {Ctrl-N} 115
New Performance 115
Open {Ctrl-O} 115
New To 115
Open To 116
Save {Ctrl-S} 116
Save As 116
Save All 116
Save From 116
Save InitPatch1 & 2 116
Recent Files 116
Quit {Ctrl-Q} 116
Edit menu 117
Undo {Ctrl-Z} 117
Redo {Ctrl-Y} 117
Cut {Ctrl-X} 117
Copy {Ctrl-C} 117
Paste {Ctrl-V} 117
Clear 117
Paste Params {Ctrl-E} 117
Select All {Ctrl-A} 117

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Patch menu 118
Patch Settings {Ctrl-P} 118
Textpad {Ctrl-H} 119
Delete Unused Modules 119
Download To Slot {Ctrl-D} 119
Performance menu 119
Performance Settings {Ctrl-R} 119
Download 120
Synth menu 120
Synth Settings {Ctrl-G} 120
Upload Active Slot {Ctrl-U} 122
Save In Synth 122
Bank Upload (From Modular) 123
Bank Download (To Modular) 124
Send Controller Snapshot {Ctrl-M} 124
Dump one {Ctrl-1} 125
Setup menu 125
Options 125
Tools menu 125
Parameter Pages {Ctrl-F} 125
Using Parameter pages to make knob assignments 126
Parameter Overview {Ctrl-L} 126
Using Parameter Overview to make knob assignments 126
Virtual Keyboard {Ctrl-K} 128
Patch Browser {Ctrl-B} 128
Assign midi to Selection 130
Deassign midi to Selection 130
Deassign All midi 130
Extended Toolbar {Ctrl-T} 130
Window menu 130
Close {Ctrl-W} 130
Close All 130
Cascade 130
Tile horizontally 131
Tile vertically 131
Tile Active Slots {Ctrl-I} 131
Tile All Slots 131
Currently open Patches/Performances 131
Help menu 131
Contents/Search/Index 131
Keyboard Shortcuts 131
About 131
Computer keyboard shortcuts 131

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Technical reference 134
Signal types in a Patch 134
Definitions 134
Audio signals, red connectors 135
Control signals, blue connectors 135
Logic or gate signals, yellow and orange connectors 135
Bandwidth considerations 137
Resolution and audio signal headroom 137
Self-optimizing modules 137
Experiment! 138
Voice allocation and polyphony 138
Calculation order for the modules 139
Updating the Synth OS 140
midi implementation 141
What is MIDI? 141
MIDI Global Channel 142
MIDI Controllers 143
MIDI Automation 144
MIDI-Learn function (L key) 145
Troubleshooting MIDI CC#'s 145
MIDI CC# Auto assignment function 146
MIDI Talkback function 147
The G2 as a MIDI controller box 147
G2 MIDI System Exclusive Specification 148
MIDI Implementation Chart 153
Module reference 155
In/Out group 156
Common In/Out module parameters and definitions 156
2-Out 157
4-Out 157
2-In 158
4-In 158
FX-In 158
Keyboard 158
MonoKey 159
Device 160
Status 160
NoteDet 162
Name 163

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Note group 164
NoteQuant 164
KeyQuant 164
PartQuant 165
NoteScaler 167
Glide 168
PitchTrack 168
ZeroCnt 169
LevScaler 170
Oscillator group 172
Common Oscillator parameters 172
OscA 174
OscB 175
OscC 176
OscD 176
OscPM 176
OscShpA 176
OscShpB 178
OscDual 179
OscString 180
OscPerc 181
DrumSynth 181
Noise 182
MetNoise 182
OscNoise 183
OscMaster 183
Operator 184
DXRouter 185
LFO group 187
Common LFO parameters 187
LfoA 189
LfoB 189
LfoC 189
LfoShpA 189
ClkGen 191
Random group 193
Common random generator parameters 193
Clocked random generator inputs and parameters 194
RandomA 195
RandomB 195
RndClkA 196
RndClkB 196
RndTrig 196
RndPattern 196

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Envelope group 197
Common Envelope Generator parameters 197
EnvADSR 200
EnvH 200
EnvD 201
EnvADR 201
EnvAHD 201
EnvADDSR 202
EnvMulti 202
ModAHD 202
ModADSR 203
Shaper group 204
Common Shaper parameters 204
Clip 205
Overdrive 205
Saturate 206
ShpExp 206
WaveWrap 206
ShpStatic 206
Rect 207
Filter group 208
Common Filter parameters 208
FltLP 209
FltHP 209
FltNord 209
FltClassic 210
FltMulti 211
FltStatic 211
WahWah 211
FltVoice 211
Vocoder 212
EqPeak 213
Eq2Band 213
Eq3Band 214
FltPhase 214
FltComb 215

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Mixer group 216
Common Mixer parameters 216
Mix1-1A 217
Mix1-1S 217
Mix2-1A 217
Mix2-1B 217
Mix4-1A 217
Mix4-1B 218
Mix4-1C 218
Mix4-1S 218
Mix8-1A 218
Mix8-1B 218
MixFader 219
MixStereo 219
Pan 219
X-Fade 219
Fade1-2 220
Fade2-1 220
Switch group 221
Common Switch parameters 221
SwOnOffM 222
SwOnOffT 222
Sw2-1M 222
Sw2-1 222
Sw4-1 222
Sw8-1 223
Sw1-2M 223
Sw1-2 223
Sw1-4 223
Sw1-8 223
ValSw2-1 223
ValSw1-2 223
WindSw 224
Mux8-1 224
Mux1-8 224
Mux8-1X 224
S&H 224
T&H 225

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Level group 226
Common Level module parameters 226
Constant 226
ConstSwM 226
ConstSwT 226
LevAdd 227
LevConv 227
LevAmp 227
LevMult 227
Ringmodulator 228
LevMod 229
EnvFollow 231
NoiseGate 231
CompLev 231
CompSig 232
MinMax 232
ModAmt 233
Logic group 234
Common Logic module parameters 234
Gate 235
Invert 235
FlipFlop 235
ClkDiv 236
Pulse 236
Delay 237
8Counter 237
BinCounter 238
ADConv 238
DAConv 238
Sequencer group 240
Common Sequencer parameters 240
SeqEvent 242
SeqVal 243
SeqLev 243
SeqNote 243
SeqCtr 244
Sequencing examples 244
FX group 248
Common FX group parameters 248
StChorus 248
Phaser 248
Flanger 249
Digitizer 249
FreqShift 249
PShift 250
Scratch 251
Reverb 251
Compress 252

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Delay group 253
Common Delay group parameters 253
DlySingleA 254
DlySingleB 254
DelayDual 254
DelayQuad 254
DlyEight 254
DlyShiftReg 254
DlyClock 255
DelayA 255
DelayB 255
DlyStereo 255
MIDI group 256
Common MIDI module parameters 256
CtrlSend 256
PCSend 257
NoteSend 258
CtrlRcv 259
NoteRcv 259
NoteZone 260
Automate 260
Keyboard Shortcuts 262
Synthesis basics 264
Subtractive synthesis 264
Modules - the building blocks 264
Connections 265
The oscillators and waveforms 265
Pitch 265
Waveform 266
The filter 270
Filter types 271
Roll-off (slope) 272
Cutoff frequency 273
Resonance 274
The Amplifier 274
Envelopes 275
ADSR-Envelope 275
AD-Envelope 278
LFOs 278
Additive synthesis 279
Creating a waveform 279
Other synthesis and modulation methods 280
FM synthesis 280
AM synthesis 280
Ring modulation 281

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NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x 1. Introduction: Welcome!
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1. INTRODUCTION
WELCOME!
Thank you for choosing the Nord Modular G2 synthesizer and welcome to the fascinating world of
modular synthesis. Prepare yourself for a journey where your creativity can reach new levels, in a way that
has not been conceivable with synthesizers before (except with the previous Nord Modular family). As
you will find out in a few minutes, the Nord Modular G2 manages to go where no modular synthesizer
has ever gone before.
ABOUT THE NORD MODULAR G2 SYSTEM
The Nord Modular G2 system consists of two parts: the synthesizer, which will be named the synth or G2
from now on, and the editor software, which is named the Editor. The G2 hardware itself is a polyphonic
MIDI synthesizer, the Editor is used to upload the synth with different sounds which were stored on a
computer or to create sounds yourself. You will find the Editor software on the CD that is included in
the back of this manual.
The Nord Modular G2 system comes in three different hardware models:
• The basic Nord Modular G2 with a three-octave keyboard, Pitchstick and Modwheel
• The large Nord Modular G2X with a five-octave keyboard and the G2 expansion board fitted as
standard plus two extra Global ModwheelAftertouchs plus a goose-neck dynamic microphone
• The 1U high 19-inch rack mountable Nord Modular G2 ENGINE, offered as a G2 system computa-
tional engine without any panel controls
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Every time this manual wants your attention to an object on the synth panel, the name of that object will
be printed LIKE THIS,e.g. ‘press the STORE button’. The LCD displays on the G2 synth are always
referred to as the DISPLAYS (MAIN OR ASSIGNABLE) and the computer monitor is always referred to
as the ‘screen’. Whenever there is a reference to the ‘keyboard’ it means the three or five octave keyboard
on the synth or to any incoming MIDI notes to the synth. The parts of the manual that describe operation
from the synth frontpanel do not apply to the rack mountable Nord Modular G2 Engine. Since the Nord
Modular G2 Engine lacks the hardware user interface from the other G2 family models, it has to be
programmed entirely from the Editor! Therefore, if you have the Nord Modular G2 Engine, please refer
to the chapters that describe operation from the Editor.
READING THE MANUAL IN ADOBE ACROBAT READER
This manual is also available as a PDF file. It can be downloaded, free of charge, from Clavia’s web site
at http://www.clavia.se. When reading the manual as PDF file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
or later. This program can be downloaded, free of charge, at http://www.adobe.com.

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With Adobe Acrobat Reader it is possible to use special navigation features like hyperlinks. This means
that you can click with the mouse on a word or sentence and automatically get to the location indicated
by the word/sentence. To better show what words or sentences are hyperlinked in this manual, these
words are written in purple color.
CLAVIA ON THE INTERNET
If you have access to the Internet, you can check out the Nord Modular G2 section at Clavia’s web site.
There, you will also find a sound library with Patches for the Nord Modular G2 system. Point your
browser to http://www.clavia.se.
In the G2 section of the Clavia website you will also find links to a Nord Modular G2 dedicated Mailing
list and Forum, maintained by the Nord Modular G2 user community.
G2 BASICS
In the following paragraphs some definitions of the basic principles used in the G2 are explained. You
will need to read these paragraphs to better understand what the G2 is all about.
MODULAR SYNTHESIS
The Nord Modular G2 synthesizer is an electronic musical instrument that remains true to the traditional
modular synthesis concept. This concept of modular synthesis means that all sounds are generated by a
freely configurable set of modules. Each module will have a specific function in the sound that you create
or process. The modules themselves are easy to use, most modules look and feel similar to the devices
most musicians are familiar with, like a wahwah pedal, phaser stompbox, a tape echo, delayline, a
vocoder, etc. Just like these mentioned devices, the G2 modules have inputs and outputs. Connecting the
modules is as easy as plugging a cable from the output of an electric piano into the input of a power
amplifier. The amount of modules needed for a specific sound depends on how complex you want that
sound to be. There are many different modules available, all specialized to have a specific function in a
sound. Some modules are used to generate raw audio signals like waveforms, others modify the
waveforms by filtering, distortion or controlling the loudness dynamics like attacks and decays.
Additionally there are modules which can mix signals together or switch between signals, add effects like
echo and reverb, modules to sequence notes or modulation patterns, modules to manage MIDI or react
on outside events and play controllers, etc.
The current G2 system software V1.4x contains over 160 different types of modules to work with. All
modules are described in detail in the Module Reference section in this manual and in the Help-file of
the G2 Editor software.
PATCHES
The name PATCH is traditionally used for how specific types of sounds are set up on a modular
synthesizer. Basically a PATCH defines which modules are used and how they are cabled up. Examples
are a PATCH that can be a ready-to-play model of a certain vintage synthesizer, a PATCH that creates a
Phaser effect on audio coming in on an external audio input, a PATCH that creates the sound effect of a
thunderstorm, etc. A PATCH can produce one particular sound like a synth lead, or several sounds at
once like in a drumkit, depending on how many sound sources are used in the PATCH.
Think of a PATCH as a complete synthesizer that you can play in either polyphonic or monophonic mode. If
a Patch is monophonic it can optionally be played in Legato mode to bind the notes in the same way as

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on traditional monophonic synthesizers from the past. If a patch is played polyphonic it can use up to
thirtytwo voices, depending on the complexity of the sound.
PATCHES made on the G2 can be stored in the internal memory banks of the synth and/or saved on the
computer as a Patch-file. Patch-files can be exchanged with other G2 owners, e.g. by storing them on a
floppy disk or sending them over the Internet through email. Patch-files have the file-extension *.PCH2.
Even though you have to use the Editor to create your own Patches, it is possible to use the Editor
program to only transfer Patches from the computer to the synth, then disconnect the synth from the
computer and use the synth as a stand-alone synthesizer on stage. This solution makes the Nord Modular
G2 system extremely flexible and portable.
Additionally, sounds can be dumped over MIDI by the push of a button from the G2 panel of the G2
Keyboard and G2X models or from the G2 Editor software. Such a dump can be stored into a MIDI-file
using common MIDI sequencer programs. Meaning that sounds contained in MIDI-files can be uploaded
from a MIDI sequencer program, even without using the G2 Editor program. It is common practice in
recording studios to store sounds this way in the ‘song’, ‘arrangement’ or ‘project’ file of a MIDI sequencer
program, to always guarantee the correct sounds for the song.
The Nord Modular G2 has 4096 memory locations to store Patches (32 Banks with128 memory locations
each). The size of a Patch in memory depends on the complexity of the Patch, very complex Patches use
more memory, decreasing the total amount of patches you can store in the G2 Patch Banks. The Banks
should therefore be considered more like the “folders” you find on a computer.
VARIATIONS
Each PATCH can contain up to 8 different complete parameter setups which are named VARIATIONS.
A Nord Modular G2 VARIATION is a complete setup of module knob and push button settings plus all
patch settings like Arpeggiator On/Off, etc. In other words, it’s possible to have up to eight completely
different “sounds” as VARIATIONS in each Patch. VARIATIONS can instantly be selected by pressing one
of the VARIATION buttons. If you compare a PATCH in the Nord Modular G2 with a traditional hard-
wired synth, a G2 VARIATION is like a ’Sound’, ‘Program’ or ‘Preset’ in that synth, ready to be instantly
recalled.
All VARIATIONS in a Patch are automatically stored within a Patch or a Patch-file.
SLOTS
A Patch loads into a SLOT, which is the physical location from where a Patch can be played. A Slot has
its own MIDI channel and can have its own keyboard split range and keyboard transposition. A SLOT can
be considered an individual instrument for playing and editing. You activate a SLOT by pressing one of the
SLOT buttons on the Nord Modular G2 front panel.
There are four SLOTS labelled A, B, Cand Don the Nord Modular G2. Any combination of these four
SLOTS can be active at the same time. As you can load a different Patch in each SLOT you can play up
to four Patches at the same time, by stacking them and/or using keyboard splits.
The LED below the SLOT button indicates that the Patch in the SLOT is actually loaded and active, and
that it is using computational resources. If the Slot is inactive (LED is dimmed) there is actually still a Patch
in the Slot, but the Patch is deactivated and is not using any computational resources.
The LED above the SLOT button will be lit to indicate that the SLOT is ready for playing by the keyboard.
If a SLOT is active but the SLOT is not connected to the keyboard (only the lower LED lights up) the
SLOT can still be played by incoming MIDI signals in the MIDI channel the SLOT is assigned to. The MAIN

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DISPLAY shows the memory bank location from where the Patch was recalled, plus the name of the
Patch as well as a possible Sound Category selected for the Patch.
PLAYING MULTITIMBRALLY
The SLOTS can receive MIDI information on separate MIDI channels, making the Nord Modular G2 up
to 4 part multitimbral. If you want to use the G2 multitimbrally, you first have to load the Patches you
want to layer into individual SLOTS. Hold down SHIFT and press the SLOT buttons you want to include
in the multitimbral configuration. Then, simultaneously press the SLOT buttons for the SLOTS you want
to play by the G2 keyboard.
One of the active SLOTS has its active LED flashing, this is the focused slot, the slot that is ready for
optional editing. You can change the focused SLOT by pressing the corresponding SLOT button of
another active SLOT. To deactivate and reactivate SLOTS in a multitimbral setup, hold SHIFT and the
desired SLOT button(s). The MAIN DISPLAY shows the memory location and the name of the Patch as
well as the Sound Category for the focused Patch.
TIP!If you don’t use a slot for play by the keyboard or play by incoming MIDI you should deactivate this
SLOT to allow for more voices in the other SLOTS.
PERFORMANCES
A multitimbral setup of Patches in the four Slots can be stored as a PERFORMANCE. Basically a
Performance groups up to four Slots with their Patches together, with the individual keyboard split and
zone settings for each Slot. By recalling a Performance which was saved earlier, the complete setup of all
four Slots and their Patches is immediately recalled. You can go into and out of Performance Mode by
just one single pushbutton. Storing a PERFORMANCE will store all four Slots, including what is in the
inactive Slots.
PERFORMANCES have their own memory banks, separate from the memory banks where Patches are
stored. This means that the Patches which are saved in a PERFORMANCE loose their relation to their
original Patch when they are saved in a PERFORMANCE memory bank. So, changing a Patch in a
PERFORMANCE will not change the original Patch stored in one of the Patch memory banks. This
relieves you from keeping track of any changes you make to the Patches used in Performances.
SPECIAL FEATURES IN PERFORMANCES
The idea of a Performance is that it contains ‘as much as possible’ of what you need to perform a song,
and you can recall all this ‘at the push of a button’. A Performance in the Nord Modular G2 system
doesn’t necessarily have to be just four layered/split Patches. It can also be four individual patches that
you use in different parts of the song. Or a sequenced patch plus a patch which you use to play along
with the sequence. Or three patches you play on the keyboard plus a patch controlling other equipment
by using the MIDI OUT features of the Nord Modular G2. Or one patch you play from the keyboard plus
three patches played by an external MIDI sequencer device.
The flexible routing possibilities within the Nord Modular G2 system make it possible to internally route
both audio and MIDI between Patches, which can make a PERFORMANCE a really powerful
configuration. Imagine a Patch which controls another Patch in another Slot by sending it MIDI
information. The four ‘inter-slot’ Audiobusses make it possible to have, for example, the audio output
signals of three Patches in three Slots routed to a “global” audio Effects Patch in the fourth Slot, and
additionally use the four Line In audio inputs, routing to the same or different audio Effects.
Performances can be used and configurated in many different ways, for many different musical purposes
and for many different musical styles.
Recalling a Performance from the G2 Performance memory banks is virtually instantly. When stored on
the computer PERFORMANCE-files will have the extension *.PRF2.

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The Nord Modular G2 has 1024 memory locations for Performances (8 Banks with 128 memory
locations each). Since a Performance can be quite large (around 15-20 kB), it’s not likely that you will be
able to use all Performance memory locations. The Banks should therefore be considered more like
“folders” to store different projects. A Performance-file stores information about which Slots should be
active, layered and also any Keyboard Split settings plus a number of other settings.
FOCUS
An often used expression in this manual is “focus”. For example, you can put a Slot, a Patch Variation
or a sound parameter in a Patch “in focus”. This simply means that the focused object is currently
selected and enabled for editing. The focused object will be the only object affected by the editing.
MODULES
Modules are the basic building blocks used to build up a sound. A Module in the Nord Modular G2 can
be, for example, an oscillator to control pitch, an envelope generator to control the volume dynamics, a
filter to control the timbre, a step sequencer to play patterns, etc. There are currently over 160 different
types of modules available in the G2 system. The G2 is not limited to use only one module of a specific
type in a Patch. Several identical modules can be used together, creating, for example, really fat multi-
oscillator sounds. You can add modules until all computational resources are in use. Adding an expansion
board to your system will double the computational resources and allows four more voices in Patches.
The G2X model is factory fitted with an expansion board as standard, giving you the maximum power
right out of the box.
Note! To create a totally new Patch, with your own setup of modules and signal routing between the
modules, you can use the Windows PC or Mac OSX version Editor application that is on the CD in the
back of this manual.
PARAMETERS
There are usually one or more sound parameters in each module, e.g. the parameter that sets the basic
pitch of a sound or the tempo of a modulation pattern. A parameter can be controlled by a knob, a slider,
a pushbutton or a selector switch with ‘radiobuttons’. In fact, you can think of a parameter as a ‘knob to
tweak’. You change the setting of a parameter either with an ASSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON on the synth
front panel or with the mouse in the Editor software.
ASSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS
On the frontpanel are eight ASSIGNABLE KNOB/BUTTON combinations which can be linked to the
parameters of the modules used in a Patch. This will turn the ‘virtual control’ on a module into a ‘real
world’ knob or pushbutton on the frontpanel. The ASSIGNABLE KNOBS are endless rotary dials with
LEDs that roughly indicate the current position/value of the knob. The ASSIGNABLE BUTTONS are
placed under the ASSIGNABLE KNOBS and have a LED that indicates if the button function is On or Off.
The exact values of the knobs and buttons is displayed in the four associated DISPLAYS above the
ASSIGNABLE KNOBS.
PARAMETER PAGES
The eight ASSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS on the G2 frontpanel give access to parameters grouped in
one of fifteen PARAMETER PAGES. These fifteen PARAMETER PAGES are arranged in a matrix with a
width of three pages and a height of five pages. The five pages in one column each have a character

1. Introduction: G2 Basics NORD MODULAR G2 V1.4x
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assigned to them: Ato E. The three pages in a row have a number assigned to them: 1to 3. Each
PARAMETER PAGE can be selected by referencing the character and the number, like PAGE A1 or PAGE
D2. You can access the eight ASSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS in a certain page by pressing the
corresponding buttons in the panel section named PARAMETER PAGES. The PARAMETER PAGES
concept gives you quick and easy access to a total of 120 ASSIGNABLE KNOBS/BUTTONS in a Patch.
Additionally there are 15 GLOBAL PARAMETER PAGES where a total of 120 ASSIGNABLE KNOBS/
BUTTONS can be assigned to knobs and pushbuttons in a mix from all four Slots. One button lets you
instantly switch between the PARAMETER PAGES in a patch and the GLOBAL PARAMETER PAGES.
MORPHS
MORPHS allow you to tweak several parameters at once by one physical play controller, like by a Modwheel
or the Keyboard Aftertouch. Which basically means that one physical controller will ‘play’ several module
knobs at once. Each parameter can have its individual MORPH range. In total there are eight MORPH
groups, each associated with its own physical controller. A total of twentyfive parameters can be assigned
to the MORPH groups. MORPHS can be instantly assigned and their MORPH ranges adjusted with the
panel controls on the G2 and G2X models.