Nord Micro Modular Released

The Nord Modular is a polyphonic synthesizer with which you can create your own synthesizer architecture from scratch on a computer screen, with virtual modules that you connect using virtual cables. The modules are "digital models" of traditional synthesizer building blocks such as oscillators, filters, envelope generators, distortion processors etc, plus a full array of special purpose modules. Both the sound generating and graphical information pertaining to the modules are storable in the Nord Modular synthesizer. Nord Modular was launched in December 1997 and has been praised in music press world-wide as being one of the most innovative synthesizers in the history of synthesis. Besides being used amongst musicians and sound developers throughout the world, Nord Modular is now also making its way into schools and universities, because of its educational features. Its pedagogical interface is a perfect tool for use in the study of sound generation and sound processing.

Now Clavia introduces a new member of the Modular family. Nord Micro Modular is a stripped-down version of Nord Modular. Clavia has designed Nord Micro Modular into a small and neat package, making it possible to offer the Nord Modular concept at a much lower price. It's 100% patch compatible with the extensive Nord Modular patch library. It offers up to 4 voices (practical limit) depending on patch complexity. It comes with 2 analog inputs, 2 outputs, 1 headphones out, MIDI In and Out, PC In and Out. Nord Micro Modular is edited, in the same way as its big brother, via a PC editor software. It will be shipped with the latest software release (at this moment the 2.0x software) The software holds many useful tools for sound processing and sound generation. (Also check the press release regarding the 2.00 software release for more details.)

Nord Micro Modular is the perfect tool for DJs, live musicians and sound designers. Whenever you desire a punchy live sound, or are interested in processing the sound live through the analog inputs, or want to create astonishing patches of your own, Micro Modular is a great companion. Important parameters can be assigned to the 3 different knobs on the panel. If played from a MIDI keyboard it is possible to assign much more knobs and buttons via MIDI controller numbers. If the 100 killer patches that comes right from the start isn't enough, there are hundreds more to fetch at Clavias web site.

(Click for a close-up)

The two analog inputs offers several new and exciting features. For example, the Vocoder module. Clavia's development team has constructed a 16-band Vocoder with a new type of fast "spectrum tracker". The musicality of the outputs of the new Vocoder module is unsurpassable. The Vocoder is standard in Micro Modular among a vast amount of other useful building blocks to create unique sounds or to process sound. Analog inputs opens up for a demand of more sound processing tools. This is well taken care of in Micro Modular. There is plenty to choose from: e.g. three different distortion modules, a 14 pole Phaser with peak spread and feedback control, a Stereo Expander/Gate and a Stereo Compressor/Limiter.

Another exciting new feature that comes with Nord Micro Modular is the drum synthesizer module. This specially designed drum module offers great analog drum sounds. Together with the typical analog step sequencers, you can build your own unique analog drum sequence. Right from the start the user gets pre-programmed templates with typical analog drum sounds with that "right" punchy character. Remember the drum sounds from the eighties? With the new drum synthesizer it's a breeze to make up that perfect analog drum sound.

Nord Micro Modular features Flash memory to hold the system. As an owner of Micro Modular, you will have FREE access to new system updates at Clavias web site: http://www.clavia.se/nordmodular/ . The suggested retail price for the Micro Modular is US$ 899

Nord Micro Modular Modules

Nord Micro Modular Specifications:

3 user assignable editing knobs

1 master volume

Dimensions:210 (W), 120 (D), 40 (H)

Weight: 0.8 kg