Nord Modular G2

[egw]

I hope to post a review soon.
Until then, here are two images that show most of the modules:

[mosc]

You got it already?

I don't see a reverse input on any of the sequencers. Is that right?

[egw]

No, I don't have it yet. Possibly this week.
There is no explicit reverse on the sequencers, but there is a control input, which is better. By manipulating the control, you can make it do whatever you want. Just like your sequencer, right? Also there is a trigger input to put the sequencer in and out of record.

[mosc]

Very dissappointed to hear this. An analog control input is not the same thing, My sequencer had a fwd/rev input. Well, maybe I won't get a G2 after all. I think I'll wait to check your's out when you get it.

[egw]

It should be very easy to do the same thing.
Just create a stepper module that feeds the control input.
And a switch that reverses the direction of that.

What can you do with a "reverse" switch that you can't do with a control input?

[mosc]

[mosc]

Here are some great comments by Rob Hordjik from the Nord Modular list:

Now that Clavia has released the G2 there will undoubtedly discussions
whether it is the machine to end all softsynths or that in contrast
softsynths will give the G2 no chance. Which is similar to the old analog
versus digital discussion. I'll tell you my opinion, which is actually
objective and critical. I don't really think that the G2 and some of the
better softsynths compete with each other, all have their strong points and
their weak points. And as these points differ for each system the wise man
uses the strong points of several options instead of going for the strong
and the weak points of just one option. Sounds like a Chinese saying, not?

Personally I don't think that there will ever be an instrument to end all
other instruments. Just because every instrument has its own peculiar
character. A mythical instrument to end all others would have to have all
these characters but then the paradox starts, what about it's own character?
It might sound very convincing as a violin, but does it feel like a violin
while playing? And then when it must do a flute, will it transform into the
shape of a flute? Virtual reality is not reality itself, but in fact that
small part of reality named virtual reality. (Aah, that one must be
taoistic!)

It would also not be fair to compare the G2 with e.g. Reaktor, in fact it
would be unfair to both of them. The G2 panel is definitely one of the most
advanced midi/synth controllers I've seen. The fact that it is integrated
with the synthesis hardware makes it real playable, the G2 panel is an
instrument of its own. It would be the ideal control surface for Reaktor,
but then still lack the immediate talkback funtion it has on the G2. E.g.,
on the G2 between a ledcollared knob and its pushbutton are two leds. When
the pitch of an lfo is assigned to the rotary dial the led just under the
dial will pulse in the rate of the lfo. In fact, many of the leds that blink
on modules in the editor screen will blink on the panel on these leds as
well. Great visual feedback on a dark stage. On the other hand, Reaktor can
make use of the mass storage devices and the massive amounts of RAM that are
so common these days. And when one needs more performance then one just buys
a faster computer. So, when someone says to me: I can spend the same amount
of money on a computer hardware and Reaktor than on a G2, which one should I
get?, I would say: Get both, really I would! But then when the person says:
I would need it to be played as a synth or even like how a synth can be
played (when not playing synth but using it e.g. for sound mangling), then
the answer is pretty simple. The G2 is designed to be a musical instrument
and definitely not to be only a softsynth, which has certain advantages. The
concept is simple, prepare some performances in the studio or at home and go
to a gig to play them until the audience starts to applaude. Then just load
some patches one feels like and jam along with the others in the encore. The
G2 definitely allows for improvisation. And performances can be programmed
to have some stuff to improvise with together with some fixed stuff to
improvise upon. Nice when one suddenly feels like improvising, and if not it
doesn't have to leave you with a painful silence...

Of course, time will tell.

/Rob

[egw]

The control input sequencer does everything the other sequencers do except record, reset, loop, and link. Reset, loop and link can be accomplished via the control function, so there's no need for dedicated inputs. Record might be confusing on a sequencer that was changing direction, but could be interesting.

I agree completely with Rob's comments above.

[egw]

I have my G2 now!
I want to play with it for a few days before I post a review.
However, if there are any questions I can answer them.

[mosc]