Nord Modular G3

kslight · Joined: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 41 Location: KC

I have liked my Nord Modulars (formerly owned a Micro, sold early this year, currently have a G2 engine) but I find the process of creating patches on a computer a bit of a hinderance (ie: it is difficult and impractical to really create new sounds on the fly in the middle of a jam session) to my musical process, though I am always satisfied with the sounds I ultimately get I instead reach for a real piece of hardware. I definitely understand why hands on simple synths sell better... Ultimately I will probably keep the Engine in its rack and sample the sounds for playback on something cheesy with some degree of performance power, like a Korg Microsampler or something. If that doesn't work out the way I hope then I'll probably just retire the G2.

jksuperstar · Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:32 pm Post subject:

kslight, I think many many moons ago there was a discussion regarding your problem. The typical solution was to create yourself a limited set of synths, and work alot of variations from that. Understand it's architecture in & out, and it will be just like owning a "simple synth". Ie - don't try to repatch every time you want a new synth. Just adjust parameters during jams!

It has worked very well for me. And many times when I need a new "seed" from the same 'ol synth patch, I pull out the mutator in the editor and create something that takes me in a new direction, and gives me a new texture to us during improvs.

hurolura · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 9:37 am Post subject:

I have a MicroModular here (only one I bought new from clavia 10 years ago).

Actually I was checking the CreamWare Modular stuff features but the Scope cards were out of my budget at that time.

Plus the MicroModular was hardware and the only computer part needed was the editor (which I found "logic" as a former/old emagic soundiver user).

So I go and bought it and had fun with this tiny little thing.

Then, 5 years ago, I started to grab CreamWare stuff and my first Scope boards including their Mod 2/Mod III. The spirit is just similar: a lot of flexibility provided. The number of available module is far more important though and it is possible to get some from third party (Adern Flexor, John Bowen or Spacef additionnal modules). One important module there is the Waldorf Osc which is "just" the MicroWave Osc provided as a module from the early CreamWare Mod1 version and still available in following version.
Moreover, it is possible to get an SDK for the Scope system only constraint being to own a 15 DSP boards and sign a NDA (now with SonicCore which relaunch the Creamware products). This leads to a bunch of free additionnal modules.

Then, they launch an additionnal 97 modules with their Mod IV including some extraction from the other Scope Synths plug-ins (filters from their ProOne, Prophet 5 and Minimoog emulation for example) and add the CZ-OSC inspired by the Casio CZ series.

I finally ended up buying a second hand G2 Engine to have more DSP power as I felt the MicroModular was too limited. My idea is to setup a modular setup including the G2 and a modular dedicated small PC integrating a bunch of Scope cards controlled by a homemade MIDI controller I have to think about for day by day use. I know this is just a crazy idea but my Idea would be to setup a classic synth oriented control panel, map it to control the main features of the controlled patch on either the G2 or the Scope Modular and keep the fine tweeks under software panal access.
3 possibilities there:
- a classic fixed layout maybe inpired by the EMS AKS to integrated a physical modmatrix.
- something inspired by the Feeltunes RhiZome to get more flexibility but that would ask more work.
- something merging both direction, fixed layout next to more flexible display based for additional special feature control.

I also thought I could make some hybrid patches merging G2 and Scope Modular provided the G2 has 4 audio I/O which could be used to exchange
audio signals between the two systems and let any needed control signal go through MIDI.

Just my dream here.

My 2 cents

buzzr · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 2:10 pm Post subject:

I'm seriously looking into Scope. But I'm going to hold out until after the summer next year to see if any new G3 comes out....if not by then, I'm moving on..

hurolura · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:50 pm Post subject:

If you have a spare PCI on a Win XP, just buy a second hand Scope Luna/Home 3 DSP PCI scope board with Mod 2 (and sometimes Mod III) to give it a first try and make up your mind.

This would not cost you too much ... before you become more DSP hungry !!!

buzzr · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject:

Looking more into the Scope, it's amazing, well beyond a few steps of the G2...going to have to save up for this, it has everything I'm looking for..

Goodbye NORD?

jksuperstar · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:30 am Post subject:

The SCOPE XCITE looks like a great way to consolidate a rack of gear, including I/O, into 1. But, the soniccore website sucks! How do you find out more info about all the plugins it includes? or how the software/hardware integrate, receive midi, etc? I have to learn everything through Youtube. There's not even links to the manuals!

buzzr · Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 3:34 pm Post subject:

All of this information has convinced me to get a SCOPE, hope it's as great as everyone says Smile

http://www.modularsynth.co.uk/index.shtml

http://www.cwmodular.org/

http://forums.planetz.com/

A lot of third party development for it as well, just the best system I've seen..

hurolura · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:38 am Post subject:

hurolura · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:25 pm Post subject:

BobTheDog · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject:

If only it worked with Macs Crying or Very sad

hurolura · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:16 pm Post subject:

Ah, Hum, Yes Embarassed

jksuperstar · Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks Hurolura!

I wish I could get more info about each of those plugins, but I've already learned a lot from the various community forums and reviews of the Creamware ASB series (which are all included with the XITE!). It really is looking not only like an amazing piece of gear, but exactly like something that I've actually been looking for and solves almost every problem I have been struggling with my current many pieces of gear, their portability, their modularity with each other. It's amazing. I don't know why I haven't looked into the SCOPE system before. I'm now strongly considering emptying out by studio for this one piece of kit!

hurolura · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:13 am Post subject:

DrJustice · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:46 am Post subject:

BobTheDog · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 2:47 am Post subject:

Yep they have said that since the beginning!

I have given up asking them now.

hurolura · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:05 am Post subject:

Yes and they also said the Xite-1 and Scope 5.0 release would be "soon" for a long time (more than one year from what I remember)... and finally release them.

I remember the Virus TI hold people breath for more than one year.
The Arturia Origin was also delayed ...
And so is also the John Bowen Solaris (on which SC teams also works).

Looks like with such small team there is some additionnal delay to be taken into account when something is announced.

Regarding Sonic Core, some people feared never to see the Xite-1 and now it is here.
Meanwhile, there was also some Win OS disturbance not that easy to cope with (the Vista virus).

If you wish to get some more info about scope devices and use just suscribe the e-zine here:
http://www.hitfoundry.com/

DrJustice · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:12 am Post subject:

hurolura · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:29 am Post subject:

The SDK is currently available under NDA agreement for Scope 4/4.5 only but it seems that devices produced with this tool work on the Xite-1.

The only thing to get to be able to sign the NDA is a PCI Scope Pro (14/15 "old" board) and Windows which can be bought used from time to time.

Before the release of a SDK v5.0, the SDK v4.0 still can be used.

DrJustice · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 8:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info, HUROLURA Smile

Would you happen to know if one can write DSP assembly using the SDK? I have seen it mentioned that one can write C++ for the DSPs, but I find that a bit strange, not least because a C++ compiler for the ADI DSPs normally costs a lot of money and I'd be surprised if Sonic Core have rolled their own.

Also wondering if the SDK can be run along with SCOPE 5.0, or if SCOPE 4.5 must be installed for that.

The most comprehensive info I've found about the SDK is the screenshot below, where one can see what I assume are "atoms" being patched together to form a "device".

Getting a bit OT - or maybe not - we're looking for a Nord Modular replacement since there won't be a G3, right?

DJ
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SCOPE-SDK-lg.jpg

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jksuperstar · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:25 am Post subject:

Well, my chips are down. I'm all in. I spent the last week reading every manual, review, and forum there is, and listened to almost every posted audio file and video that exists, I think. Having the SDK (eventually) will be icing on an already enormous 18 layer cake for me (1 layer per DSP Cool

).

So, my order went in last night Wink

I spoke with Ralf at Sonic Core about the expresscard for my laptop, and novamusik here in the states about the XITE itself (which is being sold there for a price far below other dealers). Once I get things up and running, and have recreated some of my favorite patches from my other gear, I'll be holding a large sale (including my Lexicon MPX-1, DSI Evolver, Casio CZ-1000, among others!).

Now, how about that G2toSCOPE.py translator?

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:36 am Post subject:

I will be very interested how it goes.

I have been following the progress of Xite for a coupe of years, if they get an OS X one going they can have an order from me as well!

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:42 am Post subject:

In the states - $3,550 = £2,217

In europe - €3,390 = £2,966

Jesus even stuff made in Europe is cheaper for you yanks!

At least we don't have the Tea Party though Wink

Oh just a sec, we have the Tories Rolling Eyes

jksuperstar · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:36 am Post subject:

No idea how they got that price so low, I think part of it is the tax is included in the price, which goes away when shipped here. Then we get to pay our own tax on it that's not advertised. Still, Nova sells for $300US less than the nearest price I could find! Other retailers seem to just convert the MSRP that Sonic lists. Including Tax. Their loss.

Politics in the US is odd these days. I'm just waiting for the Green Tea party to show up Wink

BobTheDog · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject:

I'm very jealous

I hope you saved some cash for Modular IV !