KVR Audio

fac · Post by **fac** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:45 pm

Does anyone has one of these? I'm giving myself a nice Xmas gift, and I'm between the following two options:

a) Blacet rack with 4 or 5 modules (I'm thinking KlangWerk, MiniWave, StonZ Phase Shifter, Binary Zone, and Improbability Drive).

Pros: Analog weirdness. Can be interfaced with my current modular gear.

b) Nord Modular G2 Engine

Pros: Ultraflexible source of infinite sounds.

Both are around $1000, which is my budget.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:16 pm

Well I've not had any experience with the Blacet but it does look awesome though I guess you need a lot of modules to get the best from this system. I do have a G2 Engine though and it is amazing, though obviously its not a "real" analog. It's easily the most immediately usable modular synth I have (and I have many) - the software is very intuitive and the user library ranks with the Reaktor library for the quantity and quality of user contributed patches (my favourites are "Coolcat's" patches). You can even exchange modules without breaking up an ensemble which makes it easy to get started and experiment and it also has preset morphing and a fantastic patch generator that "breeds" new presets using a sort of genetic algorithm. It can do almost any sort of synthesis from VA to physical modelling and additive and it makes an awesome FM synth (imho the best and certainly most flexible currently available hardware FM synth in many respects) - the only limitation is it has no internal sample memory so is less good for wavetable type stuff. The other thing is the versatility of the system - I use it not just as a synth but also as outboard effects unit (it meshes well with my Scope System as I can plug in a G2 powered effect anywhere in the system and it will play in realtime) - it can do some great sound mangling but is also surprisingly good for reverbs and crazy delays, pitchshifters, granular effects etc. On top of this it also has many midi modules - a range of step sequencers and random generators so it also functions as a midi processor and engine. Plus its incredibly stable - I have never once had it crash on me.

Oh also some users have recently created a converter for patches from the original Nord Modular so you have access to many thousands more patches from that, and there is even a DX7 patch converter (though the library also contains almost every DX patch converted to G2 format already).

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:43 pm

I agree with everything aMUSEd said about the G2. I'm currently in the process of picking up some new eurorack modules, and I was considering all of the aforementioned Blacet modules, but decided to hold off and do a Blacet-only purchase next year. I do have a bunch of Doepfer modules, as well as a NM G2 keyboard.

The main difference is that getting the Blacet modules will contribute a few new modules to your existing modular system, giving it new capabilities. Buying a G2 could be viewed as buying an entirely new modular synth which is not CV/Gate compatibile with your existing setup.

I'm not sure I can really recommend one choice over the other. The G2 will give you much more bang for the buck, but continuing to expand an existing analog modular system can only be a good thing. The Miniwave, in particular, is something I've got my eye on.

kilon · Post by **kilon** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:14 pm

Even though I am aware that most editing take place inside the software editor, how easy is to control the G2 engine using a midi controller? And How deep this control goes?

Is the 4-16 voices polyphony rather limiting?

fac · Post by **fac** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:00 am

deastman wrote: The main difference is that getting the Blacet modules will contribute a few new modules to your existing modular system, giving it new capabilities. Buying a G2 could be viewed as buying an entirely new modular synth which is not CV/Gate compatibile with your existing setup.

I'm not sure I can really recommend one choice over the other. The G2 will give you much more bang for the buck, but continuing to expand an existing analog modular system can only be a good thing. The Miniwave, in particular, is something I've got my eye on.

That's exactly my dilemma.

However, given the good comments about the G2, and given that I plan to expand my modular (a small synthesizers.com) throughout this year, I think I'm leaning towards the G2 Engine.

I have a Nord Micromodular I'm fairly productive with, and I've always wanted more of its power. I also love my analog modular, but that's more of a long-term project. I think the G2 will give me more, now. Later I'll probably be able to buy the Blacet stuff one at a time.

fac · Post by **fac** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:09 am

kilon wrote:Even though I am aware that most editing take place inside the software editor, how easy is to control the G2 engine using a midi controller? And How deep this control goes?

Speaking from my experience with the micromodular.

You can basically assign any MIDI controller to any parameter pretty easily. You can also assign a MIDI controller to a group of parameters, with different modulation depth for each parameter, using the so called "morph groups".

This means you can do some powerful tweaking with a decent controller.

For what I've read, the G2 has even more features, like program switching (scenes).

kilon wrote: Is the 4-16 voices polyphony rather limiting?

Not really. The micromodular is supposed to be monophonic. Well, it sure is monotimbral, but I'm always able to squeeze 3 or 4-voice patches out of it. For example, I may have a basic drum sequence going on (kick, snare, hihats) and then have a bass sound that can be played with the keyboard. I've also made decent 3-voice pads and EP sounds.

Of course, if you want long-release 6-note pads and stuff like that, you'll get in trouble, but that's what softsynths are for.

And in the case of the G2, you can always add the expansion card. I'd even say it's a must.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:29 am

Every parameter has a simple right click midi learn and setting up midi control for just about everything is easy. It's extremely well thought out and logical.

fac · Post by **fac** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:11 am

Well, I just went nuts and ordered this bundle from NovaMusik:

http://www.novamusik.com/search.aspx?ty ... 697&mid=27

It includes:

- Nord G2 (3-octave version)
- DSP expansion card
- Gooseneck mic
- Gig bag
- Waldorf Edition bundle (PPG Wave, Attack, DPole)

It was much more than my budget allowed and my wife's probably going to kill me, but maybe I'll be buried with the expanded G2.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:32 am

Wow, you really did go nuts! You're much braver than I am... I make sure my wife approves of each and every purchase ahead of time.

Of course, I'm the only one working, so she doesn't usually feel the need to object.

I have the 3-octave G2, and its a great configuration. I was a little concerned when you mentioned getting the engine only, because I would have found that quite limiting. I don't have the DSP expansion, and most of my patches don't require it, but there are some insane people on the Electro-music forums who have these super complex patches which only run on an expanded system.

Anyway, congratulations. You won't be sorry!

fac · Post by **fac** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:21 am

deastman wrote:Wow, you really did go nuts! You're much braver than I am... I make sure my wife approves of each and every purchase ahead of time. Of course, I'm the only one working, so she doesn't usually feel the need to object.

LOL!

Actually, I had sort of discussed this with my wife... in an hypothetical way. I didn't give her the actual figures.

I rarely buy things on first impulse anymore, but (1) I just got promoted at work and got a nice income raise, (2) I'm getting a decent Xmas bonus, and (3) I'm selling some stuff to partially finance the G2. My micromodular is definitely going, as is one of my MS2000R's (I have 2), and I have some other stuff for sale.

Now I just gotta get her a nice, expensive, Xmas present.

deastman · Post by **deastman** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:27 am

By the way, I've used the patch converter aMUSEd mentioned, and was able to translate some of my old NM patches perfectly. Could come in handy since you have the micromodular. You can find it at the electro-music forums.

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:27 pm

Yes do check out Electro Music

http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-43.html

it's a great community and there are a ton of patches to be found there (including some huge zipped archives of the best) as well as various utilities and converters, most made by the very talented forumites. There's even an open source NM1 editor now.

Also check out Coolcat's patches - they are a work of genius (amongst many other's like Chet Singer I must say):

http://electro-music.com/g2patches.php?owner=coolcat

some of these are so beautiful - I particularly like Isao's Dream - one of the best ethereal choir synths I've heard.

prophet08 · Post by **prophet08** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:32 am

I own a G2 engine, and it's really an amazing synth with a very flexible sonic structure, thanks to its modular nature. Its patch mutator works great as well, especially if you want to experiment with an existing patch and obtain some amazing variations. I use G2 very much for my works, and lastly produced a track called Lord of the Keys which exclusively features G2 sounds and is online in our myspace link, just in case you'd like to hear how big this machine sounds, you may check it

Cheers

Muzik 4 Machines · Post by **Muzik 4 Machines** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:49 am

how much for the micro modular (i so much miss mine)
pm me

kara · Post by **kara** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:27 am

I own a G2X keyboard and the micro modular.
Can't add much to what hass been said allready, it is an excelent machine.

If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't sell the micro modular, it's a perfect extension.
Allmost all my live patches, doubles a lead with G2X and micro

k

Nord Modular G2 Engine. Any opinions?