Nord User Forum

[elvin]

As mentioned in another thread, a reverb feature in the echo section would be aces!

However, after some research and tryout, I found that one effect pedal is working well with the ND2 , which is the Electro Harmonix Stereo Memory Man (with Hazarai). That is because it really is "true stereo" (so you can for example pan the "bass drum" (or generally low frequency) sounds and "snare drum" (or high frequency) sounds to R and L and they will still be completely seperate after the effect pedal. Which is nice for a live situation where I use two D.I. boxes for each output channel.
Besides, it is a very versatile echo/delay AND reverb unit, has some tweaking effects like phase/flanger sort of modulation and you can save presets, which is almost a must have for using it on stage.

Has anyone of you experimented with the ND2 using effect pedals on stage or in a studio situation?

I might also post a few sound files soon demonstrating some of the above mentioned stuff.

[wartaler]

Hi Elvin,

The ND2 has delay, it indeed lacks reverb - but it's relatively easy to find line level stereo reverb and delay effects - Your Electro Harmonics does seem much more fun, direct and easier to operate, and certainly more compact than my Lexicon 19" reverb unit! Interesting!
How does it sound?

Albert

[tronque]

a demo on youtube would be highly inspirational for the world!

[tronque]

I've experimented using Moogerfooger MF 101 LowPass filter for some distortion edge and warmth. Great results on the ND1 at least.
For even more craziness I've played around with the Korg KP3. Maybe the effects are more on the quantity than quality-side of it but still, pretty interesting. (to say the least)
I´d also like to recommend a guy called Franck Smith on Youtube. He is a drummer/percussionist that has a great touch and feel for electronic sounds w7 effects. I love how he uses the OTO biscuit for some Lo-fi grit. A bit expensive for me though.

Keep em coming.

[rhombus]

A dual channel compressor/limiter to give it extra punch. I dunno if you're playing in a live band but one of these really helps the sound stand out without having to bang too hard on the pads. There's a few options for under $200.

A cheap way to try out a bunch of effects is to get a Line6 Pod off eBay. The cheaper ones are mono but at least in a live setup that's okay. Perhaps that'll let you figure out what specialized effects you'd like to have.

This is probably too expensive a solution but perhaps on eBay you can find a used Nord Modular G1 or G2, you can build fantastic effects with them.

A general tip for using ND2 with effects: You can use the stereo output on the ND2 as two separate mono output channels. Connect one channel to your effect, connect another dry directly to the mixer, then pan the specific drums hard left or hard right so you can choose which drums get the effect. That way if you have a crazy effect that might only be applicable to hi-hats then you can do that without making a mess of the other drums. Ultimately I find stereo panning on the ND2 to be gimmicky but if you think of them as two mono outputs and use channel panning creatively then you can apply effects to some drums but not others, or have two different effects chains.

[wartaler]

A dual channel compressor/limiter to give it extra punch. I dunno if you're playing in a live band but one of these really helps the sound stand out without having to bang too hard on the pads.

I can imagine, have you tried other response curves? (p.26 of the manual, bottom panel, basically compressing the input signal of the pads)
The poor drummer in this video could certainly use a little boost http://youtu.be/SNkWBCcT3Yw lol

A cheap way to try out a bunch of effects is to get a Line6 Pod off eBay. The cheaper ones are mono but at least in a live setup that's okay. Perhaps that'll let you figure out what specialized effects you'd like to have

I tried the Pod 2.0 and experienced horrible noise, crackles when connected to my ND1.. post23246.html?hilit=line6#p23246
but to be honest, it was the earlier hardware Pod 2.0 version with the single digit display & haven't tested it with ND2 - currently sold Pod 2.0 models may be better
(I don't understand why Line6 didn't change the name into Pod 3.0 - because it's actually completely different on the inside...)

in general my reverb unit is much cleaner sounding, 2 channels, and has some compression options as well - but it's a rack unit, bulkier than a Pod2.0 etc

Albert

[wartaler]

Two new eBay listings for the Nord Micro Modular, starting at $200
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clavia-Nord-Mic ... 19fad0e070
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NORD-MICRO-MODU ... 35e3f7d416

This would make a great effects box for sure. Though I'm not certain if there's any compatibility issues with the editor these days.

[Ricoche]

A general tip for using ND2 with effects: You can use the stereo output on the ND2 as two separate mono output channels. Connect one channel to your effect, connect another dry directly to the mixer, then pan the specific drums hard left or hard right so you can choose which drums get the effect. That way if you have a crazy effect that might only be applicable to hi-hats then you can do that without making a mess of the other drums. Ultimately I find stereo panning on the ND2 to be gimmicky but if you think of them as two mono outputs and use channel panning creatively then you can apply effects to some drums but not others, or have two different effects chains.

GREAT tip here. I was wondering about the lack of individual outputs on the Nord Drum 2. Many professional drums boxes, especially old school ones have multiple outputs. The provided tip certainly is an excellent workaround that gets me back to thinking about whether to pick one of these up. Thanks!

[jooga1972]

A general tip for using ND2 with effects: You can use the stereo output on the ND2 as two separate mono output channels. Connect one channel to your effect, connect another dry directly to the mixer, then pan the specific drums hard left or hard right so you can choose which drums get the effect. That way if you have a crazy effect that might only be applicable to hi-hats then you can do that without making a mess of the other drums. Ultimately I find stereo panning on the ND2 to be gimmicky but if you think of them as two mono outputs and use channel panning creatively then you can apply effects to some drums but not others, or have two different effects chains.

This sounds like the way to go, will try and see (hear) pretty soon how it works out. I have a Strymon Dig double delay connected to the Nord Drum 2 and they seem to fancy one another. The DIG has a single input channel (and L + LR outs) but with resetting a jumper inside the pedal it will accept stereo in. The Nord's own echo/delay is already a cool feature but as fas as I can tell, adding external delay to even the whole mix doesn't hurt a bit. With the hard panning suggestion things can only get better. I also tested my other delay box, an EHX Memory Man with Hazarai and like what I heard, though the MM is dirtier (at least to my ears and definitely in a good way!) and prone to overload incoming low frequencies into heavy clipping and distortion. It has a filter knob with a wide frequency range so it is possible to tame the lows, though like that the output signal has far less 'oomph'. I will try the panning thingie with the Hazarai too, probably on snare, hat and some fx percussion channels and will leave the kick and the remaining channels dry. Then I'll give this a go on the Strymon Big Sky as well. Will record and post audioclips as I proceed. Till then, happy nordrumming everyone!

Cheers, Gabor

[jooga1972]

Just ordered a clean boost/overdrive stomp box from a local custom builder. It'll have L+R ins and outs, true bypass, volume, gain and tone control. It's pretty inexpensive (EUR 75 or so with a 9V power supply) and I expect it to dirty-up the Nord's sound quite a bit. The concept is similar to this: http://www.lizardbreathpedals.com/#!product/prd1/1457310561/chameleon-stereo-clean-boost .. the boost/overdrive swap is a little added extra though.
Will post soundclips as soon as I get my hands on this box,