5. Basic functions: Signals in the Patch
NORD MODULAR G2 V1.1
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There are some logic inputs that will react to the positive edge of a logic signal only if there
is a clock signal coming in to the module as well. These inputs have an arrow, pointing
upwards towards a horizontal marker, next to them. The Park input on the various se-
quencer modules is an example of this. These modules will park in sync with the next clock
signal (on the Clk input) when they receive a positive edge at the Park input.
The logic Clock input on the Clock divider module is an example of an input that reacts
the same way to both of the edges of an incoming logic signal. This input has a double-
sided arrow next to it.
The different behaviors of the logic inputs are important to remember. It is possible to Patch other signals
than logic ones to the logic inputs. The output of a LFO, for instance, can be a good clock source or could
be used to start envelopes. The logic input will not mind having a control or an audio signal connected
to it. The logic inputs interpret any signal with a level of 0 units or less as a low signal and any signal with
a level greater than 0 units as a high signal.
B
B
B
B
A
A
A
AN
N
N
ND
D
D
DW
W
W
WIIIID
D
D
DT
T
T
TH
H
H
H
C
C
C
CO
O
O
ON
N
N
NS
S
S
SIIIID
D
D
DE
E
E
ER
R
R
RA
A
A
AT
T
T
TIIIIO
O
O
ON
N
N
NS
S
S
S
The two different bandwidths of the signals in Nord Modular G2 are important to keep in mind. You
can Patch a red audio output to a blue control input and vice versa but sometimes the results might be
surprising. Some of the LFOs are capable of producing audible frequencies. Since the output of an LFO
is a control signal, updated at quarter speed of an audio signal, the quality of an LFO generated signal
might not be good enough to be used as an audio signal. If high audio quality is important in a Patch,
use oscillators as audio signal generators instead. The LFOs can, however, provide excellent signals to be
used as a frequency modulators in an FM-type Patch.
S
S
S
S
E
E
E
EL
L
L
LF
F
F
F
----
O
O
O
OP
P
P
PT
T
T
TIIIIM
M
M
MIIIIZ
Z
Z
ZIIIIN
N
N
NG
G
G
G
M
M
M
MO
O
O
OD
D
D
DU
U
U
UL
L
L
LE
E
E
ES
S
S
S
A lot of modules in the Nord Modular G2 system are self-optimizing. This means they automatically
adapt their Patch Load according to which connectors are being used and to the bandwidth of the incom-
ing signal(s). All Mixers, for example, default to blue (control signal) inputs and outputs. If you connect
only control signals to a Mixer, the inputs and outputs will remain blue and the Mixer will use less Patch
Load - enabling for larger Patches or greater polyphony. However, if you connect a red (audio signal) ca-
ble to a Mixer input, all inputs and outputs will automatically “update” to audio bandwidth for maxi-
mum signal quality. This is indicated on the module by the inputs and/or outputs changing color.
E
E
E
E
X
X
X
XP
P
P
PE
E
E
ER
R
R
RIIIIM
M
M
ME
E
E
EN
N
N
NT
T
T
T
!!!!
You can always try to Patch the three different types of signals to wherever you want. You may run into
situations where the result of a connection will not be what you expected, but that is part of the beauty
with a modular system like this. A blue control signal output can be very useful modulating on a yellow
logic signal input, and an audio signal output can certainly produce interesting results connected to a con-
trol signal input. The colors are only there to help you identify the various signal types, not to restrict any
experiments.
