Clavia Nord Wave

[dnaflr2]

Anybody tried on of these yet? Have seen a few videos, and heard sound examples, but I am really curious to hear anyone's experience first-hand.

Thanks,
Josh

[fonkyfingers]

Hi everybody,

first post on this forum. What a great ressource this is. Hope you don't mind my German accent...

Today I went to the local music shop and there it was, the new Nord Wave. Since I own a Nord Lead 3, I was curious how this thing would compare. Hmm. Look and feel is Nordish, so to speak. The sound has the typical power that comes from Nord units. Punchy and clear. LED markers are gone, only plain knobs that feel just ok. Did not play around too much with this thing, just browsing the presets, which I quite liked. This thing can process your own samples, and if the sonic quality of the audio manipulation is as good as on my NL3, I would not hesitiate to get one if I would need a synth like this. Finally they added some FX. Only drawback is the keyboard, it has a nice action but still 49 keys only which is a pity when playing live...

Andre

[Silas Holmes]

I played with it in a local music store. I really love it's sound.
I think the basic sound of a synth is the most important factor
above all other features/specs. It is probably my favourite synth
soundwise right now.

[dnaflr2]

Silas, what exactly did you like about it's sound? Do you like the other Nord's Leads, etc?

[Silas Holmes]

I am not a fan of the Nord Leads, or any other Nord synths.

I like the sound of the Wave like somebody would like the
sound of a Motif or a Fantom. There are certain characteristics
to the sound of a Fantom that you either like or not, or you
prefer one over the other, regardless of it' specs.

So first I like the Wave more as a Rompler than as a synth.
But in addition, If I start to turn the knobs it gets even better.
I love the overdrive and the filters, but I am not into the more
advanced synth programming possibilities that the Wave offers.

As I said before I like the basic sound characteristic of it. I hope
you get a chance to try it sometime, as the demos do not do it
justice.

[vixapphire]

it only has two outputs, and only two "parts", unlike the nord leads, which have 4 of each respectively. what a lame cheap-out on clavia's part. seriously.

this is coming from a major nord fan and owner of both an NL2 and NL3; this wave instrument has some nice touches, but stereo outs only? no sp/dif out? no audio outs over the usb connection? LAME!!! it's 2008, people. for real.

[Vogon]

Originally Posted by Silas Holmes

I am not a fan of the Nord Leads, or any other Nord synths.

Wow, I'd freak if I didn't have access to the Modular and G2: roll-your-own filters etc.
They're the only VA's I use regularly.

[mirkos]

hello everyone,this is my first post.

Sorry,but I have to disagree with you guys.I have triton,fantom and now I'm buying motif xs.On other hand,I have nord rack 2,and I think that this is one of best synths ever made.

But new nord wave sounded me like 10 years old rolands.

But this is matter of taste,I think.

Best thing to do is to go and try it...buy it if you like it :)

[StudioKing]

I am very dissapointed to see that the rotary led encoder knobs are missing from the wave.
I use the NL3 everyday and love using it, i have heard the wave and it sounds great, but it seems a step backwards as far as the user interface goes. The led encoders on the NL3 actually allow you to do a better performance becuase they are always in the correct place and therefore they dont snatch back to the preset setting when you first move them.
Unless there is something i am not understanding i would say that the only reason they left them off of the new model is to bring costs down.

[mirkos]

Well,I must admit that I am clavia products fan.They made nord stage,and I can't deicide what is better - stage or yamaha s90es.In fact,I think that professional PIANO player must have both ;)

On the other hand,I own nord rack 2,and I guarantee - there is no workstation that can come close with synth sound.There will be NO workstation that will do that in future.Ever.

So,wave was really great concept for me,but I don't like final product.But hey,give them some time,and they will make it.Rolands,korgs and yamaha's is in "sample-oriented" bussiness for decades,this is (still) new field for Clavia.

Regards

[jruz1]

Originally Posted by mirkos

hello everyone,this is my first post.

Sorry,but I have to disagree with you guys.I have triton,fantom and now I'm buying motif xs.On other hand,I have nord rack 2,and I think that this is one of best synths ever made.
But new nord wave sounded me like 10 years old rolands.
But this is matter of taste,I think.
Best thing to do is to go and try it...buy it if you like it :)

I'm going to have to agree with you- I own ALL the old stuff- from from the Jupiter 8 to the Minimoog (and a garage full of other greats). And I'm totally blown-away by the Nord Wave. I'm finding it to be a VERY powerful synthesizer and I'm more than satisfied with it. Even minus the sample capabilities, I would use it as my main synth in a lot of situations. Capable of sounding extremely warm and lush, and of course its filters are staggering. The modulation capabilities are fantastic. Also- I personally am fine with 2 slots; maybe I'm just a purist who doesn't need to hear 8 timbres stacked on top of each other. I LOVE the Wave. And the size and weight are a dream for me.

[jruz1]

Originally Posted by Silas Holmes

I am not a fan of the Nord Leads, or any other Nord synths.

I like the sound of the Wave like somebody would like the
sound of a Motif or a Fantom. There are certain characteristics
to the sound of a Fantom that you either like or not, or you
prefer one over the other, regardless of it' specs.

So first I like the Wave more as a Rompler than as a synth.
But in addition, If I start to turn the knobs it gets even better.
I love the overdrive and the filters, but I am not into the more
advanced synth programming possibilities that the Wave offers.

As I said before I like the basic sound characteristic of it. I hope
you get a chance to try it sometime, as the demos do not do it
justice.

Yes it's for sure a great "ROMpler". But man- I'm LOVING it as a synth!! As a vintage enthusiast I hate to use words like "Motif" and "Fantom". But I can say this thing KILLS as a synth alone. Add the samples and it's a dream- at least for me.

[jruz1]

Originally Posted by dnaflr2

Anybody tried on of these yet? Have seen a few videos, and heard sound examples, but I am really curious to hear anyone's experience first-hand.

Thanks,
Josh

Sorry to be posting all over this forum- I know it's overkill. But I just got mine 2 days ago so I'm in a bit of a frenzy of love for this thing. Read my other comments on this page, but let me add that I wouldn't go by the factory presets or any of the crap they're showing in the YouTube demos. Those sounds don't even begin to show the warmth, "fat"ness, and beauty of this thing. And making sounds on it is so simple and intuitive. I'm in love with it.