The Nord Wave 2 is a powerful 4-part performance synthesizer combining Virtual Analog synthesis, Samples, FM and Wavetable with an intuitive layer-focused interface.

With 48 voice polyphony, innovative performance features and hands-on controls, the Nord Wave 2 offers outstanding sonic possibilities with advanced layering and tweaking on the fly.

Main features

General 4-part Synthesizer with dedicated volume/pan faders

Sample, Virtual Analog, Wavetable and FM synthesis

48 voice polyphony

OLED Displays for Program and Oscillator sections

1 GB memory for Nord Sample Library 3.0

User replaceable samples

61-note keyboard with Aftertouch Performance Advanced Arpeggiator with Polyphonic Trig mode

Gate feature for rhythmic effects

Advanced Morph features with Impulse Morph

Master Clock control of Arpeggiator, LFO and Effects

Vibrato with 3 Delay modes and Wheel/Aftertouch assign Oscillators Analog: Basic, Shape, Multi, Sync and Noise with up to 16 oscillators

Samples

Wavetable

Advanced FM with harmonic and inharmonic algorithms

True Unison mode Modulation LFO with five waveforms

Flexible syncing and routing options

AD/AR envelope Amp ADSR Amp envelope

Transient Attack Mode Filter 12/24 dB lowpass, lowpass M, band pass, high pass, and LP+HP

Filter Drive

ADSR envelope Effects FX section with Tremolo, Pan, Ring Modulation, Chorus, Ensemble and Vibe.

EQ section with Drive

Advanced Delay section

Reverb section with five sizes + Dark, Bright and Chorale modes

OUR MOST VERSATILE SYNTHESIZER EVER

With 4 independent synthesizers in one the Nord Wave 2 offers exceptional possibilities for layering both classic waveforms and samples.

Dedicated OLED displays for Program and Oscillator sections provide an excellent overview when shaping your sounds. The wide range of performance features and instantly tweakable hands-on effects makes the Wave 2 our most versatile performance synthesizer ever.

Monitor mode

The new Monitor mode displays your settings for Amp Envelope and Filters in the Program display for better overview and control.

Layer section

The Wave 2 features a Program Layer section with faders for easily controlling the volume or pan for all 4 layer parts at once. The Layer section also provides handy features for quick layer focus, pan control, solo and multi-editing.

Group Mode The new Group feature allows you to group 2, 3 or 4 layers and lets them share the same Filter, Envelope, Arpeggiator, LFO and Effect-settings - perfect when creating complex multi-layered sounds that can be edited as one coherent sound.

Oscillator section

The Oscillator section for each of the 4 layers offers 4 modes: Analog, Wavetable, FM and Samples and is easily browsed with our new direct category mode. The Oscillator Control features additional control over shape, sync or detune.

Oscillator categories Analog: an extensive range of waveforms from classic analog to extended, harmonically rich new additions. Basic: Saw, Pulse, Pulse Width, Sine, Square with basic tuning controls.

Shape: Waveforms where Osc Control will alter the Shape of the waveform

Multi: 2 or more waveforms combined where the Osc Control will adjust amount of detune and spread

Sync: Soft and Hard synced configurations, where Osc Control controls Sync Frequency

Noise: White noise Samples: include high-quality samples from our Nord Sample Library 3.0 as well as the possibility to add your own custom samples using the Nord Sample Editor 3. Use the embedded sample presets for instantly playable dynamic sounds or sculpt your own sound from scratch with the "Raw Samp" mode. Wavetable: A large number of advanced wavetables covering a wide range of tonal characteristics. FM 2, 3 and 4 operator configurations with harmonic and inharmonic variations. Dedicated OLED Display for visualization of waveforms

Unison

The Wave 2 features a powerful multi-oscillator Unison effect with true Superwaves simultaneously generating hundreds of waveforms for extremely thick and fat sounds.

Compatible with Nord Sample Library 3.0

The Sample section has 1 GB of memory and comes loaded with a wide selection of quality samples including Strings, Brass, Guitars, Choirs, Chromatic Percussion as well as the exclusively licensed sounds of the legendary Mellotron and Chamberlin. All sounds are easily replaceable using the Nord Sound Manager.

Create and transfer your own samples

Adding your own custom sample instruments has never been easier thanks to the new streamlined Nord Sample Editor 3 for Mac and Windows that lets you map, loop and transfer samples to your Nord Wave 2 in a breeze.

Filter Section

The Filter section has 6 Filter types featuring classic 12 and 24 dB Low Pass, a High Pass, High Pass/Low Pass and a Band Pass filter, together with a stunning emulation of the transistor ladder filter from the legendary Mini. The unique modeling of these filters captures the true character and response of the classic analog instruments, allowing for flexible and precise sound design. The Filter section is equippied with full ADSR envelope.

LFO & Modulation SECTION

The Wave 2 features a dedicated LFO for each layer with a choice of waveforms plus AD/AR Modulation Envelope with dedicated velocity setting and Invert mode. The LFO has several morphable parameters and the rate can be synchronized to the Master Clock.

AMP ENVELOPE

The Amp Section is equipped with a full ADSR envelope featuring a powerful new Transient Attack mode for adding more punch to your sounds.

MORPHING AND IMPULSE MORPH

The Wave 2 features an extensive range of morphable parameters that can be controlled from four different sources: Velocity, Aftertouch, Wheel and Control Pedal. All morph sources can be quickly assigned to control multiple parameters simultaneously and the powerful Impulse Morph feature lets you instantly change any parameter of your sound.

Wheel assign

Instantly assign LFO, Oscillator Control or Filter to the Modulation Wheel.

Advanced Polyphonic Arpeggiator with gate The Nord Wave 2 is truly a rhythmical powerhouse with both a classic arpeggiator and a polyphonic mode with directly editable patterns. Polyphonic mode The Poly mode is a polyphonic Arpeggiator that will retrig all held keys either straight or patterned featuring different inversions for exciting harmonic variations. Gate mode The brand new Gate mode chops your sound up in a rhythmic pattern with adjustable depth. The Pattern mode contains a wide selection of Rhythmic Patterns allows easy editing for creating your own custom patterns.

Master Clock

The Master Clock of the Wave 2 allows the LFO, Arpeggiator and various effects to be synchronized, either internally or by an external MIDI clock. With Master Clock synchronization you can synchronize 4 layers with individual patterns, all perfectly in sync with Delays and LFO's. A Tap Tempo allows you to easily tap to the tempo of a drummer or to playback tracks.

Effect Section

A separate Effect section for each layer featuring a great selection of instantly tweakable high quality stereo effects modelled after classic stomp boxes.

Modulation Effects

Tremolo, Pan, Ring Modulator, Chorus, Ensemble and Vibe effects with Rate and Amount control. All effects are controllable via Control Pedal (or other Morph sources) and can also be synchronized to the Master Clock for rhythmic effects.

EQ & Drive

EQ with Bass and Treble control - or 1 Band Sweepable EQ. A sparkling Tube Drive emulation is also available.

Delay

Advanced stereo Delay effect with Ping Pong mode, Analog Mode and Tap Tempo. New features include creative new Feedback options for adding Ensemble, Chorus, Vibe as well as HP/LP and BP filter in the Feedback loop.

Reverb

The Reverb section has five different Reverb sizes (Booth, Room, Stage, Hall and new Cathedral) for adding some ambience to your sounds, and the amount is now morphable. New features include Bright and Dark modes for either extended or reduced treble. The new Chorale effect adds a lush modulation effect.

Splits and Layers

Having four identical, equally powerful synthesizers at once opens for exceptional layering possibilities. The Split mode offers three split points providing up to 4 zones with optional crossfades. The flexible Hold functionality lets you latch and hold slots independently in the background while playing something else on top.

Sound Manager

The Nord Wave 2 is compatible with the Nord Sound Manager software for OS X and Windows. The Nord Sound Manager allows easy reorganizing, back-up and transfer of programs and is available for download here.

MIDI Control

The Wave 2 features the convenience of MIDI over USB for use with a sequencer or with the included Sound Manager software.

KEYBED

The Nord Wave 2 features a 61-key (C-C) semi weighted waterfall keybed with Aftertouch.

The Hardware

Like all Nord instruments, the Nord Wave 2 is handmade in Nord's Stockholm factory with incredible attention to detail and quality control.