Nord Wave 2

The Nord Wave 2 is an even more powerful reimagining of the original Wave, providing performing keyboardists access to virtual analog, FM, wavetable, and sample-based synthesis techniques. Keeping all the most critical features of the original Wave and adding the capacity for 4-part multitimbral behavior, complex splits and layers, a fully-featured arpeggiator, and more, the Wave 2 is perhaps Nord’s most powerful synthesizer to date.

The Wave 2 provides users access to up to four distinct timbres simultaneously, each of which provide a choice of four primary sound production methods. The oscillator section can produce virtual analog, FM, wavetable, and sample-based operation. The virtual analog engine can produce simple waveshapes, continuously variable shapes, novel combined waveshapes with variable detuning, hard and soft sync sounds, and noise. The wavetable mode provides an enormous number of wavetables from smooth to jarring, and the FM mode allows 2, 3, and 4-operator FM for the creation of both harmonic and extreme inharmonic tones.

One of the areas in which the Wave 2 shines, though, is in its sample engine. The Wave 2 comes with tons of samples from the Nord Sample Library 3.0, and additionally supports the use of user samples via Nord Sample Editor 3. This means that you can make the Wave 2 sound like literally anything you want—collect your own samples and then create rich, layered instruments using any types of tones you want.

The Wave 2 also features six analog-modeled filter types, with multiple highpass and lowpass types, a bandpass filter, and even a striking emulation of the classic Moog-style ladder filter, reproducing the sound of the original with remarkable clarity. The filter and virtual VCA each have their own ADSR envelopes, while an additional LFO and AD/AR envelope per layer allow cover more general-purpose modulation duties.

One of the most interesting characteristics of the original Wave was the “morphing” concept—a feature which allowed users to perform macro control over several parameters simultaneously from a single performance control. The Wave 2 maintains this ability, and adds several more sources for control of morphing: velocity, aftertouch, performance wheel, and the external control pedal input can now all be used as morph sources.

Multitimbral behavior in the Wave 2 can work in a number of ways. Each of the synth’s four “parts” (timbres) features its own dedicated volume and pan faders for manual control of layering…but there are also advanced options for creating splits and layers. The Split mode lets you set up up to four distinct keyboard zones with optional crossfades, meaning that you can make sounds that gradually change in character between layers as you play up and down the keyboard. Additionally, you can even latch and hold specific layers and play another sound on the top—the options are nearly endless.

All of this combined with a rich FX section, 61-key, aftertouch-capable keybed, advanced polyphonic arpeggiator with intricate gating schemes, and rugged Nord build quality makes for an intensely powerful synthesizer unlike anything else out there. Take the best of all sorts of synthesis methods and layer them on top of one another—Wave 2 does it all.

Wave 2 Features

New reimagining of the Nord Wave concept
Four-part multitimbral with independent volume and panning per layer
Virtual analog, FM, Wavetable, and Sample-based sound production
61-key waterfall keybed with aftertouch and 48-voice polyphony
Polyphonic arpeggiator with complex rhythmic gating options
Morph feature for macro parameter control
Complex layers and splits
Analog modeled filter
Flexible modulation
Integrated effect section with tremolo, panning, ring mod, chorus, ensemble, and vibe
Dedicated EQ with drive
Dedicated delay and reverb sections
Allows import of up to 1GB of sound via Nord Sample Editor 3—including user sounds!