Norand Mono (Analog Bass Synth with Sequencer)

What kind of headphones you’re trying to connect one with Mic ? they have extra pin that could cause this. Can you try to go to speakers/computer to eliminate headphones. There is no PAN this is a mono synth both channels should have the same info on it

1 Like

The sound is really nice.

I downgraded from 2.x to 1.99, not only to escape bugs, but to regain a feature that I really love, which is that there’s a large undo/redo stack for sequencer actions, so I can use the clever randomization (which adds a few notes, doesn’t rewrite existing ones) to build up a stack of good mods (undoing the bad ones right away, so they don’t go into the stack), and then move back and forth through them. 2.x puts every action (including knob turns) into that stack, which makes it useless for performance, because you want to pause a while and change the timbre.

6 Likes

*edit 2:
Thanks for the advice. If I use a balanced 6,3mm trs splitter cable I get sound on both.

Still don’t understand why it doesn’t work with the headphones though

If you headphone with 1/8" or 3.5mm has a built in mic then the jack has 4 contacts, L/R and MIC. the Mic “pin” is preventing to connect the second channel. You need an adapter to hear both. If you have headphones with no mic then sorry headphones are broken. I assume your headphones are not broken thus you need the adapter , plenty on amazon hope this helps
this

or this might work (need to use both)

When using SEQ keys to directly enter a new note on step do you encounter these few problems (MK2 only, last firmware )

  1. Velocity for new steps is always full for each step even if my Velocity expression is on.
  2. There is way to edit step/note to make it longer but no way to make an existing two step note shorter. I always delete it. Yes there is way to make 3+ steps note shorter if there are no overlaps (mod notes or other sustained note)
  3. Gate entered this way (assume you using fresh new patter) is very very short
  4. Editing Ratchets FUNC+TURN Ratchet KNOB you see a lot of green steps that I cannot explain why. I though the green reflect that there are ratchets but it seems it’s the opposite all the green steps are without ratchets

Thanks some more ideas. I’ve tested with three different pro audio headphones (no mic) that all work with other gear, same results. I’m going to ask for a replacement

Hi,
I’m trying to downgrade a Mono mk1 from OS 2.2 to OS 1.99 and it’s not working. After trying to instal 1.99 all the seq buttons flash. Seems like something to do with the “boot-loader” based on the flashing.

Do you remember the procedure you used to downgrade your OS?

Thanks.

4 Likes

Thanks!

1 Like

Hi,
I successfully downgraded my Mono Mk1 from OS 2 to OS 1 and it’s become a useable, reliable synth again. I’ve used it for hours without one freeze up.

I see people on here are having different results with OS 2 on the Mk 1’s. My guess is the ones who aren’t having problems might not be using it synced to external MIDI clock. That’s when it’s at it’s worst. The LFO’s no longer sync to external clock with OS2 on my unit but are syncing quite well again after downgrading to version 1.99.

I spoke to Mathieu about the LFO syncing problem on version 2 when synced to external midi clock well over a year ago. He had me make videos and then confirmed the problem. Not a word since.

11 Likes

In case this can be helpful to anyone, a user on the Norand forum (@soundsubs, is he/she here as well?) reported having had no issues for a year with FW 2.2.0r on MKI.

Here is the link where he/she describes the update procedure in details:

It is supposedly different from the one described in the manual…

4 Likes

I finally had more time to test this. Updated, then formatted SD card. Everything seemed stable. I then copied the presets back on the card, same result.
So now I’ve done some further testing and haven’t had a single crash since… I’ve spent like 2 hours on it, as I had little time. But pretty obvious that formatting the SD card makes a big difference.

This thing can sound wild… But the stability issues and lack of support are off-putting.
The hardware is also not 100% reliable. The XYZ play on the keys works well on most keys, but my C key is less responsive. So with the same pressure and vertical slide, I get double triggers or a short gate… There are some functions like morph pattern that are explained in the manual, but that do not work as explained. To morph, you have to press func-pattern, then the pattern on the SEQ page. Doesn’t work for me. You can morph with func-morph pot. But there is no morph pot.
Really frustrating. I first discovered that the links to the manual on the Mkii webpage actually link to the mki manual… I couldn’t find the mkii manual on the website, I just had to alter the link as was lucky enough to find it there. But there are lots of mistakes in the manual. The youtube tutorials don’t solve this issue as the first step is skipped…

So it seems to me like the mkii is not as well documented as the mki and the developer lost interest or had other things going on? It needs a manual for certain functions, some shortcuts are impossible to find without. I hoped it would have been more direct…
I also miss a more direct control over slide time and accent parameters. They are probably there, but you need to remember.

Conclusion: great potential for patient people that are willing to put time and effort in and have a better memory than I have :wink:
Mine’s going back…

2 Likes

Yeah, I made a quick research and found the guy was also involved in Embodme (MIDI/CV controllers)

I hope he hasn’t lost interest in the Mono, that would be a pity because he was pretty committed in the beginning. I exchanged many mails with him and his pal, and they implemented many feature requests.

I don’t use mine at the moment, but I keep it because I’m pretty sure at one point I will have interest again.

EDIT: the Erae 2 by Embodme had gone under my radar because too big for me, but looking at it now, it looks like a cool controller!

Is norand mono abandoned ? My MK2 is buggy but I still use it and hope for a few bugs to get fixed in the near future… Any news from Norand ?

Is there way to remove x-mod/env modulation ? The only way I know is to select a knob with an existing x-mod and try to see if the light on x-mod/x-env amounts are fully off.