Nord modular G2 still worth it now that we have VCV? – Other Gear

This question crops up pretty frequently and there’s never a good answer. I bought a G1 rack and G2 engine for way below what they go for now, they’re still very much worth it for me and I would not consider selling them, but it’s hard to make the case if you’re just getting into it now.

In terms of VCV as a substitute to the Nords, they are very, very, very different. VCV is great, but I dislike the skeuomorphic interface and how easy it is to continually add new modules – the library ends up cluttered and you cycle through different modules rather than pushing as much as you can out of each one. But it’s free, so it’s hard to complain too much, and it might suit you better if you’re used to eurorack. Cardinal partially solves this problem by limiting you to stock modules and a few choice cuts from the library, so you have to patch more creatively instead of just downloading new modules to solve your problem.

The Nords have a better patching interface, more of an integrated system, and it’s easier to manage big patches at a glance. They’re limited to the modules coded in the DSP, so it forces you to patch your way into getting things like looping envelopes or chaotic modulators, and everything has a characteristic ‘Nord sound’ that I find very pleasing.

The closest software alternative and the best iteration on the basic concept is Bitwig Grid, but it’s still lagging way behind in terms of things like feedback patching or the mutator functions in the G2.