Javier Melgar of Animatek wrote in to share the news of an open-source editor for the Clavia Nord Modular G1, a groundbreaking digital hardware synthesizer from 1997.
Inspired by the original Nomad Java-based patch editor, Animatek NME was rebuilt from scratch with JUCE/C++. Its features include a tiled 4-slot workspace, patch and bank management, full bank backup, module presets and per-module DSP cost readouts.
The standout is the Patch Mutator, which adapts the Nord Modular G2’s sound-breeding workflow to the G1: Gaussian and harmonic mutation, crossover, interpolation, parameter locks, snapshots and eight persistent variations per slot. There’s also an optional local MCP bridge that lets AI assistants build and edit patches inside the editor.
Animatek NME features
- Native JUCE desktop application.
- Pixel-oriented module canvas with Poly/Common areas.
- Module browser, QuickAdd, drag and drop, copy/paste, duplicate, multi-selection, and undo/redo.
- Real-time parameter, cable, module, morph, knob, and MIDI controller synchronization.
- Patch settings and synth settings dialogs.
- Synth patch browser with bank/slot operations.
- Bank transfer tools (Device menu): Save Bank to Disk, Send Bank to Synth with overwrite warning and clean stop on failure, and Backup All Banks to the preset library (Banks/Bank1-Bank9 mirror folders), all with progress and cancellation.
- Disk preset browser with configurable preset library folder, recursive .pch scanning, search, and patch/snippet/bank filters. Bank backups load like any patch.
- Randomize, initialize, parameter locks, snapshots, cable visibility tools, canvas zoom, and module help.
- Patch Mutator (G2-style interactive sound breeder) with Gaussian mutation, harmonic oscillator mutation, crossover, interpolation, Quick Locks, and 8 persistent patch variations.
- SysEx Monitor floater for live TX/RX MIDI logging (works in console-less release builds).
- Configurable synth send speed (parameter throughput) to balance responsiveness vs. reliability.
- 13 color themes (cycled with Ctrl+T), with Nord as the default, plus a persistent wireframe module mode (Ctrl+W).
- Experimental VST3/CLAP plugin targets.
Currently in active beta development, Animatek NME runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The source code is available from GitHub, and ready-made beta builds are available to supporters of the project through Patreon.
More information: Animatek
