The NDLR - More Details

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Overview

• Four-part MIDI interval sequencer: Pad, Drone, Motif 1 & Motif 2
• Every part’s notes come from the chosen chord degree, chord type, key & mode
• 7 chord buttons; start/stop per part, global play/stop, and a panic button
• Plays MIDI hardware synths, soft synths, a DAW or a tablet; makes no sound on its own
• Most parameters can be changed while performing; most are MIDI CC addressable

MIDI I/O

• Inputs = 2x 5-pin DIN, 4x USB MIDI virtual ports, 1x CV clock in (3.5mm)
• Outputs = 2x 5-pin DIN, 4x USB MIDI virtual ports, 1x CV clock out (3.5mm)
• MIDI merger and splitter: all notes & CCs pass thru except The NDLR control channel

Videos

How-to videos playlist  |  User performances playlist  |  Review videos playlist

Specifications

The Four Parts

• Pad – polyphonic chord player; notes hold until the next chord or stop. Set or modulate octave position, voicing, note range, spread & strum; up to 49 notes of polyphony (depends on key, mode & chord)
• Pad Poly-chain – sends chord notes round robin to up to 4 MIDI channels (e.g., 6 voices from 2 Volca FMs)
• Drone – 1-3 notes (root, plus 3rd and/or 5th); continuous or retrigger on chord change, down beat, every beat, up beat, etc.; drone velocity setting
• Motif 1 & 2 – sequenced arpeggiators; clock division, pattern length, octave position & variation; quantize by chord, scale or chromatic
• Tempo 10-300 BPM, or external clock

Pattern & Rhythm Editors

• Pattern = list of relative note values; Rhythm = velocity, REST or TIE per beat
• 20 built-in patterns and 20 built-in rhythms, plus 20 user slots each
• Edit the pattern while the motif plays
• Euclidean Rhythm algorithm mode (Release 3 firmware)
• Patterns can be used as modulation sources

Chord Sequencer

• Step attributes: Duration (1/8 notes), Key, Mode, Degree & Type
• Sections A, B & C, up to 6 steps each; 8 Section slots, each with Section Name & Repeats
• 5 stored Chord Sequences (1-5) plus a blank sequence (0)

Modulation

• 8 slot mod matrix: Source, Destination, Amount & Destination Value
• 3 LFOs: 0.4-40 seconds free running, or 1-48 beats synced
• LFO shapes: Sine, Tri, Sqr, Pulse, S&H and Patterns; probability on LFOs 1 & 2
• Other sources: pitch bend, mod wheel, velocity, CCs, aftertouch, custom patterns
• Destinations: almost all NDLR parameters, plus any MIDI CC (1-127) on your synths

MIDI Controller

• 7 screens: 4 channel volume mixer, 4 channel pan mixer, Motif 1 & 2 filter, and one screen per part
• Per part: volume, pan, filter cutoff/resonance, plus 2 user CC knobs
• CC numbers: Volume CC#7, Pan CC#10, Filter Cutoff CC#74, Filter Resonance CC#71 (values 0-127)

Clock

• Internal MIDI clock out, 10-300 BPM
• CV clock out (0-5V): 1 PPQ, 2 PPQ (Korg Volca), 24 PPQ, with clock divide
• CV clock in: 5V max, 24 PPQ
• External MIDI clock in on 5-pin A, B or USB 1-4

MIDI In

• Transpose channel: a keyboard or sequencer transposes from C to the current key & mode
• Control-In channel: white keys pick chord degrees I-VII; black keys optionally pick chord type
• Most features controllable by incoming CC messages

MIDI Out

• Pad: channel 1-16; Poly-chain plays on the following channel(s)
• Drone: Off, same as Pad, or 1-16
• Motif 1 & 2: selectable port and channel
• Ports: USB 1-4, 5-pin DIN A & B

Save & Load

• 20 global patch slots (Release 3 firmware; up from 8), changeable on the fly
• 20 user patterns, 20 user rhythms, 5 chord sequences, 4 Perlin Noise settings

Release 3 Firmware (June 2025, Rev2)

• Rotator Algorithm
• Interval Notes Input Control
• Euclidean Rhythm mode for the Motif Rhythm editor
• Motif Pattern Step modulation destinations
• Motif Gate Control
• Perlin Noise Pattern Generator
• Drone velocity setting
• 20 Global Patch slots (up from 8)
• New mod matrix destinations: Perlin Noise parameters, Motif Gate, Strum, Spread and more

Rev1 owners: the November 2023 update added Rotator enhancements and Interval mode. See Downloads.

Controls & Display

• Color LCD 1.8" (128×160)
• 8 rotary encoders with switch
• 7 chord buttons (degree / type)
• 4 part play/pause buttons, Motif 1/2 select, global play/stop
• Shift & Menu buttons; flat menu system (8 menus)
• Soft power button (Rev2)
• Recessed firmware update button (updates via USB)

Physical

• Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 2.8 in (22.8 x 16 x 7.1 cm)
• Powder coated aluminum enclosure; Rev2: black faceplate, red base
• ESD protected electronics

Power & Requirements

• USB powered, 5V DC: 140mA (Rev2), 90mA (Rev1). Power supply not included; use a computer, USB charger, powered hub or battery pack
• 6 ft (2m) USB A to B cable included; newer Macs may need USB B to USB C
• One or more MIDI synths or soft synths. Synths with poor MIDI implementations may get stuck notes; use Panic
• For many synths and best timing, use an active MIDI thru box or router such as the MRCC

In the Box

• The NDLR
• USB A to B cable, 6 ft (2m)

Limited Warranty

• 1 year limited warranty to the original owner (or the minimum time required by law in your country) from the time you received it
• Consumables, such as USB cables and accessories: 90 day limited warranty

Reviews & News

Synthtopia  |  Sonic State  |  MATRIXSYNTH  |  Audiofanzine (French)

Specifications are subject to change.

Still have questions?

See the Frequently Asked Questions, ask on our Discord server, or send us a message on the Support page.

Documents & firmware downloads