Front view

1. Display - shows the current tempo (or current setting/value/info)

2. Knob

   • turn it to change the tempo, or change settings/value

   • press it to validate or change the tempo decimals

3. Tap Tempo Button - blinks at tempo (purple on downbeat, yellow on other beats)

4. Play Button 1

   • start/stop your gear on MIDI Out 1

   • hold down to resync/restart your gear

5. Play Button 2

   • Same as above, but for MIDI Out 2

   • Can be configured to mute the metronome (see the ”PL.2” setting)

6. Setup Button - enter and leave the settings, hold down to turn off the device

7. SYNC LED:

   • Yellow when the device is synced to U-SYNC

   • Purple when the device is synced to an external audio signal

   • Blinks momentarily green or red at every tap when tapping the tempo

Combo actions:

• Hold + rotate to change the metronome’s volume

• Hold + press or to nudge the time backward or forward

• Hold + rotate to apply previous or next Preset

• Hold while tapping to tap quicker tempo changes (no averaging)

• Hold + hold for 1 sec to “lock” the tempo

Back view

8. USB Type-C plug

   • Powers the device

   • USB communication with a computer

9. CV/Analog/DIN Sync Clock Output

   • 3.5mm TRS plug

     (stereo jack)

   • sends 5V analog pulses on both Tip & Ring for your modular synths

   • can be configured to DIN Sync (sync24) for vintage gear

     • this will require a TRS-to-DIN Sync adapter

10. Multi-function Input

• 6.35mm TRS plug (stereo jack)

• plug in 2 pedals here (one on Tip/Left and one on Ring/Right)

• plug a drum pad here (to tap the tempo and/or time signature)

• send an external sync signal here (see external sync section)

11. MIDI Outputs

• Sends MIDI Clock, MIDI Start/stop, and forwarded USB-MIDI messages

• Start/stop can be independently controlled on each port

12. Headphones/Line Out switch

• selects headphones ( ) or balanced line out ( ) for audio out (6)

13. Audio Output

• 6.35mm TRS plug (stereo jack)

• plays metronome click

• Do not send phantom power (+48V) to this output

Editing the settings

The settings are accessible by pressing .
Use to select, change, and save a setting value.

The color of the setup button will change according to the step:

All settings are saved and applied automatically. They are also preserved when the firmware is updated.

Reading letters and abbreviations on the display

Understanding what the display is telling you can be a bit tricky if you are not used to it. This is the alphabet used by the Nome:

Note that the dot is used for separation, for example: reads Auto-Play.

The 3-letter abbreviations used are trying to be as clear and as consistent as possible.

Here is a list of all setting names abbreviations and their meaning:

And here are some of the other abbreviations used (as setting values, among others):

• & : MIDI Output 1 and 2 (on the back of the device)

• : both MIDI Outputs (1 and 2)

• : Playing function, i.e. the ability of doing start/stop

• : constant, i.e. something that is permanently on

• : follows Play, i.e. something that is only on after a Play button is pressed

• : follows Mute, i.e. something that is on when the metronome is unmuted

• : DIN Sync mode (also called sync24)

• : resyncing, typically sent on the device’s MIDI and ANLG outputs

Considerations on how to configure your Nome

There are quite a lot of settings, but most of them are very simple. Just have a quick look at the list so you know what is possible, and you can forget about the settings that do not concern you.

Most users report they went to the settings once, to customize their Nome to their liking, then never went back in again.

To make it less overwhelming, they are separated in two lists, the advanced settings being less likely to be changed regularly.

Note that whenever the device has to choose between MIDI Output 1 and 2 to trigger an action, MIDI Output 1 is chosen. In other words,

For example:

• When the TAP LED, the Mute function, or the ANLG outputs “follow play”, they will follow whether MIDI Output 1 is playing or not

• When configured in DIN Sync mode, the ANLG output follows MIDI Output 1

• When the first play button is configured to act on both outputs, it will light up according to MIDI Output 1

On the other hand, when it’s explicit, the Nome chooses the appropriate output.

For example:

• any configuration on the ANLG ring/right will follow MIDI Output 2

(while will follow output 1)

• The second play button will always act on MIDI Output 2

• Two pedals configured as will each act on their own output

The list of basic settings

⁽¹⁾ When out of the settings, adjust both volumes quickly by holding down the Setup button and turning the Knob.

⁽²⁾ when selecting , , or to , the tempo LED will stop blinking and react to taps on the pad, or to input audio/analog pulses. This way you can check the volume/strength of the input.

⁽³⁾ Here is a diagram to better understand those 3 options:

The list of advanced settings

⁽¹⁾ Pedal 1 configured as act like the play buttons: short press does start/stop, while a long press does resync. Using one pedal only will affect the MIDI output controlled by the play button 1 (i.e. setting). Using two pedals will each control one MIDI output.

⁽²⁾ Short press applies the next preset, long press applies the previous preset.
Or use both pedals, in this case pedal 1 = previous preset and pedal 2 = next preset.

⁽³⁾ Pedal 2 is the Ring/Right part of the INPUT plug, it can be used in conjunction with any of the settings. When configured as a single pedal, long press is disabled, so that you can start your machines more precisely on the press (and not release).

⁽⁴⁾ When using this option, you can still mute/unmute with a pedal, MIDI Commands, or by changing the setting to .

⁽⁵⁾ The two pedals’ polarity is automatically detected when leaving the settings and when the device restarts. Make sure not to press the pedal at that time.

⁽⁶⁾ When count-off is enabled, a double-tap will stop the sequencers / unmute the metronome (depending on the count-off setting).

⁽⁷⁾ Latching pedals cannot do a “long-press”, so using such a pedal will not give the possibility to load the previous preset or to resync (for example).

Extra metronome settings

The Nome’s metronome has extra settings that can only be configured using the Sim’n Tonic Config Tool.

These settings are saved on the device just like the others, but are not accessible from the device itself.

You can also use the same Sim’n Tonic Config Tool to upload custom user click sounds for the metronome (i.e. , , , and ).

Saving and managing tempo presets

To save and delete presets, find the entry in the advanced settings list:

→ →

You will be presented with a list from 1 to X, with X the first available preset (X-1 being the last saved preset).

That preset X will be written as E.xx (E for empty), for example if you have one preset saved already (X=2).

• To save the current tempo and time signature as a preset, select the preset you want to save and hold down

  • The display will show (SAved) when the preset is saved

• You can only delete the last preset that was saved (the one just before E.xx).

  • To delete it, select it and then hold down both and

  • The display will show (dELeted) when the preset is deleted

To exit the list, either press to go back to the (advanced) settings list, or press to exit the settings and go back to the main display showing the tempo.

Applying tempo presets

The last applied preset is always saved in the device.

To see which preset is currently applied, make sure you exit the settings, then hold and rotate once. The display will show P.xx, for example , until you release the TAP button.

No new preset is applied at this point, but if you keep rotating the knob, the next or previous preset will be applied (and the display will also show you).

When one of the play buttons or is lighting yellow (i.e. a sequencer is playing), the preset will only be applied at the end of the bar. The main tempo display will have blinking dots to indicate that a preset is pending.

When the tempo is in locked mode, the preset will only be loaded by not applied until is pressed down.

Note that you can also apply presets using pedals or using MIDI commands.

The Clock interface

The first MIDI IN interface, “Clock”, sends the MIDI Clock as well Start and Stop messages.

Use it with software or hardware that can follow MIDI Clock, for example it can be a way to get your DAW to follow the Nome.

Do not use this if you are using U-SYNC.

The DAW Control

The second MIDI IN interface, “DAW Control”, is used to send special MIDI messages which you can map on your DAW to do specific actions. This is used together with U-SYNC to control the DAW (only available on certain DAWs - see the U-SYNC documentation)

The module interface

This will be used in the future, for when you connect a physical add-on module to your Nome. For example a MIDI IN module could forward data from its MIDI IN jacks to these interfaces.

MIDI Forwarding interfaces Out 1&2

Send MIDI data to “MIDI Out 1“ or “MIDI Out 2”, and that data will be forwarded to the corresponding DIN-MIDI port on the back of the device.

The MIDI data is merged with the MIDI generated by the Nome so that:

• The clock has the highest priority and is 100% unaffected by other data

• Start & Stop messages also have high priority and will be sent on time

MIDI System Common messages and MIDI System Realtime messages (which all start with 0xFn) are not forwarded, except Song Select message (0xF3).

All other MIDI messages, including Note On/Off, Aftertouch, CC, PC, Channel Pressure, and Pitch Bend are all forwarded.

System Exclusive (SysEx) messages are forwarded, but limited to 500 bytes. They have lower priority than realtime messages and could be interrupted and resent later if a higher priority message needs to be sent (for example Start).

MIDI Commands

You can send MIDI messages to the USB-MIDI “Commands” interface in order to control or change settings on your Nome.

Important: where a MIDI channel applies, use Channel 12, no other channel will work.

⁽¹⁾ Send CC 85 first, then CC 86. Examples:

• CC 85 value 1 followed by CC 86 value 42, sets the tempo to 170.

• Later, sending only CC 86 value 117 (and no CC 85) sets the tempo to 245 (=128+117).

⁽²⁾ CC 110 changes only the decimal part of the BPM; for example, if currently at 134.53, CC 110 value 27 sets the tempo to 134.27.
Note: CC 86, 87, 88, and 89 all reset the decimals to zero (i.e. set to x.00).

⁽³⁾ For example, CC 90 value 6 followed by CC 90 value 103 sets a time signature of 6/8.

⁽⁴⁾ CC 104 and 105 correspond to the and settings:

• 0 =

• 1-8 = “X ppqn”, from to

• 9-11 = , , and , respectively

• 12-109 = “X beats”, from to

See the list of basic settings for more details.

⁽⁵⁾ MIDI CC 106 and Program Change wait if the Play button is lit or the device is in Locked Mode, as when applying a preset on the device or with a pedal. CC 107 bypasses this and applies the preset right away.

On devices/software, CC values usually start from 0, while Program Change and Song Select start from 1. Whichever message you use, the number shown on your device should match the preset number.

⁽⁶⁾ Port X is the MIDI output port selected by the setting (both or output 1 only).

⁽⁷⁾ This is independent of the rES setting. But no resets or count-in are possible when syncing to an external clock (24P mode or U-SYNC, for example).

⁽⁸⁾ Start/stop commands act regardless of the current playing state and device configuration, including the and the settings. This means MIDI Stop can stop a sequencer started manually, and MIDI Continue can send a resync (the equivalent of holding down the Play button).

To avoid conflicts with DAW transport messages, MIDI Start/Continue/Stop are disabled when the device is both connected to a U-SYNC plugin and using auto-play. MIDI CC commands, including CC 103, are always enabled.

Sync to an analog clock or an audio signal

Setting the → setting to one of the 1P to 24P values will get your Nome to follow an analog or audio signal sent to the “INPUT” jack of the device.

The analog sync signal can be any loud short sounds or analog pulses sent at X ppq (parts per quarternote). This could be for example a recorded sound sent regularly or a 5V analog clock like the ones sent by modular or vintage synths. The available signal speeds X (in ppq) are the following:

Make sure the pulses are sharp and short, otherwise one pulse could be counted as two.

This is a great way to get the Nome to follow a machine without MIDI, for example a tape machine, a hardware recorder, a DJ turntable, an SPD Drum pad, a piece of software, etc.

Important: the Nome cannot sync to any audio, usually called “Beat Detection” or “Tempo Following” (for example sync to a song or live audio). The Nome will only sync to regular pulses.

Syncing to your DAW with U-SYNC (Mac)

Sync your Nome and your DAW with our innovative U-SYNC technology. All you need to do is download U-SYNC, install it, and load the U-SYNC plugin on your DAW.

See also the U-SYNC Manual and the U-SYNC Quick Start Guide

Note: for now, U-SYNC is only available on Mac. On Windows you will have to use the 24P mode and the old plugin.

Syncing to your DAW using the 24P mode (Windows)

If you are on Windows, or if your DAW does not work with U-SYNC, you can sync using the “Midronome” plugin. This plugin sends analog (audio) pulses at 24ppq, so that the Nome can sync to it like it would to an analog clock for example. It works with both generations, Nome I and Nome II (despite its name).

Note: this “Midronome” plugin is open-source. Feel free to report or even correct any bugs on its github page. You can download the VST/AU/AAX files on the github page.

Once you have the plugin installed:

• Load the plugin on a track in your DAW

• Then configure your DAW and your audio interface so that this track is routed to a dedicated (physical) output on your audio interface

• Make sure that only this track is sent on that output

• Make sure the volume of that output is loud is loud

• Connect a cable from this output to the Nome’s “INPUT” plug

• Enable the 24P mode on the Nome

Then press play in your DAW, the Nome’s “SYNC” LED should turn on and it should follow your DAW’s timing.

For more information about how to set up the old plugin, see the old PDF for FW 2.0 called “How to sync with DAWs”, also on the github page.

Syncing your DAW to the Nome using MIDI over USB

U-SYNC and the 24P mode will get the Nome to follow your DAW (i.e. the DAW is the master), but you might prefer it the other way around, getting your DAW to follow the Nome (i.e. the Nome is the master).

The Nome sends MIDI Clock over USB, which you can use to sync your DAW to it. Please refer to your DAW’s documentation regarding how to do this. For example, the “Syncing Live to another device or application” section in the official Ableton documentation describes how to set it up for Ableton.

Most DAWs have a setting to adjust the synchronisation delay, see your DAW’s documentation regarding this as well. As of today, only Ableton, Bitwig, FL Studio, and Reason can do this

Automatically start and stop sequencers

The → setting makes the device automatically “press” a play button when the sync starts and stops. Set this setting and the Nome will automatically send Start/Stop on its physical MIDI Outputs ports when the sync starts and stops, whether it’s syncing to a DAW or to an analog/audio signal (sync to 1-24ppq, i.e. 1P - 24P settings).

You can choose which of your machines should start automatically:

• machines connected to both MIDI Output 1 and 2

• machines connected to MIDI Output 1 only

• machines connected to MIDI Output 2 only

As with everything else, the Analog Outputs 1 (left part of the ANLG plug) and 2 (right part) follow the respective MIDI outputs, so they will also be affected by this setting.

Note that:

• when syncing multiple Nomes together, this setting also affects the follower Nomes react to pressing play on the master Nome.

• when the count-off setting → is set to (start count-off when Muted), the autoplay setting determines which MIDI/ANLG output starts after the count-off.

Syncing multiple Nomes together

To get more outputs you can sync multiple Nomes together. This sync is one-way only: one Nome will be the master and all the others will follow. The tempo and time signature numerator can only be changed on the master, while the time signature denominator can be set individually on each follower Nome.

There is no real limit regarding how many Nomes you can sync (in fact, we tested it with 36!), and this works with any combination of Nome I and Nome II devices.

To set it up, do the following:

• On the master Nome:

• Select the → setting, and set it to 59

• Press for 1 second

• The value will change from 59 to

• On every follower Nome:

• Select the → setting, and set it to

• Press for 1 second

• The value will change from to

Now connect a 6.35mm jack cable from the AUDIO plug of the master Nome to the INPUT plug of every follower Nome (use Y splitter cables if syncing more than 2 Nomes).

For best results, set the audio output switch to line out ( ) on the master Nome.

To get a follower Nome to play automatically when the master Nome is also playing, see the section above about the → setting.

Tempo decimals

You can set the tempo down to the 100th decimal on the Nome, i.e. from x.00 to x.99.

The decimals are also:

• automatically set when tapping a tempo

• saved in the tempo presets

• supported by U-SYNC 1.4 and newer

• modifiable using MIDI CC Commands

On the device, press once to open the tempo decimal page. The display will then show a dot and the decimal part of the BPM “.xx”. For example if the current BPM shown is , and pressing shows , that means the actual tempo is 108.74 bpm.

Note that:

• You can instead hold down and turn (while pressing) for a quick adjustment

• Changing to a new BPM integer number will

  • Reset the decimals when turning fast (for ex. 120.46 → 125.00)

  • Keep the decimals when turning slow (for ex. 120.46 → 121.46)

Count-in and count-off

Nome supports both a count-in, where the device counts down for you, and a count-off, where you count down by tapping and the device starts at the end of your count.

Catch up live timing with Smart Tap Tempo

You can “catch” a live tempo already running, which is great if you are playing with live musicians without a metronome, or with a machine that cannot send a 1-24ppq signal to sync to.

Before trying to catch a tempo, it’s a great idea to set the start timing of the Nome right - you can do this by counting off.

Then, once started, simply tap, as the Smart Tap Tempo algorithm will set not only the tempo but also match the timing to your tapping. It might take a few beats to catch up, simply keep tapping until the music aligns.

Note that the LED will show you how precise your taps are by changing its color:

• Perfect Green means your taps are in time with the Nome’s internal timing

• Perfect Red means your taps are at least 50% off

• Anywhere in between will give you a mix of the two colors (green -> yellow -> red)

The Nome will try to keep the tempo stable as much as possible, while at the same time be ready to change the tempo if your tapping changes. To achieve this, it detects if your taps are regular or not:

• When they are, they will be heavily averaged, so just keep tapping, the more you tap the more stable it will be

• When not, it will “reset” the average so that the tempo can quickly change and follow your tapping

Pro Tip: If you want to temporarily disable the averaging, hold down the Setup button while you are tapping, this will let you make much quicker tempo changes.

Note: on any beta firmware, there is an extra feature for you to check what the algorithm is doing under the hood: will light up red every time the Nome “resets” the average tapped tempo. Feel free to use this so you know when it happens.

This feature is not present in “normal” (non-beta) firmwares.

Match external gear’s timing with Time Nudging

The smart tap tempo mentioned above is great with a source with a variable or unknown tempo, like Live musicians for example.

But if you are trying to sync to a machine with a precise BPM, for example a DJ turntable, it is better to:

1. Set the same BPM (down to the 100th decimal) on the Nome

2. Use Time Nudging to match the timing

To nudge the timing, hold down and either or . The left button will nudge backwards, the right button will nudge forward.

This will “move” the timing of the Nome without changing its tempo. The longer you hold the buttons (you can let go of the Setup button), the faster the nudge will be.

The two buttons and will change from green to red to indicate how fast the nudge is going.

Turn off the Nome

To turn your Nome off, simply hold down for 2 seconds. The display will then show “OFF in 3 2 1” and then turn off.

To turn it back on, press any of those buttons: , or .

Why update

New firmware versions are regularly released, and for now they are all free.

If you have never updated, then you are probably missing out on a whole lot of new features and bug fixes, and the settings shown in this manual probably do not match the ones on your device.

Feel free to have a look at the Nome Firmware Changelog for more details.

How to update

To update your Nome:

• Download the Firmware Update tool

• Launch it and click “Check for updates…”

How to load a custom, beta, or alpha firmware

The tool updates your Nome to the most recent firmware by default.

If you want to load a different firmware:

1. Download a specific *.fw firmware file (do not rename the file)

2. Launch the tool

3. Right click “Check for updates…” and load the chosen *.fw file

You can go back at any time to the newest firmware by left clicking “Check for updates…” again.

Important: switching to any firmware will not damage your device in any way, and it will be fully functional.

But downgrading might mess up your device settings (depending on which version). Upgrading back to the same version after a downgrade might also mess up your device settings.

(upgrading to a newer version after that will preserve the settings as normal)

In all those cases, make sure to remember what your settings were so you can set them back.

Troubleshooting

There is no way to “brick” the device (make it unusable), so feel free to unplug and restart the update if there is any issue. The update process should take no more than 15 to 20 seconds.

If your device is not detected, please check the USB cable and check in your OS if the device is recognized (Device Manager on Windows, Audio MIDI Setup on Mac). Please try disconnecting and reconnecting the device as well.

If none of this helps, you can force the “update mode” of the device by doing as follows:

• Unplug the USB cable

• Hold the TAP and the two play buttons down

• Replug the USB cable while holding the 3 buttons

• Wait 4 seconds (the screen will stay blank during that time)

After those 4 seconds, the device will start in update mode:

• it will show “rdY” if it is connected successfully

(if not, check your USB connection/cable and check your OS)

Now, try running the update from the software tool again.

Setup instructions

What does Nome II do?

Nome II sends MIDI clock and transport to compatible instruments. It also provides analog clock outputs for modular and Eurorack setups, DIN sync with the appropriate adapter and settings, and a built-in audio metronome for musicians.

See Nome II Quick Start: all setup answers for connections and setup, Buttons & Connectors for the physical controls and ports, and Settings for clock and transport settings. Connected instruments must support the relevant clock and transport signals.

What is U-SYNC?

U-SYNC is Sim’n Tonic’s DAW synchronization technology. It uses a plugin and USB connection to synchronize Nome II with a supported DAW, without routing an audio sync track through a dedicated audio-interface output.

This manual covers firmware 5.5 and U-SYNC 1.4.1. U-SYNC is currently documented here for Mac. Windows users can use the separate audio-based 24P workflow; this is not U-SYNC for Windows. Check the current U-SYNC documentation for supported DAWs and installation requirements rather than assuming every DAW is compatible.

• Syncing to your DAW with U-SYNC (Mac): U-SYNC setup and links to its manual.

• Syncing to your DAW using the 24P mode (Windows): the audio-based alternative.

• U-SYNC information and compatibility.

Setup, updates and troubleshooting

• Nome II Quick Start: all setup answers: choose the connections for your setup, including MIDI, analog clock and DIN sync.

• Manual Contents: complete Nome II manual.

• USB communication & commands: USB and MIDI communication.

• Sync to other devices & DAWs: follow another device or DAW.

• Update the Nome Firmware: firmware update instructions.

• Frequently asked questions.

• Downloads and support.

Product and brand

Sim’n Tonic is the brand behind Nome II and U-SYNC. The current website identifies the company as Sim’n Tonic ApS.

• Nome II product page.

• Sim’n Tonic website.

• Manuals home.

Common setup questions

These answers address questions raised in public Sim’n Tonic forum discussions and other musician communities. They apply to the firmware and U-SYNC versions named above; older forum replies may describe earlier capabilities. For every setup path, see Nome II Quick Start: all setup answers.