Nord User Forum

[fugue]

Hi all, new forum member here. I am very close to deciding on purchasing a C2D. It looks to have the best range of features I want from the currently available clonewheels (dual manuals, and I love drawbars!). I currently own a Hammond XK-1C and have previously owned a Hammond XM module as well as an original 1963 Hammond M-111 spinet which I dearly loved. I am also a big fan of vintage combo organs so I'm very interested in the Vox and Farfisa sounds.

There were a couple things about the C2D that seemed unclear after reading through the manual. I noticed in one of the O/S updates that you can now adjust the drawbars on preset programs by double clicking the preset buttons (so it's flashing). Is this only allowed for the current drawbar set that's in focus (either A or B)? Or can you also adjust the drawbars for the non-active set while playing the set that's in focus, and then be able to switch between them? Sorry if that question is unclear, hopefully it makes sense.

Second, is it not possible to have different organ models on each manual (example: B3 on lower, Farfisa on upper)? From what I understand this is NOT possible, but just wondering if maybe I missed that explanation somewhere. It would be great if that was an option.

As for the combo organ sounds, has anyone got any sound clips of the Vox/Farfisa sound library that's available for download on the Nord website? The majority of C2D demos I've listened to only show the combo organ presets very briefly or not at all. There are a couple demos on the Nord site but not really in depth. Are the sounds in the Vox/Farfisa Library set good, any opinions from those who have added them to their C2D?

Thanks for any replies. Cheers!

[pablomastodon]

Hi Fugue,

First, yes. Adjustments made to off-focus drawbars instantly apply when that set of drawbars is brought into focus.

Second, no, not possible.

My first electronic instrument was Farfisa Combo Compact ~1972. The Nord Farf sounds great. I have no Vox experience, but have not heard anyone complain... The thing I miss from the original Farfisa is the knee lever. That, along with volume pedal, were RADICAL innovations for after never before having played anything other than ancient, worn-out, nameless upright in the basement.

I daresay that the great preponderance of Nord owners seldom have their organ type set to anything other than B3...not because there's anything wrong with the transistor organs, but because that's just what they want to hear/play. There's a 3-part C2D demo vid on the Nord website in which the 3rd part is pure transistor...the vid ends with him switching off the instrument, unplugging cables, and trundling out the warehouse door and into the snowy beyond with his C2D tucked under one arm.

Bless,

Pablo

[williehackitt]

Hi guys i have a nord stage ex and being an ex Hammond player i wonderd if the leslie sim was that much better in the 5d enough to warrant selling my stage ex and buying the 5d i know the drawbars are a good factor or maybe waiting to save and keep the 2 boards would love your thoughts

Thanks in advance Allan

[rb4u1]

I have had the Electros 1 thru 4. The sim on the 4 is very good.
The grind and the depth of the spin is very real. Not quite state-of-the -art
but much better than older models. Much more realism.

[RedLeo]

It depends on how much of the rest of the stuff on the Stage you actually use. You will lose a *lot* of functionality if you switch to an Electro.

[williehackitt]

Hi Leo i dont use the synth at all would you tell me what else id lose thanks im not techy at all an old Hammond player to be honest thanks

[fugue]

Pablo: thanks for the answers about the C2D functions. Much appreciated! That's awesome that you had a Farfisa. I'd love to own a Compact Duo. You're right about the knee lever, those little quirks are what seem to be missing from all the combo organ models. For example, there's no Multi-Tone Booster tab simulation, though I suppose you could dial in something close by tweaking the amp model, overdrive and EQ settings.

And, yes, I'm sure that 99.999% of C2D and other clonewheel owners mainly play B3 sounds, but it's nice to have the combos included. The pipe organ is also cool. On my Hammond XK-1C I actually prefer the Vox model to the Farf, even though I like the sound of real vintage Farfisa compacts much more.

I saw the video you're referring to. That is a nice demo, but it's really only one patch throughout. The Vox/Farfisa Library set has something like 10 patches, it would be great to hear clips of more of the models. I've started checking out a bunch of C2 demos since the sound patches are basically the same as the C2D.

Thanks again!

[RedLeo]

Hi Leo i dont use the synth at all would you tell me what else id lose thanks im not techy at all an old Hammond player to be honest thanks

The Stage basically doubles up on everything, so you can have two pianos, two organ manuals and two synth/sample sections all at the same time. It also has two External sections for controlling other MIDI gear. From what you're saying, though, it sounds like you don't really need most of this stuff. If you just want a good quality Hammond sound plus maybe some piano and the occasional sampled sound, then the Electro 5 should meet your needs perfectly.