Share your complete Nord Stage 2 programs/patches including sample sets (nsmp files) used, including mp3 previews.
Forum rules
How to get the MP3-Player:
Upload a MP3 file where you play some notes using your sample.
Click the "PLACE INLINE" button after uploading the MP3 sample in order to automatically create a Flash MP3 player in your post!
Also check the Forum Rules, in particular rule #6 about the sharing of programs and samples.

Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby Sal-FloydonNord2 » 03 Apr 2016, 18:21

Hi can anyone help

I have a Nord Stage 2. I usually have a sound guy for live gigs but am in another band now where this probably won't be a feature at the outset. Had big problems in achieving a level volume (through PA), in rehearsal switching between different programmes and tabs. Am wondering if I set and save volume of each programme/tab to same decibels, if this will level the volume. Your advice would be really appreciated…

Thanks

Sally
Last edited by Sal-FloydonNord2 on 03 Apr 2016, 21:21, edited 1 time in total.
Sal-FloydonNord2
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 20 Feb 2014, 16:07
Country: Great Britain
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 2

Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes


Sponsor
 

Re: Nord Stage 2 Steady Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby maxpiano » 03 Apr 2016, 20:52

On the NS2 you cannot save a master volume, only the volume of each Section; you have to program carefully your
patches so that you level them to the same final/overall desired output volume (not a trivial task, you can search and find many discussions on this forum about levelling volumes of NS patches...)

The author maxpiano was thanked by:
Sal-FloydonNord2
User avatar
maxpiano
Patch Creator
 
Posts: 6188
Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
Location: Italy
Country: Italy
Has thanked: 441 times
Been thanked: 2178 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby Sal-FloydonNord2 » 03 Apr 2016, 21:26

Hi maxpiano

So if i set each patch to say 0.0db do you think this would give the same output level for every patch i save to that volume?

Sally
Sal-FloydonNord2
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 20 Feb 2014, 16:07
Country: Great Britain
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 2

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby pablomastodon » 04 Apr 2016, 06:42

Hi Sally,

In "the old days" one would connect keyboard to tape recorder, hit the RECORD button (and PAUSE) and use the recorder's meters to measure output levels of different programs and balance them out. These days there are probably freeware apps which could do this.

The db settings on the instrument will not do this. Consider for a moment that if you have all 9 ninebars all the way out the B3 organ the audio output will be much louder than if all 9 drawbars except 1 are all the way in despite being set to 0.0dB in each case. Same is true for samples and potentially pianos. There will be natural variations in volumes of different sounds.

Measuring actual output with a meter will be the best way for optimal results.

Bless,

Pablo
bun fyah weh fyah fi bun

The author pablomastodon was thanked by:
Sal-FloydonNord2
User avatar
pablomastodon
Patch Creator
 
Posts: 4389
Joined: 30 Apr 2010, 20:45
Country: Jamaica
Has thanked: 1895 times
Been thanked: 1963 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Wave

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby mon8169 » 04 Apr 2016, 09:37

pablomastodon wrote:Consider for a moment that if you have all 9 ninebars all the way out the B3 organ the audio output will be much louder than if all 9 drawbars except 1 are all the way in despite being set to 0.0dB in each case.


In the other hand, this should be this way in the case of organ registrations.

But not for diferent pianos and synths.

Ramon
Cheers!
Ramon

Nord Stage Classic 76, Cantabile with Pianoteq, IK Hammond B-3X, NI B4-II and others.

The author mon8169 was thanked by:
Sal-FloydonNord2
User avatar
mon8169
Patch Creator
 
Posts: 371
Joined: 06 Mar 2009, 16:59
Location: Barcelona, Catalonia
Country: Catalonia
Has thanked: 25 times
Been thanked: 66 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage Classic

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby maxpiano » 04 Apr 2016, 12:02

Sal-FloydonNord2 wrote:Hi maxpiano

So if i set each patch to say 0.0db do you think this would give the same output level for every patch i save to that volume?

Sally

Theoretically yes but the problem, as Pablo also suggested is: how and in which conditions will you measure that 0dB?

The actual volume while playing is affected by many factors, e.g. velocity or expression pedal (if used) or changing drawbar settings in case of the Hammond, so "measuring 0dB" should include considerations about "at which velocity, ... I want to get that value"? Probably we'd say " when I am at the max of all parameters affecting final output Volume", but consider also the NS is a "live"machine so temptation/opportunity to change something on the fly if feel you can't hear yourself right, too loud or too low, will always be there.

Bottom line my suggestion is to use (your) common sense and don't be afraid to have to undergo some iterative adjustments, till you get to the result you like, rather than expecting a perfect 0dB measure to solve it all.
Last edited by maxpiano on 04 Apr 2016, 12:03, edited 1 time in total.

The author maxpiano was thanked by 2 members, including:
Sal-FloydonNord2pablomastodon
User avatar
maxpiano
Patch Creator
 
Posts: 6188
Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
Location: Italy
Country: Italy
Has thanked: 441 times
Been thanked: 2178 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby pablomastodon » 04 Apr 2016, 17:50

As Max correctly mentioned, there are many factors involved here. The point of the control is that when that setting is raised one is adding gain and when it is lowered the signal is attenuated. The physical number is not and can not used as a final measure of actual output volume. Meaningful signal metering can only occur after the analog audio outputs.
bun fyah weh fyah fi bun

The author pablomastodon was thanked by:
Sal-FloydonNord2
User avatar
pablomastodon
Patch Creator
 
Posts: 4389
Joined: 30 Apr 2010, 20:45
Country: Jamaica
Has thanked: 1895 times
Been thanked: 1963 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Wave

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby Sal-FloydonNord2 » 04 Apr 2016, 18:30

Thanks for your time guys that was really useful. I appear to have 3 options:

1. The common sense approach/undergoing iterative adjustments (If i use my monitors at home to try to level volumes, will the levels I set sound equally as level when i run the Nord through a PA system)?
2. Locate freeware app or
3. Meter for measuring actual output

Can anyone recommend any freeware app or meter compatible for Nord Stage 2? (Price not too prohibitive)..
Last edited by Sal-FloydonNord2 on 04 Apr 2016, 19:28, edited 1 time in total.
Sal-FloydonNord2
 
Posts: 41
Joined: 20 Feb 2014, 16:07
Country: Great Britain
Has thanked: 42 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 2

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby ThisPoison » 09 Jul 2016, 02:06

The biggest problem is the assumption that everyone else in the band is under control. They are not, as your sound guy knows all too well.

You can only level out as best you can across the presets, but without a sound guy, you actually need a good sound mix through the monitors in my experience. Only then can you adjust your levels live to get a decent balance.

I just do my best using the volumes per section to set a balance, then wing it if there is no sound guy......
User avatar
ThisPoison
 
Posts: 29
Joined: 24 Nov 2010, 18:12
Country: Great Britain
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage Classic
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Lead 1/2/2x

Re: Nord Stage 2 How to Level Volume on Switching Programmes

Postby analogika » 11 Jul 2016, 16:27

dB says very little about apparent loudness. Two sounds at the same dB may appear to have VERY different levels.

In addition, sounds may need to be much softer in the band context — Oberheim horns need to blare at full volume when you're playing the intro to "Jump!", but if you're backing "Easy Lover", the same sound will need to be MUCH lower to blend with piano and the rest of the band.

Trust your ears and put a trusted friend in the audience to keep notes for you on what sounds are too loud/too soft. This is the MUCH harder part of sound design for a band. I built the sounds for a cover band within about two weeks, but it took me well over six months' constant work with our sound engineer to get the most egregious volume outliers reigned in.
The Nord giveth; the Nord taketh away…
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio

The author analogika was thanked by 2 members, including:
pablomastodonJustPianoGuy
User avatar
analogika
 
Posts: 3288
Joined: 21 Nov 2013, 10:02
Country: Germany
Has thanked: 1126 times
Been thanked: 1398 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3

Next

Return to Nord Stage 2 Programs (*.ns2p files)



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests