Nord Stage 2 in combination with Doepfer D3M

[tommes]

Hello guys,

I am planning to buy a Doepfer D3M as additional keyboard for my Nord Stage 2 HA76 to have a better keybed for playing organ and lead-synths.
I like the weighted keybed of the Stage 2 for acoustic and electric pianos and also for pad-sounds.
But for playing Hammond- and synth-sounds I would like to have a waterfall keybed.

Before I spend the money for the Doepfer I would like to know if the Stage 2 is able to do the things I want in this combination.
Perhaps some of you have the same needs as me and already have a solution and can give me some tips.

I want to use the D3M only when playing live gigs.
That means when I have the rehearsals with my band I will only use the Stage 2 and use programs that use split-function, or one sound in slot A and another sound, i.e. synth/organ for solos, in slot B.
I use two volume-pedals (1 for organ and 1 for overall), a sustain-pedal and one pedal for the leslie.
I want to use the pedals when using the Stage 2 only, but also when using the combination (Stage 2 + D3M) and control volume, sustain and leslie directly with the Stage 2.

If I did get it right, it should be possible to get this setup work if I don't use Dual KB mode, but define for example Midi-Channel 3 for synth and organ, correct?
Then I can use the pedals, the modulation-wheel and the pitch-stick of the Stage 2 no matter if I play synth/organ via the Stage 2 or the D3M, right?

I am looking forward to hear about your experiences.

[tommes]

That's 99% correct, the only thing you cannot do is to define the same MIDI channel for 2 distinct sections, but on the other hand you can define a MIDI Channel for the whole slot so in your scenario you may set Slot B to Ch. 3

I suggest you to download and read the NS Midi Tutorial available on this site.

[tommes]

Thanks for your answer.
I already found the NS Midi Tutorial and have red it before asking.
I thought it should work to control 2 sections at the same time with the same channel.
But using just slot B for Midi seems to be a possible workaround.

Does anyone of you use the Doepfer D3M and can make some comments about it?
Until now I only know the feeling of the keybed of the original Hammond and of Nord's SW waterfall keybeds. Does the D3M really feel the same?

How about other experiences with the D3M?

I would be happy to get some insights of some of you using it.

[maxpiano]

The D3M uses the same Fatar TP8O (where O means Organ) waterfall keybed used by Nord for all its Nord Electro and Nord Stage SW models

[tommes]

One minor point which is perhaps worth mentioning: the Doepfer unit will necessarily contain electronics and software which take the incoming key data and convert to outgoing midi data. This, in turn, will necessarily involve some decisions on Mr. Doepfer's part with respect to velocity curves, which may or may not coincide with those of Mr. Nord and crew. This may be really trivial for most ordinary players, but there are those with superhuman touch who might discern any differences which may exist.

Bless, Pablo

[maxpiano]

Very good point Pablo, another thing worth mentioning (which you made me think about) is that the D3M has no aftertouch (which may be useful for playing synths and in general to take advantage of Nord Stage AT morphing feature).

[tommes]

Well, that's good to know.
I have the feeling that Pablo and maxpiano are not really convinced by the D3M.
So I think I should try the D3M together with my Stage 2, before I'll get it.
An other idea ist, though it's more expensive, to get an used Electro 3 or 4.
Would this be the better solution in your mind?

[pablomastodon]

I did not intent to discourage you, Tommes, only to point out a detail which you may not have considered. I think it is very likely that it would work well.

Max is correct about the AT, though. If you want the D3M mainly for organ, that's not a consideration. But for synth, AT is very nice to have.

As for your other idea, no reason to not consider Electro 2 or original Electro 1 for the same purpose. As a pure midi controller, they would serve just as well as NE3 or NE4 (with somewhat minor consideration of calibration which earlier units do not have).

But give the Doepfer a try -- you may love it!

Bless, Pablo

[maxpiano]

I did not intent to discourage you, Tommes, only to point out a detail which you may not have considered. I think it is very likely that it would work well.

Max is correct about the AT, though. If you want the D3M mainly for organ, that's not a consideration. But for synth, AT is very nice to have.

As for your other idea, no reason to not consider Electro 2 or original Electro 1 for the same purpose. As a pure midi controller, they would serve just as well as NE3 or NE4 (with somewhat minor consideration of calibration which earlier units do not have).

But give the Doepfer a try -- you may love it!

Bless, Pablo

+1 , no intention to discourage you Tommes, just highlighting what the D3M is, what it can and cannot do. If you plan to use it mainly for organs and for synth sounds where you can live without the AT (and also without dedicated PB and ModWheel) then it can be just right for you

[tommes]

I think I will give the D3M a try.
But now I am a bit confused about maxpiano's comments concerning pitch-bend an modulation-wheel.
I thought pitch-bend, modulation-wheel and all pedals are also working with the midi-section as long as I don't use Dual-KB mode and instead use Midi only for slot B.
I have red this in the forum in a topic about an Electro as Midi-Controller for the Stage.
And I thought that's no difference to the Doepfer.
Am I wrong?