Nord User Forum

[Iyashikei]

Hi there, I searched the forum before posting but I’m still stuck. Perhaps someone here has some insight?

I was curious about the FM algorithms available on my Nord Drum 3P. I’m comfortable with FM synthesis and want to know what they are but I haven’t been able to find any diagrams for them, or any description beyond ‘FM algorithms’.

According the Nord Drum 3P product page, as well as on all of the marketing materials for the product, there are supposed to be 6 different FM algorithms.

The FM Synthesis mode features 6 different FM algorithms where the Frequency parameter controls modulation amount and Spectra controls modulation frequency.

However, the Nord Drum 3P User Manual lists only 4 of them (waves F1 - F4).

Just do double-check, I powered on the unit and sure enough, there’s only F1 - F4 available. So where are the other two algorithms located?

I then checked the Nord Drum 2 User Manual and it lists waves (F1 - F6). Well, okay. I guess that’s where the two missing algorithms can be found. But that’s not particularly helpful without owing a Nord Drum 2.

[maxpiano]

Hi there, I searched the forum before posting but I’m still stuck. Perhaps someone here has some insight?

I was curious about the FM algorithms available on my Nord Drum 3P. I’m comfortable with FM synthesis and want to know what they are but I haven’t been able to find any diagrams for them, or any description beyond ‘FM algorithms’.

According the Nord Drum 3P product page, as well as on all of the marketing materials for the product, there are supposed to be 6 different FM algorithms.

The FM Synthesis mode features 6 different FM algorithms where the Frequency parameter controls modulation amount and Spectra controls modulation frequency.

However, the Nord Drum 3P User Manual lists only 4 of them (waves F1 - F4).

Just do double-check, I powered on the unit and sure enough, there’s only F1 - F4 available. So where are the other two algorithms located?

I then checked the Nord Drum 2 User Manual and it lists waves (F1 - F6). Well, okay. I guess that’s where the two missing algorithms can be found. But that’s not particularly helpful without owing a Nord Drum 2.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I don't own a ND3p but I was curious, so I checked its manual and product page; since you say that from the panel you can only select FM1-4 (as the manual says) then I think the error is on the product page (probably derived from the ND2 one and they forgot to change the FM part of the text) and you actually have only 4 FM algorithms on the ND3p; it is a shame their diagram is not in the manual anyway.

[Iyashikei]

Thank you for your response. Yes, I do believe their product page may be incorrect.

If the Nord Drum 3P is limited to 4 FM algorithms, then so be it. Which of the original 6 algorithms were retained... the first four? Or, are the 4 algorithms on the Nord Drum 3P entirely new algorithms? I don't know. So it's difficult to say what exactly may be missing without knowing what one has in the first place.

For example, Yamaha's reduction of their 32 algorithm, 6 operator synths (such as the DX7) to their 8 algorithm, 4 operator synths was not necessarily a loss, since the some of their later 4 operator synths (such as the DX11) featured more than just sine waves.

Reducing complexity while creating a more cohesive user interface, as seen in the evolution of the Nord Drum 2 to the Nord Drum 3P is, in my opinion, an overall good thing. I would've preferred not lose out on some of the MIDI CC control as featured in the Nord Drum 2. But even more so, I'd just like to have better documentation of what's actually available.

[maxpiano]

I suggest you ask directly to Nord via the form on their Support page.