Nord User Forum

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

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...)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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)..

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......

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.