Nord Stage 3 and 4: synth comparison

[JackD]

Hi,

I’m a NS3 owner and I am really interested to go for the new NS4, that I also had the opportunity to briefly test some days ago.
Unfortunately I didn’t test deeply the new Synth module and now I have some doubts.
Actually I love NS3 synth engine and the possibility to blend together different OSC and Sounds.
I use a lot the blending of 2 different osc, specially in different octaves. In this way is pretty easy for me recreate some “Moog” sounding patches, that it is what I love more.
As far as I understood this possibility is not existing in the new NS4 synth, is it correct?
How do you see the comparison between these two synths?

Thanks you for any help!

[Amadrius]

You won’t be able to mix two oscillators on one synth slot, but you can use two slots to get the oscillator blend you want. The trouble is, if it works the same way as the wave 2, you can’t sync the LFO across both layers. I have decided to use a sample with the oscillator config I want so it will only take up one slot and I won’t have to deal with the LFO issue.

[JackD]

You won’t be able to mix two oscillators on one synth slot, but you can use two slots to get the oscillator blend you want. The trouble is, if it works the same way as the wave 2, you can’t sync the LFO across both layers. I have decided to use a sample with the oscillator config I want so it will only take up one slot and I won’t have to deal with the LFO issue.

Mmm and it is not possible to sync both LFO it with the Master BPM Clock?

[WannitBBBad]

... I use a lot the blending of 2 different osc, specially in different octaves. In this way is pretty easy for me recreate some “Moog” sounding patches, that it is what I love more.
As far as I understood this possibility is not existing in the new NS4 synth, is it correct?

Take a look at page 29 in the manual that covers the "Multi" category:

"The Multi category contains a selection of multi-oscillator waveforms. In all instances, the OSC CTRL parameter determines the amount of Detune
between the oscillators."

There are various options for what's commonly used (including 5ths) however they all use the sawtooth waveform, so you would need another synth layer to blend a sawtooth with a different waveform from what I can tell.

[DJKeys]

You won’t be able to mix two oscillators on one synth slot, but you can use two slots to get the oscillator blend you want. The trouble is, if it works the same way as the wave 2, you can’t sync the LFO across both layers. I have decided to use a sample with the oscillator config I want so it will only take up one slot and I won’t have to deal with the LFO issue.

Actually, with the Wave 2, you can indeed sync the LFO across multiple layers using the Group function. Not sure the equivalent function is present in the NS4-

-dj

[maxpiano]

... I use a lot the blending of 2 different osc, specially in different octaves. In this way is pretty easy for me recreate some “Moog” sounding patches, that it is what I love more.
As far as I understood this possibility is not existing in the new NS4 synth, is it correct?

Take a look at page 29 in the manual that covers the "Multi" category:

"The Multi category contains a selection of multi-oscillator waveforms. In all instances, the OSC CTRL parameter determines the amount of Detune
between the oscillators."

There are various options for what's commonly used however they are use the sawtooth waveform, so you would need another synth layer to blend a sawtooth with a square (pulse) waveform from what I can tell.

Seems every Nord Synth architecture used on Nord Stage has always some limit or compromise (specific for the Stage and/or already present in the architecture original "lead synth" it is derived from)

At the end of the day, maybe the "I have a dream" thing, to keep everyone happy, would be to have something like a "little Nord Modular" as Synth section of the Stage (and maybe also a new Nord Modular 3), with some standard algorithms (configurations) but also the possibility to create custom/user ones?

[Amadrius]

You won’t be able to mix two oscillators on one synth slot, but you can use two slots to get the oscillator blend you want. The trouble is, if it works the same way as the wave 2, you can’t sync the LFO across both layers. I have decided to use a sample with the oscillator config I want so it will only take up one slot and I won’t have to deal with the LFO issue.

Actually, with the Wave 2, you can indeed sync the LFO across multiple layers using the Group function. Not sure the equivalent function is present in the NS4-

-dj

It’s true that the group function is available for the LFO, but it does not consistently stay synced. I guess this is a bug.

[DJKeys]

You won’t be able to mix two oscillators on one synth slot, but you can use two slots to get the oscillator blend you want. The trouble is, if it works the same way as the wave 2, you can’t sync the LFO across both layers. I have decided to use a sample with the oscillator config I want so it will only take up one slot and I won’t have to deal with the LFO issue.

Actually, with the Wave 2, you can indeed sync the LFO across multiple layers using the Group function. Not sure the equivalent function is present in the NS4-

-dj

It’s true that the group function is available for the LFO, but it does not consistently stay synced. I guess this is a bug.

There have been many reports on this, some contradicting others. I just tested with two layers and it worked perfectly with the latest OS-

-dj

[Amadrius]

I’m on the latest os and it still doesn’t work for me. Weird.

[DJKeys]

Yep, just tested again. Selected Group on LFO, Layer 1, Layer 2. Panned each layer hard left and right so I could hear each distinctly. Set destination to Osc Pitch. Both layers were perfectly in sync and remained that way when I changed shape, speed, or depth.

-dj