Nord User Forum

[rockymtnnord]

Hey all -- relatively new Stage 3 owner here with some questions/confusion about the "Oscillator Configurations" in the Stage 3 Synth Engine.

While the Oscillator Configurations are great in theory for quick programming, I find them limiting in that it "locks me in" to adjusting one parameter at the exclusion of all others. For example, I can change the wave shape OR create a detuning effect, but I can't do both; once I change the oscillator configuration from "Detune" to "Shape" I lose the detune settings and go back to a single oscillator with the shape knob.

This would appear to make more complicated, evolving patches next to impossible, because the LFO is locked to the oscillator configuration as well -- for example, I can target a slow triangle LFO to the oscillator pitch to create a warm analog effect, but then I'm locked out of subtle detuning, or tuning the second oscillator up a fifth, or down to sub, or changing oscillator shape, or adding osc. sync, etc.

I realize this is a stage piano and not a Prophet, but I'm feeling somewhat limited in my patch creation and am wondering whether I am overlooking something? The VA oscillators sound great, I just wish I wasn't so limited to using one parameter when it comes to the oscillator configurations.

[kbmatson]

yep .... if you're heavy into sound modelling, quite limited. As a practical matter for most pedestrian synth sounds needed for standard rock/pop/country/etc covers or the ilk ... plenty adequate. There are ways around the detune issue in particular - the unison detune feature. Not perfect but gets you much of the way there. My bigger limitation was the limit of only two synth layers/splits - led me to get a Roland Fantom as my 2nd keyboard. The two together are a killer combo. the Fantom also has the full featured synth engine too if i need to go there.

[hilbilly parade]

I touched on this earlier today.

https://www.norduserforum.com/nord-stage-3-programs-ns3p-ns3pb-files-f32/layering-2-preset-sounds-t18912-20.html

[tsss27]

The limitations were ultimately why I passed on the Stage3. It would have only taken a few more knobs to accomplish what you and I are wanting. These are not unusual features for a basic synthesizer, so I don't think it is a lot to ask but a lot of people also seem to love the Nord oscillator configurations. For me it is easier to have a full-on synth in front of me, it is not faster to use preset configurations.

[anotherscott]

The limitations were ultimately why I passed on the Stage3. It would have only taken a few more knobs to accomplish what you and I are wanting.

I have the Compact... I can't imagine where they could put a few more knobs!

The best answer here might be to take advantage of the EXT function, and connect, say, a Roland Boutique synth, or an iPad (lots of great soft synths there)... This is why Nord gives us an EXT function, so we can add sound sources for things that we cannot get out of the keyboard itself.