Nord User Forum

Hello.

Happy owner of a NS2, I am considering the NS3, mainly for the increased memory.
I am hesitant though, as I've read much controversy about some of the changes.

Anyway, my question here is about the synth section :

I know they based it on the A1, but is it compatible with A1 patches ?
And, more important to me, does it play Nord Wave-formatted samples, or any other sample format, like the NS2 did ?

Thanks

Hi Trumelpuut

The NS3 read samples just as the NS2, but you need to convert the samples to NS3 (free software).
You can use the same samples made for the NS2, when converted to NS3 format.
The NS3 doesn't read/understand programs made for NS2, though - only read samples.

Regards Cato

The newest version of the Nord Sound Manager (which you use to load samples onto the Stage) will automatically convert any existing .nsmp samples to the .nsmp3 format as needed.
No extra tools necessary.

So whatever custom samples you're using on the Stage 2 will continue to work fine.

The Stage 3 synth engine is based upon the A1, but it isn't the same.
1) 2 parts (on Slots A & B) instead of 4.
2) Lowpass-highpass combo instead of the TB filter.
3) No ensemble effect, but access to all of the Stage's other built-in effects, including EQs, amp simulator, compressor, delay, etc.
4) higher polyphony on the Stage 3.
5) additional "super wave" waveforms on the Stage.
6) Use of samples as sound source for the synth.

So while the basic architecture is similar in some parts, there is no way to automatically transfer A1 patches to the Stage 3, as the capabilities are quite different despite the similar architecture. Whatever tool they could build would only work partially some or much of the time, which would make it far more frustrating than useful.

Same issue with transferring programs from the Stage 2 to the Stage 3.