Nord User Forum

I know I should be able to figure all this out, and I have made some headway...but I work in my convenience stores 12-14 hours a day, and have very little time in the media room, so I'm asking for help.
I have figured out how to load samples from the library on the website (a major achievement!) and I deleted all samples on the NS2 in order to start over with the sounds I want. I started with the Winds and Brass. Problem is, when I try to play the different samples, they just don't sound like I believe the sample probably sounds. What might I be doing wrong..and how can I set the synth section to square one the hear the sounds with nothing added?
Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Hello rmerritt,
I would try to use the sound init function as detailed on page 35 of the manual.

NS2 (New) Manual wrote:Sound Init:
To start with a “clean slate” when programming sounds you can use
the Sound Init function. This will initialize the synthesizer to a basic default
setting. This is done by pressing Shift and the Arpeggio Hold Button.

NS2 (Old) Manual wrote:Sound Init
To start with a “clean slate” when programming sounds you can use
the Sound Init function. This will initialize the synthesizer to a basic default
setting. This is done by pressing Shift and the waveform selector/
Load Sound button and turn the waveform dial counter-clockwise until
INi is shown in the oscillator LED.

Cheers, Hanon

Right Hanon
@rmerrit: also remember to switch off Effects applied to the Synth Section, if any active in the patch you start from (the Sound Init function in the synth resets only the Synth parameters, not the rest)

When I want to test a new sample, I usually start from a similar factory program (e.g. If a want to test a new Brass sampe I start from one of Brass factory presets) then I first try to load the sample with no changes.
Depending on the result I decide if I prefer to reset all and start from scratch (as described by Hanon and me above) or to try and adjust the sound without resetting all parameters.

rmerritt wrote:I know I should be able to figure all this out, and I have made some headway...but I work in my convenience stores 12-14 hours a day, and have very little time in the media room, so I'm asking for help.
I have figured out how to load samples from the library on the website (a major achievement!) and I deleted all samples on the NS2 in order to start over with the sounds I want. I started with the Winds and Brass. Problem is, when I try to play the different samples, they just don't sound like I believe the sample probably sounds. What might I be doing wrong..and how can I set the synth section to square one the hear the sounds with nothing added?
Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

I know exactly what you mean. it feels like you are not hearing what the sample maker had in their mind when making the sample.

Maxpiano's idea to load similar samples is a good one and something I have tried to do but does not always have the desired effect.

I now tend to start from the Synth Init button and then try to think about the sound characterisitcs in respect of Attack, Decay and Release. Some sounds have fast attack and short decay and release but it is a question of trying different options. You also have EQ and reverb options which can give life to the sample.

I just hope Nord listen to my suggestion of a Nord Stage 2 Preset Competition nord-stage-forum-f3/nord-stage-2-preset ... t1900.html. A lot of fun is had in experimenting but I understand exactly what you are saying that sometimes when time is short you just want to pick up a sound and play rather than tweak for half an hour until you get the sound right.

Thanks guys....Now I see the paragraph about Sound Init. I was trying to use Synth Init, which obviously doesn't reset the sound params. I will keep reading and experimenting.
Going to try and connect to MacBook via midi tonight. Can midi send the audio signal to a Garageband track?...or does it only send data to the Garageband instruments. If not, do I simply take a line out from the NS2 to a line in into the mac? I have a Griffin iMic, but have only used it for USB out of the mac to a mixer.

does anything happen when you use the synth init? i think its working but nothing happens on the screen when i do this. just want to make sure it simply does it while i dont see anything changing on the screen