Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Everything about the Nord Stage series; features, specifications, how to operate, and questions about technical issues.
Post Reply
iluvchiclets
Posts: 99
Joined: 14 Jul 2012, 22:18
13
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Canada

Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by iluvchiclets »

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying out a Nord Stage 3 Compact (whenever I get a chance) and one thing I am having trouble doing, is use the LFO to affect the pitch of a synth patch.

Usually on a synthesizer this is an easy task, but for some reason I can't see the right knob (or setting) to make the LFO affect pitch. Can anyone guide me in the right direction? A quick tip perhaps?


(I'm embarrassed I can't figure this one out on my own.) Thanks!
ajstan
Donator
Posts: 645
Joined: 12 Sep 2017, 14:16
8
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Has thanked: 180 times
Been thanked: 329 times
United States of America

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by ajstan »

This video should help. The entire series is really well done.

NS3-88, NS3C, Casio CT-S1, Radial Key Largo, Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs, Rolls PM59 Headphone Mixer, K&M 18880 Keyboard Stand with 18881 Second Tier, Holeyboard Pedalboard, Bose S1 Pro, JBL 305p MKII Monitors, Zoom Q2n-4K Gig Camera, Behringer XR18 Mixer
iluvchiclets
Posts: 99
Joined: 14 Jul 2012, 22:18
13
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Canada

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by iluvchiclets »

It was an interesting video - it mentioned modulating the "Oscillator Control" and Filter frequency, but it did not explain how to modulate the pitch of a patch with the LFO.

All synthesizers have this feature, usually with a "mod" wheel. Does anyone know how to do this with the Nord Stage 3? It should be easy, but I can't see how it's implemented...
Last edited by iluvchiclets on 23 May 2019, 04:53, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author iluvchiclets for the post:
stopmakingsense
baekgaard
Posts: 1721
Joined: 14 Jul 2017, 11:32
8
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 6
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Has thanked: 703 times
Been thanked: 744 times
Denmark

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by baekgaard »

Press shift and turn the config dial to "1 pitch". Now the control signal (lfo or envelope) modulates the pitch.

Then turn the modulation dial towards lfo. This regulates the amount of modulation of (now) the pitch.

Adjust the lfo to taste with it's own dials.
These users thanked the author baekgaard for the post (total 2):
stopmakingsense, iluvchiclets
stopmakingsense
Posts: 72
Joined: 06 Apr 2019, 00:50
6
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Electro 2
Has thanked: 33 times
Been thanked: 22 times
United States of America

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by stopmakingsense »

The Simple answer, is the Vibrato Select Button on the right top corner of the Synth section.
It toggles between Wheel, Aftertouch, etc.

There is some limited fine tuning of speed and amount in the System or Sound sub menu, accessed from Shift/program one or Shift/program two.

Plus, I just tried Baekgaard's suggestion. With the LFO Mod Envelope dial at about minus 4 and the Rate at about 5, it gave it a nice vibrato. In order to use the mod wheel to control the amount: Zero out the LFO Mod Envelope dial, find and hold down the Wheel Morph Assign button in the program section, while turning the LFO Mod Envelope dial from Zero to about minus 4, then save the program. I like the "Baekgaard Method" as it gives precise control over the amount and rate of the LFO. I did have to fish around to find the dial to shut off the modulation of the cutoff filter.
Last edited by stopmakingsense on 23 May 2019, 10:31, edited 3 times in total.
These users thanked the author stopmakingsense for the post (total 2):
iluvchiclets, baekgaard
iluvchiclets
Posts: 99
Joined: 14 Jul 2012, 22:18
13
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 7 times
Canada

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by iluvchiclets »

Thanks to both of you for the helpful replies! I will make notes, and try it out again when I get a chance (at my local store) ;)

[quote="stopmakingsense"]The Simple answer, is the Vibrato Select Button on the right top corner of the Synth section.
It toggles between Wheel, Aftertouch, etc.

Thank you, stopmakingsense. I was aware of vibrato, but I am interested in an LFO for pitch variation...the vibrato cannot get slow enough for my needs. Plus I want to use vibrato for
a quicker vibrato effect (like a violin or guitar player uses)

(Another effect I use a lot is the "Vibe" effect but, when I use that, I lose the whole Effect 3 block.)
These users thanked the author iluvchiclets for the post:
baekgaard
markgia
Posts: 2
Joined: 30 Apr 2020, 18:12
5
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Nord Stage 3 - LFO Control Pitch?

Post by markgia »

Thanks for the help, all. In my case, I wanted a very slow but very subtle pitch vibrato on a power synth sound a la certain 80's tunes. But I couldn't use baekgaard's solution because I am using a super wave sound, and I don't see osc option 1 available for that. And I can't use the vibrato / mod wheel solution because the mod wheel LFO doesn't get slow enough. But it turns out I was able to use the effects section: Effect 2; "Vibe"; Source = Synth; Rate = 1.7; Amount = 9. It gave just enough of that slightly sickening slow vibrato that's perfect for certain synth patches. Hope this helps!
These users thanked the author markgia for the post:
baekgaard
Post Reply