Newbie question about cross-Nord compatibility

[MarkJames]

I see different people selling cover song patches for the Stage 3, and they also have the same or similar library offered for the Piano or Electro or Wave 2.

I have a NP4. NS3C and soon a NW2, so will be figuring out my workflow and I’ll have 3 keyboards, all of which have sample memory.

I asked one of the patch companies and they told me there were separate libraries for each device, but is there a way in principle to build something for the Stage 3 and relatively easily port it to the Wave 2 for example if it’s sample-based? Understand if it’s a licensing issue why I couldn’t copy but I’m also looking at sampling some rack gear and it would be great if the programs could be easily used on multiple boards without too much work.

[MarkJames]

...
I asked one of the patch companies and they told me there were separate libraries for each device, but is there a way in principle to build something for the Stage 3 and relatively easily port it to the Wave 2 for example if it’s sample-based? Understand if it’s a licensing issue why I couldn’t copy but I’m also looking at sampling some rack gear and it would be great if the programs could be easily used on multiple boards without too much work.

Hello. Any samples provided for the Nord Stage 3 can directly be used with the NW2, however I anticipate that you would then have to set up the synth and effects parameters to get your NW2 program to sound close to the NS3 program (absent any piano or organ that might also be in the NS3 patch). The NS3 file viewer available from Forum member Florence can provide the settings for any NS3 program loaded. No need to purchase two separate libraries if you want to try that approach - you'll learn a lot about both keyboards quickly as well.

Regarding sampling, at least in the U.S., you can sample anything you want for personal use, however it's potentially illegal when you start offering it to others. I'm not an attorney, but I anticipate the line is drawn between whether they are samples of sounds you personally created from the other keyboards, or samples of programs that came with the keyboards (someone else's program/intellectual property). Take care.

[MarkJames]

...
I asked one of the patch companies and they told me there were separate libraries for each device, but is there a way in principle to build something for the Stage 3 and relatively easily port it to the Wave 2 for example if it’s sample-based? Understand if it’s a licensing issue why I couldn’t copy but I’m also looking at sampling some rack gear and it would be great if the programs could be easily used on multiple boards without too much work.

Hello. Any samples provided for the Nord Stage 3 can directly be used with the NW2, however I anticipate that you would then have to set up the synth and effects parameters to get your NW2 program to sound close to the NS3 program (absent any piano or organ that might also be in the NS3 patch). The NS3 file viewer available from Forum member Florence can provide the settings for any NS3 program loaded. No need to purchase two separate libraries if you want to try that approach - you'll learn a lot about both keyboards quickly as well.

Regarding sampling, at least in the U.S., you can sample anything you want for personal use, however it's potentially illegal when you start offering it to others. I'm not an attorney, but I anticipate the line is drawn between whether they are samples of sounds you personally created from the other keyboards, or samples of programs that came with the keyboards (someone else's program/intellectual property). Take care.

Perfect, thanks, this is extremely helpful.

I’m not looking to resell anything, just try and spread the workload across multiple keyboards.

So it sounds as though I should purchase the NS3 version and then view the settings in the file viewer, load them into the NW2 (or NP4) and then replicate the settings, save the revised patch and ideally archive it back into the Nord librarian program.

[MarkJames]

As the synth engines are different between the NS3 and NW2, some settings may not directly be applicable, but you should be able to get close. The effects and Piano settings (for the NP) will be covered well. I would suggest before buying anything, that you search this Forum and the Nord User Sounds websites, as a lot of what you're looking for might already be posted for free. Good luck!

[MarkJames]

As the synth engines are different between the NS3 and NW2, some settings may not directly be applicable, but you should be able to get close. The effects and Piano settings (for the NP) will be covered well. I would suggest before buying anything, that you search this Forum and the Nord User Sounds websites, as a lot of what you're looking for might already be posted for free. Good luck!

Thanks, will do. The downside of buying 3 new keyboards so close to each other is that I’ll have a fairly steep learning curve for the nuances, but on a good note I can use the same app to sample, use the same method to back up, same method to update firmware, etc.