Understading the Nord file formats/types

Everything about Nord keyboards in general; which one to choose, the sound manager, sample editor, and general discussion about the sample and piano libraries.
Post Reply
RemedyMusic
Posts: 30
Joined: 25 Aug 2023, 11:59
2
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 6
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 2 times
Philippines

Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by RemedyMusic »

Hi everyone!

While waiting for one more day, to get my hands on my NE6d, I just want to ask for info on Nord file types. I've been doing some research here, the Nord site, and Mykeystomusic, and I've come across mentions that a Program is always related to a sample, or a sample is not a Program on its own. Or if I transfer a sample to my Nord, will they appear as a patch instantly? or I still need to call it out, and make a Program, for me to be able to use it? And the bundle types, hmmm, is it possible if I only want one or two instruments from the bundle instead of loading the whole bundle on my NE6d? These are somewhat mind-boggling to me. Pardon my persistent nature, as my excitement on the NE6d is making me anxious. I got a ton of questions still, but I'll take it one step at a time so as to avoid pestering you guys too much. LOL

TIA!
User avatar
maxpiano
Patch Creator
Posts: 7174
Joined: 27 Jun 2011, 13:29
14
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Location: Italy
Has thanked: 542 times
Been thanked: 2515 times
Italy

Re: Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by maxpiano »

RemedyMusic wrote:Hi everyone!

While waiting for one more day, to get my hands on my NE6d, I just want to ask for info on Nord file types. I've been doing some research here, the Nord site, and Mykeystomusic, and I've come across mentions that a Program is always related to a sample, or a sample is not a Program on its own. Or if I transfer a sample to my Nord, will they appear as a patch instantly? or I still need to call it out, and make a Program, for me to be able to use it? And the bundle types, hmmm, is it possible if I only want one or two instruments from the bundle instead of loading the whole bundle on my NE6d? These are somewhat mind-boggling to me. Pardon my persistent nature, as my excitement on the NE6d is making me anxious. I got a ton of questions still, but I'll take it one step at a time so as to avoid pestering you guys too much. LOL

TIA!
Let's try to separate your questions

1) a sample is just a waveform you load in the Sample memory to make it available for the NE6 Sample Synth, but you need to use it in a Program (i.e. switch on the Sample Synth and select that sample) to play it.

2) bundle and backup files can be renamed to .zip and unzipped, if you need to xtract single samples/programs from them
Last edited by maxpiano on 28 Aug 2023, 12:58, edited 3 times in total.
These users thanked the author maxpiano for the post (total 2):
cookie, RemedyMusic
User avatar
analogika
Posts: 3452
Joined: 21 Nov 2013, 10:02
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Has thanked: 1266 times
Been thanked: 1537 times
Germany

Re: Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by analogika »

A „Program“ is a complete save of all current settings — the piano used, the organ registration, the synth setting, and all effects. It will always contain ALL of those things, even if the piano is the only sound that is switched on, and the organ and synth aren’t used.

.nsmp/.nsmp3 files are the raw sample format. They can be used by a synth engine. The .nsmp3 format includes support for default parameters like attack or release settings, as well as filter adjustments, that make them more useful immediately, without needing any setting-up. These files are copied onto the machine and can be used in a program or several programs, or not at all.

.npno files — same thing, but available only to the piano engine. Different sample format (including multiple velocity layers).

Just copying them onto the Nord doesn’t mean they are ready to play; you have to create a program that uses them.

It’s like putting potatoes and broccoli in your pantry doesn’t make them ready to eat; you still have to create a dish that uses them.
These users thanked the author analogika for the post (total 3):
cookie, RemedyMusic, EethSmit
The Nord giveth; the Nord taketh away…
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
RemedyMusic
Posts: 30
Joined: 25 Aug 2023, 11:59
2
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 6
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 2 times
Philippines

Re: Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by RemedyMusic »

maxpiano wrote:
RemedyMusic wrote:Hi everyone!

While waiting for one more day, to get my hands on my NE6d, I just want to ask for info on Nord file types. I've been doing some research here, the Nord site, and Mykeystomusic, and I've come across mentions that a Program is always related to a sample, or a sample is not a Program on its own. Or if I transfer a sample to my Nord, will they appear as a patch instantly? or I still need to call it out, and make a Program, for me to be able to use it? And the bundle types, hmmm, is it possible if I only want one or two instruments from the bundle instead of loading the whole bundle on my NE6d? These are somewhat mind-boggling to me. Pardon my persistent nature, as my excitement on the NE6d is making me anxious. I got a ton of questions still, but I'll take it one step at a time so as to avoid pestering you guys too much. LOL

TIA!
Let's try to separate your questions

1) a sample is just a waveform you load in the Sample memory to make it available for the NE6 Sample Synth, but you need to use it in a Program (i.e. switch on the Sample Synth and select that sample) to play it.

2) bundle and backup files can be renamed to .zip and unzipped, if you need to xtract single samples/programs from them
So a sample can only be used with the Sample synth? Piano samples are different then?

The bundle, hmmmm I'm trying to wrap my head around it. I'll figure it out along the way. ;)

Thanks for the response!
RemedyMusic
Posts: 30
Joined: 25 Aug 2023, 11:59
2
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 6
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 2 times
Philippines

Re: Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by RemedyMusic »

analogika wrote:A „Program“ is a complete save of all current settings — the piano used, the organ registration, the synth setting, and all effects. It will always contain ALL of those things, even if the piano is the only sound that is switched on, and the organ and synth aren’t used.

.nsmp/.nsmp3 files are the raw sample format. They can be used by a synth engine. The .nsmp3 format includes support for default parameters like attack or release settings, as well as filter adjustments, that make them more useful immediately, without needing any setting-up. These files are copied onto the machine and can be used in a program or several programs, or not at all.

.npno files — same thing, but available only to the piano engine. Different sample format (including multiple velocity layers).

Just copying them onto the Nord doesn’t mean they are ready to play; you have to create a program that uses them.

It’s like putting potatoes and broccoli in your pantry doesn’t make them ready to eat; you still have to create a dish that uses them.
Nice analogy! I'm starting to get the structure of the file formats. So .nsmp3 is for simply synth? then .npno are the piano samples. yes?
These users thanked the author RemedyMusic for the post:
analogika
User avatar
Schorsch
Moderator
Posts: 2637
Joined: 15 May 2018, 23:34
7
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Location: Germany - NRW
Has thanked: 1508 times
Been thanked: 957 times
Germany

Re: Understading the Nord file formats/types

Post by Schorsch »

Nord is using two different kinds of samples, as also explained by Analogika:

- samples in .nsmp or .nsmp3 format

these samples are used by the synth section of the Nords. Samples in that format are available from Nord on their webpage, but can also be created by users themselves with the help of the Nord Sample Editor software.

- samples in .npno format

these samples are used by the piano section of the Nords. Samples in that format are available from Nord exclusively, there is no way to create samples in .npno format by the user


Regarding bundles:

they are created with the help of the Nord Sound Manager software. If you create a bundle of a selected program or several programs the bundle file contains everything which belongs to the chosen program(s), like the program(s) itself, all synth and all piano samples. The bundle file has a special extension, but it is in fact a zip file. If you use Nord Sound Manager to restore such a bundle from your computer to your Nord it will restore everything which is included in the bundle. If you want to restore only a part, let’s say a specific sample file which was included into the bundle, you should make a copy of the bundle file, then change the file extension to .zip and unzip the file to your hard disk. This will create a folder with some sub folders like Piano or Synth, where the samples are located. Then use Nord Sound Manager to load the needed sample individually to your Nord
Last edited by Schorsch on 28 Aug 2023, 20:18, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author Schorsch for the post:
cookie
Regards Schorsch

Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!

Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
Post Reply