NS4: Using control pedal as volume BEFORE fx section

[olegkawr]

At the moment, I have an NS3. I actively use an expression pedal, and one of the ways I use it is to control the volume of a Rhodes piano, followed by delay and reverb. The chain looks like this: Instrument > expression pedal > FX. This way I can produce violin-like swells with slow attack and a long ambient release — similar to what guitarists do with the volume knob on their guitars.

I’ve used the NS4 a few times, and I noticed that I can’t achieve the same effect on it. The expression pedal affects the volume only after the effects. The chain is: Instrument > FX > expression pedal.

This is important for me, and I’m surprised that this feature is missing in the new NS4. In all the previous NS versions, the chain was: Instrument > expression pedal > FX.

Has anyone else encountered this issue? Is there any workaround?

[olegkawr]

To do what you ask you need to morph the Volume of the layers to the CtrlPed (as you probably do already on NS3, because in both cases if you instead use the SwellPed as Volume it affects the final output, afaik). EDIT: seems NS4 actually works differently, see post below...

[olegkawr]

I haven't found a workaround unfortunately. In the implementation of the effects chain on the NS4, Nord did a few odd things including placing each layer's effects before the layer level fader, so the reverb and delay levels change with the layer level rather than retaining the room ambience expected no matter what change is made to the layer level.

[olegkawr]

I haven't found a workaround unfortunately. In the implementation of the effects chain on the NS4, Nord did a few odd things including placing each layer's effects before the layer level fader, so the reverb and delay levels change with the layer level rather than retaining the room ambience expected no matter what change is made to the layer level.

Oh I didn't know/remember this... that explains and if so it is really a problem that cannot be solved

[Klondyke77]

Just a quick idea (I don't have a NS4):
Is it the same when you set the effects to global? (as far as I know at least the reverb can be set to global)

[MrMatrix]

Hi, I just got a brand new NS4 73 two days ago, and while exploring it, I came across the mentioned issue not being able to control the volume before the FX section. Interestingly it works for the organ - for swell and also section layer fader - but not for piano and synth section. Controlling the volume of piano or synth is post FX, which doesn't make sense at all, since it cuts off delay and reverb. It's the same behavior when using delay or reverb in global mode. No difference, it still cuts off.

I have a real Rhodes and use volume pedal prior to FX. Also I use various analog hardware synths and all of them allow volume control before the outputs, e.g. in case of the OB-6 the expression pedal connected to control the volume, does change the volume before (!!!) the effect section. Same for a Subsequent 37, the volume is controlled via an expression pedal, and I route its output into an RE-20 to deliver a beautiful delay. This is how it should be.

I reported the issue again to Nord tech support, hoping a software fix is possible. If there is no solution this, it is definitely a deal breaker for me, since it's crippling a live performance keyboard in such basic matters.

[MartinJ2EX]

This issue seems to be a firmware architecture limitation, as Nord took the architecture from the Nord Wave 2, which also has the same imho bad implementation.
For this reason, I switched from relying on morphing to using the Layer Scene button and foot pedal.
Using the foot pedal or Layer Scene button is not as intuitive and sometimes disturbs the flow of playing, but I‘m fine with it.

Tbh, as soon as Nord introduces a v2.0 firmware that uses post-fader FX, I‘ll throw a huge party…

Still an interesting topic after more than 2 years, and I‘m still curious if they ever change it or if we’ll have to wait for a Nord Stage 5…

[WannitBBBad]

Tbh, as soon as Nord introduces a v2.0 firmware that uses post-fader FX, I‘ll throw a huge party…

Same here!

[MrMatrix]

I got a response from Nord Oct 21st:

Thank you for your message and for sharing your feedback regarding the Nord Stage 4.
You are correct that the layer volume faders and corresponding morphs currently operate post-effect, even when delay and reverb are set to Global. This behavior has indeed been discussed among users, and we have forwarded this feedback to our development team some time ago.
At this point, there is no confirmed plan or timeline for a change in this behavior. However, we are aware that some players would prefer the layer volume to be pre-effect for better integration with pedals and dynamic control, and this request remains under review.
In the meantime, a possible workaround is to use the Gain control in the Amp/Comp section or assign a morph to the layer’s output level parameter, depending on the sound structure, to achieve smoother transitions without cutting off global effects.
We appreciate your input — user feedback like yours helps us improve our instruments.

I doubt that the workarounds are equivalent in any way. I can't test it anymore, since I returned the NS4.