Nord User Forum

Do the lead A1 and the Wave 2 have the option of switching off the filter entirely?

Since the Stage 3 cannot bypass the filter entirel, and it only goes to 21 kHz, there will always be a rolloff into the audible range. That may account for what we’re seeing.

analogika wrote:Do the lead A1 and the Wave 2 have the option of switching off the filter entirely?

A1 no, Wave 2 yes.

analogika wrote:Do the lead A1 and the Wave 2 have the option of switching off the filter entirely?

Since the Stage 3 cannot bypass the filter entirel, and it only goes to 21 kHz, there will always be a rolloff into the audible range. That may account for what we’re seeing.

Good point, so maybe an alternate test could be to set the NS3 filter to High Pass (set at the lowest frequency possible, anyway below the fundamental of the sawtooth being measured) to see if anything changes?

maxpiano wrote:Good point, so maybe an alternate test could be to set the NS3 filter to High Pass (set at the lowest frequency possible, anyway below the fundamental of the sawtooth being measured) to see if anything changes?

I remember, when switching to "LP-HP filter" on the Stage 3 the sawtooth sounded almost as buzzy as the one of the A1. But in LP-HP mode you can’t do typical LP filter sweeps.

Nordlicht wrote:

maxpiano wrote:Good point, so maybe an alternate test could be to set the NS3 filter to High Pass (set at the lowest frequency possible, anyway below the fundamental of the sawtooth being measured) to see if anything changes?

I remember, when switching to "LP-HP filter" on the Stage 3 the sawtooth sounded almost as buzzy as the one of the A1. But in LP-HP mode you can’t do typical LP filter sweeps.

Actually I meant to use the HP mode, not LP-HP, of NS3 Synth filter.

Nordlicht wrote:

maxpiano wrote:Good point, so maybe an alternate test could be to set the NS3 filter to High Pass (set at the lowest frequency possible, anyway below the fundamental of the sawtooth being measured) to see if anything changes?

I remember, when switching to "LP-HP filter" on the Stage 3 the sawtooth sounded almost as buzzy as the one of the A1. But in LP-HP mode you can’t do typical LP filter sweeps.

Yes, the limitations of each synth are part of its character (since the 1960s).

But the oscillator model may still be the same, even if the filter works differently. Academic, of course — but interesting nevertheless.

maxpiano wrote:Actually I meant to use the HP mode, not LP-HP, of NS3 Synth filter.

Yes, I know. But I rarely used the HP filter, so I can’t remember how it sounded. But because I was missing the "buzziness" of the LP filter, it’s was remarkable how much buzzier the LP-HP was in comparison with the LP.

Nordlicht wrote:

maxpiano wrote:Actually I meant to use the HP mode, not LP-HP, of NS3 Synth filter.

Yes, I know. But I rarely used the HP filter, so I can’t remember how it sounded. But because I was missing the "buzziness" of the LP filter, it’s was remarkable how much buzzier the LP-HP was in comparison with the LP.

OK, I see what you mean now, yes of course because that LP+HP is basically a Band-Reject (Notch), but high frequencies are not filtered as it happens instead with the LP configurations.

UPDATE with Lead 4:

I recently bought a Lead 4R and added it to my existing comparison of the raw single sawtooth waveforms

All sounds started from a INIT point, one sawtooth, "LP M" filter, frequency cutoff fully open, no modulations, no FX, direct out into DAW.
Now we have:
Lead A1: white
Lead 4: magenta
Stage 3: green
Wave 2: blue
Stage 4: red

Still the most significant difference is the drop in the high frequencies of the Stage 3, and also that both Stages deliver a bit less low end.

Nordlicht wrote: ↑03 Nov 2024, 20:10 UPDATE with Lead 4:

Still the most significant difference is the drop in the high frequencies of the Stage 3, and also that both Stages deliver a bit less low end.

Thanks for sharing this! I have been doing my own comparisons of the Wave 1/Leads, and can add that the Wave 1 looks closer to/the same as? what you see in the Stage 3. It has much more high end roll off compared to the very bright Leads. Interesting that it is so different to the Wave 2 as well. This isn't a bad thing--it's actually a good thing in my mind. It puts it closer to the type of roll off you see on vintage analogs and I personally find the Leads too bright.