B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Everything about the Nord Stage series; features, specifications, how to operate, and questions about technical issues.
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Obwanz
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by Obwanz »

Also, I don’t know if anyone has noticed,but on stop mode on the Leslie, it is still spinning at a very slow rate! Sent a support ticket to Nord on this too.
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by brane »

Obwanz wrote:The most dramatic difference between the stage 3 organ and ALL other Nords is the chorus/vibrato which ANYONE could hear the difference with an A/B comparison! I surely hope they can/will fix this!!
Yes, i agree and hope too!
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analogika
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by analogika »

cgrafx wrote:I'd rather Nord spend the time to expand the Leslie/B3 options to match or at least be roughly comparable to my NE5D. The whole point of my purchasing the Stage 3 is to replace my NE5 with a single keyboard and not have to purchase a 3rd keyboard for synth sounds. I definitely don't want to take a step backwards, since I started with Nord specifically because of the quality of the Hammond emulation. Given the cost of the Stage, the organ section should be feature-for-feature comparable to the NE5.

There is certainly nothing preventing Nord from implementing this, it is strictly a software/firmware change.
You’re almost definitely wrong here. They mentioned that on the 2, they had a limited number of parameters.

Also, the Nord Stage isn’t built to be feature-for-feature equivalent to all other machines - it is not equally capable as the A1, it doesn’t have all the Leslie models and options of the electro and C2D series, and it doesn’t have the keyboard of the Piano (and is probably missing some other options, as well).

I‘m all for lobbying them to change perceived shortcomings, but you do need to see the machine for what it is: a hands-on multi-engine Stage machine featuring a best-of compromise comprising most of the major features of the various lines.
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by BuckW »

I like the 122 close.

If i had to complain it would be that the chorus/vibrato doesn't sound right; especially with the fast Leslie. It just gets muddied up. But the last time i played a real Hammond and a real Leslie was in the 70's, so maybe the problem is just between MY ears.

But I'm amazed they got the Leslie this close out of simple stereo.
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by anotherscott »

analogika wrote:Also, the Nord Stage isn’t built to be feature-for-feature equivalent to all other machines - it is not equally capable as the A1, it doesn’t have all the Leslie models and options of the electro and C2D series, and it doesn’t have the keyboard of the Piano...you do need to see the machine for what it is: a hands-on multi-engine Stage machine featuring a best-of compromise comprising most of the major features of the various lines.
True, except to the extent that, as an organ, the Electro is already a scaled back version of the C2D, which then makes the Stage a compromise of a compromise.
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by cgrafx »

analogika wrote: Also, the Nord Stage isn’t built to be feature-for-feature equivalent to all other machines - it is not equally capable as the A1, it doesn’t have all the Leslie models and options of the electro and C2D series, and it doesn’t have the keyboard of the Piano (and is probably missing some other options, as well).
I don't expect the NS3 to be feature-for-feature to all other machines, but I do expect the piano and organ section to be on par with everything else.

The NS3 isn't advertised as having a full A1 synth, only the A1 engine, but given that NE5 and NS3 both are listed as using the C2D engine there isn't any compelling reason that it shouldn't be a complete emulation. The physical interface for the organ section between the NE5 and NS3 are effectively identical, so the only limitation will be the firmware and unless there is some memory space constraint limiting what they can do, then there isn't any reason these shouldn't be effectively identical. If they are that close to the edge of available system memory, then perhaps they should have added a bit more to leave some room. Memory is cheap. Even expensive memory is cheap.

The NS3 is the flagship product and should demonstrate that.

Please note, I can't specifically comment on how different the NS3 is from the NE5 as I haven't received mine yet, so I'm basing my judgement on what others are reporting.

I have however paid my money, so feel its reasonable to make requests and comments.

I've spent more than a year evaluating lots of keyboard options and came to the conclusion that for my purposes the NS3 would be the best solution for me. I have no doubt it will be a very powerful and useful keyboard, I just don't want to feel like I'm taking a step backwards.
Current Gear: NS3C, NP5-88, NP5-73, Alesis QS7.1 & QS8.2, Hammond B3 with Leslie 122, Yamaha CP70, Yamaha C3 6' Grand, Roland D-05
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by lordy »

I agree cgrafx. Totally
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by ericL »

Has anyone tried the NS3 organ through a Ventilator or other simulator? I'm still using the NS2 (will possibly get the NS3 next year) and I've always used the organ through a Vent as the onboard Leslie on the NS2 was not good to my ears. I am VERY satisfied with the NS2 organ through a Vent. I'm curious how the NS3 organ stands up on its own, minus the onboard sim.

Like one of the other posters above, one hope I had for the NS3 was a good enough organ/Leslie sound out of the box to give me the ability to stop using the Vent. I found this true for the NE5, which I owned for a big. The 122 Close on the NE5 sounded great to me - not quite as good as a Vent, but pretty close.
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by jeffkeys »

I play the N3's organ through my Vent (and a Lounsberry Tall and Fat pedal). The 122 Close was a major improvement in theon board sim. But it doesn't hold a candle to the Vent. (IMHO). Sounds wonderful!
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Re: B3/leslie types - Can you hear the difference

Post by analogika »

cgrafx wrote:
analogika wrote: Also, the Nord Stage isn’t built to be feature-for-feature equivalent to all other machines - it is not equally capable as the A1, it doesn’t have all the Leslie models and options of the electro and C2D series, and it doesn’t have the keyboard of the Piano (and is probably missing some other options, as well).
I don't expect the NS3 to be feature-for-feature to all other machines, but I do expect the piano and organ section to be on par with everything else.

The NS3 isn't advertised as having a full A1 synth, only the A1 engine, but given that NE5 and NS3 both are listed as using the C2D engine there isn't any compelling reason that it shouldn't be a complete emulation. The physical interface for the organ section between the NE5 and NS3 are effectively identical, so the only limitation will be the firmware and unless there is some memory space constraint limiting what they can do, then there isn't any reason these shouldn't be effectively identical. If they are that close to the edge of available system memory, then perhaps they should have added a bit more to leave some room. Memory is cheap. Even expensive memory is cheap.
What makes you think it's about "memory"?

This is about software architecture and DSP allocation.
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)
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