Nord User Forum

Hi all,

I just recently bought a Nord Electro 4 (my first Nord product) and I had a question about the B3 part. Whenever I end a note (or let go of the sustain pedal while a note is being sustained) there is a static-esque sound. I can diminish the sound when I lift up from the key softer. Is this how the Nord B3 operates or is there something wrong? It doesn't happen with any of the other settings (Piano or other organs). Here is an Mp3 of me playing to give you an example.

Thanks!

• B3 test.mp3

Yep, that sounds correct - like a real B3. Try playing with the percussion settings to vary this effect. B3s are VERY quirky instruments and the Nord replicates those quirks to very minute details. Almost everything you would think is a "defect" in the sound or behaviour is almost guaranteed (especially on those older boards where all the bugs have been worked out a long time ago) to be exactly how a real B3 would play in that same situation.

^^^^^
what 23skidoo said.

The crackling is the key contacts underneath the keyboard closing/dropping contact with the generator signasl mid-phase.

Laurens Hammond spent decades trying to eliminate the key click, and when he finally somewhat succeeded, he had ruined much of the classic character of the Hammond sound in the process.

The effect are called Keyclick. There are a menu where you can try to lower the value under the B3 menu Key Click Level, and perhaps also the Key Bounce if you want to eleminate it.

Page 19 in the manual as found here : https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sites/def ... on%20D.pdf

Lots of tweakable things in that Electro, compared to my Nord stages, BTW.

Check this video to hear what crazy sounds a real Hammond can produce when played by the, I would say current B3 king: Cory Henry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7iVpEwmuRo

(Had to put that up, saw him live in Amsterdam yesterday)

Wow! Thank you all so much for your replies! I am very grateful. I am having a wonderful time learning the quirks of the Nord. By far the best keyboard I've used! I'll definitely look into the origins and inner workings of the Hammond!


Best!