Layering or Splitting 2 programs in same

[dragot]

I am completely frustrated. Is it possible to split or layer 2 different piano programs or 2 different synth programs or 2 different organ programs on the Nord Electro 5 D. What appears to happen is that when you using one program from, let's say, organ and piano, no problems splitting or layering. BUT, if I want a horn (from the synth area) and a string (from the synth area) it can't be done. I'm really in disbelief about this. However, I am a newbie and would like some help... Thanks in advance

[anotherscott]

I am completely frustrated. Is it possible to split or layer 2 different piano programs or 2 different synth programs or 2 different organ programs on the Nord Electro 5 D. What appears to happen is that when you using one program from, let's say, organ and piano, no problems splitting or layering. BUT, if I want a horn (from the synth area) and a string (from the synth area) it can't be done. I'm really in disbelief about this.

Your understanding is correct.

Up until the 5, the Electro could not split or layer different sounds at all. With the 5, they added split/layer, but within the limitation you describe.

[dragot]

Really, you went to a music store and bought an instrument of this price just to realize it can't do what you want? The manual is available online so that you can download and study it before buying, there are lots of videos online and there is also this awesome forum full of experienced people willing to help. Luckily nords have quite high resale value, so you can easily trade it for a board that fits your needs.

[anotherscott]

One more thing... if it's just for a handful of sound combinations you're after, with a little determination, you can address this by resampling. That is, if you want a horn/string layer (or split), you can sample the horn and string parts individually into your computer, combine them, and load the horn/string combo back into the Nord as a single selectable sound. There are definitely compromises in doing this, like once they're combined, you can't process them differently within the Nord (i.e. use different effects or EQ or pedal assignment, etc.). If you want to at least be able to adjust their relative levels after the fact, you can put each of the two sounds in its own channel (in mono), and then an external mixer (which you may be using anyway) would allow you to alter the balance of the two sounds.

[alex78]

That's the only solution, and if it is just for a few songs it's worth giving it a try first before deciding to go for another keyboard.
The tirckiest thing is to adjust the loops right. I've done the same for some songs with an electro 4 (no layers and splits at all) yes, I spent a lot of time, but I'm ok with the result.
Sorry if my previous post was offensive, that was not my intension. However, I have seen lots of posts where people complain about things their board can not do, and most of the times it's a matter of poor pre-buying reasearch.
A piece of advice: spend some time exploring your keyboard and you will end up loving it!

[Schorsch]

I am completely frustrated. Is it possible to split or layer 2 different piano programs or 2 different synth programs or 2 different organ programs on the Nord Electro 5 D. What appears to happen is that when you using one program from, let's say, organ and piano, no problems splitting or layering. BUT, if I want a horn (from the synth area) and a string (from the synth area) it can't be done. I'm really in disbelief about this. However, I am a newbie and would like some help... Thanks in advance

This is not possible as the other two also mentioned, the reason is because the Electro does have only one sound engine of each of organ, piano and synth and you therefore can use only one sound of each of the engines at the same time. You would need a Nord Stage to achieve what you are looking for

[dragot]

Thank you for the clarification about layering and splitting. For the record, my band hired a new keyboard player. He inherited his brother's Nord Electro 5D. His brother tragically died died in a car accident. MY bass player brother and myself were helping him learn the keyboard. You have to admit, the manual is sketchy at best. In any case, youtube and hours and hours of sitting at the keyboard have proved successful for us. We almost have all of our songlist in the keyboard. It was just that one drawback..... Well.. the other drawback is no pitch bend wheel...How do you play a sax lead without bending?? Thank you for the suggestion to make the sounds in my computer and loading them up to the keyboard. That will work for the layering piece of this... However, if I want a brass section and strings split in a program....can't do it... All in all, we love this keyboard! Thanks again for your help!

PS.. I am the lead singer in the band and play a little keyboard myself and use MainStage 3 mainly to play samples and a few EASY lead parts. So what this keyboard has done for me is allowed me to play more and have an active part in some of the songs that the new keyboard player can't do because of its limitations.

[maxpiano]

Thank you for the clarification about layering and splitting. For the record, my band hired a new keyboard player. He inherited his brother's Nord Electro 5D. His brother tragically died died in a car accident. MY bass player brother and myself were helping him learn the keyboard. You have to admit, the manual is sketchy at best. In any case, youtube and hours and hours of sitting at the keyboard have proved successful for us. We almost have all of our songlist in the keyboard. It was just that one drawback..... Well.. the other drawback is no pitch bend wheel...How do you play a sax lead without bending?? Thank you for the suggestion to make the sounds in my computer and loading them up to the keyboard. That will work for the layering piece of this... However, if I want a brass section and strings split in a program....can't do it... All in all, we love this keyboard! Thanks again for your help!

PS.. I am the lead singer in the band and play a little keyboard myself and use MainStage 3 mainly to play samples and a few EASY lead parts. So what this keyboard has done for me is allowed me to play more and have an active part in some of the songs that the new keyboard player can't do because of its limitations.

(purist mode) A lead sax should only be played by a real saxphonist on a real sax!

(normal answer): the Nord Electro is not a general purpose keyboard, though its sample synth enables and extended use its target is emulation of pianos, organs, clavinet and other electromechanic historical keyboards (mellotron, ...). However, it accepts pitch bend via MIDI from an external source/keyboard so that's a workaround, but bear in mind that NE sample synth is monolayer and not really fit to ... play a credible lead sax (if you relly have to do it on a keyboard...), even a cheap Yamaha MX49 can do it much better

[dragot]

I completely agree with you. In the purest mode having a real sax player would be great! In the reality mode, not financially prudent. Thanks for the midi suggestion and the obvious suggestion to play leads on a SECOND keyboard. He just didn't want to bring another keyboard to the gig. He plays rhythm guitar too! You'll laugh at this one. In our programming sessions, we came to the song "Brown Sugar". (I probably should tell you that this is a 60s 70s tribute band, so we try to come close the original tune) Well, Brown Sugar has the sax lead... I sprung to my feet and grabbed a Kazoo and played the lead. They all laughed but said, that would be a cool thing to do live. And it sounded pretty damn close to the original. I know that most band just substitute a guitar lead. But like I said, we like doing the original versions of the songs.

[anotherscott]

Thank you for the suggestion to make the sounds in my computer and loading them up to the keyboard. That will work for the layering piece of this... However, if I want a brass section and strings split in a program....can't do it...

With the create-custom-samples-via-computer approach, you can do splits the same way you would do layers.

The Electro 5 also has the ability to split (or layer) an external sound with a Nord sound, above a specified split point. So that could be another way to do what you want, whether via Mainstage (if you want to make that part of your live rig), or something like an attached iPhone or iPad.