Nord User Forum

Hi,

as the Stage 4 synth section is based on the Wave 2 (where this is implemented): is it possible to individually fine tune the single layers?
For example, I want to build a classic "analog" synth sound with two or three saw waves and detune them slightly.

I know this could be done with the unison function, but then you get automatically panned voices.

Thanks!

The "OSC Control" knob detunes things nicely, depending on the synth preset.

cphollis wrote:The "OSC Control" knob detunes things nicely, depending on the synth preset.

Are you sure or do you guess?

According to the manual, the OSC Control knob has no effect on the "pure waveforms" and it changes the shape or modification of all other waveforms.
But it doesn't say anything about detune.

Perhaps a Stage 4 owner can confirm or explain - thanks!

I am not a NS4 owner but reading its manual I see that, like on NS3, what OSC Control knob does depends on the OSC configuration you have selected and for MULTI waveforms (e.g. MULTI Saw) it actually controls the detune between the 2 virtual OSC of the Multi.

So to achieve what you are looking for, rather than using multiple layers you should use 1 Synth Layer with MULTI Saw OSC config. There is no Fine Tune setting at Layer level so this is the only way.

maxpiano wrote:I am not a NS4 owner but reading its manual I see that, like on NS3, what OSC Control knob does depends on the OSC configuration you have selected and for MULTI waveforms (e.g. MULTI Saw) it actually controls the detune between the 2 virtual OSC of the Multi.

So to achieve what you are looking for, rather than using multiple layers you should use 1 Synth Layer with MULTI Saw OSC config.

Yes, but using Multi Saw sounds significantly other than using just two individual saw oscillators that are slightly detuned (and not panned like in unison 1).

This works with the Wave 2 and so I was wondering if this might work with the Stage 4 as well (but didn't find anything in the manual).

Nordlicht wrote:

cphollis wrote:The "OSC Control" knob detunes things nicely, depending on the synth preset.

Are you sure or do you guess?

According to the manual, the OSC Control knob has no effect on the "pure waveforms" and it changes the shape or modification of all other waveforms.
But it doesn't say anything about detune.

Perhaps a Stage 4 owner can confirm or explain - thanks!

I have a Nord Stage 4. It has a OSC control knob that affects presets like "Super Saw".
When I turn it, the wave forms detune depending on how much I turn it.

No guessing required.

If you'd like to check the documentation, please feel free.

cphollis wrote:

Nordlicht wrote:

cphollis wrote:The "OSC Control" knob detunes things nicely, depending on the synth preset.

Are you sure or do you guess?

According to the manual, the OSC Control knob has no effect on the "pure waveforms" and it changes the shape or modification of all other waveforms.
But it doesn't say anything about detune.

Perhaps a Stage 4 owner can confirm or explain - thanks!

I have a Nord Stage 4. It has a OSC control knob that affects presets like "Super Saw".
When I turn it, the wave forms detune depending on how much I turn it.

No guessing required.

If you'd like to check the documentation, please feel free.

Thanks for your reply. But I'm not talking about Super Saws but about the normal "analog" waveforms like a single saw or square.
Is it possible to use 2 layers with 2 single saw oscillators and detune them? That was my question.

Nordlicht wrote:

maxpiano wrote:I am not a NS4 owner but reading its manual I see that, like on NS3, what OSC Control knob does depends on the OSC configuration you have selected and for MULTI waveforms (e.g. MULTI Saw) it actually controls the detune between the 2 virtual OSC of the Multi.

So to achieve what you are looking for, rather than using multiple layers you should use 1 Synth Layer with MULTI Saw OSC config.

Yes, but using Multi Saw sounds significantly other than using just two individual saw oscillators that are slightly detuned (and not panned like in unison 1).

This works with the Wave 2 and so I was wondering if this might work with the Stage 4 as well (but didn't find anything in the manual).

I understand... Maybe in MULTI using the OSC Control you can reduce the detune of the 2 OSCs (which by default are 1 octave apart) so that they are detuned just by a few cents? Not sure, but have you tried it?

PS: on NS3 actually there are modes not available on NS4 that better support what you want to achieve, like the Detune... not so good the NS4 has less.

maxpiano wrote:

Nordlicht wrote:

maxpiano wrote:I am not a NS4 owner but reading its manual I see that, like on NS3, what OSC Control knob does depends on the OSC configuration you have selected and for MULTI waveforms (e.g. MULTI Saw) it actually controls the detune between the 2 virtual OSC of the Multi.

So to achieve what you are looking for, rather than using multiple layers you should use 1 Synth Layer with MULTI Saw OSC config.

Yes, but using Multi Saw sounds significantly other than using just two individual saw oscillators that are slightly detuned (and not panned like in unison 1).

This works with the Wave 2 and so I was wondering if this might work with the Stage 4 as well (but didn't find anything in the manual).

I understand... Maybe in MULTI using the OSC Control you can reduce the detune of the 2 OSCs (which by default are 1 octave apart) so that they are detuned just by a few cents? Not sure, but have you tried it?

PS: on NS3 actually there are modes not available on NS4 that better support what you want to achieve, like the Detune... not so good the NS4 has less.

I don't have a Stage 4 (yet), that's why I am asking.
And I know that on the Wave 2 you can detune each synth layer no matter what sound source you are using (analog, shape analog, wavetable, FM).
I simply would like to know if it's possible to use for example 2 single saw waves in 2 different layers and to detune them slightly (as one would do at a "normal" 2-oscillator analog synth to fatten the sound).

I know that there is a detune "mode" in the Stage 3 and the A1 (I owned both), but this works in another way.

I simply would like to know if it's possible to use for example 2 single saw waves in 2 different layers and to detune them slightly (as one would do at a "normal" 2-oscillator analog synth to fatten the sound).

I think the answer is no. I have a Wave 2 and understand what you are saying. There is no reference to "detune" in the Stage 4 manual except for the Multi Oscillators. Although the architecture of the Stage 4 is based on the Wave 2, the NS4 synth definitely has more limitations, same as the NS3 synth had compared to the A1 (I had the A1 as well)-

-dj