Nord User Forum

Hi!
I am a Nord newbie (just bought a Nord Piano 5). I like the action and sounds- however I find the user interface rather non-intuitive, specifically the question of being able to quickly call up saved programs.

My question is, what is (and why is) Live Mode? The manual explains it as "Live programs are automatically stored. When exiting a Live Program or powering off the machine all edits are saved, without the need for a manual store operation."

It also presents Live Mode as an option to store a program, in addition to the Program Select buttons.

But does anyone know or understand the main reason for Live Mode? It seems to me that we can accomplish calling up stored programs and sounds without it, using the program select buttons and the Pro/Menu dial. Is it a separate sound bank altogether? Does it somehow make it easier to switch between sounds and patches in a live performance (hence the name)?

I'm puzzling about this because I have a gig 2 days from now and I'm trying to figure out the easiest and least-resistance way to store and call up new programs which I will create. If I'm going to use Program Select or Live Mode, I'd rather stick with one or the other. I'm wondering if there is any advantage to either that I'm not aware of.

thanks so much in advance !!

-Pierson

Programs are most reliable when you can set everything up ahead of time and have them dialed in for your songs. That’s what I use 99% of the time with my NS3.

Live mode is helpful if you need a quick and spontaneous move to a particular sound that you adjust on the fly during a jam. I have a few Live setups with basic Hammond registrations and other standard sounds. Just for quick hits but definitely don’t rely upon Live mode for a specific set list.

I totally agree with ericL: I use Live mode for jams: I have an AP, EP, and a couple of organs stored. In Live Mode, I usually just adjust the EQ and effects during the session to match the room/song/mix and the Live Mode remembers the settings as I cycle between different Live Mode instruments.

Thanks, pterm!

The other occasional use I will have for Live mode is if I've gotten myself stuck in a situation where I neglected to organize sounds accordingly (rare), or someone in the band suddenly calls out a spontaneous song. One that happens more often than others is a birthday celebration at a gig, where the band will play Birthday by The Beatles. I typically use a basic piano and a bit of organ for this song. If I don't know the song is coming and my Programs are currently stuck in the midst of very dedicated sounds, it is much easier for me to flip over to Live mode where I will definitely have some piano and organ sounds sitting there ready, behind the scenes. Then, just flip back over to Song mode and it's very seamless and easy.

Thanks, y'all. As I've started to gig with this board, it's become more obvious how I can practically use this function (and useful). I just wish there were more than just 5 Live Modes (or are there, and I'm just missing something? lol)

Why not save your sounds as Programs? There are lots of these.

To me, live mode is a good idea that I almost never use. If you want to be prepared for new songs, use your 4 layers: set them all and turn part of them off - so you have more than 5 options.