Nord User Forum

This is a continuation of a conversation I was having with MonsterJazzLicks, HandSolo and Mr_G_ a few days ago...
I've started a new thread here because it's more relevant in this section - i'll be posting some new programs here shortly

The conversation was about the FM Synth on the Nord Stage 2. I know that the Synth section is identical on the Stage 2 EX, and although there are some differences on the Stage and Stage EX, it may still be relevant. Hey, even may have some relevance to NLA1 owners...

If you don't know what FM is, think of any popular song from 1983 to the end of the eighties across practically all genres and you will remember those iconic synth sounds... that's FM.

It's baffling at first - especially because a lot of the existing tutorials focus on subtractive ('analog') synthesis and then add a throwaway comment about FM as if it's either of no interest, or so easy you can figure it out... so i'm willing to share some FM how-to tutorials if there is any appetite for this? I'm no guru - for sure there's a bunch of old synth-heads on this forum who know this stuff inside-out and backwards, but may not have as much time to spare as me

• If you aren't using the FM synth on your Stage then you have an amazing synth engine which is wasted
• If you own/previously owned a DX7 (or one of its kin), then you probably took one look at the FM capabilties on the Stage and murmured "Meh." before moving on. You did it an injustice...
• If you are a synth head and know this stuff inside out and backwards, you can correct my errors!

The best thing about Synth sounds (as opposed to samples) is that they are more capable of expressive control, take up practically no space in memory, and allow you the freedom to create completely new sounds on the fly without relying on hooking up to your laptop. Also they can't be used by Electro owners, so you can feel more comfortable in why you splurged out extra $$$ for a Stage and not an Electro.

Anyway, let me know and I will post some how-to stuff. If there is a lack of interest, I will put my energies to other uses

Yes please!

Hit me with your FM stick! My FM experience was mostly from Korg 707 which interposed an analog-like interface onto a Yamaha FM engine (Korg nearly went under and was sort of bailed out by Yamaha, providing mainboards for DS-8 and 707; then M1 hit and Korg was saved from the brink). The brainiac aspects of FM elude me...

Bless,

Pablo

I don't think Stage 2 owners will ever grow tired of synth tutorials. The more I dive into it, the more impressed I am with the sounds I can pull out of it. Bring 'em on!

Hi neolithic

Yes, I’m interested too.

Merlimau

OK - i'll put something together...

+1 here!
I'm exactly one of those misfit ex-piano players pretending to use a Stage2, and relegating the poor synth section almost exclusively to sample playback!
It deserves more!
I deserve more!!!


Jokes apart, I'm starting to get a relatively firm grip on subtractive synthesis, but FM still eludes me, I just use the preset combinations of carrier-operators and then randomly twist some knobs... any help will be appreciated!

...and yes, the synth section of the Stage2 is BY FAR its most underrated feature, every time i dig into it (that is, I do some random knob-twisting ) I'm amazed at its versatility!

The Stage Classic/EX synth section is even more underrated. It has a remarkably heavy set of cojones which the NS2 can't quite manage to pull off in the same way.

Bless,

Pablo

pablomastodon wrote: It has a remarkably heavy set of cojones which the NS2 can't quite manage to pull off in the same way.

Probably best not to try to pull the cojones off a big red Swede...

Btw - I haven't forget about this, just had a busy week. Watch this space...