Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...
7. SY N T H | 35
containing only odd numbered harmonics (3, 5, 7 etc.). At narrower
widths the sound will become increasingly thin and nasal. Using the
Shape configuration, the Square wave can be narrowed down to 10%.
Pulse 33 and Pulse 10 waveforms can be widened up to 50%, with Osc
Ctrl at its max value.
M The fact that there are three Square/Pulse widths to choose from
enables using other oscillator configurations than Shape - while
retaining a desired pulse width.
ESAW
The ESaw, or “extended saw”, waveform is similar to a sawtooth
wave in its harmonic content. It has, however, a more pronounced
and “brassy” mid-range. Using the Shape parameter the ESaw wave
can be seamlessly morphed to and from a sine wave, which by using
modulation opens up for sounds that move between harsher and softer
characters.
ESQUARE
The ESquare, or “extended square”, waveform differs from a square
wave in that it is brighter and more rich in overtones. The Shape param-
eter will alter the waveform to and from a sine wave.
WAVE
The WAVE category contains digital waveforms covering a wide range
of tonal characteristics. The waveforms have been carefully designed
and selected to provide rich and interesting timbres with great variety,
for those exquisite sounds that cannot be reached with the other algo-
rithms. Advanced wavetable synthesis techniques have been used to
reproduce the waveforms perfectly over the whole keyboard range.
A number of waveforms are distilled from various acoustic instruments
while some are combinations of several overlapping spectra. Yet others
are extremely bright, with a fundamental that is softer than the many
harmonics. Using these waveforms with the different oscillator configu-
rations and filter settings, an endless variety of timbres are possible.
FORMANT
Sounds within the FORMANT category in general exhibit high energy
resonant peaks at various frequency bands within the audio spectrum,
giving them a vocal and highly resonant character. Some of the wave-
forms correspond to specific vowels, and some can be more broadly
described as being resonant within a certain spectral range.
SUPER
The Nord Stage 3 synthesizer provides a number of “super-waves”,
grouped within the SUPER category. These waveforms are created with a
large number of oscillators, and have a very rich and full sound.
M Some oscillator configurations; Pitch, Shape, Sync, Detune and
Dual/Triple FM, are not available when using Super as source for
the oscillator.
SAMPLES
The SAMPLE option uses samples from the Nord Sample Library as
an oscillator waveform, which can in turn be processed by other parts
of the synthesizer. This provides the synthesizer with a tremendous
flexibility. What’s more, custom samples can be created using the Nord
Sample Editor application, and loaded into the Nord Stage 3.
The Nord Sample Editor software is available as a free download
from www.nordkeyboards.com.
M Some oscillator configurations; Pitch, Shape, Sync, Detune and
Dual/Triple FM, are not available when using samples.
Samples are selected with the OSC1/WAVEFORM dial, or by loading a
Sample Preset from the Synth Presets banks.
The sample memory can hold up to 480 Megabytes of samples. The
sample memory is loaded with a wide selection of sounds when the
Nord Stage 3 leaves the Nord factory, and there are many more samples
to be found on the www.nordkeyboards.com website.
CATEGORIES AND SAMPLE PRESETS
Within the Synth Preset banks all samples are automatically available as
individual presets. Loading a sample from the preset banks automatical-
ly sets up a number of the Synth parameters to values suitable for the
selected sample. Read more about Synth Presets on page 36.
FAST ATTACK
With FAST ATK (Shift+ Selector button) turned on,
sample playback will begin at a fixed, alternative
starting point, bypassing most of the original attack
portion of the sample. As an example, this can be
used to remove the “build-up” phase of a slow strings
sound.
Hold down INFO (Shift+ Selector button) to display information about the
currently loaded sample, such as its size and full name.
OSCILLATOR CONFIGURATIONS
The Nord Stage 3 Synth section features a broad selection of useful
oscillator configurations, giving quick access to all common (and some
uncommon) set-ups using one or two oscillators - referred to as “single”
and “dual” configurations below.
To select a configuration turn the OSC CONFIG dial. For any configuration
that has a pitch selection option for the second oscillator - for example
all the waveform mix configurations - the OSC2/PITCH dial is used to
select the specific pitch, in semitone intervals.
M Depending on the manufacturing date, Osc Config and Osc2/Pitch
may share one dial, in which case Osc Config is set by pressing
Shift and turning Osc2/Pitch.
The pitch selection is retained when browsing configurations using
the Config dial.
OSC CTRL is used with all configurations except “None” to adjust either
amount or mix, depending on selection.
SINGLE OSCILLATOR CONFIGURATIONS
None of the single oscillator setups have any OSC2/PITCH settings, since
there is only one oscillator.
“NONE”
The first configuration simply consists of one oscillator, set to the select-
ed waveform/sample. In this case the OSC CTRL dial will have no effect.
PITCH
With the Pitch configuration OSC CTRL provides control of the pitch of
the oscillator. The range is 0.00 to 24 semitones.
M Super waveforms and Samples have no Pitch configuration.
Loading ...
Loading ...
Loading ...