USER MANUAL Nord Stage 3 English OS version: 2.
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1. Introduction TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 6 Thank you!.........................................................................................................6 Features..............................................................................................................6 Nord Online.......................................................................................................6 About the User Manual...........
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x Storing edited programs...................................................................................28 LP M................................................................................................................38 Panel buttons A & B...................................................................................28 LP/HP..............................................................................................................
1. Introduction Tap Tempo.......................................................................................................46 1 - Piano Pedal Noise Level..............................................................................55 Filters...............................................................................................................47 2 - Piano String Res Level................................................................................55 Analog Mode...........................
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 1 INTRODUCTION THANK YOU! NORD ONLINE Thank you for choosing the Nord Stage 3! On the website nordkeyboards.
1. Introduction The Nord Stage 3 is compatible with the continuously expanding Nord Piano Library and the Nord Sample Library. When new sounds become available, these can be download for free from the Sound Libraries section at www.nordkeyboards.com. CUSTOM SAMPLES Use the Nord Sample Editor 3 for quick and easy creation of custom sample instruments for the Nord Stage 3.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 2 OVERVIEW User ORGAN PIANO PROGRAM The Nord Stage 3 is designed to be a highly flexible, musically expressive and easy-to-use instrument. Let’s have a look at some of its key features: ORGAN SECTION The dedicated Organ section uses our latest B3 tonewheel Organ model, as found in the acclaimed Nord C2D Combo Organ.
2. Overview The left pedal is the soft pedal, also known as the Una Corda. When applied, all notes will be slightly lower in volume and have a softer, more subdued, tone quality. In the middle is the Sostenuto pedal. Notes that are held when the pedal is pressed down will “have their dampers raised” and keep sustaining, while subsequent notes will not be sustained.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 3 GETTING STARTED Let’s spend a few minutes getting acquainted with the most fundamental features of the Nord Stage 3. In this chapter the most common scenarios and tasks will be described in a step-wise fashion, hopefully serving as a good starting point for further editing and more advanced set-ups as well.
3. GETTING STARTED PANEL CONTROLS LIST VIEW DIALS AND KNOBS Any dial that has LIST written below it - such as the Program dial - can be used to access a useful list view. The dials on the Nord Stage 3 are knobs without any fixed start and stop positions, used for navigating parameters and settings in a step-wise fashion. The PROGRAM dial is one such example. In this manual, dials are sometimes also referred to as encoders. 1 A:42 A:43 A:44 A:45 LEVEL dials are surrounded by LED indicators.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x TURN OFF MEMORY PROTECTION When the Nord Stage 3 is shipped from factory its memory is protected to prevent accidental overwriting of original programs. Memory protection can be turned off by toggling a setting located in the System menu. 3 Select a different Live program and then return to the one that was edited. Note that the edit was automatically stored.
3. GETTING STARTED corresponding to the 6/5 symbol in the display until the cursor is on the lower row. Set the Mid split point to C4 using the dial. 5 Make sure that the other two split points (Low and High) are set to “Off”. This can be done by selecting the Width row and adjusting the Low and High values using the dial. The keyboard is now divided into two zones, the split point being indicated with a green LED above the keyboard.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x The flashing panel LED (A or B) indicates which panel is currently focused for editing on the panel. Press the other Panel button to shift this focus to the other panel. SET UP A SPLIT CROSS-FADE (SPLIT WIDTH) As a final step, let’s adjust the split point so that the split Synth and Piano sounds will transition gradually between one another: 5 Again, press and hold the SPLIT ON/SET button, located in the top row above the Program area display.
3. GETTING STARTED LOADING AND ADJUSTING A SAMPLE PRESET THE SYNTHESIZER Let’s have a look at some of the features of the Stage 3 Synthesizer, beginning with how to set up a sound using Classic, “analog” waveforms. 1 Make sure the Synth section is active, by pressing the Synth ON button, or by using PROG INIT (Shift + Live Mode) and selecting Synth from the display.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x THE ARPEGGIATOR As a final exercise, let’s create a sound using the Synth section and its arpeggiator. 1 2 Make sure that only the Synth section is turned on and perform a SOUND INIT (Shift + Unison). Set the Amp Env ATTACK time to 0, the DECAY to around 3, select a sawtooth waveform and open up the filter a little bit. This will produce a percussive sound.
4. Organ 4 ORGAN Compact model The Nord Stage 3 features five organ models, all digitally modeled; a tonewheel/B3 organ, two transistor organs (Vox and Farfisa) and two Pipe Organ models, including a “Principal Pipe” section. Different organ models can be selected for Panel A and Panel B, allowing splits and layers using different organ types to be realized. M tionality for the Organ, in which case the Organ sound can be bent 2 semitones up and down, using the pitch stick.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x SELECTING AN ORGAN MODEL Use the ORGAN MODEL selector button to select your preferred Organ model. The Pipe1 and Pipe2 settings are indicated by the upper and lower LED pairs being lit respectively. THE B3 MODEL The B3 model is based on a digital model of the classic electro-mechanical tonewheel organ. This simulation utilizes innovative and advanced methods to capture every nuance of the original sound.
4. Organ THE VOX MODEL THE FARF MODEL The original Vox™ organ is probably the most famous of all the transistor based combo organs that emerged in the early 60’s. Transistor technology made it possible to manufacture compact and portable organ instruments.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x VIBRATO The original instrument has two basic vibrato modes; “Light” and “Heavy”, with different rates for each mode. There are several types of vibrato and choruses available for the Farf model on the Nord Stage 3, which are activated using the ON button in the Vibrato section. The V1, V2 and the V3 settings are the ones that are modeled after the original instrument’s. Note that the Farf vibrato is common for both panels.
5. Piano 5 PIANO ON/OFF, LEVEL AND ZONE SELECT The Piano section is turned On or Off by pressing its ON/OFF button. The morphable LEVEL encoder controls the sound output level of the Piano. Press ZONE SELECT (On/Off) with SHIFT, to assign the Piano to any of the active keyboard zones. The green KB ZONE LEDs indicate which of the zones the Piano section is assigned to. Read more about Split setups and keyboard zones on page 27.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x ABOUT PIANO SIZE ABOUT THE CLAVINET Nord Piano Library sounds come in up to four different sizes.
5. Piano M Some Piano types, such as Clavinets and Harpsichords do not support the Soft Release feature. In these cases the button will be disabled. STRING RESONANCE String Resonance refers to the acoustic phenomenon that occurs when strings, or parts of strings, resonate at their fundamental or harmonic frequencies when other strings are played.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x TIMBRE Use the Piano TIMBRE settings to quickly alter the frequency content and character of the selected piano sound – while keeping the EQ unit of the Effects section free for other tasks. ACOUSTIC PIANO SETTINGS Unlike other Timbre options, the SOFT setting for acoustic pianos does not apply filtering to the sound.
6. Program 6 PROGRAM The PROGRAM section provides access to performance functions such as recalling and storing programs, access to the Song and Live modes, keyboard split functionality and more. This is also where menus containing System, Sound, MIDI and Extern settings are found. The menus and their settings are covered in a separate chapter, starting on page 53. M Note that the exact location of certain panel features may differ depending on the manufacturing date of the instrument.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x MORPH INDICATORS EXTERNAL SYNC All morphable parameters are equipped with some means of indicating that a morph has been assigned to it, or that a morph is being performed. These are the three different types of indications used: The Master Clock on the Stage 3 can be controlled by incoming MIDI clock messages.
6. Program M SPLIT The Nord Stage 3 keyboard can be split in up to four keyboard zones; 1, 2, 3 and 4, separated by the three available split points, Low (L), Mid (M) and High (H). Any sound engine (Organ, Piano or Synth) can then be assigned to any or all of these zones. Both panels use the same KB Zone configuration. Instrument assignments are individual for each panel. STORE The STORE button is used for storing an edited program or song to a location in the program banks.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 3 To assign your program a category, which may be useful for retrieving it later on, press down on the Cat soft button and select any of the 20 categories from the list. 4 Pressing STORE will now bring up the Store Program/Song To screen. Use the dial and/or PAGE 3/4and Program buttons to select a location. 5 When a suitable location has been found, press STORE again. Naming programs and songs can also be done with the Nord Sound Manager.
6. Program DUAL KBD STYLE By default Dual Kbd Style is set to Organ, meaning that a connected MIDI keyboard sending on the Dual KB channel will control the Panel B Organ section. To change this to Panel, Piano or Synth, press down on DUAL KB (Shift + Panel B) and make a selection using the dial. When a sound engine is in Dual KB mode its KB Zone LEDs will all be unlit – indicating that it is not controlled from the internal keyboard and that it is unaffected by any active split points.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x MOVE A PROGRAM mode is used is determined in the System Menu (see page 53). 4 Use the dial to select a program which should be moved to another location and press Move 5 Select the destination location for the operation, using the dial and press Ok. Pressing Undo will instead cancel the operation.
6. Program ABC In Abc (alphanumeric) mode programs are instead ordered by name. By pressing down on the Abc soft button, as indicated by the “6“ symbol, a specific letter or number can be jumped to by selecting it with the dial. Program B B:32 Blue Rose K:41 Blue Swede B:43 Blues Project A:44 Brass Dynamics Num Abc Cat CATEGORY In Category mode, programs are sorted by their category.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x UTILITY FUNCTIONS These functions are accessed by pressing UTILITY (Shift + Program 5 button). Use the PAGE buttons to select between the two functions. M 9 Press and hold the Piano ON/OFF button on Panel B and then press the Zone 2 and 3 soft buttons (Program 2 and 3 buttons). The Piano sound will now be assigned to Zone 2 and 3.
7. Synth 7 SYNTH User Classic xFade Saw 8 MixSqr ABOUT THE SYNTH SECTION Square Sub ON/OFF, LEVEL AND ZONE SELECT The Synth section is turned On or Off by pressing its ON/OFF button. The morphable LEVEL encoder controls the sound output level of the Synth section. The Synth section of the Nord Stage 3 is designed to be a versatile and easy-to-use stage synthesizer - but most of all it is aimed at providing great, inspiring synthesizer sounds regardless of how it is being used.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x PITCH STICK RANGE The pitch stick range can be adjusted and stored on a per-program basis for the Synth section. The range is set in semitone steps, by pressing SHIFT+PSTICK in the Synth section and selecting a value from the displayed list. Optionally, the value can be set on page 4 of the Sound menu. The Range LED is lit when set to a non-default value (±2 semitones).
7. Synth 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.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x SHAPE MIX NOISE 2 The Shape configuration has different effects depending on the selected waveform. The Waveform table in the previous section illustrate how Classic waveforms are affected by the shape parameter. Wave and F-Wave waveforms are modified using a spectral shaping process. The Mix Noise 2 oscillator configuration provides a band-passed and resonant, pitched noise, which can be mixed with the main oscillator using OSC CTRL.
7. Synth LIST VIEW AND PRESET MODE Turn the SYNTH PRESET dial while pressing SHIFT to enter LIST view. The category of the currently selected preset is displayed in the top right corner while the list itself shows the location and name of the selected preset. Pressing MODE (Shift + Mono/Legato) selects one of the three browsing modes below: M Depending on manufacturing date, the Mode function may not be explicitly printed on the panel and the User/Samp LEDs may not be present.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x The M filter is a four pole, 24 dB/octave, resonating low-pass filter. The character of the filter resonance is one detail that makes it stand out, leaving more of the low end of the signal than on a traditional 24 dB/ octave low pass filter. FILTER SECTION LP/HP The combined low-pass/high-pass filter (LP/HP) consists of a 12 dB low-pass and a 12 dB high-pass filter in parallell.
7. Synth FILTER FREQUENCY The diagrams below illustrate the relationship between keyboard position and cut-off frequency at the 1:1 and 2/3 settings: The morphable filter FREQ knob is used for setting the cut-off frequency point – that is where in the frequency range the filter begins to process frequencies. The actual result of this processing depends on the type of filter used.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x AMP ENVELOPE THE ENVELOPES The final stage of any synth signal chain normally consists of an amplifier to control the volume. By modulating the amplifier with an envelope, the sound is given its basic “shape” over time. In fact, the “volume shape” is one of the most important factors to how we identify the sound. By setting up a proper volume envelope you can make a sound “soft”, “hard”, “plucked” “static” etc.
7. Synth LFO WAVEFORMS between two subsequent notes, the longer the glide time. Turn the Glide knob clockwise to increase the glide rate. The LFO waveform selector button determines the waveform that is generated by the LFO: Waveform Description Triangle Suitable for natural vibrato effects and also used for classic pulse width modulation. Sawtooth 1 Use for ramp type modulations. Sawtooth 2 Use for ramp type modulations.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x ARPEGGIATOR MASTER CLOCK Press SHIFT and turn the Arpeggiator RATE knob to sync the arpeggio with the Nord Stage 3 Master Clock. When the Arpeggio is synchronized to the Master Clock, the Rate knob will be used to set the arpeggio’s subdivision of the tempo of the Master Clock. The Subdivisions are described in meter: 1/2 equals half notes at the clock tempo, 1/4 equals quarter notes, 1/8 are eight notes etc. A “T” indicates a meter with triplet feel.
8. Extern 8 EXTERN SECTION M EXTERN SECTION Control of external MIDI instruments is an integrated feature of the Nord Stage 3. By using the Extern section, all essential external MIDI control functions are as accessible and easy to use as the controls for the Nord Stage 3 sound engines. The Extern section behaves like the internal instruments in several important ways. It is enabled and assigned to a keyboard zone in the same way.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x assigned to which CC numbers. EXTERN PARAMETERS 4 To determine the initial value for the selected MIDI CC parameter when the program is loaded, press the Value soft button and select a value using the dial. Press the Ctrl soft button to return to setting the MIDI CC number. 5 Press EXIT (Shift) to leave the menu. Once again, the external instrument may have to be set to receive MIDI CC messages for this to work as expected.
9. Effects 9 EFFECTS OVERVIEW The effects on the Nord Stage 3 are all available on a per-panel basis. This means there are two instances of each effects unit, which each can have its own settings, for every program. The one exception to this rule are Rotary Speaker settings: The Rotary Speaker can be activated on each panel separately and for different sound engines, but will always use the same speed and drive settings on both panels.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x TREM (TREMOLO) FLANGER TREM (Tremolo) provides a volume modulation that continuously varies the volume of the output signal. Tremolo is a very common effect to use with electric pianos. The FLANGER produces a dramatic comb filter effect, giving the sound a “swooshy” and resonant quality. VIBE Use the RATE and AMOUNT knobs to control the Tremolo rate and its depth. Note that the output volume is at maximum level at zero Amount setting.
9. Effects FILTERS The filters in the delay FILTER section are great tools for shaping the delay sound, especially when large feedback amounts are used. Each consecutive Delay tap is fed through the filter, resulting in a progressively more processed sound. With the LP setting, all delay taps are passed through a Low Pass filter which reduces high frequency content in the delay feedback signal. The HP setting provides a High Pass filter, removing low frequency content.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x AMP MODEL The three different amplifier/speaker simulations are selected with the Selector button in the Amp Model section: Amp Model Description JC A simulation of a Roland Jazz Chorus speaker cabinet, powered by a tube amp. SMALL A simulation of a Wurlitzer 200A internal speaker, powered by a tube amp. TWIN A simulation of a Fender Twin tube amplifier and speaker cabinet.
9. Effects • The Rotary speed can be continuously controlled with a Morph source, in which case the MORPH LED will be lit. This makes it possible to set the rotary at speeds other than just fast, slow and stopped. The DRIVE knob controls the amount of overdrive. This simulates the pre-amplifier overdrive of the original rotary speakers. A sustain pedal or a foot switch that is connected to the Rotor pedal input can control the rotor speed.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 10 MIDI USING MIDI EXTERN The Nord Stage 3 is designed to be as flexible as possible in regard to its MIDI capabilities. It can be used as a master keyboard to control other hardware units or software sound sources, or as two independent panels to be played/controlled by outboard gear such as a sequencer. It is also possible to control only parts of the Nord Stage 3 from a separate keyboard. If you like, you can even do all these things at the same time.
10. MIDI For yet another degree of integrated control, the Extern encoder can be controlled by the mod wheel, aftertouch or a control pedal, by setting up a Morph. Just like other panel sections, the A/B Extern panels are completely independent from one another and can be programmed to do different things on the same or different zones at the same time. M If the on-panel Transpose feature is used, the MIDI output from the Extern section will be transposed.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x Nord Stage 3 should transmit and/or receive Control Change messages. • If a Control/Expression pedal is connected to the Organ Swell Input, this is transmitted and received as Controller 4. • If a Control/Expression pedal is connected to the Control Pedal Input, this is transmitted and received as Controller 11 (Expression). • If a sustain pedal is connected to the Sustain Pedal Input, this is transmitted and received as Controller 64 (Sustain Pedal).
11. Menus 11 MENUS Any settings that are made in the System, Sound, MIDI or Extern menus will take immediate effect, and will be stored until they are changed again. M The MIDI Local On/Off setting is an exception and always reverts to Local On every time the Nord Stage 3 is powered up. Most settings are global, meaning that they apply regardless of which program is currently loaded.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x programs, overriding the routings stored with each program. Range: Global (Default), Program E In Program mode a manual Store operation is needed in order for changes to Output Routing settings to be saved. 7 - OUTPUT PANEL A/B Output Routing settings below are made independently for each panel. Use the Panel A and B buttons respectively for switching between them. MAIN This allows for setting which stereo output pair(s) or mono output to use for each panel.
11. Menus 12 - SWELL PEDAL 3 - SYNTH VIBRATO TYPE RATE This setting configures a pedal attached to the ORGAN SWELL jack. See “Ctrl Pedal Type” above for details. This setting determines the rate of the Synth Vibrato. Range: Roland EV7 (default), Yamaha FC-7, Korg, Fatar (and Studiologic) FUNC (FUNCTION) This setting configure the Swell Pedal destination.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x ACC (ACCELERATION) This determines the acceleration and retardation time of the rotary speaker woofer rotor. Range: Low, Normal (default), High 11 - ROTARY HORN Range: Off, Send, Receive, Send & Receive (Default) PC (PROGRAM CHANGE) This setting determines whether your Nord Stage 3 transmits and/or receives MIDI program Change Messages, on the Global channel.
11. Menus Range for Wheel, AT and PStick is: On (Default), Off PStick MIDI can also be turned On or Off from the Extern panel section. 5 - PEDAL MIDI PANEL A/B For each panel it can be determined whether to send data generated by the control (expression), swell, volume and sustain pedals. If any of these should not generate MIDI data, turn its setting to Off. Note that the volume parameter refers to volume pedal data. This setting does not affect the Volume option in the Extern panel section.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.5x 12 NORD SOUND MANAGER ABOUT NORD SOUND MANAGER SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Nord Sound Manager is an essential application for any Nord Stage 3 owner, which allows for accessing, altering and backing up content within the various memory areas on the Nord Stage 3. These are some of the common tasks performed through the Nord Sound Manager: Mac OS X 10.6 or later Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Appendix I APPENDIX: CONNECTIONS AUDIO CONNECTIONS USB CONNECTION General guide on audio connections: Before turning on your amplifier, make all audio connections. Always turn on the amplifier last, and when shutting down, always turn off your amplifier or active speakers first. The USB port is used for connecting the Nord Stage 3 to a computer. The connection can be used for transferring MIDI, for OS updates and for connecting to applications such as the Nord Sound Manager or Nord Sample Editor.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.
Appendix III INDEX A Acc (Rotary Horn) 56 Acc (Rotary Rotor) 56 Amnt (Synth Vibrato) 55 Amp Sim / EQ 47 Analog Mode (Delay) 47 A-Pan (Auto Pan) 45 Arpeggiator 41 Arp Run 41 A Touch (Aftertouch) 25 Audio Connections 59 A-Wa 1 & 2 (Auto-Wah) 46 B B3 18 B3 Organ Key Click Level 55 B3 Organ Tonewheel Mode 55 Bank LSB (Extern) 57 Bank MSB (Extern) 57 Bass (EQ) 47 Bell (Osc Config) 36 BP (Band Pass) 38 C CC (MIDI Menu) 56 Ch 1 and 2 Out 59 Ch 3 and 4 Out 59 Chorus 1 & 2 46 Chorus (Organ) 18 Classic (Synth) 3
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v2.
FCC Information (U.S.A.) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Clavia may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/ or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
