USER MANUAL Nord Stage 3 English OS version: 1.
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1. Introduction TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................... 6 B3 drawbars ...................................................................................................18 Percussion.......................................................................................................18 Thank you!.........................................................................................................6 Features............................
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x Song Mode......................................................................................................28 Vel / Mod Env...................................................................................................37 Song Edit.........................................................................................................28 The Envelopes...............................................................................................
1. Introduction Compressor....................................................................................................46 Fast mode........................................................................................................46 Reverb...............................................................................................................46 Rotary Speaker ............................................................................................46 Rotary Speaker and Reverb..........
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x 1 INTRODUCTION THANK YOU! NORD ONLINE Thank you for choosing the Nord Stage 3! On the website nordkeyboards.
1. Introduction a free download from our website. 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 of our website. DISCLAIMER Any trademarks and brand names mentioned in this manual are the property of their respective owners and are not affiliated or associated with Clavia.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x 2 OVERVIEW 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 v1.3x 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.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x 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 3symbol in the display, to instead show the Split Position settings. Set the Middle split point to C4 using the dial. 5 Make sure that the other two split points (Low and High) are set to “Off”, accessed by pressing the Program 1 and 3 buttons respectively. 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 v1.3x sounds from both panels. Panel A now contains the Synth/Piano split while the Panel B Synth sound is layered on top. 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.
3. GETTING STARTED 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 v1.3x 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. MM 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 v1.3x 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 v1.3x 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 26.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x ABOUT PIANO SIZE ABOUT THE CLAVINET Nord Piano Library sounds come in up to four different sizes.
5. Piano MM 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 v1.3x PIANO/CLAV EQ PIANO EQ SETTINGS Using the PIANO EQ section is a smart method for instantly altering the frequency content and character of the currently selected piano sound - while keeping the Amp Sim/EQ effects unit free for other tasks. The SOFT setting will filter out much of the high frequency range, and emphasize parts of the low, resulting in a subdued and mellow 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 52. The Program area features are all described in this chapter, beginning with the top row.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x MORPH INDICATORS EXTERNAL SYNC All morphable parameters are equipped with some means to indicate 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 KEYBOARD SPLIT SETTINGS KEYBOARD ZONES EDITOR After a split has been activated, use the ZONE SELECT buttons (accessed with SHIFT) beneath each instrument’s (or the Extern’s) Value Dial to assign an instrument to one or more zones. The four Zone LEDs beneath the instrument’s Level Rotary will indicate the assignment. Thee KB ZONES editor allows for a clear overview and easy set-up of keyboard zones and how sound engines are assigned to them.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x MM When the Nord Stage 3 is shipped from factory its memory is protected, to avoid accidental overwriting of programs. To be able to store Programs, The Memory Protect parameter needs to be set to “Off” in the System menu. Read more on how to do this on page 52. The Memory Protect function does not affect the Live Mode memories or operations performed through the Nord Sound Manager.
6. Program With both panels active, one of the panel button LEDs will flash, indicating which panel is focused for editing. To switch edit focus press the corresponding panel button. To disable one panel, and return to a single panel setup, hold the button of the panel that should be kept and press the other one. MONITOR/COPY PANEL/PASTE To display what a parameter on the panel is set to, without changing it, hold down the MONITOR button and turn the associated parameter knob.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x PROGRAM BUTTONS PAGE BUTTONS The five PROGRAM buttons give you immediate access to a range of five programs within the current program bank. The same buttons are used to select SONG PARTS, and as soft buttons when operating menu settings. Read more about Song Parts and the Song Mode on page 28, and about soft button functionality on page 52. Program pages are navigated by pressing the PAGE 3/4 buttons. Each bank holds 20 pages, with 5 programs in each page.
7. Synth 7 SYNTH ABOUT THE SYNTH SECTION 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 v1.3x sustain pedal for the Synth section. Read more on how to configure an attached pedal in the Menus chapter, on page 53. OSCILLATORS The Nord Stage 3 synthesizer engine features smart oscillator configurations utilizing one or two oscillators.
7. Synth ESQUARE The ESquare, or “extended square”, waveform differs from a square wave in that it is brighter and more rich in overtones. The Shape parameter will alter the waveform to and from a sine wave. WAVE individual presets. Loading a sample from the Sample preset bank will automatically set up a number of the Synth section parameters to values suitable for that particular sample. Read more about this, and about Synth Presets in general on page 34.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x SYNC “Oscillator Synchronization” involves using the signal from one oscillator to restart another oscillator. When sync is applied, the basic pitch of Oscillator 1 is locked to that of Oscillator 2 (the “sync” oscillator). As the relative pitch of the synchronized oscillator is varied, this will be perceived as a dramatic change in timbre.
7. Synth User: Pressing the User soft button displays a list of the 8x50 preset locations that can be stored to by the user. FILTER SECTION Samp: Sample presets are generated automatically based on the sample content in your Nord Stage 3. These presets are “read-only” in that their locations can not be stored to by the user. It is still possible, however, to store an edited sample preset to the User banks.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x 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 FREQUENCY 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.
7. Synth The diagrams below illustrate the relationship between keyboard position and cut-off frequency at the 1:1 and 2/3 settings: gain THE ENVELOPES The envelopes are used to “shape the sound” over time, from when you first play a key, to after it has been released. The diagram below illustrates the role of each parameter - attack, decay and release - throughout the course of the total envelope time, for both the Modulation and Amplifier envelopes.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x AMP ENVELOPE The final stage of a synth signal chain usually 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 VOICE SECTION The Nord Stage 3 synthesizer has a number of different voice modes, selectable in the VOICE section. There are several options for monophonic and polyphonic playing, as well as three different Unison modes. MONO VOICE MODE In MONO mode only one note is played at a time, just like on a traditional monophonic synthesizer. Also, every time a note is played the envelopes are re-triggered, which gives all notes the same characteristics in terms of modulation and filter behavior.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x ARPEGGIATOR VIBRATO VIBRATO modulates the pitch of the oscillator to produce natural sounding vibrato effects. There are three basic methods you can use to control Synth Vibrato which is set using the Selector button in the Vibrato section: When the ARPEGGIATOR is running, held notes will be played back repeatedly, one after the other. Its parameters govern direction, range and speed.
8. Extern 8 EXTERN SECTION 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 v1.3x EXTERN PARAMETERS MIDI CC The MIDI CC setting makes it possible to transmit MIDI Control Change messages to control a parameter of your choice on the external instrument. The Value encoder will control the value of the sent CC message. First, the controller number to transmit needs to be defined within the Extern Menu: 1 Hold SHIFT and press the EXTERN button to access the Extern menu.
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 effect settings: The Rotary 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 v1.3x 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 v1.3x 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 v1.3x 10 MIDI A and Panel B can be assigned individual MIDI channels in the Nord Stage 3 MIDI Menu. USING MIDI The Nord Stage 3 is designed to be as flexible as possible when it comes 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.
10. MIDI By activating Send On Load in the Extern Menu all stored data (program change, bank select, MIDI CC and volume) will automatically be sent from the Nord Stage 3 whenever this program is selected. An additional continuous controller message can be defined in the Extern menu, if needed. Simply set the CC number and the desired value and it will be transmitted along with everything else.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x PITCH BEND LIVE MODE • Pitch Bend messages are transmitted and received. Live Mode can not be activated or deactivated by Program Change. However, one can enter or exit Live Mode by sending a CC# 2 message of 127 (Live on) or 0 (Live off). CONTROLLERS From the MIDI Menu (see page 54), it can be determined whether the Nord Stage 3 should transmit and/or receive Control Change messages.
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. MM 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 v1.3x MAIN This allows for setting which stereo output pair(s) or mono output to use for each panel. Range: Stereo 1-2 (Default), 3-4, 3, 4, 1-4 EE Sounds using the Rotary effect are always routed to outputs 1-2, regardless of Output Routing settings. SUB Within each panel one sound engine (Organ, Piano or Synth) can be routed independently of the Main output for that panel.
11. Menus SOUND MENU Hold SHIFT and press SOUND (Program 2) to access the Sound menu. Use the PAGE 3 and 4 buttons to navigate between the various menu items on the Sound menu. The PROGRAM dial is used to change settings, and soft buttons to access additional settings (as described above), where applicable. Press EXIT (Shift) to leave the menu. 1 - PIANO PEDAL NOISE LEVEL Sets the level of the Pedal Noise that can be turned on for selected pianos, if a Nord Triple Pedal is connected to the Stage 3.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x MIDI MENU EXTERN MENU Hold SHIFT and press MIDI (Program 3) to access the MIDI menu settings. Use the PAGE 3 and 4 buttons to navigate between the various menu items on the MIDI menu. The PROGRAM Dial is used to change settings, the Panel buttons for switching between A and B. Soft buttons are used to access additional settings where applicable. When you are done, press Exit (Shift) to exit the menu.
11. Menus BANK MSB The Bank Select MSB (“Most Significant Byte”) Control Change message may be necessary to define if addressing a unit with a large number of internal banks. According to the MIDI standard it is defined as CC# 0, and uses one byte of data for a total of 128 bank values. Range: 0-127, Off (Default Off) BANK LSB The Bank Select LSB (“Least Significant Byte”) Control Change message - defined as CC# 32 - uses one byte of data to address a total of 128 banks.
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.3x 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 XP, Windows Vista, 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 v1.
Appendix III INDEX A Acc (Rotary Horn) 53 Acc (Rotary Rotor) 53 Amnt (Synth Vibrato) 53 Amp Sim / EQ 45 Analog Mode (Delay) 45 A-Pan (Auto Pan) 43 Arpeggiator 40 Arp Run 40 A Touch (Aftertouch) 25 Audio Connections 57 A-Wa 1 & 2 (Auto-Wah) 44 B B3 18 B3 Organ Key Click Level 53 B3 Organ Tonewheel Mode 53 Bank LSB (Extern) 55 Bank MSB (Extern) 55 Bass (EQ) 45 Bell (Osc Config) 34 BP (Band Pass) 36 C CC (MIDI Menu) 54 Ch 1 and 2 Out 57 Ch 3 and 4 Out 57 Chorus 1 & 2 44 Chorus (Organ) 18 Classic (Synth) 3
| Nord Stage 3 User Manual OS v1.
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.
