User Manual

7. SY N TH | 35
User: Pressing the User soft button displays a list of the 8x50 preset
locations that can be stored to by the user.
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.
When loading a sample from a preset, Filter and Amp Envelope
parameters are automatically set to values appropriate for that particular
sample. Of course, these parameters can still be adjusted manually as
needed.
M The purpose of the sample preset bank is to provide instantly play-
able sounds, regardless of sample type. Compare this to loading
samples using the Osc1/Waveform dial, in which case the current
Filter and Amp Env settings are used for any loaded sample. Most
often these parameters will need adjusting for the sound to become
dynamic and “playable”.
Cat: Pressing down on the Cat soft button displays a list of all available
categories. Use the dial to select a category and then browse only those
presets. As long as the Cat soft button is focused, the PAGE 3/4 but-
tons can be used for jumping to the previous or next category without
opening the category list.
STORING SYNTH PRESETS
The current settings of the Synth section can easily be stored as a Synth
Preset, to a location within any of the 8 Synth Preset banks:
1 Press STORE SYNTH (Shift + KB Hold) once. If your edited Synth
Preset was based on an existing preset the dialog will suggest its
location as store destination. If not, the display will ask you to select
a location for the Synth Preset manually. Use the PROGRAM dial to
select an appropriate location.
2 To name and assign a category to your preset, press STORE AS
(Shift + Store) If the preset should not be named, instead skip to
step 5.
3 Hold down the Abc soft button to bring up a row of alphanumeric
characters and use the dial to select a character for the current
position. Let go of the Abc button to move the cursor to the next
position. The dial or PAGE 3/4buttons can be used to move the
cursor forward or back as needed. The Ins soft button is used for
inserting a blank space at the current position and the Del soft
button is used for deleting the currently selected character.
4 Press down on the Cat soft button and turn the PROGRAM dial to
select a category and assign it to the preset.
5 To select a different store location use the PROGRAM dial and/or
PAGE 3/4 buttons. The current preset at the selected store loca-
tion can always be auditioned by playing the keyboard.
6 To cancel an ongoing Store operation, press EXIT.
7 When a suitable location has been selected, press STORE to com-
plete the operation.
 Naming and categorizing Synth Presets can also be done with the
Nord Sound Manager.
FILTER SECTION
The FILTER is an important component in shaping the overall timbre
of the sound and can also be modulated by a number of sources.
The Nord Stage 3 features a selection of both classic and innovative
synthesizer filters.
Most filters share the same parameters: FREQ (Frequency) controls the
cut-off frequency and RES (Resonance) controls the filter resonance. The
one exception to this is the combined LP/HP filter, in which case the Res
knob controls the HP filter cut-off frequency. More on that further down!
FILTER SELECTOR BUTTON
Press repeatedly on the Filter selector button to select the desired filter
type. The available filter types are:
LP 24 & LP 12
Frequencies above the Filter Frequency setting will be attenuated,
frequencies below will not be affected.
The LP12 setting provides a 12 dB/octave low-pass filter, which retains
more harmonics than the LP24 setting. A 12 dB filter is also known as a
2-pole filter.
The LP24 setting, with an attenuation slope of 24 dB/octave, is a more
classic “synth filter”. It cuts out frequencies rather drastically, with a
slope of 24 dB per octave. A 24 dB filter is also known as a 4-pole filter.
Both LP Filters can use the resonance control to emphasize frequencies
around the filter frequency (cut-off frequency), making the sound thinner.
LP M
The low-pass M filter setting provides an emulation of the original
transistor filter from the famous Mini. This groundbreaking and much
loved filter design was created and patented in the 1960’s by Dr Robert
A. Moog.
Filter Frequency
12 dB/Oct
24 dB/Oct
freq
gain