6. The Instruments: The Synth section
Nord Stage v3.1x
Page 40
The three different FM algorithms in the Nord Stage: one, two and three
oscillator FM with feedback. The feedback is not active in all algorithms.
The Timbre knob controls the FM and feedback amounts. When you turn the knob, all modulations
are increased simultaneously. The number of harmonics, and their intensity, increase proportionally
to the FM amount. As usual, the Timbre parameter can be modulated by Velocity or the Modulation
Envelope, and it can be Morph controlled by any combination of wheel, aftertouch and pedal.
Each algorithm comes with a number of preconfigured frequency ratios. Depending on what kind of
sound you want, choose from the different combinations available and you have many interesting FM
sounds at your disposal. When a new wave is selected, the
M
AIN
D
ISPLAY
shows, for a short dura-
tion, the algorithm together with information on the frequency relations between the operators and
whether feedback is used. The
W
AVE
D
ISPLAY
shows the modulator(s) frequency relation to the car-
rier. If an operator uses feedback it is indicated by a dot next to the digit. In the chart below all availi-
ble algorithms together with the notation used in the
W
AVE
D
ISPLAY
are listed:
Wave disp.
Algorithm
Freq. relation
Cr
1 op with feedback
1
1
2 op
1:1
2
2 op
2:1
3
2 op
3:1
5
2 op
5:1
9
2 op
9:1
1.
2 op with feedback
1:1
2.
2 op with feedback
2:1
3.
2 op with feedback
3:1
5.
2 op with feedback
5:1
9.
2 op with feedback
9:1
11
3 op
1:1:1
21
3 op
2:1:1
31
3 op
3:1:1
51
3 op
5:1:1
91
3 op
9:1:1
MODULATOR
MODULATOR
MODULATOR
CARRIER
CARRIER
CARRIER
feedback
feedback
feedback
output
output
output