7. Synth | 31
7
Synth
ABOUt 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.
the primarily subtractive synthesis design features faithful models of
analog style “Classic” waveforms but is also capable of FM (frequency
modulation), Wavetable synthesis, as well as using samples as an oscil-
lator sound source. the nord Stage 3 comes with a large selection of
samples right out of the box, and new samples can be sourced from the
nord Sample Library. to further the possibilities, the nord Sample Editor
application can be used to create custom samples from any sound
source.
In subtractive synthesis, you start with a bright waveform with lots
of overtones, and then shape the color of the sound with a filter that
subdues parts of the harmonic content. By modulating the filter cut-off
frequency while the note is playing, dynamic timbres are created.
the nord Stage 3 synthesizer also provides many other means to gen-
erate dynamic and rich sounds, made possible by the large selection of
oscillator configurations. these enable pulse width modulation, oscillator
sync, noise generation, and a variety of waveform mix set-ups. there
are two envelopes and one LFO for real time sound shaping.
Using both panels, two different sounds can be played simultaneously,
layered or in splits. the Synth sections of both panels can be layered to
create complex and evolving sounds.
On/OFF, LEVEL AnD ZOnE SELECt
the Synth section is turned On or Off by press-
ing its
ON/OFF
button. the
morphable
LEVEL
encoder controls the sound output level of the
Synth section.
Press
ZONE SELECT
(On/Off) with
SHIFT
, to
assign the Synth to any of the active keyboard
zones. the green
KB ZONE
LEDs indicate which
of the zones the Synth section is assigned to.
Read more about Split set-ups and keyboard
zones on page 26.
OCtAVE ShIFt
Use
OCTAVE SHIFT
to transpose the Synth section up or down by
octaves (+/- 12 semitones). When assigned to the entire keyboard it
can be transposed one octave up or down. When assigned to a smaller
zone the available transpose values will vary, but always provide access
to the entire range of the synthesizer.
PStICK AnD SUStPED
PSTICK
(Shift + Octave Shift left/down button) turns on pitch stick
functionality for the synth, in which case the Synth sound can be bent 2
semitones up and down, using the pitch stick.
SUSTPED
(Shift + Octave Shift right/up button) activates any attached
