Parameters of Pitch Bend on Nord Stage?

[Simmo]

Hi there,

Another newbie here, with a (probably) stupid question. I recently became the very happy owner of a Nord Stage Compact EX. I'm loving its simplicity and amazing Rhodesy and Wurlitzery sounds...

Anyhows, one thing that I'm a bit disappointed with is the fact that the parameters of the pitch bend seem to be fixed at +/-2 semitones. I used to own a Nord Lead (until it got stolen), and one of my favourite features was the insane range of the pitch bend. Does anyone know if there's any way at all to extend the range on the Stage? Any advice would be massively appreciated, thanks!

A second question, that has already been asked on here but noone was able to respond to... does anyone know if a midi foot pedal can be used to change between programs and/or panels?

Thanks so much in advance,

Simmo

[peterkadar]

The pitch bend is fixed at +/- 2 semitones, which is unfortunate, especially given the synth engine. I wish there was a way to at least globally set different ranges for the up and down pitch bends, so I could, for example, bend up a 2nd, but down an octave.

I don't think there's a way to fade between panels specifically, but you can get the same effect by having both panels layered, and then using the foot controller to morph the volume of the sounds on Panel A in one direction, and then go to panel B, and use the morph function to change the volume of that layer's sound in the opposite direction.

If you use the panel copy feature, you can have the same sounds as a starting point for consistency's sake. Then you can choose which sounds on which panels you want to crossfade to or from.

This is actually better than just crossfading between panels, because it gives you the ability to choose which instruments you would like to have be affected, and in which direction.

For example, you could have a piano sound that is unaffected by the pedal, and then have a synth pad on panel A fade out if you push the pedal forward. Then you could go to panel B, select a synth string sound, and have that fade in with the same movement.

I don't think there's a way to use a pedal to step forward or backwards in the NS's programs. That is a common feature found in most workstations, but it's lacking in the Nord. But, changing programs on the Nord is pretty quick compared to some workstations that require multiple button presses and then Enter to access a sound.

You can still get a lot of stuff done by crossfading in the example above. Don't forget that if you have a midi module or two, that each panel also has an Extern section that can be crossfaded via morphing, and sent a specific program change too.

[Simmo]

Thanks for the detailed and very useful reply, Peter!

It's a real shame about the pitch bend.... it was one of my favourite things about my old Lead. Ah well....

I think I may be able to come up with some kind of midi-based solution to the program changing condundrum.... I'll keep everyone posted in case it's useful to others.

Thanks again,

S.

[gearaholic]

yes a midi pedalboard should change programs or panels...
the cc#s in the stage are fixed and if the midi pedal is also fixed they might not play well together...if so the midi solutions event proccesor plus can fix almost any bugs