Umair Gaines
The Nord Electro 3 is a keyboard from Clavia that offers a range of sounds, including electric pianos, harpsichords, and Clavinet. While it is possible to layer sounds on the Electro 3 by using a master keyboard in combination with a second synth, the keyboard itself does not support splitting or layering two of its onboard sound engines concurrently. This feature was introduced from the fifth generation of the Electro series onwards. Users seeking to layer sounds on the Electro 3 can explore third-party resources, such as the Nord Custom Library Vol.2, which provides 90 presets for layered timbres.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Layered sounds in the Nord Sample library | Limited, e.g., Piano/Pad combinations |
| Creating layered sounds | Requires a DAW and a decent audio interface |
| Default MIDI channel | Channel 1 |
| Compatible with | Stage 2, Roland Fantom G, Novation Remote SL |
| Number of timbres in Custom Library vol.2 | 90 |
| Example layers | DXPianoPad, PianoStrings, RhodesSynthStrings |
| Piano selection | By type and number |
| Piano alternatives | Supplied on DVD |
| Memory allocated to pianos | 185MB |
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What You'll Learn
Using a dedicated master keyboard for layered sounds
Layering sounds on a keyboard is an indispensable tool for any keyboard player. It can help with transitions, volume shifts, building momentum, and creating breaks in your music.
The complexity of setting up the master keyboard depends on the specific model and its features. For example, the Roland Fantom G and Stage 2 are known to be pretty easy to set up, while others like the Novation Remote SL may require a bit more work.
Once you have your master keyboard set up, you can start layering sounds. Most keyboards allow you to edit your layered sounds by adjusting the volume, tuning, and timbral quality of each sound. You can also experiment with changing the attack and release of the sounds to create unique effects. For instance, slowing down the attack of a Marcato String sound can make it more legato, while turning Legato Strings into a pad-type sound involves making it less bright and slowing down both the attack and release.
Additionally, you can explore popular blends such as combining acoustic piano with strings or electric piano. For a romantic sound, try layering a softer string sound with a slower attack and longer release, often referred to as a "pad." Vocal sounds, brass sections, and choir blends can also enhance your acoustic piano playing, creating inspiring and fun combinations.
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Using a second synth
The Nord Electro 3 cannot split or layer sounds. However, you can use a second synth to layer sounds. One user on the Nord Forum recommends using a dedicated master keyboard for layered sounds in combination with a second synth. This is easy to do as long as the sending controller sends the program changes to the correct MIDI channel. The default channel for the Electro 3 is Channel 1.
Another user recommends using a DAW and a decent audio interface to automate the process and reproduce the same results.
You can also use a second keyboard to layer sounds. For example, one user on the Nord Forum mentions using a Yamaha MX49 MIDI'd to their NS3, which allows them to have up to 6 synth sounds.
If you are only looking to use piano, organ, and the occasional sample (layered strings, etc.), the Electro 3 should be sufficient, and you may not need to purchase an additional synth. However, if you need more advanced split-layer capabilities, you may want to consider the Nord Stage 3, which offers more flexibility in terms of split/layer functionality, aftertouch, sample memory, output routing, and MIDI functionality.
Additionally, you can pair your Electro with a Wave 2 to get the organ and pianos along with a 4-part synth. However, you will lose the ability to layer and split multiple pianos/organs.
Lastly, if you are looking for a more affordable option, you can consider purchasing a discounted Nord Electro 5 for pianos and organs and a dedicated real analog synthesizer, which may be cheaper than acquiring a Stage 3.
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Using a DAW and audio interface
While the Nord Electro 3 does not support layering sounds internally, it is possible to layer sounds using a DAW and audio interface. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Connect Your Devices
Use a MIDI cable or a USB cable to connect your Nord Electro 3 to your audio interface. Almost all audio interfaces have quarter-inch jack sockets, so you can use standard guitar cables to make the connection. Ensure your audio interface is set up correctly in your DAW's main settings, where it should be listed as a MIDI input and output device.
Set Up Your MIDI Track
Create a MIDI track in your DAW and select the Nord as the external MIDI device. In Ableton Live, for example, you would do this by loading an External Instrument and then choosing the Nord as the external MIDI device. This will allow you to record MIDI notes played on the Nord and have them play back through the Nord itself.
Record and Print Audio
Create an audio track in your DAW and select the output from the Nord MIDI track as the input source. This will enable you to record the MIDI notes played on the Nord in real time as an audio clip. You can also use pre-recorded MIDI clips or VSTs and replace the VST with the Nord as the external MIDI device. Once you're happy with your recording, "print" the audio to create an audio clip.
Save Your Template
As a bonus tip, once you've set up your MIDI and audio tracks, save the entire song as a template so you can easily use this configuration in the future without having to go through the setup process again.
By following these steps, you'll be able to layer sounds using your Nord Electro 3 in combination with a DAW and audio interface. This gives you a lot of flexibility in creating and reproducing layered sounds, as well as the ability to tweak and automate your creations.
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Using the Tonewheel Mode for organ sounds
The Nord Electro 3 keyboard is equipped with four selectable tonewheel modes, allowing you to adjust the level of "vintage" in your B3 organ sound. The four tonewheel modes can take the sound from a clean setting to a dramatic, battered unit setting, which produces a sound in the background even when no keys are pressed.
The attention to detail in the Electro 3's organ sounds is impressive. Nord has spent years perfecting their digital models, and the Electro 3 contains the best emulation so far. The small details, such as key clicks derived from the original busbar behaviour and the energy robbing that produces gentle compression when you do a massive palm smear across the keyboard, have been carefully considered and examined.
The Electro 3 also includes the option to trigger organ sounds at the very top of a key's range, making the response time just as fast as the original. Additionally, you can choose to include or exclude the 9th drawbar when Percussion is activated. The Farfisa and Vox models are also impressive, with the same unique response and behaviour as the original instruments.
The drawbars of the Electro 3 are represented by up/down buttons and LED bar graphs, which offer the advantage of immediately showing the correct drawbar settings when you change programs. There are 17 user-configurable organ presets for each organ model, with features like user-adjustable percussion levels, percussion decays, keyclick levels, and Vibrato/Chorus Control with separate functionality for each model.
The Electro 3 is designed to support an extra MIDI keyboard when the Organ Split mode is activated, allowing for true split performance. The impressive rotary speaker emulator further enhances the organ sounds, making them even more authentic-sounding.
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Using the Nord Piano library
The Nord Piano is a professional stage piano with Hammer Action, combining the premium Nord piano sounds in a lightweight, robust package. The Nord Piano Library is a unique sound library containing exclusively sampled Grands, Uprights and Electric pianos, as well as premium Strings, Brass, Choirs, Guitars, Synths and more.
The Nord Piano 2 lets you play, split and layer sounds from both the Nord Piano Library and the Nord Sample Library. It features a versatile effects section and comes in a portable package with a premium Hammer Action keybed (HA88) or the ultra-lightweight Hammer Action Portable (HP73) keybed.
The Nord Electro 3 features a great organ section, fantastic pianos from the Nord Piano Library, and Nord Sample Library compatibility. It also includes the ability to create your own sample instruments and a selection of versatile effects. However, it does not have the capability to split or layer sounds.
If you are looking for layered sounds in the Nord Sample Library, there are a few options, particularly for piano/strings or piano/pad combinations. For example, 'PH Pianos' has 1-2 usable sounds. You can also create your own layered sounds using a DAW and a decent audio interface, allowing you to automate and reproduce the same results or tweak the settings to get different outcomes.
The Nord Custom Library vol.2 is a set of 90 timbres for the Nord Electro 3 that are compatible with the Nord Sample Library 2.0. It offers a range of rich and versatile split and layered timbres, including various combinations of piano, strings, synth, brass, and pad sounds.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nord Electro 3 is a mono-timbral instrument, meaning it can only play one voice at a time. You can split the organ into two zones or send the lower keyboard to a second keyboard, but you cannot run two non-organ voices at the same time.
Yes, this is possible as long as the sending controller sends the program changes to the correct MIDI channel.
There are some layered sounds in the Nord Sample library, but not a lot. You can also make your own layered sounds if you have a DAW and a decent audio interface.
You can purchase the Nord Custom Library vol.2, which includes 90 timbres that are compatible with the Nord Sample Library 2.0 and allow for rich and versatile layered sounds.
