Items Included
- Nord Drum 3P Modeling Percussion Synthesizer
- Universal Module Mount
- Universal Power Adapter
- Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- 6x Channels
- 6x Multi-Pads
- 1 x 1/4″ Trigger Input
- Resonant, Subtractive, and FM Synthesis
- Drive, Sample-Rate Reduction, Ring-Mod
- EQ, Stereo Reverb & Delay
- MIDI In/Out and CC Control
- Edit All & Mute Group Features
Using multiple synthesis types to create a range of timbres, the Nord Drum 3P Modeling Percussion Synthesizer allows you to trigger drum sounds via six on-board drum pads and one external trigger input. This module features six channels, each with drive, ring-mod, sample-rate reduction, and EQ, as well as stereo reverb and stereo delay on a macro scale.
The device uses three separate sections to generate its sound: Tone, Noise, and Click. Tone offers resonant, subtractive, and FM synthesis to give you timbres from vibraphones to classic synth-type generators. Noise allows you to shape the sound using low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters with resonance and cut-off controls, giving you the ability to control the attack envelope and attack rate in the process; this can result in anything from shakers to claps. The Click section will let you blend an ultra-fast click sound into your tone, providing a variety of different fast-paced timbres with an on-board level control for combining the click with the other elements of the sound.
- Six integrated pads, kick-pad input and MIDI.
- Preset ‘Drum Select’ library for kicks, snares, toms, and more.
- Simplified user interface and sound-selection capabilities.
- Reverb and delay effects adjustable for each pad.
Resonant synthesis mode offers a range of complex spectras inspired by materials like drum heads, marimba, vibraphone, tines and cymbals. You can also tune harmonic spectra. Subtractive-wave types include sine, saw, square, pulse waveforms and T-bridge oscillators; these are suitable for creating classic synth-type drum sounds and effects. FM synthesis mode features six different FM algorithms. In this mode, the Frequency parameter controls the modulation amount and the Spectra parameter controls the modulation frequency.
Each of the Drum 3P’s six channels boasts Drive, EQ, sample-rate reduction, and ring-modulation effects. Drive can add subtle overtones or outright distortion, while the sample-rate reduction is suitable for Lo-fi crackling effects. Ring modulation can be used for tremolo effects or atonal eccentricities. Each channel’s parametric equalizer can be used to further polish your sounds.
The Nord Drum 3P features two Master Effects: Reverb and Delay. The Reverb features five algorithms with controls for tonal color. The Delay offers echoes by the millisecond, tap tempo, and adjustable feedback. The amount of Reverb and Delay can be set individually for each of the 6 channels of the Nord Drum 3P.
Tuned Percussion kits can be created instantly by selecting one of the Scale Presets, which include chord scales, pentatonic, hexatonic scales and Hang tunings.
This mode allows you to you edit all 6 channels simultaneously.
This feature gives you the option to create sounds that can cancel each other out. Only one of the members of the group can sound at a time, and can be used for creating a close/open hi-hat behavior and emulating muting techniques for hand percussion.
This feature sets the level for each channel and also features a pan control for moving elements around the stereo field.
All of the Nord Drum 3P sound parameters can be operated via CC-controls over MIDI. Additionally, the MIDI I/O connections allow you to use the Nord Drum 3P with any compatible MIDI controller, DAW, or external MIDI sequencer via 5-pin DIN connections. The free Nord Beat app enables MIDI-sequencing of the Nord Drum 3P via iPad.
Andrew –
They got me this awesome digital drum synth in no time. Once I opened it up and plugged it in the magic began. All of the preprogrammed sounds are so inspiring, and they are easy to tweak once you flick through the manual. It’s easy to get the hang of, and it’s easy to create your own kits. Just be sure to keep the manual handy so you can know what you’re doing. The manual is also how all manuals should be. Not long, but thoroughly explains everything. Another thing you should consider with this synth is a solid kick pedal. I picked up a roland KT-10 and highly recommend it. Feels like you’re really playing drums, but with a world of sounds, none of which are sample based. The pads respond to how hard you hit, which makes ghost notes possible and the sounds can vary greatly. There is also midi, so you can hook up to a computer for sample based stuff, or hook it up to a hardware brain for some good ole fashioned step sequencing. I can’t recommend this thing enough. Get it for a quick turnaround and you can get to jamming.
Andrew –
Josh –
After a couple of days with the Nord Drum, I’m shocked this isn’t a much more popular instrument. The thought and care that went into the sound engine and interface are outstanding.
This thing can handle most percussive sound design (see below) from ultra-realistic drum sounds to out of this world SFX. The ability to easily add variation to a sound’s parameters based on velocity adds so much dimension to this instrument that sample-based drum pads typically can’t match. I recorded a drum pattern into a hardware sampler, and when I went to chop up sample I noticed that the waveform didn’t look like it was from a sample player, but rather an actual drum kit. Each strike from the same sound on the same pad, had a unique shape and character.
As far as realistic drum sounds are concerned, kick, snare, hi-hat and toms are the bread and butter of this device. There are so many ways to create nuanced and beautiful sounds. However, realistic cymbals (ride and crash) are notoriously difficult to synthesize. The synthesis sound engine is as good as any I’ve used for this purpose, but still they aren’t convincing. For realistic cymbal sounds a sample-based solution will likely do a better job.
Fortunately the flexibility of the MIDI channel and note settings allowed me to connect the Drum 3P to a sample player. I had trouble connecting this sample player to other gear in the past because of MIDI channel / note issues, but the Drum 3P allowed me to overcome this in minutes.
One nice surprise was the preset scale function allows the device to function as a tuned instrument (limited to 6 notes) with very little configuration. I was able to quickly create a vibraphone, and later a bass guitar kit by adjusting preset sounds and using the scale tuning function to tune all the pads at once. With the dynamic parameter controls these instruments take on a life of their own that I haven’t been able to get out of keyboard-oriented instruments.
Pros
– Versatile sound engine
– Excellent manual
– Dynamic parameters based velocity create interesting variations
– Well designed interface for a single encoder (knob) design
– Excellent stock patches
– Preset scale function make creating tuned instrument sounds easy
– Built like a tank, no problem gigging with this.
– Easy system configuration: midi, pad sensitivity, etc.
Cons
– stereo audio outs only, no aux or individual outputs
– no hi-hat pedal trigger input
– no stock battery option
Josh –