nord stage 4

program file decoder for Mac OS

Introduction

The Nord Stage 4 (NS4) is a digital keyboard made by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments AB. The associated Nord Sound Manager software can be used to upload Program files (ns4p files) and Preset files (ns4o, ns4n, ns4y) from your NS4 to a desktop/laptop computer. I'm not an app developer, but I wanted a tool that converts those files to a human-readable form, and such a tool didn't seem to be available, so I decided to make one myself. It's called ns4decode.

Here are some key facts about ns4decode to help you decide if it would be useful to you:

• It's free.
• It doesn't come with any customer support.
• It runs on Mac OS, but making it work on Windows requires installing Python.
• It doesn't have a graphical user interface. You can skim through the usage examples to help you decide how big or small this limitation is for you.
• It works on NS4 Program files (ns4p files) and Preset files (ns4o, ns4n, ns4y).
• The output is csv files. These are plain text files that can be viewed either with a plain text editor or with a typical spreadsheet app.
• It extracts many of the parameters from the Program/Preset file, but not all of them. The parameters that it currently extracts are listed on the parameter list page.
• It can't be used to modify Program/Preset files, only to decode them.

Contents

• System requirements and download instructions
• Preparing to use ns4decode
• Usage instructions
• List of parameters currently recognized by ns4decode
• Program file coverage picture
• Example output file (synth section)
• Adding more sample names
• Revision history
• How to report bugs
• For developers

Disclaimer

I am not affiliated, associated, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Nord Keyboards / Clavia DMI AB, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates. The official Nord Keyboards website can be found at https://www.nordkeyboards.com. The names Nord and Clavia as well as related names, marks, emblems and images are registered trademarks of their respective owners.