Nord User Forum

Hi,

today when practicing I had to turn it down quite a bit due to neighbours and realized the noise some, not many, keys make when being pressed which is probably best described as squeaking noise coming from the springs of the keys (which has been reported for NS and NE's in several forums).
I finally run a thoufough test and found that on my Compact EX, there were exactly 7 keys affected by this noisy behaviour, the F#0, Eb2, G2, F#4, G#4, A#4, B4.
Seems pretty random to me and it is not a BIG issue but still surprising for a 3k$ instrument.

I have the feeling that on SOME keys that were squeaking previously it disappeared over time, so I will do a thourough reexamination in several weeks see if that is true.

Moreover, I recorded a short "Noise symphony" of the squeak so that you get an impression of what I am talking about.

While I've read somewhere that adding some lube on the springs might help, it is difficult to apply in particular in the middle of the keyrange since one had to take the keybed out. But I am always happy to learn someone found a way or read of others' experiences.

Sorry for the bad sound quality, I just used my Laptops internal microphone as I never record Vocals at home.

Overall, the sound is audible ONLY if playing with Headphones or at very low / low volumes and only on several keys (n=7 in my case), so it's no big deal, but would be happier without it and am just curious where it comes from given that I have never read anything about other Fatar actions having this behaviour...

squeaking_noises.mp3

Yeah I have the same problem (and I think everyone do).
Nice research. I counted 11 squeaky notes on my own Stage Compact Classic. Then again my keyboard is older than yours, so it might be something that comes with time.
It was different notes on my keyboard than yours, so seems pretty random to me aswell.

I find, the same as you, that it is not a big deal, though it can get a bit anoying when playing at low volume.

Nice Squeak Symphony :)

check this from Clavia site :-)
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?t ... &clcatid=6

Interesting, but why do they refer only to the 76 and 88 versions?? I have the 73 key Waterfall Compact version and still have the squeaking, is this the case for other compact users as well?
And the major question is, is it a warranty issue given they say it can be so easily solved by a tech??

Hi Johannes. I have the compact as well (it's a classic though)and have the same problem as you, as I described earlier. I remember having the same problem with the Nord Electro 2 73 that I owned before my stage.

It seems strange to have the same problem with the weighted keys, as they are not as "springy". I remember trying my brothers Stage 76(weighted keys) and it didn't seem to have the same problem as the waterfall keys, but I'm not exactly sure. Maybe it's a different type of squeak.

UPDATE: After two weeks of normal playing:
everything the same except:
B4: no squeaking at all anymore
G#3 now squeaking
G2 now silent

Bottom line: two keys now silent, one now squeaking. I doubt it all gonna go away like that
Would be great to get a DIY fix to lubricate the springs without the hassle and $$$ of sending it in...

Just came across a link in the "Keyboard Corner" Forum regarding this link:

http://www.proaudioe.com/pages/nord-tec ... eybeds.php

which basically explains all kinds of repair issues with the FATAR keybeds used in the Nord Keyboards. It includes a paragraph on the squeaky noise and I will try to apply the suggested easy DIY method to fix it. Really a great resource!!

...and finally found the time to open my Stage and fiddle around with all the springs until no more noise was audible and, voilá:
Now all the noise is gone and the Nord Stage is perfectly quiet!!! Thanks for this workaround.
Just took me 10 Minutes and its well worth it!!! And I did not use any lube, don't think it's necessary.
A word of caution: I am not sure about whether this affects warranty so I am not encouraging anyone to do it on his own but rather contact a local sales representative!

Johannes wrote:...and finally found the time to open my Stage and fiddle around with all the springs until no more noise was audible and, voilá:
Now all the noise is gone and the Nord Stage is perfectly quiet!!! Thanks for this workaround.
Just took me 10 Minutes and its well worth it!!! And I did not use any lube, don't think it's necessary.
A word of caution: I am not sure about whether this affects warranty so I am not encouraging anyone to do it on his own but rather contact a local sales representative!

Hi, Johannes
what have you done to eliminate the noise of the springs?
I listened the mp3 file springs noise, that you have posted in this forum.
but, I would like if you done some pictures?

thanks in advance.