Nord User Forum

[Davek]

I play a Nord 5 and guitar in a band and I have no issues with noise. I always make sure that my guitar amp and pedals are in the same outlet as the Nord.

What kind of guitar are you playing?

[Al_DeKlein]

I play an early 80's E series Japanese single-coil Squier strat right in front of my NE5D on the top teir (using the same mic to sit at the keyboards and stand to play guitar) and have no problem. I do plug directly into a Boss ME-70 mfx and out of the amp sim/record out directly to FOH (no amp/head). I always plug my boards and ME-70 into the same power strip, with the low-voltage power supplies plugged in the the end farthest from the power cord.

[Davek]

I play an early 80's E series Japanese single-coil Squier strat right in front of my NE5D on the top teir (using the same mic to sit at the keyboards and stand to play guitar) and have no problem. I do plug directly into a Boss ME-70 mfx and out of the amp sim/record out directly to FOH (no amp/head). I always plug my boards and ME-70 into the same power strip, with the low-voltage power supplies plugged in the the end farthest from the power cord.

Color me jealous. I may have to figure out different power configurations. I'm plugging my single coil directly into a Fractal AX8 and then into the mix/PA. Need to experiment a bit. Maybe there's a setup in there that I can use to minimize the noise. Or I can wrap the NE5D in tin foil, leaving only the keys exposed.

[pbinCA]

When I worked in the tech industry, and I had to put some factory automation components through RF-noise emission testing, I was shocked that the standard test for Class B devices did not look at sub-digital frequencies (< 30MH). Power-supply hum is 50Hz (60 Hz North America) plus harmonics. A switching power supply chops the power waveform rectangularly, and generates a wideband harmonic series. It would help to know which power supply the Nord E5 embed, and what kind of radiated EM noise test it goes through.

I just got my E5 2 days ago, and will immediately hook up an electric guitar test. Thanks for posting this concern.

[pterm]

Power-supply hum is 50Hz (60 Hz North America) plus harmonics. A switching power supply chops the power waveform rectangularly, and generates a wideband harmonic series. It would help to know which power supply the Nord E5 embed, and what kind of radiated EM noise test it goes through.

There's pictures of Nord's supply at: http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/501077-Nord-USA-60231

...and schematics of the previous (through-hole) revision at: http://www.workhousepoets.com/NE2%20Service%20Manual%20&%20Schematics.pdf

A few months back I went through part numbers shown in the close-up photos of the new version. There are no switching supplies of any kind used here. It's a multi-tapped transformer with a switch to select between 120V or 230V input. The transformer produces rectified positive and negative voltage rails that get linearly regulated to the needed circuit board rails. The rectification produces harmonics of the mains frequency.

I believe the problem is the mains transformer: Depending on build quality and aging, the flux leakage can be large enough to be picked up by nearby magnetic pickups. An earlier analysis (on this forum) of this issue showed the frequencies are harmonics of the mains frequency, so they fall well below any regulatory testing (If I recall correctly, CISPR conducted emissions bottom out at 150kHz).

[pbinCA]

I tested out my Electro 5d with electric guitar (Fender telecaster), and confirm that there is a power supply noise radiation problem. It's the worst right in front of the power cord entry, and center of keyboard. Nord could solve this by adequately shielding the power supply inside the enclosure. I had to stand back about 2 meters (7 ft.) to avoid noise pickup.

However, if you're in North America doing a heavy metal song in the key of B, why not have the guitarist mosey up to the back of the synth! In Europe, it better be a song in G. Remember, a broken clock is correct 2 times a day.

60 Hz is close to a low B (61.73 Hz)

50 Hz is close to a low G (49 Hz)

[pterm]

I tested out my Electro 5d with electric guitar (Fender telecaster), and confirm that there is a power supply noise radiation problem. It's the worst right in front of the power cord entry, and center of keyboard. Nord could solve this by adequately shielding the power supply inside the enclosure.

Shielding could help, but shielding of low frequency magnetic fields is difficult and requires expensive materials: http://www.sekels.de/fileadmin/PDF/Englisch/CWIEME_2015_Shielding_and_Field_Measurement_SEKELS.pdf This paper describes the problem as a:
"egg-laying whool-milk[wool-milk] pig" --> In other words, conflicting, contradictory requirements.

I think a better solution is a modern, global power supply.

[stiiiiiiive]

Remember, a broken clock is correct 2 times a day.

60 Hz is close to a low B (61.73 Hz)

50 Hz is close to a low G (49 Hz)

[Mr_-G-]

I play a Les Paul in front of my Nord, no problems. I bet the Tele pickups are to blame. If you know anyone with one of the new models eg a Tele Elite that has the noiseless pickups maybe you could arrange to compare, or any other Tele with retrofitted noiseless pickups. I once had to ditch my Tele because of the interaction with the lighting rig. Luckily I had a spare Gibson in the car! If noiseless pickups solve the problem that might be an option for you that's cheaper than replacing the guitar. Good luck!

[ThisPoison]

Just hit this problem head on tonight. Small gig, limited space so had to play my 330/12 closer to my NS2EX than normal and the noise/buzz was awful.

The other guitarist blamed my Rickenbacker, but this is not right on a modern keyboard. Kinda think there's a shielding issue here, and blaming a pickup type that's been around for so many decades feels a bit unfair?