Nord User Forum

[machinea]

Hi everyone I've done a few searches for a solution or possible identifying problem on many forums but haven't come up with anything that covers my problem (though it seems the Nord lead 2 has had other reported midi problems) The issue is my NL2X has always been a dog in the midi department to the pint where I only used it as a controller. It's not a midi loop I only have midi in set up on it currently directly from a motu USB to midi connection. I could also try using it with my steinberg USB interface or my Echo audiofires which have FireWire to USB but I suspect the interfaces aren't the issue. Basically sometime it responds to basic notes and other times it doesn't. I've changed cables I've changed the chain I've tried most I things I ca. Think of. Yesterday while trying to get it to work I discovered while charging cables that if I pressed the cable in very hard and held it it would suddenly work until I let go even though it seems well connected in the slot without sound that.

Has anyone delt with anything like this? Do I need to open it up and check the midi in port and see if it's got anything loose where a connection maybe intermittent. I do have a soldering kit. Thank you for any thoughts.

[RedLeo]

First, it's impossible to be sure without seeing it, but typically this would indicate either that the socket is dirty/contaminated, or that it has been pushed and pulled too much and one (or more) of the solder connections to the circuit board it's on have become cracked and broken. However, in the case of Nords, the sockets are actually screwed into the back panel which makes this second problem far less likely. Try cleaning it with a squirt of non-lubricating switch cleaner first. If that doesn't help, my next port of call would be to reflow the solder connections to the circuit board it's on. One or other of these issues is the cause of the vast majority of intermittent connections. If those don't work, then the next thing to try would be to replace the socket itself as it may have become damaged. Unfortunately, I don't myself actually know how easy it is to open up a Nord Lead and service the socket, but I'm sure further advice will be forthcoming. By the time all those things have been tried, it's 95% certain that your problem will be cured.

Unless you are using faulty leads. You have checked those first, right? And yes, you can have more than one faulty lead at a time.

[machinea]

Yeah I've checked the connections many many times in all manner of configurations many different cables over the last few years. The only thing I haven't done and should try is taking the computer out of the midi chain and try controlling it directly from another synth but since pressing the midi cable in harder (than should be necessary) seems to restablish connection for a minute or so I suspect something hardware related. The midi port doesn't feel particularly loose so maybe there is some debri or a barrier of some sort. It's just taken me a while to get around dealing with it properly as I moved across country and had everything in storage for a couple of years. Thank for your suggestions I'll follow up in a few weeks as I'll be out of town and unable to deal with it until I get back.

[pablomastodon]

definitely agree that based on report of manipulating midi plug in socket by pressing extra hard actually causes it to work properly very strongly suggests that there's something going on with the 5-pin din receptacle, a hardware issue. someone should open it up and have a look -- someone who knows what they're doing, obviously.

Bless,

Pablo

[machinea]

I know this is an old thread but I finally got my Nord lead 2x figured out.. the problem was a bad midi jack and a screwed up trace that needed a jump wire.

Thanks to Pablo for recommending a tech in the bay area, I actually ended up finding a tech in my small town.

Cheers