Nord User Forum

jonk1964 wrote:I am in a band that transposes every song 1 half-step down. In order to use different sounds on my Electro 5D with the band, I need to transpose with every sound change.
Most keyboards I've used in the past allow transposing ONE time, then it stays that way until you change it.
Is there a solution that I'm not aware of?

You can go into your settings and change your transpose down one key and it will be done globeally
and stay that way.I done mine accidentally and did this to set it back to zero.

Sorry,I didn't catch that there was three pages to this post.

On my 5d I have about 25 sounds loaded in slots ? 5-1 to-25. I duplicated them all into bank 6, same #s, as kind of a backup. I did this similarly on my Roland Jupiter 50.
Thinking like I do, I would be inclined to change/modify all the 25 sounds in my bank 6 transposed to where you want them. This would make it pretty darn easy to spin that little knob quickly (so it jumps along faster) to the transposed keybank than messing with the other way of doing it in live time.

Related: I wish Nord would put a different shaped knob on that selector shaft so it would be just a hair easier to find on a dark stage. I use 2 keyboards, the the 5d is on the bottom of the J50; meaning that the little screen is "way up there" and mostlly hidden by the top board. That's why the modified knob would save a fraction of a second or so for my big hands.

What I have done is to notch it very slightly with a small high-speed grinder, just enough to feel different. I have also done this to my volume control on my workhorse E3 as well as the new 5d, so it's easier for me to make small adjustments in real time. Works for me.

I have never tried to pull off a knob. Are they just pushed on there, or is there some Swedish glue or something on them too? I might be able to find different size/shape knobs to mess with if I knew. ???

just pushed on there...

Sounds like we're on the same wavelength, Gman. I like the idea of rotating a single knob, rather than hunting for a certain sequence of buttons and knob on a semi-lit stage. (I'm not as agile as Mr. Spok, at his science station computer!!) Too many chances for error doing it my way. One major hazard in particular, is the chances of accidently leaving the Keyboard Split button depressed, through shear clumsiness!! I've done that a few times by an "out of sequence" pattern while invoking transposition.

Other than this serious short coming, the Nord 5D destroys every other keyboard in terms of sounds and on the fly editing. (The brass, guitars, and woodwinds are way under the radar compared to the Tyros 5, but that's not what Nord is trying to compete with.) Thanks for the tip Gman!

Here's a thought, Gman. Pablo mentioned that the knob is just pushed on. If it's that tight, perhaps try prying it up a little higher so it projects higher than the rest. Don't know if that will work. Worth a try.

Problem solved!

I used Gman's idea (he rocks!). First I performed a factory restore (I didn't have any critical Programs set up). Next, I moved all the preset Programs to Bank 5 and beyond so that I can access the core Programs that came with my keyboard, only this time, they're not in my way. That left Banks 1 through 4 empty. My desired piano and other settings were memorized to Program 1-1. In the Sound Manager, I duplicated Program 1-1, 12 times so all keys are covered. What's really nice is, I can select any Program and change my default piano (which is the Silver Grand) to any voice in the Piano section. The key remains the same though!! Now, I'm about 98 percent to where I was with my Yamaha MOX8 but with far superior pianos and organs. It's a win-win. Program 1-13 is an organ voice. I seldom use organs but I can edit the drawbars on the fly and set the key with the traditional transpose method. This board is now officially a keeper . Thanks to all who contributed.

Lee, sounds great. I, being a semi-dork, didn't even bother to put my stuff in 1-4, but figured 5-8 was just sitting there already empty, in the shadows, starving for programs, waiting on me.
I have a new, possibly cosmic thought.....Nord keyboards look perfect, with all those little knobitations lined up like little people waiting for the subway or something.

The problem (if I can use the word...I love my Nords) is that uniformity leads to confusion *when gigging live in less than perfect conditions* . Working in 2 volume sliders instead of that central twist knob to adjust balance knob would be a godsend...you could see the balance instantly. My point is merely that sliders have their place, and are easier to provide immediate feedback as to their relative meanings than twist knobs. Think of 2 mixers, one with only knobs, one with only sliders. Extreme example to prove a simple point.

Oh, back to the cosmic thought: Does the Swedish Socialism have any subconscious bearing on the nearly complete uniformity, balance, and equality of the knobs? heh heh Just Sayin'
Sure looks good!

Excellent comments Gman. I believe Yamaha, Korg, Roland, and Nord could make the perfect keyboard, but there's this thing called "profit."

I also agree that it's very possible that the engineers who designed the NE5 did so under perfect lighting and laboratory conditions. They didn't take a prototype to a dingy and slimy bar in the middle of the urine district where some of us must play sometimes. It's called "usability studies." Companies build something, and then test their products under all kinds of conditions with several user levels. It costs big bucks to do that, but the results are often very positive.

Nice of you to think of the poor little guys sitting all alone in Banks 5 through 8. I'm sure they appreciate it . I used Banks 1 through 4 because I assume the Nord always boots to Bank1:1 by default? I'm enjoying our dialog almost as much as my new Nord. It's the first piano I've owned that is difficult to turn off. Kind of like a good book.

I just discovered some people posted all kinds of B3 settings in another area of the forum. What a gift!!! That was going to be my next question. All my previous stage pianos have had mediocre B3 sounds, so I have never pursued correct settings. Now I have a keyboard that produces the vintage B3 very well!!

- Lee