Nord User Forum

I think my rig is now pretty much complete so thought I'd share it

Nord Stage 2 Ex Compact as main keyboard, with Roland FA06 second board. I have had this setup for a while now, but just recently added the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10" android tablet which runs Set List Maker, which I use to view my set list and change programs. I have tested it thoroughly at home but tomorrow night will be my first gig using SLM. The tablet is held by a Hercules DG320B arm which attaches to my standard double braced X stand. Connection from tablet to NS2 is standard OTG (On The Go) cable then Roland UM-One MIDI interface.

I have a sustain pedal and volume pedal for each keyboard (yep, 4 in total!) but the volume pedal for the FA06 is connected in-line to the stereo outs, not the control pedal input. I also play guitar (I play a Rickenbacker 330 or Yamaha RGX620DZ - both crackers!) and have this going into a volume pedal, then into a Behringer V-Amp floor unit, straight into the band's main desk, from which I get a feed into my Mackie Thump 12 monitor.

Keyboards are set up so that SLM sends program change messages only to the NS2. The NS2 programs are set up using the Extern sections to send program change messages to the FA06. For the few songs which just use FA06 sounds, I have programs which have all the NS2 internal sections turned off. SLM also sends some Control Change messages to change things like drawbars, leslie, FX, levels, etc.

Tomorrow will be the acid test, ie in a full gig situation, but I am confident it will be good - I will update here on sunday!. Changing sounds between songs is now so easy and quick, I can't wait for the gig. I did a short video to show how quick changes are.

My band is called Bustin Loose - http://www.bustin-loose.net/ - if anyone out there is local (Aylesbury, Bucks, UK) - and wants to drop by at one of our gigs and say hello it would be great to see you!

Happy to report that gig went well. Had a small issue with SLM not working when we first set up but I think it was a conflict with another midi program on the tablet which I will delete. Other than that, totally awesome. Instant prog changes between songs. Zero delays. Zero pressure. Cannot recommend this setup highly enough to any gigging keyboard player.

nordboard wrote:Cannot recommend this setup highly enough to any gigging keyboard player.

Same here! Takes some time and effort to put everything inside SLM, but then you are SetlistMaster!

How did You manage the power supply for the Tablet? Has Your OTG cable a path to the USB port of the Nord Stage and the Power supply? Or did You hope that the battery lasts long enough? Do You switch off the tablet inbetween?
Some questions to an experienced musician.
Thanks for answers.
Wolfgang

You can't have OTG and power supply to the tablet at the same time. The battery is pretty good on the tablet, but I made sure it was fully charged before I went to the gig, kept a close eye on it, and had the charger with me just in case I needed to charge up between sets. I didn't switch it off when not in use but turned the display off. But it only went down to about 40% so very happy with that. I think it is possible to modify an OTG cable to enable charging at the same time, but not something I would want to risk. If at some point the tablet battery is so bad that this doesn't work I would just get another tablet. It would be a price worth paying to retain this awesome setup.

Hi,
For SLM not working sometimes, for me, it's just a matter of having the Irig mid software running at the same time in some set up when the stage is the master keyboard, it doesn't transmit if I just go through SLM only....
And sometime you have too just close and restart SLM especially if you just remove the cable to plug the power supply....but the battery of the IPad will last enough for a 15/20 songs set.....then, you have the break to charge it....
Bye

Quai34 wrote:Hi,
For SLM not working sometimes, for me, it's just a matter of having the Irig mid software running at the same time in some set up when the stage is the master keyboard, it doesn't transmit if I just go through SLM only....

Mmm... I never have those issue's running my iPad Air with the iConnectMidi interface.

but the battery of the IPad will last enough for a 15/20 songs set.....then, you have the break to charge it....

If I have fully charged my iPad it wil drop down to 60% after 3 sets (of aprox. 18 songs per set). Without recharging...

Gr
Bart

Nice! SLM is the bomb dot com.

Does your Hercules have room for an Otter Box? I have a K&M, but it only fits the naked iPad, and I don't like handling it without the case.

Nord Electro 5D
microKORG
Yamaha FC7 pedal
iPad Air 2 (Set List Maker and Amazing Slow Downer)
iRig MIDI 2
K&M iPad holder
Pro-Lok T22 stand

It's a bit disappointing that the NE5 doesn't have a MIDI thru.

I don't think I would feel comfortable using a case unless it was very thin. Hercules strongly recommend against using a case/cover on the tablet. The "hooks" go onto 2 diagonally opposite corners on the tablet, and they fit fairly snugly. The spring is very strong too, so overall I think it would be best to not use a cover. But it does the job great for me. I transport my tablet within bubblewrap inside a padded bag, and look after it very carefully. It's the last thing I set up and the first to be put away.