Nord User Forum

Hi, just found this conversation, I have some questions on audio interfaces: I am planning to do some arrangements with my daughter having her seinging ane me playing piano. Very basic question, what makes most sense here , a two channel ionterface switching the Nord to output piano on one channel only (sample synth on the other channel ) and using the second channel for voice recording? Or is it better to go with 4 channels having 2 for the piano and one for the vocal?

Beginner wrote:Hi, just found this conversation, I have some questions on audio interfaces: I am planning to do some arrangements with my daughter having her seinging ane me playing piano. Very basic question, what makes most sense here , a two channel ionterface switching the Nord to output piano on one channel only (sample synth on the other channel ) and using the second channel for voice recording? Or is it better to go with 4 channels having 2 for the piano and one for the vocal?

For recording something that You want to sound as good as possible stereo piano sound is of course better, which means a 4 channel interface is the way to go.
If You intend to record "live", i.e. piano and singing at the same time.

If it's only for testing and home use perhaps the stereo piano isn't as important, so then a 2 channel interface.
Or if You intend to record a good recording but will record piano first and then singing after, then again 2 channels is sufficient.

I would definitely not set myself up for having the limitation, since prices of 2 and 4 channel interfaces are quite similar, so I'd go for a 4 channel.

My 5 cents, IMHO, etc...

Hello Fieldflower, thanks , more or less this was the expected answer and I will look for a four channel interface. One additional question, seems many of the cheaper USB interfaces can only switch on/off phantom power for all channels simultaniusly. Is phantom power an issue for a Nord Keyb/piano when connectiong a line device using tr(s) cables?

I don't know what precautions Nord have taken against phantom power (can't find anything in manuals/homepage), but have seen severe warnings in general about putting on phantom power into keyboards.
Probably a good idea to NOT have phantom power on...

Thank you. Would be great if anyone knowes more about this, I am planning to use a large diaphragm mike for the vocal, but if the interface only allows phantom power for all channels this would be a potential issue.

If I'm not mistaken, some one correct me if I'm wrong, Phantom power is only present on the XLR inputs. therefore, the unbalanced TS input is not affected.

Found this on another forum: "In any respectable design of pre-amp, Phantom Power is only ever applied to the XLR pins 2 and 3 of a combo connector. The TS/TRS jack does not have PP on it, so you are safe to use it for your line input device."

I also thought that phantom power only goes to the XLRs (otherwise it would cause a short circuit when you plug a TSR connector: the tip touches the ring and sleeve parts of the connector when it goes in). However I am wondering whether there are some irrational designers around. To be safe you should check with a tester if the phantom power also goes to the audio input TS jack.
If it does, can I suggest that you contact Clavia and ask them, they certainly know if feeding 48v into the output will damage something (I guess it might).

Also, to be safe, you may want to plug the 1/4"-TS in BEFORE turning on Phantom Power.

JohnT wrote:If I'm not mistaken, some one correct me if I'm wrong, Phantom power is only present on the XLR inputs. therefore, the unbalanced TS input is not affected.

Found this on another forum: "In any respectable design of pre-amp, Phantom Power is only ever applied to the XLR pins 2 and 3 of a combo connector. The TS/TRS jack does not have PP on it, so you are safe to use it for your line input device."

Just checked on a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 and can confirm that there is no phantom power applied on the TS connector. So thanks eceryone