Nord User Forum

Hello - first time poster here.

I'm the proud owner of a new Stage 3. Previously I had a Yamaha P515 but I wanted the ability to save presets and have more customization when layering. Also the P515 internal speakers would distort at higher volumes.

So I bought a Stage 3 and 2 QSC CP8s. I'm really surprised how how much better the Yamaha internal speakers sound compared to the CP8s. The CP8s sound boxy and the low end muddies up very quickly. This is my first time with PA / stage monitor speakers, maybe that's what I can expect? There is also a low-level hiss that I don't get with my computer's studio monitors. Would really prefer it if that weren't there.

I guess my questions for y'all are:

I'm within the return period of the CP8s. I can return them but I still need amplification since the Stage 3 doesn't have speakers. I don't want to user my computer's monitors since they are in a different location in my studio. I've just spent a LOT of money on the Stage 3 and the CP8s. I know the k8.2s are talked about on here a lot, but that's an extra $700 if I return the CP8s for the k8.2s. Is it really worth that? I'm not sure I can justify that extra cost at this point.

I suppose it depends on my usecase, right? I am primarily playing in my studio but I am intending to play out more and more, so I like the idea of having powered loudspeakers as opposed to monitors. But not if the loudspeakers sound like crap. I'm also in a band where I play guitar. I have an amp modeler so having PA speakers to hear the modeler through is attractive to me. At this point I do not intend to play the Stage 3 in a band context, it would only be solo.

What would you do?
Sell the CP8s for K8.2s?
Keep the CP8s?
Sell the CP8s for studio monitors? (I could sell them and get the Nord monitors, I like how they mount, but I know they are overpriced).

Thanks for any input. I'm not new to music but I am new to Nord and digital pianos without internal speakers.

The QSCs are not going to sound optimal as studio monitors. They are designed to project sound, and sound better from 20 feet than they do from two. So you’re listening to them out of context.

If you plan to spend more considerable time in your studio before playing, I would recommend you return the speakers and buy a decent pair of studio monitors for now. Once you’re ready to play out, consider your playing situation and available products at the time to select the best gig system for your needs.

For what it’s worth, I use a pair of Presonus Eris E5 studio monitors at home and they sound great. Good quality for the price.

Good luck.

Mike is correct, those speakers are not designed for near-field listening. Trading the CP8s for K8.2s will not solve your problem.
A small mixer would help, so that the EQ and gain-staging can be done correctly for a quieter and more quality sound in a studio environment.

-dj

Thanks Rusty Mike and DJKeys, that all makes sense.

I actually have a couple sections of gain staging before the speakers. My stage 3 goes into a sub-mixer, where I have a few aux sends for mono effects, then the sub-mixer goes into another mixer with other instruments, then to the speakers. I have messed with all the gain staging to where things sound pretty decent albeit still a little boxy with the piano-centric presets.

I think what I'll do is set up my computer studio monitors to receive the same signal as the CP8s and then A/B test. I'm sure I'll like the monitors better (as you all said) because I am listening near-field. But I really like the flexibility the CP8s have for playing out and playing my band setup through them. Previously I've dialed in guitar presets on my Helix through my studio monitors but then I get to band practice and it sounds so different on the PA.

I have one of these at home
https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Fam ... 019474-000
and my band has the exact twin at the rehearsal room in case we play small venues.

But, at home, I mostly play my nord over a Sony Stereo plus a pair of excellent Braun speakers, very good sound.

Cheers from rainy Germany

I am not sure what you are trying to accomplish with the aux sends, but having the pre-amp signal of a mixer going into another mixer doesn't sound like the ideal way to get a clean sound. And, if you also have some type of audio interface for the computer speakers, this adds another layer of complexity. Without knowing the exact gear and routing, it is tough to advise-

-dj

DJKeys - fair point. FWIW, I have tested what it sounds like plugging the sub-mixer into the speakers and it sounds virtually identical to the sound with sub-mixer -> main mixer. And my sub-mixer, the Soundcraft signature 10 has line ins for all channels, so I'm not hitting a preamp twice.

My reason for the sub-mixer is that I have a couple key mono effects that I love to use (Chase Bliss Blooper and Habit), but I don't want to lose the stereo info from the source, so I mix the mono effects with the stereo source. Not that for the aux sends I have the effects set to return only wet signal, so there are no phasing issues.

Right now I don't have an interface in the path, though I'll eventually add it once I get the right length cables. But my interface (Motu Ultralite-mk5) has line ins as well, so I won't hit the preamp there either.

My full signal path will be:

Nord ->
Soundcraft signature 10 line in (with mono effects added as sends/returns) ->
Tascam model 12 mixer (I don't think there is a way to bypass the pres? More research needed) ->
Motu ultralite-mk5 interface line in ->
Computer for recording and speakers for monitoring

Right now I'm only doing Tascam -> speakers, no interface because I don't have long enough cables yet.

I know it's convoluted. And it's a fair criticism that I spent more money on instruments than studio utilities but here I am
The question before me is to return the CP8s for something else. I cannot justify buying a larger mixer or interface at this point since I just bought the Stage 3. That'll have to come later.

The output from the Soundcraft (like any mixer) is a preamp signal, meant to be amplified. However, you are connecting that output to another mixer which sends its signal to the speakers, so you are going through two preamp stages (not mic preamps) and that is not advisable in my opinion. I would try this: Stage 3>Tascam (two channels panned hard left and hard right)> CP8 left and CP8 right. Start with everything flat and then use any EQ to see if you can get an acceptable sound that way (I don't see why this would not be possible). This also will eliminate any noise that might be coming from the effects. Then, add the Soundcraft back into the chain and see what happens.

-dj

Makes sense, thanks for the advice. I will try what you suggested, though I've basically already done that with the Soundcraft:
Soundcraft directly to speakers, all the mono effect return channel faders at -inf. I have not messed with the EQ on the mixer(s), so I can try that too.

I'm imagining that this is how the CP8s sound though. Again, it is't so egregious I was just surprised that they sounded between that the Yamaha's internal speakers. But I guess that difference is likely a near-field vs mid-field one.

Yamaha (and others) carefully match the components for the optimal sound quality in a unit with built in speakers. It takes more work with different products from different vendors-

-dj