Nord User Forum

[yebopilot]

Hi, so I just got a Nord Grand and want to do some recording. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 and am running Cubase Elements on Windows 10. I’d like to record Keys and Vocals at the same time so I want to run the Nord into the two line inputs on the back of my focusrite. The problem is the signal is very low even with the nord volume at max. At the moment I’m using two normal guitar cables goong from the right/left output on the nord going into the line inputs 3/4. Should I be using different cables? Or do I need some form of extra pre amp between the nord and the interface? Any help would be much appreciated!

[MescaL636]

You should be able to adjust the input level of the line inputs in the Focusrite MixControl software, or whatever is equivalent for the Scarlett. I think they have High/Low from memory plus a level. Make sure it doesn't clip, further than that if you route the monitoring you can just adjust the output level of keys/vox separately in Cubase once you've set both at an appropriate level without clipping.

[Galvalume]

I tried to record from Nord Grand to Motu M4 through input 3 and 4 which take line level audio signal. Even I turned the volume on Grand to max, the input meter on the M4 showed less than 1/3 full range. The M4 user manual says "Try to adjust gain as high as possible without clipping". I ended up ordered a Radial J+4 to boost the signal level.

[Rusty Mike]

Because you are recording direct, it’s okay that the level is relatively low. In the “old days” the signal needed to be saturated due to the analog technology and concern about signal-to-noise issues. Also, close mic techniques were used to try to remove external audio elements from the recording to the best degree possible.

Record at a level that will yield the quality you want, then you can use use gain management in Cubase to level out the volume. Compressors, limiters and equalizers will all help in this process. They usually have input and output levels so you can even out the volume in the mix without touching the faders.

There are also decent quality third party tools that are inexpensive or even free that will help. I have a library of tools from Waves that are very useful. Tokyo Dawn Labs has a wonderful free EQ called TDR Nova that works as a multi band compressor. It’s a great tool.

You can also consider balancing the gain levels of all the other tracks in the mix. Don’t be afraid to lower other tracks, and then raise the overall mix at the end.

Just a few thoughts.

[DirectContact]

I imagine it very well could be the cables you're using. Are you using TS or TRS cables do you know? I know the outputs on the Grand are unbalanced, so you would require TS cables.

[CountFosco]

Is the INPUT of the Focusrite balanced?

Time saving suggestion for next time. Copy paste the model number into Thomann.
https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_s ... rd_gen.htm

[baekgaard]

For the jack ports, it doesn't say. I am assuming they are not balanced. And I guess the OP is plugging his Grand into the jacks, not XLR... So not a TRS vs TS cable issue.

Jack ports can be balanced, of course, and using a TRS cable to connect an ubalanced TS output to a balanced TRS input could potentially give unexpected results. Using a TS cable may work better.

From memory, I think I have seen the input specified as somewhat tolerant to high levels, so it's possible that 0 dbFS is much hotter, say even around +18 dBu or above. So a consumer audio output may peak at quite low'ish levels.

Sent from my phone in brevity

[cgrafx]

from the Focusrite manual Inputs 3&4 are fixed gain Balanced TRS inputs set to +18dBu full scale

Plugging in the Nord Grand directly into inputs 3&4 will in fact result in just what was experienced in the previous posts (low gain levels) as the Nord is not designed to drive this type of Line Level input.

Some form of preamp is the correct fix for this issue, if they want to use Inputs 3&4.