Nord User Forum

[maxpiano]

Hi, what do you want to record exactly, audio or MIDI (or both)?
How do you connect the NP3 to the Mac?

Take a look at this thread too (it is for NE5 but it would be the same for NP3) post111395.html

[Berretje]

i'm looking to record both however definitely more audio from the nord than midi. i am connecting the nord to my mac with a mio connectivity adapter. i'll be sure to check out that thread as well.

The mio connectivity adapter is MIDI only! No audio will be transmitted over that device.

If you want to record audio, you have to use/buy an (external) audio interface.
Check this videofor an explanation...

Watch on youtube.com

...and then check the FAQ on that:

How can I record my Nord into any/a daw?

This depends what you would like to record:

Midi
MIDI has nothing to do with audio. It is ONLY the information about what is played and when, but there is no sound transfer. It is to audio as Sheet music is to a CD. Sheet music contains all the information about what’s on the CD, but it doesn’t contain any sound itself (as said by Analogika).
When recording midi (notes) you will need to connect your Nord to your Mac/PC with an USB cable or MIDI interface using the MIDI DIN connection. Depending on the Nord model, it's supporting MIDI over USB (or not). In the DAW (of your choice) you have to create a MIDI channel strip and configure it to listen for MIDI data on the configured MIDI port.

Audio
Audio can be recorded on your Mac/PC using the onboard microphone connection (not recommended) or an audio interface (external audio card). You have to connect the L/R audio output of your Nord device to this audio interface. In the DAW (of your choice) you have to create a AUDIO channel strip and configure this to the configured audio input on your audio interface where you Nord instrument is connected to.

Gr Bart

[Berretje]

i feel so dumb right now. thanks a bunch.

Please don't We are all here to learn stuff

speaking of audio interfaces, any recommendations that won't break the bank? thanks again.

I'm personally a fan of the Focusrite series (good price/quality). I've got the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 but that might a little bit overkill for you

I guess you could start with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface. 2 (combined) inputs and 2 outputs.

Gr
Bart

[maxpiano]

so with the focusrite scarlett 2i2, would you need two midi cables and plug them both in the L and R midi out and into the preamp or would you have to get two cables going from the regular L and R out and then directly into the preamp?

If you need to record audio, then it is the second of course; as you have been told MIDI does NOT carry any audio, just execution (notes and other controls) data.

[maxpiano]

so with the focusrite scarlett 2i2, would you need two midi cables and plug them both in the L and R midi out and into the preamp or would you have to get two cables going from the regular L and R out and then directly into the preamp?

If you need to record audio, then it is the second of course; as you have been told MIDI does NOT carry any audio, just execution (notes and other controls) data.

PS: If you also want to record/playback MIDI data then you can just use the NP3 USB connection to the Mac (which provides MIDI via USB)

[maxpiano]

so if it's just using the regular L and R out, which type of cable is it that'd you have to use? between patch, microphones and instrument cables it's a bit confusing. would you use a microphone cable with a TRS Male 1/4 input and then an XLR Male to go into the focusrite?

Keep it simple, you just need 2 standard "mono" (unbalanced) jack cables between NP3 OUT 1/2 and the audio interface inputs 1 and 2, same cables you use to connect the NP3 to a mixer or to speakers, that's it. The audio interface inputs can accept both Mic and line signals and XLR/Jack plugs (download and read the 2i2 manual for more info)