What MIDI interface (Nord 3P to iMac)

[jez_smith]

Hi All,
Sorry for the newbie question, but I've just bought a Nord 3P and was trying to connect it to my iMac. I hastily bought a MIDI to USB cable (http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and ... le-5m/1RPG) but this doesn't seem to work with the Nord Drum 3 Manager software.
Has anyone got any ideas?
What do you use to connect your 3P to your computer?

I was trying to use the Manager software to edit and move the sounds around, thinking this would be easier than the interface on the unit.
Thanks
Jez

[wartaler]

Hi Jez,
Does your Mac recognize your MIDI interface ('USB MIDI cable') /is it listed in the manager? Is the 3P recognized by the manager?
Before you buy another interface, let's check if it's set up properly, hopefully it's something simple.
Cheers,
Albert

[jez_smith]

Hi Albert,
Thanks for the reply. The Nord Manager software seems to register the Midi cable; when it is plugged in, I get the setup screen which allows me to select input one and then choose one of two outputs.
When the cable is not plugged in, no such option exists.
No combination of input one, and output one or two get the Nord software to work.

[wartaler]

So, with both MIDI in and out connected, the "Connected" indicator doesn't turn green?

[maxpiano]

So, with both MIDI in and out connected, the "Connected" indicator doesn't turn green?

Also: have you tried to swap IN and OUT? On some of those cheap MIDI USB cable interfaces they are reversed compared to what you see written on the connector...

[jez_smith]

There isn't a 'connected' LED on the MIDI interface cable, just a red power LED (which lights up) and then and In and Out LED.
On the Nord Drum 3 Manager software, I still get the 'Handshaking...' message followed by 'Nor reply from drum. Please check MIDI setup.'
I have just tried with the cables reversed, but still no luck.

[maxpiano]

OK, that led shows that the interface is "ON", fine but then the green and yellow leds should blink when data is being transmitted either way; consider that some of those cheap MIDI USB cables have trouble handling Sysex or in general Hi-speed (dense) MIDI data, this could be another factor.

To understand if that's the case, have you tried to see (using a MIDI Monitor utility such as Snoize's MidiMonitor) if you can at least send Notes from the 3P to the Mac (btw: what Global MIDI channel you have set in the 3P MIDI menu?) when you play the N3P pads?

PS: have you already tried to select the second OUT port instead, just in case...?

In any case, getting a better/branded MIDI USB interface is something I would definitely recommend.

[wartaler]

Hi,
Yes, I meant the indicator in the Manager application itself,
In your screenshot it's red, 'Disconnected', which indeed means the Manager doesn't see the 3P,
You checked if the MIDI interface was connected the wrong way around by swapping the cables, perhaps a port is misconfigured (2 outs in stead of an in and an out), selecting the same port for in and out as in your screenshot doesn't seem right. If it's not the configuration,it could also be that your interface/cable is actually broken.

If the Manager does connect to the 3P, it could still fail to transfer banks, as Max says, some cheap interfaces fail to transmit more than just MIDI notes, have a look here: http://www.norduserforum.com/nord-drum- ... 11675.html

I would give it another shot, but if it still doesn't work, these (brands of) MIDI interfaces usually work fine: iRig, ESI, E-MU, I think there's a couple more mentioned in the thread above.

Cheers,
Albert

[jez_smith]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I went with the option of buying a better MIDI interface!
M-AUDIO MIDISPORT worked well.

[babelfish]

Also: have you tried to swap IN and OUT? On some of those cheap MIDI USB cable interfaces they are reversed compared to what you see written on the connector...

Created an account just to say that I bought a cheap midi cable on Amazon, drum manager was stuck on "handshake," and that flipping the in/out connections fixed the problem for me.