Electro 3 problem with the "C" key

[Aleksander]

Hi guys,
I recently bought my Nord Electro 3 (3-4 months ago).
Last week I start having a strange issue:

The lower C key is not working (no sound when you hit the key). But the strange thing is that is not working with all the piano/samples sounds but it does work with the Organ section.

I thought it was a software issue so I just restore the original samples etc. But nothing happened.

Any idea? Shall I contact Nord support?

Alek

[mon8169]

It's surely a dirty contact. It gives you sound on the organ because it isn't a velocity sensitive sound and for this reason it just needs one from the two contacts in the key.

If it still has warranty I'd go to the dealer...

Ramon

[mjbrands]

If you have a MIDI interface for your computer, you could use it to check whether it is indeed an issue with MIDI velocity (and thus probably a dirty contact). mon8169's explanation sounds very probable.

I don't know if the Electro has this setting, but on the Stage 2 you can select the trigger point for the organ in the system menu. I think the default is High, but you can also set it to Low. Try a different setting, see if that key still works with the organ. If it doesn't, you've just proven mon8169 was right. Velocity is determined by measuring the time between a High trigger and a Low trigger when you hit a key. If either of these triggers (switches) doesn't work (for example, because of a bit of dust in a switch) there will be no velocity.

If your Nord is out of warranty (doesn't look like it) and you are fairly handy (technically), you might be able to fix this yourself. It is not recommended though.

[Aleksander]

Hey guys,
yes is still in warranty.

Ok I tested your advice.
While on Organ everything is ok: midi signal is sent to the audio interface (checked on Logic). and if I change the organ between top and bottom it works good.

On the sample/piano side:
No midi signal reaches the audio card and no sound with whatsoever instrument on this section.

[mjbrands]

Doesn't look like a problem with the keyboard then. Best contact support then, no idea what it could be.

[Aleksander]

kinda strange uh? if it was a hw problem shouldn't work at all

[pablomastodon]

Our Catalonian friend was 100% correct -- one of the two key contacts for that note is fouled. Your Nord will need to be opened up, taken apart and cleaned. What country are you in?

Pablo

[Aleksander]

Hey Pablo, hi, I'm in London, UK.

[pablomastodon]

Then you'll want to check with your UK distributor for advice on shops competent to work on it, warranty issues and such.

It is a virtual certainty that dirt is the problem and that cleaning the contact points for that note will restore normal function.

Bless,

Pablo

[Aleksander]

thanks guys! i'll let you know