Nord User Forum

[koeyyy]

Hi, sorry for the english i'm french but i'm working lol

I've got one problems with my NE3 as a masterkeyboard, i can't transpose midi notes...
I want to mean that the first C (Do in french), at the left of my NE3 is C1 on my sequencer...
And i can't transpose with the "octave shift button" wich is only useful for NE3 bank,program memory.
I try to change local ON to local Off, it results that the "octave shift button" is disabled when you're in local off...
If you know how to transpose Midi Notes downer and upper on your NE3 please help me

And i'have a second question...i'm looking for a footcontroller that can do program change on NE3
because sometimes i have to change NE3 instruments quickly during the song.
Do you think behringer FCB1010 is able to do that, and if you've got other footcontrol like this one
may be smaller (i woul prefer) don't hesitate...

Thank you in advance

[Hanon_CTS]

Hello koeyyy,
Welcome to the forums!
The NE3 isn't able to transpose octaves "transmitted out via MIDI".
This box will do transpose via MIDI:

MIDI Solutions Event Processor

And this one will do the program change via footswitch:


MIDI Solutions Footswitch Controller

Cheers, Hanon

[Johannes]

Hi,
+1 on Hanons suggestion for MIDI manipulation and in particular the pedal one.
I might add that the Behringer device suggested will also do the trick of allowing you to switch programs by foot (and much more!).

But regarding the simple Octave problem, this reminded me of some strange experiences I had one year ago when recording with a different board and playing back on my Nord Stage. I had the similar problem that the Stage was one octave too low (or high, don't remember exactly) then what I expected in MIDI.

So I played around a bit just now and recorded the lowest C (=C2 according to standard Grand Piano definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_C) using different recording software.
And here are the incredible (to me) results:
MIDI OX (http://www.midiox.com/): C2 (i.e., what one could call correct and what you want)
Ableton Live 8: C1 !!! (played the same note)
A very old Cubase LE version: C1 as well
A freeware MIDI play&record program (MidiPiano, http://code.google.com/p/virtualpiano/): C3 !!!

So the same note got recorded as three different octaves, and the "bigger" DAWs get it both wrong in that they record a C1 (which is probably what you noted).
I didn't want to go too much into this, but apparently, there is (possible, too lazy to check it out now) no MIDI standard about the naming of the octaves (http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?p=355863). Thus it is up to the software what to implement. But personally, the difference between the (highly valued) Midi-OX and standard DAWs is at least surprising to me.

Bottom line, the Nord definitively sends the right MIDI signal (see MIDI-OX), and the problem is rather the interpretation in the slave/sequencer. Maybe you can check it out yourelf if you get the same results.
When using an external keyboard I am pretty sure there is no problem as hardware keyboards certainly use the standard names derived from the Grand Piano.


EDIT: Just found that it is a mere matter of naming within your sequencer. While some start at C-2, others start as C-1, see also http://www.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic. ... e41df1543b. So bottom line is, no matter how the note is "called" in your sequencer, it will always play the right pitch on any hardware keyboard or VSTi. Did you try that? That is, just leave it as C-1 and see if it sounds in the correct octave when playing back? Please let me know if this has to do with your issue or not! Thanks. Johannes

[koeyyy]

Thanks for your answer, and for your speed...impressive lol

So Johannes, most of all time i'm using Logic Pro, and like Cubase all the instrument have
a range that started from C-2. I'll test with MIDI OX soon, i've not tried yet.

So I've understood what you mean but i'm a little bit disappointed, because i was thinking that
a Nord keyboard, even if it's not sell like a master keyboard, would have this option.
Any masterkeyboard have this options (M-Audio; Emu ; behringer etc....to mention only the most expensive brand.. .joke)
I sell my M-audio masterkey, two months ago because i have a litlle home studio & i was thinking that the NE3 will do both uses.

It seems to me absurds that a keyboard wich have just 63 keys, can't switch upper & downer for covering all the range from C-2 (or C-1) to
C6 (or C8 or C12 or C29 or C20000+... lol). It's the basis for Midi Keyboard no?

So Hannons you tell me that i must buy a Midi Event Processor to transpose, i will check it out.

One more questions about the FCB1010, on this controller there is two expression/volume pedal, do you think it's
possible to set up as a control pedal for one, and as volume pedal on the NE3 through Midi. I hope my question
is not too stupid.

Thank you guys for your precious advice

[Johannes]

Hi,
well then it should work in Logic no? Cause all VSTis or also playing back to wour NE should play the right octave, correct me if Im wrong. Otherwise, there are plenty of free plugins or even builtin functions in Logic (dont know it to well) to manipulate MIDI in your DAW (e.g. a free plugin called OctaveShifter or so) which should be way easier than doing it externally.
Regarding the MAster key functionality, the NE3 is certaintly no Masterkeyboard per se. While being definitively usable to record etc., it still is mainly aiming at replicating natural and electromechanical instruments and thus C-2 is not really meaningful in this context. Plus you have the global transpose function.
For serious master key jobs such as program changes, CC sends,...better use a M-Audio or so for that I agree.
Regarding the FCD1010, I am not sure. My bets would be on YES, but you better check and compare the MIDI specs of both instruments or buy it with a decent return policy.

[koeyyy]

So in Cubase 1 in Logic, the first note i can played with NE3 is always C1
But I remembered that logic can use azerty keyboard as masterkeyboard and you can switch down & up from
all octave range with touch "1"=C-2 "2"=C-1 "3"=C0 "4'C1 etc...

& I know that Logic Pro has a section called "environement" where you can check midi connections and set functions etc...
So i will see if i can do something better with this...

I will chech for the FCB1010, maybe asking Clavia directly...

Thank you Johannes for your interest.