Nord Lead 3 headphone output problem

[ibljula]

Hey guys.

I have an issue with my headphone output on my Nord Lead 3.
I only have audio coming to the RIGHT channel on the headphones. If I slowly pull out the plug a little bit, I got a summoned mono signal (the right channel) to both of my headphones sides.

I have opened up the synth, removed the circuit board where the outputs are, and I have confirmed, with a multimeter, that both LEFT and RIGHT channels are working (I get a beep when connecting the furthest inner metal piece (which is LEFT channel) with the correspondent point on the underside of the circuit board. Confirmed that RIGHT channel is working also.

What is my next step to try to fix this? I have not found any NL3 service manuals on the internet.

Thanks for any advice.

Ibljula

[pablomastodon]

take it to someone who has the service documentation for the instrument and is qualified to perform that repair

[Theomen]

Hello , I have exactly the same problem I don’t why it is happening…

[23skidoo]

The most common cause of this problem are cheap 1/4" to 1/8" adapters. Test with a real, pro set of headphones that have a high-quality screw-on 1/4" adapter first. Cheap ones look fine to the eye but can have small tolerance defects that short out channels or make bad contact, usually in the 1/8" inner portion.

Second most common cause is trying to use 4-pole headset TRRS type headphones instead of 3-pole TRS professional headphones. For instance, if your headphones have a mic they won't work here directly.

[Theomen]

Thanks but I tried everything that you are suggested.

[23skidoo]

To confirm, you're talking about a Nord Lead 3, not a Nord Rack 2 (as you've posted in at the same time in another thread), right?

[Theomen]

Yes, right this issue is about NL3 , I have both 2 and 3. Thanks in advance.

[23skidoo]

Ok, so let's get down to brass tacks. Is this only with the headphone port? Do you have audio L+R correctly on the main outs 1&2? What kind of headphones and what sort of adapter (if any) are you using? Have you tried the headphones (recently) with other sources and confirmed both channels work? Is this only on some programs or all of them? What other details/information can you provide on your issue?

The headphone outs and amps on the NL3 are fairly robust; while it's always possible, it would take real effort to damage them.

[Theomen]

Only with headphones port. L/R are ok.I have 2 pairs of headphones , sennheiser hd25 and beyerdynamic dt770. Both use adapter but both are working correctly with the rest of gear, confirmed and it is happening in all programs. Exactly as the guy who firstly wrote this post years ago.

[maxpiano]

A defective (internally, at the tip contact) or partially desoldered Headphones jack could be the cause, I'd try with different adapters then, if no improvement, take the NL3 to an electronics repair service for replacing it (if you cannot do it yourself, of course)