Nord User Forum

[maxpiano]

Ok. So I do need some more gear
A Y cable and I'm done.
Thanks guys!

Yes and in case you also want to listen to the Audio Interface/Mac output on your Nord Speakers you need another Y cable (this time with 1/8' stereo and 2x 1/4' mono) to connect the Audio Interface outputs to the Nord Grand "Monitor IN" minijack

[Galvalume]

Which Audio Interface are you using?
Last week I hooked up my Nord Grand to MOTU M4 line inputs (3 and 4) with TS-TS 1/4" cable, the signal can only fill up to 1/3 range of the signal meter on the front panel when I turned the output of my Nord Grand to MAX.

[FZiegler]

There are different levels defined for audio signals. In German TV and Broadcasting studios, full scale deflection is at 6 dbU (clipping: 13 dbU). Whereas the Motu M4 line-in can deal with up to 18 dbU without clipping. Which would - in my eyes as a non-pro - say: Everything is fine with a Nord Grand audio level that goes up to ~ 1/3 of the Motu MAX peak level, even if it won't scratch the max level of your Motu line-in or the clipping limit. But this is not the end:

The US full scale deflection for broadcasting studios would be even way higher: 13 dbU (clipping: 22 dbU). BUT: the US level for audio engineering and PA is 4 dbU - which is what counts for us and most of our gear. Which means: Don't turn your Grand up to full if you don't know for sure that it will be OK.

[DavidSydney]

Just to add a tiny bit of clarification (six weeks late I know) which may clarify things for the OP.

There are two kinds of "jack/phone" plugs: one with just two connections, called "TS" for tip/sleeve. One with three connections, called "TRS" for tip/ring/sleeve. The first has one 'stripe' (insulator) on the plug. The second has two.

TS plugs are used for guitars and other 'unbalanced' connections – like the Nord's regular outputs. TRS plugs are used for headphones, with the tip providing the left channel and the ring providing the right. So the right kind of Y-cable is one with a TRS (two stripes) to two TS (one stripe). There are some Y-cables ('splitters') that just have one TS connected to two TS.

For completeness: TRS plugs are also used for balanced connections (which need two connections + ground) and as insert connectors for many mixers, where the two channels are send and return.

Hope this helps.

David