Help with midi setup

[Trumpeterb]

My first post here. I have a nord stage ex and questions. To this point, I have used the stock sounds the keyboard ca,e programmed with, and it has worked fine. Recently I started working with a new band, and I now require some sounds that I just can't get with the nord. I want to connect to mainstage to access these sounds using the extern function and be able to use the on board sounds as well. Here are my questions:

1..am I correct that I will need to run a 6-pin midi cable from midi out port on the nord into an audio interface, then a USB from the computer into the interface to make it all work?

2..do I, for any reason, need to run a midi cable from the midi out on the interface back to the nord?

3..where will the audio signal to thr sound board come from? The nord, the interface, or will I need to run two audio cables (one from the nord and one from the interface) to be able to hear sounds on both the keyboard and mainstage?

I am all new to midi stuff, and I appreciate any advice you can offer a novice.

[catosim]

Hi

1. You can run a MIDI cable on the MIDI-OUT from NS to MIDI-IN on your interface. The USB connection should take care of the communication between the interface and your computer.

2. No need to connect MIDI back to the NS again

3. The audiosignal from MainStage is routed via the audio interface, so the interface needs to be connected to your audio-mixer. The NS outputs operates on its own, and needs to be connected the usual way.

MIDI doesn't transfer any audio. The connections is based on the host (NS2) telling the slave (MainStage) which notes to play, and the velocity and length of the notes.
The slave receives the commands end executes them, and the results is heard via the outputs of MainStage/interface.
I would advice you to spend a few minutes reading the manual about the Extern-section on your NS. This section is quite handy when dealing with MIDI, and gives access to powerful capabilities when programming patches.

[FZiegler]

Are you talking about a Stage EX (as you said) or a Stage 2 EX (as your info panel lets assume)? If it's the latter, you probably should be able to use MIDI over USB. And I'd recommend the MIDI tutorial on that forum (only available if locked in).

[catosim]

If we're talking about a NS2, then you can connect the synth directly to the computer via USB. The computer will recognise the incoming MIDI, and provide them to the MainStage.
In this scenario the synth isn't connected to the audio interface at all.
All the others instructions stands the same.

[Trumpeterb]

Are you talking about a Stage EX (as you said) or a Stage 2 EX (as your info panel lets assume)? If it's the latter, you probably should be able to use MIDI over USB. And I'd recommend the MIDI tutorial on that forum (only available if locked in).

Sorry for the confusion…it is a Nord EX. My apologies for the mixup.

[Trumpeterb]

Thanks for all of the advice here! This is quite helpful. One more question—if I were to route an audio cable from the Nord into the line in jack on the interface (Focusrite 4i4 in this case), would the audio out from the interface then carry the onboard and MainStage audio signal to the mixer? I am just trying to figure a way to have a single audio line to the mixer if possible. Thanks again.

[catosim]

if I were to route an audio cable from the Nord into the line in jack on the interface (Focusrite 4i4 in this case), would the audio out from the interface then carry the onboard and MainStage audio signal to the mixer?

Yes, the Focusrite will transmit all signals it receives.
I believe you need to check in the MainStage prefs/settings that the Focusrite is your preferred source for audio out.