Nord User Forum

[druidstone]

I have Nord Stage 2 and I am looking to expand its capabilities with a Midi Controller keyboard.

Please could someone explain to me the benefits of adding a Midi controller keyboard?

Eg. could I potentially setup the Midi Controller keyboard as a Farfisa Organ from the NS2 organ section, while using my NS2 as Hammond Organ?
(to save me the trouble of changing organ setup from one song to the next)

Or could I setup the Midi controller keyboard as any other Instrument from the NS2 sample library,
while using piano+synth #110 on the NS2?

Thanks in advance.

[MartinJ2EX]

Did you ever read the User Manual? It’s very very helpful regarding that topic

Every instrument can have its own MIDI channel, but they don’t have more functions themselves..
For example Stage 2 is limited to selecting ONE organ for both slots (B3 and Vox simultaneously not possible)

I have a Doepfer D3m (61 Waterfall keys) wirh a custom built chassis on top of my Stage 2 EX 88
Use it for Organ, Synth (everything without Aftertouch) and samples.
On my S2EX Organ A/B ks set to MIDI 1/2, Synth to 5/6 etc...
When I switch patches I have to ser D3m to needed channel.

[anotherscott]

Please could someone explain to me the benefits of adding a Midi controller keyboard?

Common reasons would be to play pianos from a hammer action if you have a SW Nord, or to play organs from a non-hammer action if you have a hammer action Nord, or to be able to independently play more different sounds at once by distributing them over more keys (i.e. you can choose to play the Slot A sounds from the internal keys while playing the Slot B sounds from the external keys).

Remember also that keyboards with sounds can also be used as MIDI controllers for the Nord, so then they can do double duty... i.e. they can do the kinds of things I mentioned above, plus they can give you an additional palette of sounds of their own that you can work with. If you are gigging, this also provides an additional benefit, in that if something goes wrong with the Nord, you have instant backup by having another board with sounds that you can use to get through the gig.

In ether case, you want to choose a board with real (5-pin DIN) MIDI connectors, rather than one that only has USB.