Using NORD STAGE 4 with external midi keyboard

[Ecaroh]

I am a bit lazy to read whole thread thru but I think I have same issue here:

Using aux KB mode I can play all layers I want with external keyboard.
Sustain pedal (CC#64) works too and also with half pedaling nuances 0-127

BUT I cannot control synths with Control Pedal CC#11 externally.

To me it's strange (a bug also?) that internal Exp (connected to NS4) pedal works with Aux KB layers while you cannot play notes (which is supposed behavior of course)

[Satomy]

With the latest versions 1.04-1.06 the Midi control reception problems have not yet been resolved. If used with an external midi keyboard, via the ext KB function, it does not receive the midi controls for pitch bend, modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc. The problem of the volume control acting on all layers of each single section (both organ, piano, synth) has been solved. Now it acts autonomously by assigning the midi cc corresponding to the volume control for each single layer from the external midi master keyboard. Now another problem has arisen: using the ext KB function of the organ section, it is no longer possible to command and receive the following controls from the external midi keyboard: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion, a function which was possible with the version 0.98. Apparently the midi cc assigned to these vib/chorus on/off and percussion on/off controls doesn't match and sends other commands into the synth section. I've tried all the new version's midi cc controls but none match the action of these controls. There is still so much work to do on the midi! They should also publish the list of all midi cc's which in my opinion seems to have changed compared to the one described in the manual. Have any of you encountered this problem? I may have missed some details, please all of you to compare. Thank you

[maxpiano]

They should also publish the list of all midi cc's which in my opinion seems to have changed compared to the one described in the manual.

Maybe that is related to the introduction of NRPN support on 1.04, until they will update the manual you can detect the (new) CCs by MIDI Monitoring on the Global Channel (having enabled CC and NRPN Send/Receive) while you move any panel control and/or change any parameter.

[Satomy]

With the latest version 1.12 the Midi control reception problems have not yet been resolved. If used with an external midi keyboard, via the ext KB function, it does not receive the midi controls of modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc. Fixed pitch bend receive, with some glitches, because it continues to work even when disabled by layer. Using the ext KB function of the organ section, the problem of receiving the following midi controls has not yet been solved: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion, a function that was possible with version 0.98. I've tried all the new version's midi cc controls, but none match the action of these controls. There is still a lot of work to be done on the midi, I really hope that the problems listed on the midi are taken into consideration and resolved as soon as possible. For users like me, who use NS4 connected to an external midi keyboard to control some layers, which I've always done with NS 2 ex and with NS3 without any problem. Have any of you encountered these problems? I may have missed some details, useful suggestions are welcome to solve the problems listed. Thank you

[vegarell]

With the latest version 1.12 the Midi control reception problems have not yet been resolved. If used with an external midi keyboard, via the ext KB function, it does not receive the midi controls of modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc. Fixed pitch bend receive, with some glitches, because it continues to work even when disabled by layer. Using the ext KB function of the organ section, the problem of receiving the following midi controls has not yet been solved: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion, a function that was possible with version 0.98. I've tried all the new version's midi cc controls, but none match the action of these controls. There is still a lot of work to be done on the midi, I really hope that the problems listed on the midi are taken into consideration and resolved as soon as possible. For users like me, who use NS4 connected to an external midi keyboard to control some layers, which I've always done with NS 2 ex and with NS3 without any problem. Have any of you encountered these problems? I may have missed some details, useful suggestions are welcome to solve the problems listed. Thank you

Yes I really need this auxkb cc functionality ASAP! Just upgraded from my NS3, and I am really disappointed that functionality isn’t brought on to a new version. Are there actually so many bugs to fix, so they don’t have time to implement these, in my opinion, essentially functions on a €4000 instrument…

[Satomy]

Even with the latest version 1.14 the Midi control reception problems have not yet been resolved. If used with an external MIDI keyboard, via the ext KB function, it does not receive the midi controls of modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc.... Using the ext KB function of the organ section, the problem of reception of the following midi controls: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion, function possible with version 0.98. There is still a lot of work to be done on midi, I really hope that the problems listed on midi will be taken into consideration and resolved as soon as possible, especially for users like me who use NS4 connected to an external midi keyboard to play and control some layers .

[ArticulateDreams]

I also am very eager for these MIDI issues to be resolved. I am especially eager to gain the ability to have multiple layers being piloted by MIDI sequencer tracks and/or external controllers - each on their own MIDI channel - and still be able to play other layers on the Nord without affecting those externally-controlled layers.

As far as I can imagine, this could be accomplished either by 1) creating per-layer local control settings, or… 2) by availing multiple MIDI channels for multiple “aux keyboards” (which could also be sequencer tracks) that can then be individually assigned per layer, thereby disabling local control of that layer (presuming that functionality of AUX KB assignment is maintained).

I should also add that the settings for these proposed functionalities (per-layer local control, and/or multiple MIDI channels for multiple aux keyboards individually assignable) ought to be savable per program. That way, we can instantly switch between what layer(s) is(are) playable locally without diving into a menu. Currently, Aux KB assignments are saved at the program level while local control is a global setting, so Clavia will need to decide if it makes more sense to expand the Aux KB MIDI options or to build out a new per-layer local control functionality at the program level (which perhaps should be subordinate to the global local control on/off setting?? Not sure... Just thoughts….)

As a new Nord owner, while for the most part I am very happy with the NS4, I must say I feel quite disappointed by these limitations on the MIDI implementation in its current stage. It’s just frustrating that the impressive power of the instrument that exists under the hood (and that was advertised to me) is not able to be utilized at its full potential yet due to inadequate/incomplete MIDI implementation.

Anyway.. I just wanted to get all that out and add another voice to the request for improved/expanded/completed MIDI implementation on NS4. Hopefully Clavia is prioritizing it.

[Ecaroh]

Exactly. I am glad to hear I am not only one frustrated here with NS4 MIDI issues and limitations. Like @ArticulateDreams said NS4 has so much potential which is left unrealized.

All of you agreeing with us please report these MIDI problems to Clavia to make it clear that we users do not accept this and we deserve better. I’ve made report on May and reminded them couple of times.

[Satomy]

Sorry if I'm repetitive, but although some midi problems have been resolved, I am forced to say that even with the O.S. version. 1.20 the reception problems of some Midi controls have not been resolved. Using an external MIDI keyboard, via the ext KB function, in the synth section, does not receive the midi controls of: modulation wheel, aftertouch, resonance, cutoff, etc...; in the organ section it does not receive the following midi controls: on/off vib/chorus, on/off percussion. Could it be that after 8 months they have not been able to resolve these problems? Problems that I have reported many times on the official Nord website. How long will I have to wait for these midi problems to be resolved?

[L8ssi]

^ Seconded. I'm super super happy with my new Stage 4, but this seems just weird to not work as expected. Aftertouch and mod wheel are very much needed for playing synth layers with ext keyboard.

I just got Expressive E Osmose and intend to use it as my second keyboard. MPE support for Stage 4's synth layers might be a bit much to ask at this point when even some of the more basic stuff is missing, but it should be doable as well if there's will. Sequential did it as an upgrade for some of their synths.