Nord User Forum

[RudyS]

I am a bit confused about the midi implementation on the Nord Wave 2.

I want to have 1 layer (on a dedicated channel) controlling an external module. Is this possible? On page 29 it says it doesn't send midi out from different layers, but on page 32 it looks like it does.

[RudyS]

Ah, it looks like it does, explained on page 30. However, I see I can't sent program changes in this mode.... That's a bit of a drawback.

And also, what does “ In this scenario a store operation needs to be performed for the settings to be recalled when the program is loaded again.” mean? You can’t really save the midi channel settings?

Sorry for the multiple posts.

[Batsclan]

Hi from my understanding the midi channel you set is receive only. So basically you get a four channel multitimbral sound unit, driven by an external source.

[Batsclan]

So on load of programme it would set each layer to its assigned midi channel.

[RudyS]

Thank you for the reply.

As I now understand. You can set every layer on a different midi channel, but this setting is not stored. So the wave makes it impossible to make patches on which sometimes I control an external module (live). I should assign the channels manually for each patch every time, which doesn’t work live.

Too bad.

[DJKeys]

According to the manual, the setting per layer (send and receive) is stored if the Global channel is set to Off:

When a Global MIDI channel is set, i.e. not set to Off, this page defines
the receiving MIDI channels for Layers A/B/C/D.
When the Global MIDI channel is set to Off, the channels defined on this
page will both send and receive MIDI, and are stored per-program. In
this scenario a Store operation needs to be performed for the settings to
be recalled when the program is loaded again.

I never use this, so I haven't tested it. I control the W2 from my NS3 Extern section which is designed more for a master keyboard function.

-dj

[DJKeys]

I did some testing of the MIDI on the Wave 2, to see how it could work with a Stage 3. What I ideally wanted was to be able to use the Stage 3 keyboard to control some Wave 2 layers via MIDI, and the Wave 2's own keyboard to control others, but it doesn't look like that's currently possible.

If the Global Channel is set to OFF, then each layer can receive on its own MIDI channel, and the channel for each layer is stored per program. Unfortunately, there are 2 huge shortcomings with this mode:
1. Each layer must have a different MIDI channel - you can't have multiple layers respond to the same MIDI channel. If 2 or more layers have the same MIDI channel, then only the lowest layer sounds. For example, if I set Layer A and Layer B to MIDI channel 8, then only Layer A responds to MIDI data on channel 8. There is a hint on the display, because the MIDI channel for Layer B appears in brackets as (8).
2. Program Change messages are only received on the Global Channel, so you can't change the Wave 2 program from the Stage 3 in this mode.

If the Global Channel is set to a value, then each layer can still receive its own MIDI channel, but the channels for each layer are now global (i.e. they can't be changed with different programs). The Wave 2 also responds to Program Change and MIDI data on the Global Channel, and this plays all the layers which are active (i.e. the same as if you were playing the Wave 2's own keyboard).

This means if you want to play some layers on the Wave 2 from an external keyboard especially the Stage 3, the options are very limited. You can basically either play only the active layers on the Wave 2 global channel, or play only one layer from the Stage 3 and the other 3 layers from the Wave 2's keyboard.

It would be great if either:
- Multiple layers on the Wave 2 could receive MIDI data on the same layer channel, and / or
- The Wave 2 could respond to program changes on one of the layer MIDI channels. Then you could at least use both Stage 3 external sections to control 2 layers on the Wave 2 from the Stage 3.
- The MIDI channel for each layer was always stored per program regardless of Global Channel setting.

There's maybe a bit more flexibility if you use splits on either the Wave 2 or Stage 3 external section to divide up the keyboard. Anything more complex than this is going to need some kind of MIDI processor (rechannelizer?) to turn one channel output from the Stage 3 external section to 4 channels in parallel to operate different layers of the Wave 2.

[hoopyfrood]

Quick Update: Getting some good results with Nord Stage 3 controlling Wave 2 via an iPad running Midiflow and a USB hub to link the iPad, Stage 3 and Wave 2. The basic config I have in Midiflow takes one external section of the Stage 3 as an input, and generates the following MIDI outputs:
- The Wave 2 Global channel, but with note data removed, to send program change, sustain pedal and mod wheel as necessary.
- Note data is duplicated to as many of the Wave 2 individual layer channels as I need.

I didn't really want an extra piece of gear to carry around and set-up, but actually Midiflow works really well to link the Stage 3 to Wave 2. I can also add my Roli Lightpad Block as a pad controller for triggering chords etc, as this is really small and sits on the Stage 3 compact nicely. Thinking of maybe swapping the iPad for a Blokas Midihub in the future when more become available.

[DJKeys]

Hi-

I have the same two instruments, and have Midi out of NS3 to Midi in of NW2. I send program changes directly to the Wave 2, only sending notes on programs when necessary to sound both keyboards at once. I am not using any other gear, like you do in your setup. Is there an advantage to having the iPad in the mix?

-dj

[DJKeys]

Hi-

I have the same two instruments, and have Midi out of NS3 to Midi in of NW2. I send program changes directly to the Wave 2, only sending notes on programs when necessary to sound both keyboards at once. I am not using any other gear, like you do in your setup. Is there an advantage to having the iPad in the mix?

-dj

It's possible to play the Wave 2 from the Stage 3 on the global channel, but it's limited to only playing the active layers, plus one other layer. If, for example you wanted to play 2 of the Wave 2 layers from the Stage 3 and the other 2 from the Wave 2's own keyboard (or 3 and 1), then you can't do that. The MIDI processing in the iPad means you can play any combination of the 4 Wave 2 layers or the 2 Stage 3 panels from either keyboard.