Everything about the Nord Electro 2, Electro 3, Electro 4, Electro 5, and Nord Electro 6.

Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby lgexz » 18 Jan 2012, 07:14

Is it possible? I'd like to plug it in to my computer/mac and use it to also create tracks like a regular midi controller would do. I'd also like to assign each key to different samples, for example a set of drum kit sounds.
Last edited by lgexz on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.
lgexz
 
Posts: 15
Joined: 30 Oct 2011, 04:42
Location: Toronto
Country: Canada
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 0 time

Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller


Sponsor
 

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby reneshelle » 18 Jan 2012, 11:06

You'll need a midi interface of some sort. The NE3 dosn't send midi via USB. You'll also need some (sampler) software.

But if you have all that, then yes - no problem.

If you are buying a NE3 only to do this, you'll find much cheaper and easier setups! The NE3 is more of a "gigging type" keyboard at heart
Last edited by reneshelle on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.

The author reneshelle was thanked by:
Eisenhans
reneshelle
 
Posts: 25
Joined: 11 Oct 2011, 20:16
Country: Denmark
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 11 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 3

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby lgexz » 18 Jan 2012, 17:30

Of course, ne3 as a midi control is secondary to my needs since I will be using the ne3 for live performances. Yes I do know there are way cheaper midi controllers out there, it's just the fact that I don't want to buy a midi controller when there is a possibilty of utilizing the ne3 for another purpose.
Last edited by lgexz on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.
lgexz
 
Posts: 15
Joined: 30 Oct 2011, 04:42
Location: Toronto
Country: Canada
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 0 time

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby Hanon_CTS » 18 Jan 2012, 18:17

lgexz wrote:Of course, ne3 as a midi control is secondary to my needs since I will be using the ne3 for live performances. Yes I do know there are way cheaper midi controllers out there, it's just the fact that I don't want to buy a midi controller when there is a possibilty of utilizing the ne3 for another purpose.

Hello lgexz,
Welcome to the forums.

You will need a MIDI to USB interface such as this one:
Image
http://www.zzounds.com/item--EMUXMIDI1X1

Your NE3 will work as a MIDI controller to trigger sounds in your computer.
The NE3 is a bit limited in it's MIDI capabilities, but it WILL work.
Cheers, Hanon

btw,
IMHO,
the limitations of the NE3 as a master MIDI controller are:
the lack of a pitch bender, mod wheel, aftertouch, definable continuous controllers.
The NE3 wasn't intended as a MIDI master controller.
However, if it's all you have.
It can prove quite capable, with a little creativity,
and some mapping in the receiving device.
Last edited by Hanon_CTS on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.

The author Hanon_CTS was thanked by 2 members, including:
Eisenhanslgexz
User avatar
Hanon_CTS
Former Team Member
 
Posts: 1934
Joined: 02 Mar 2011, 17:58
Has thanked: 683 times
Been thanked: 477 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Other Brand
Your Nord Gear #2: Other Brand

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby lgexz » 18 Jan 2012, 18:38

sweet! thanks for the link!! aside from all this, what would you recommend for the sound output coming from the ne3. I do have headphones already for home use but I'm looking to get an amp or monitor soon.
Last edited by lgexz on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.
lgexz
 
Posts: 15
Joined: 30 Oct 2011, 04:42
Location: Toronto
Country: Canada
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 0 time

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby Johannes » 18 Jan 2012, 18:49

Hi,
for amps and the like check this thread for instance: accessories-and-amplification-f8/which-amps-do-you-folks-like-here-t36.html or accessories-and-amplification-f8/which-small-amp-for-my-nord-stage-t455.html.

Definitively worth trying it out before buying! Plus it very much depends on your budget. I think it is fair to say that there is kind of an informal agreement that the QSC K8 or K10 (preferrably) are excellent choices for keyboard players, bit pricey though.
Last edited by Johannes on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Johannes
Administrator
 
Posts: 2133
Joined: 05 Mar 2009, 01:04
Location: Milano
Country: Italy
Has thanked: 742 times
Been thanked: 838 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Other Brand

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby Ian Hay » 18 Jan 2012, 19:06

Related question regarding NE3 as a midi controller: Is there a way to disable all the Nord's midi functions except for the keystrokes?

In a typical track (in my case, in Garageband) I typically switch between the Nord as an audio source and the Nord as a midi controller for software instruments. However, I'll still have the midi cables plugged in while using it as an audio source. I've gotten frustrated with it doing strange and unintended things via MIDI while doing so, e.g. adjusting the gain knob will adjust the track volume, which is not what I want, and (wierdly) switching between upper and lower organs will toggle the solo button for that track in GB. Even while using the Nord as a MIDI controller, I don't really want it doing anything other than playing notes.

Can this be done? Is it DAW-dependent?

Thanks.
Last edited by Ian Hay on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.

The author Ian Hay was thanked by:
Eisenhans
Ian Hay
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 15 Jan 2012, 18:00
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 4 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 3

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby anotherscott » 18 Jan 2012, 19:32

Ian Hay wrote:Related question regarding NE3 as a midi controller: Is there a way to disable all the Nord's midi functions except for the keystrokes?

Yes, Chapter 8 of the manual. You can enable/disable Control Change and Program Change messages.
Last edited by anotherscott on 31 Jul 2012, 12:28, edited 2 times in total.

The author anotherscott was thanked by 2 members, including:
EisenhansIan Hay
anotherscott
 
Posts: 3443
Joined: 07 Jan 2011, 04:50
Has thanked: 38 times
Been thanked: 1079 times

Re: Nord Electro 3 as a midi controller

Postby Eisenhans » 13 Feb 2019, 03:53

I connected my Electro 3 to my laptop (so I can use it as a MIDI controller for GarageBand) using the E-Mu MIDI-USB interface cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JLU26W/. Thanks to Hanon_CTS for recommending it and thanks to analogika and Ev31cktech for explaining that you need to connect the MIDI IN plug to the MIDI OUT socket of the Electro. D’oh!
Eisenhans
 
Posts: 13
Joined: 26 Oct 2013, 20:57
Country: Austria
Has thanked: 115 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 2
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Electro 3


Return to Nord Electro Forum



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests