Nord User Forum

I play my NE5 through a pair of QSC K10's in stereo.The sound is fantastic, however, I'm confused about what type of cable I should be using. When I first got the QSC's, I used two standard unbalanced cables (left & right) all with 1/4" TS jacks. The QSC's inputs are balanced but can also accept unbalanced TS jacks. The cables were quite thin and I was getting a bit of hum. I made up a pair of balanced cables (about 3m long) using VanDam 3 core mic cable with XLR's at one end and Neutrik TRS 1/4" stereo jacks at the other. They were wired the proper balanced way, tip to pin 2, ring to pin 3, shield to pin 1. The hum was greatly reduced (almost silent) using balanced cables, indicating that the left and right outputs on the Nord Electro 5d are balanced. The spec of the NE5 states clearly that they are unbalanced ??. I would like to know if there is any chance of me causing any damage to the NE5 by using the balanced connections ? .

You will not damage your instrument using balanced cables. I do it all the time.

The Nord is unbalanced. Usually, ring and sleeve are just shorted to one another when you use a balanced cable in an unbalanced jack. No harm, but no advantage, either.

The reduction in hum was probably because the balanced cable is simply less shitty than the other one, with more effective shielding.

Thanks for your reply and your "eloquently put" explanation which is absolutely right. I just tested the "crap" one against the balanced one again. However, this time I noticed that the PSU for my in-ear monitor mixer was close to the two cables, the hum was present again but on both cables. I then moved the PSU well away from the cables and found the hum disappeared on the balanced one but was still slightly audible on the "crap" one.

Many thanks again to you and Rusty Mike for your reassurance.

Owning a Nord makes everyday a school day !

Cheers,
Big Jock

There are dozens of things that cause hum. I honestly believe every venue is wired by electricians who deliberately place fluorescent tube fixtures or dimmer switches on the same circuit as that ONE receptacle on stage!! Where possible, audio cables must be placed far away from AC lines. If that's difficult, try to place the AC lines 90 degrees to the audio lines (or vice versa). I always try to plug all my gear into one circuit, as to avoid ground loops.