Nord User Forum

It is so difficult to know what is going one without any details of what was connected where. Which pedals were connected? And are you sure they were in the right connectors (I have done that mistake once). Tried intialising the organ section? (not sure the NS Classic has such function...). Were you using the same output as the piano? Expression pedals sometimes have an extra pot for sensitivity. Did you check that?

Here's the response Schwubby got from me today (on a Sunday afternoon):

I am sorry that you are having this problem with your Nord Stage Classic. From your description of the symptoms, it seems clear that your instrument has suffered a mild hardware failure of one sort or another. This is not a common problem, but has been observed in some instances. It will be best to leave the specifics of the diagnosis to the tech who has it open on the bench, but the first place I would look is the swell pedal circuit. All of your Nord's external connections (audio, midi and pedal) are fitted with what are called EMI filters, designed to reject any possible noise sources. In some cases of intermittent erratic organ volume behavior this EMI filter (or one of its solder joints) has been identified as the culprit. Essentially, the wonky filter tricks the Nord's brain into seeing phantom pedal movements. Replacing the blown filter restores normal function. But again, that's my educated guess. The bench tech will have final word...

As noted earlier in this thread, some folks accidentally connect sustain pedal to control or swell pedal circuit, which will cause some strangeness. Some couple of months ago someone else tracked a similar problem to an audio output connector which had suffered internal damage (no doubt that idiot bass player stepped on the cable). Replacing the connector solved the problem. There are multiple potential causes....

But the erratic and intermittent nature suggests the EMI filter to me, particularly on an instrument with as much age under its belt as the Stage Classic.

Bless,

Pablo

It is not really accurate to call this a bug. There will be no software cure for what ails your Nord. It is a virtual certainty that there is either a component or a solder joint failure somewhere in the instrument.

I have this exact same problem with my Stage. Organ section is intermittently softer than synth and piano. Where can I take it to get this "wonky filter" fixed? I live in Jacksonville, FL 32204. Please help asap.

Hi Chuck,

You misread my post:

"It will be best to leave the specifics of the diagnosis to the tech who has it open on the bench, but the first place I would look is the swell pedal circuit."

We'll be in touch via my regular work channels shortly...there's a fellow right there in JAX who's pretty good.

Bless,

Pablo

Saw this thread and am hoping for some advice. Just bought a new Electro 5 last month. Over the last couple of weeks have experienced erratic organ levels, as well. I have eliminated cables and pedals as potential causes. Have experienced this phenomenon through headphones, direct to PA, direct to amp. Is it possible I have a faulty EMI filter on a new Nord . Very frustrating as I made this purchase specifically because I needed a reliable set of keys for a "big show" this Friday. Any suggestions? Or am I screwed?

Do you have a volume pedal when you are using organ? I guess you know that some patches are louder depending on drawbar settings. I wouldn't think there is a problem with the Nord.

Took the volume pedal and everything else offline. Straight to amp or straight to pa same issue. Similar to a bad cable or input jack issue in sound. Seems to happen most when in compression mode. Thanks for replying!

I have an Electro 5 HP. No problems for over year then twice in the last month the organ volume dropped considerably when switching from a piano patch. Rebooting didn't make any difference and a couple of days later it worked perfectly. A week later at a gig the same issue. Quiet organ. I'm nervous about taking it to my next gig. Hopefully someone has discovered whats going on. Thanks for any help.

I just posted this same question and I know I will probably get some grief for asking it again, but I wish we could get an answer. thanks.

Hi

I play a Nord Stage 2 HA88. I've had it for about 4 years now from new and its been treated very well, so was really surprised when this massive volume surge happened in the middle of a gig last week. It also happened for first time during a recent rehearsal but I put it down to the PA at the time as I couldn't explain it otherwise. I can't recall what I was playing at rehearsal but the gig last week I was definitely playing organ on Man Who Sold The World. I programmed the organ setting about 3 years ago and have been using the programme ever since all without trouble apart from recently.

I did wonder at time if it could have been anything to do with using the sustain pedal. The pedal is same age as keyboard, and it never appears to have caused any problems before. Certainly not on same night as the volume surge when rest of set went without issue.

Has anyone found out what the problem is and how it can be remedied as don't want to have this happen again at a gig.

Sally