setting up MIDI split bass

[DrG+keys]

Using a Nord Stage EX in a small combo, and have been using a split keyboard for left hand bass. I would like a better bass sound than I have been able to create with a piano/synth blend and just purchased an Alesis nanobass module. So far i have not been able to get it to work. Ideally I would like to set a program where I use the Nord piano (upper register) along with the Nord as Master for lower end bass through the Alesis module. I would like to have a single volume control, have the sustain pedal affect both equally, and if possible run MIDI back through the keyboard to a single output for both sounds go to the PA with a single output. (Best I can tell, I cannot use the Nord as a Master, and still run the sound back through to a single output... is this true?). Major problems encountered...1: I cannot get the split to work. When I set the split on Panel B, and turn off the upper keyboard it still sends a signal to the nanobass through the entire register. 2: I am getting almost no volume out of the bass module... even when I go directly out of the module to the PA or amp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. G

[Hanon_CTS]

Using a Nord Stage EX in a small combo, and have been using a split keyboard for left hand bass. I would like a better bass sound than I have been able to create with a piano/synth blend and just purchased an Alesis nanobass module. So far i have not been able to get it to work. Ideally I would like to set a program where I use the Nord piano (upper register) along with the Nord as Master for lower end bass through the Alesis module. I would like to have a single volume control, have the sustain pedal affect both equally, and if possible run MIDI back through the keyboard to a single output for both sounds go to the PA with a single output. (Best I can tell, I cannot use the Nord as a Master, and still run the sound back through to a single output... is this true?). Major problems encountered...1: I cannot get the split to work. When I set the split on Panel B, and turn off the upper keyboard it still sends a signal to the nanobass through the entire register. 2: I am getting almost no volume out of the bass module... even when I go directly out of the module to the PA or amp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. G

Hello DrG+keys,
Welcome to the forums.

MIDI is only a control signal, it doesn't include any audio portion of sound.

There is no way of combining the audio signal of the NanoBass into the Stage Ex, except via outboard mixing device.

Each section of your Stage Ex is assigned a MIDI channel on which it will communicate.
The Alesis NanoBass can be assigned a specific MIDI channel that it will respond to.

It would be best to confirm which MIDI channels are assigned to each of the 8 possible sections of the Stage Ex.
The 8 being:
1. Piano Slot A
2. Piano Slot B
3. Organ Slot A
4. Organ Slot B
5. Synth Slot A
6. Synth Slot B
7. External Slot A
8. External Slot B

Whichever Slot (Panel) that you choose to control the NanoBass with, should have a matching MIDI channel number, and only that Slot should be on that channel. Any Slot whose MIDI channel # matches the Alesis, will cause it to play.

By pressing Shift and Octave + "SustPed" on the Slot that you're using to control the Alesis, the SustPed LED will illuminate and will send sustain pedal control messages to the Alesis.

As for the volume issue.
The Alesis NanoBass does respond to volume control data via MIDI. It also responds to velocity via MIDI. If one of the Organ slots happens to be playing it, then it is receiving a fixed half velocity value regardless of how hard you hit it. (I believe that Organ sends 64 out of 127)
I would make sure that you're playing it via one of the External control slots and send it a volume change CC#7 to set it's volume at max (127)

Cheers, Hanon

[DrG+keys]

Thanks for the quick response... I'll try to reconfigure tonight.

Dr.G

[Hanon_CTS]

Thanks for the quick response... I'll try to reconfigure tonight.

Dr.G

Do post back if you have any additional questions.
There's plenty of knowledgeable members that are eager to help.
Cheers, Hanon

[DrG+keys]

Still tweaking, but looks like it is working. Help is greatly appreciated.

Dr. G