NORD STAGE 2 EX distorted piano sound

[grgaHR]

When I turn on the keyboard it works properly, after about a minute the piano sound becomes distorted. After I turn off and turn on the keyboard again, it plays properly for a short time again and the piano sound becomes distorted again. It works properly on other sounds. Does anyone have this problem or at least know the cause?

[Hlaalu]

Hi,
which piano does this happen on? All pianos you have or only one? What about the other sound engines? Have you tried to reload the sample(s) from the Nord Piano Library?

[grgaHR]

This happens about one minute after the keyboard is turned on and at all piano sounds. Other sounds are clear, only the piano sounds are distorted after about one minute. After restarting the keyboard everything works OK and the error happens again after about one minute.

[maxpiano]

This happens about one minute after the keyboard is turned on and at all piano sounds. Other sounds are clear, only the piano sounds are distorted after about one minute. After restarting the keyboard everything works OK and the error happens again after about one minute.

This doesn't sound good, if a full factory reset (or at least reloading latest OS then erasing and reloading all Piano samples) doesn't solve, then (if I were you) I'd send it to authorized service for a check of the Piano section DSP and its "surroundings"...

[cgrafx]

My understanding is the piano, synth and organ sections of the Nord Stage are actually processed through different physical hardware/electronics. Meaning the section that deals with the piano engine could pretty much fail completely and the synth and organ sections would still work just fine.

What your describing sounds like a thermal component failure or possibly a cold solder joint (also probably affected by thermal expansion).

There is a remote possibility of this being a poor cable connection (either loose or dirty), but most likely this is a component/board failure that will have to fixed by technician.

[Kaffimusic]

As long as you dare: Open it up, do not touch any electronics before you have grounded yourself (touch a radiator for example) and check for loose connectors. When you find one, unplug it, replug it. If you see nothing, soft movements on connectors might also help. If that´s the problem, then your problem might be most likely solved. Better is the use of Deoxit, a contact fluid in spraycans. Applied to plugs, it´s quite helpful. But only when you are sure the contact is the problem.
If not, send it to a technician. There is nothing you can do. Most likely.

[grgaHR]

Thank you all for the answers, I am a servicer of audio equipment and I repair keyboards of all brands often, this is obviously a problem on the digital side before the DA converter. It remains for me to try a factory reset, if that doesn’t help, only replacing the motherboard will be the solution.

[Kaffimusic]

Okay then, maybe you´d like to talk to someone who is experienced with repairs of Nord instruments. I know the guy who does Kurzweil and Nord in Germany. He seems to be pretty experienced. He is well known and respected among Kurzweil musicians, his name is Achim Lenzgen. Maybe, when you ask him he is willing to give you some hints. Look here:
https://www.synthesizerservice.de/kontakt/

EDIT: Use this link, some english description. Contact on the site below.
https://www.synthesizerservice.de/unternehmen/

[Projet Xion]

I just had a similar problem with my Nord Piano 4 tonight but not after 1 minute, after 10 hours.

The piano engine suddenly crashed and all the piano programs sound like a bad noisy synth. The sample engine was not affected.

I have restarted the keyboard and everything was ok.
I have the NP4 since 5 months now and it's the first time it happens... Hope it will be the last !

[bgorman]

I'm having the same problem with my brand new Nord Grand - except it is perpetually distorted in my case (yes, it's definitely the piano, not my other gear, I'm getting it on multiple sets of headphones plugged directly into it). Resetting / restoring does nothing.

Sounds like it could need a new motherboard. Fortunately, Nord support has been very responsive!