Nord Piano sound "buzz" at higher velocities

[Topcat]

Hi there

I'm currently recording using my Nord Stage88 EX.

I have noticed that when I play high velocity notes, the grand piano samples make a slight "buzz" sound. I'm recording midi (for editing purposes) and then audio as well. I'm able to get rid of the "buzz" sound when adjusting note velocity via midi, so the problem seems to be pointing to the Nord samples. Have they added reverb or something to the samples at higher velocity?

I've EQ'd the sounds by adding more bass and reducing the treble, to try and get around the issue.

This problem occurs on all audio devices: Yamaha HS80 monitors and AKG K271 Mk11 headphones. I record using Logic Express.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Thanks for your help, to anyone who can shed some light on this.

Tracey

[maurus]

Obvious question: Is the buzz also there if you plug your headphones/monitors directly into the Nord Stage and take off the recording device? if it's not, then you probably have some kind of adaptation problem between the Stage and the recording device.

[Hanon_CTS]

Hi there

I'm currently recording using my Nord Stage88 EX.

I have noticed that when I play high velocity notes, the grand piano samples make a slight "buzz" sound. I'm recording midi (for editing purposes) and then audio as well. I'm able to get rid of the "buzz" sound when adjusting note velocity via midi, so the problem seems to be pointing to the Nord samples. Have they added reverb or something to the samples at higher velocity?

I've EQ'd the sounds by adding more bass and reducing the treble, to try and get around the issue.

This problem occurs on all audio devices: Yamaha HS80 monitors and AKG K271 Mk11 headphones. I record using Logic Express.

Has anyone else experienced this issue?

Thanks for your help, to anyone who can shed some light on this.

Tracey

Hello Topcat,
Welcome to the forums

Hi Tracey,
I'm assuming that the sound is present whether the interface is connected or not.
which samples exhibit the symptom most?
Is the problem the same with all effects turned off?
Does the problem happen with a specific range of keys? i.e. (from the highest F# on up to the end of the keyboard)?

Is there any way that you could post an audio example of the sound?

Cheers, Hanon

[Topcat]

• Demo with stage reverb+EQ.mp3

• Demo with NO reverb or eq.mp3

• Notes demo NO reverb eq or 1.mp3

Hi Maurus - thank you for your quick response. "Yes", the same issue exists when headphones are plugged directly into the Nord.

Hi Hanon - thank you also, for getting back to me so quickly.

I've attached 3 x demos of the issue. The first two are a quick snippet of piano played at varying velocities. The third one is varying velocities played up and down the mid-range octaves, as this is where I notice it. (All on the Studio Grand 2 Yamaha). Also, the issue is slightly more obvious on these MP3 versions, than on the original recordings. These recordings register at around zero DB, therefore it's not a volume issue (even though it sounds like it on these demos).

My husband and I have noted that it's registering in the left channel, when played through speakers. So, if you place your ear next to each speaker separately for comparison, you will notice the subtle "buzz" sound that occurs at higher velocities, through the left speaker.

We have tried switching the left and right input leads around, and it doesn't make any difference. The buzz still comes from the left channel. Could this possibly be a fault within the mechanics of the left channel in my Nord? (sorry, I'm not very technical:)

Since reading your reply, and I have checked other sounds and it seems the issue (very subtle) is there too....mmmmm. I have only ever noticed it with the piano samples, as that's where it has become obvious, whereas other sounds seem to 'mask' the issue.

Because the issue is subtle, it's harder to tell in the lower octaves, but the problem seems to register across all octaves. I generally play harder and stick to the mid-range, and the nature of the issue is easier to notice in the mid-range.

Tks again!

Tracey

[Hanon_CTS]

Hello Tracey,
I've spent quite a bit of time listening to the examples.
All very well recorded.
I clipped a specific note out of your examples
Would you say that the artifact is present in it?

• R_Channel_Artifact_G4_391.mp3

I hear a couple of different things:

• A rather accentuated "bright" harmonic. (normal)
• The String Resonance feature. (normal) "this can be disabled for further testing".
• A graininess (digital distortion) more in the right channel as the note decays. (maybe related to the String Res)

I would perhaps disable the String Resonance feature and re-evaluate.
I would also select Mono mode and re-evaluate, as this should decisively rule out a hardware issue.

Cheers, Hanon

[RedLeo]

I have listened carefully to all the included recordings (primarily on a pair of AKG 701 headphones) and I must admit that I'm unable to hear anything out of the ordinary. If the problem can be heard when using headphones directly attached to the Nord, this would seem to rule out an external cause.

Is it possible that the buzz that is being heard is simply the brighter harmonics added at high velocities? If the piano samples were recorded in stereo (which I'm assuming to be the case) then the left-right location and movement of any harmonics could be part of the original recording/sampling process.

[titanium]

Its probably the samples

[titanium]

I have listened carefully to all the included recordings (primarily on a pair of AKG 701 headphones) and I must admit that I'm unable to hear anything out of the ordinary. If problem can be heard when using headphones directly attached to the Nord, this would seem to rule out an external cause.

Is it possible that the buzz that is being heard is simply the brighter harmonics added at high velocities? If the piano samples were recorded in stereo (which I'm assuming to be the case) then the left-right location and movement of any harmonics could be part of the original recording/sampling process.

This is very likely because most of the grand pianos have this.

[Topcat]

Firstly, my apologies for the delay in responding to your replies. We had interstate guests staying with us a few days and also received news of a bereavement in our extended family; hence things have been quite 'full-on' the last few days.

Secondly, thank you Hanon for your detailed reply and help. I listened to the clip, and 'yes', that's captured the correct snippet of sound issue I've been having. I have appreciated the feedback from yourself, 'Titanium' and 'RedLeo'. All your explanations have helped to put my mind at ease that there's nothing wrong with my Nord. Also, it has has helped to explain the Nord samples to me. I thought it was just me noticing these issues, but I'm guessing this is simply one of the limitations when using digital rather than the real thing! (I have very rose-coloured glasses for my Nord, so I'm slow to acknowledge it has any limitations:)

We're looking into the possibility of being able to eq the "buzz' noise out of the final recordings, during the album mastering process.

Once again, thank you all. I appreciate all the time you have put into helping me work through this issue.

Tracey