How to Fix Bad Sound Quality NS3 + Focusrite 2i2

[abnerrobles]

Hey all! I’ve been wanting to record some stuff using my 2nd Gen focusrite 2i2. Right now I have 2 TS cables coming out of my NS3 and they’re plugged into the 2 inputs on the interface. But the sound is much lower quality than when I have my headphones plugged into the keyboard. I have my headphones connected to the 2i2 and I’ve tried panning both inputs in my DAW (Ableton) this helps but still sounds hollow and thin. What could I do to fix this? Would I need to use 2 TRS cables instead? All help is very appreciated.

[Berretje]

Hi!,

Marc (from My Keys To Music) has published a video about how to connect your device to a audio interface

• Make sure you have selected the "line" level switch on the interface (as mentioned in this Focusrite article).
• Connect the Stage 3 with TS cables to your interface (you don't need TRS cables because the output of the Nord Stage 3 is not a balanced output)
• Make sure to properly gain your left and right signal (play and make sure it the led doesn't go red using the gain knobs)
• In the Focusrite Control software make sure you are panning the 1st channel to the left and the 2nd channel to the right. Or select them as stereo pair (1-2).

[PASH17]

Hello,

I was having the same issue. One thing that made a HUGE difference to me was some changes the Focusrite control software.

Rather than having two mono inputs panned to L and R, I added a new hardware input as stereo 1/2. This made the sound so much better. I don't fully understand as I thought this would be the same as Mono 1 / Mono 2 separately panned to L / R.

I hope this helps.

Joe

[PASH17]

Just to follow up. Doing this change to Stereo 1/2 input as I previously mentioned has made the sound identical to how it is when I plug directly into the Nord headphones slot.

[Mr_-G-]

Interesting, can you record an example with both settings? Thanks.

[florence]

I changed my 2i2 2nd gen to the 3rd gen. This allows to select the Direct Monitor from Mono to Stereo and this was a game changer for me. Now I have the same sound from the 2i2 headphone output and the Nord direct headphone output.