Nord Electro 2 and Roland JC 120

[PianoandDrums]

Hey everyone, first time poster. A few questions on outputs. I typically have always run one cable from the mono output to the high input in my Roland JC 120. I like the Rhodes and B3 sounds I get with the EQ and reverb. However, I've always wondered how do I get "stereo" sound without getting a whole new amp? Is there a way? Also, the high input jack on the channel with effects is the most desirable and I find myself always switching the cable out between my Nord Electro 2 and my Rhodes Mark II -- any solution where I can utilize the high input on the channel with reverb for both instruments without having to unplug and plug? I've never really experimented with a lot of the things my JC 120 has to offer or the Nord for that matter. Never have had a mixer or anything else in between my instruments and the amp. Any help is appreciated!

[maxpiano]

Hi and welcome to NUF.

From what I can read about the JC 120 https://www.roland.com/it/products/jc-120/features/, they only way to attempt to use connect something to i in stereo would be to connect (the NE2 Out 1 and 2) to the Effect Return L/R of effect loop on Channel 2, having set the Loop to Parallel and +4bDm level.

The result will depend of course on how the JC 120 treats that input, but you can try and hear yourself if you like it or not.

Using the Effect Return will leave Ch 1 and 2 inputs free for the Rhodes, I think anyway it is better if you connect it to Ch1, so that Ch2 remains dedicated to NE2 (via Effects loop).

[FZiegler]

Your Electro 2 should have line level main outs. So no need to feed it into the Hi-Z input of an amp - if it's that what you mean by 'high input' on your JC-120.

For true stereo sound, you usually need a stereo base with a width that is about the same as the distance to the speakers. The JC-120 having two 12'' speakers and two separate amps built into one case, you won't get real stereo sound out of it.

But of course, you may try to feed your L/R channels from the Electro into the main-ins (line-ins) on the back of your JC-120. As I never had a JC-120, I don't know what this gives. Just give it a try. Maybe the result isn't full stereo, but an improvement towards more vivid sound.

[PianoandDrums]

Thank you both. I just tried this -- connected the L/R out on the keyboard to the effect return L/R inputs on the back of the JC-120 (L out to L in and R out to R in). It works and I get all the effects -- of course volume control all from the keyboard now and it sounds "ok" but a little duller than when I just have the R(mono) on the keyboard going to the front high input jack. @Fziegler should I not connect to the high input jack? Should I connect to the low input jack? In addition to being louder, I feel the high input sounds better -- B-3 screams more. What's the difference between high and low? All I can find from Roland's manual is they say if you have a standard guitar you should plug into the high input. Not sure what the Nord Electro 2 would be optimal on.

[FZiegler]

No wonder the B3 screams more with the HI input jack: As the screaming is done by overdriving the gain. If you find the right setting for your NE2 main out level, it should be well prepared for distortion, too.

Concerning the dull sound: Yeah, the JC-120 may sound somewhat dull to you, as it's a guitar amp, not made for keys. But not a big problem as long as you use it for B3 and Rhodes amplification: The NE2's EQ may help, and whenever you use distortion there should be more high frequencies anyway.

Edit: If ever you want a crystal clear piano amplification, you definitely should look for another type of amps. Even not a keyboard amp, but some sort of full range amp. Cf. the amplification FAQ.

[MescaL636]

You could just run a mixer to split the Rhodes/Nord signal right and put into the output you like to use? I own a 70's JC-120 and an 80's JC-50, and used to run my Nord Electro 2 through the JC-120 for gigging frequently. The stereo amp is setup for the chorus, splitting the mono signal. Mine had no effects loop, I tried plugging in to the main in at the back but there wasn't enough pre-amp gain to drive the signal and it also sounded dull to me.

I'm not sure the exact input volumes, but the High is designed for a low level instrument-level signal from a guitar, and the Low for a hotter instrument-level signal (usually just a hotter guitar output). I always used the Low input as this is closer to line level (but still too much gain) as the volume control/EQ was far too sensitive and it was too harsh on the High input.

In fact, the best sounds I got from a JC 120 was to use a re-amp box to convert the Nord's +4dB line level signal to a -10dB instrument level signal which is what it's designed to accept, then run that through the Low input. You had to put more volume on the amp, but suddenly the EQ controls were much more effective and it took out the brittle/harshness from the JC 120. Had a sound engineer friend who suggested this and thought impedance matching might have something to do with it, but never found much info on the internet.

I like the certain style almost Jon Lord esque of the B3 and the colouration the 120 provided on the Rhodes/Wurly for rock music, but clean B3 and piano sounded pretty boxy and rubbish compared to running through a PA speaker. Would be great to split outputs on different sounds. At the end of the day, just do whatever sounds good to you though!