Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

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basnettd
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Joined: 11 Jun 2025, 00:03
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Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

Post by basnettd »

Anyone suffered no MIDI output by virtue of a configuration error, (MIDI In works OK)?

Nord Tech Support (Jam Industries - Canada) kindly suggested this diagnostic checklist:

- confirm MIDI Out is enabled.

- ensure MIDI Output is set to "MIDI DIN" or "MIDI DIN + USB".

Note: there seems to be no way to access this system setting either on the Grand 2 console or via Sound Manager

THIS IS WHY WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THE FORUM FOR HELP

Are we missing something simple?

- MIDI Channel Assignment
Make sure the instrument is set to transmit on a valid MIDI channel (1–16). If set to “Off” or “Global Only,” it may not send data from the keyboard.

- Local Control. If Local Control is Off the keyboard won’t trigger internal sounds, but it should still send MIDI. However, some setups disable MIDI Out when Local is off—try toggling this setting.

- test with Another Device. Connect the Nord Grand 2’s MIDI Out to another MIDI-capable device (e.g., synth, MIDI interface). If the other device receives no signal, the issue is likely hardware or configuration.

- try a Factory Reset: Back up your programs and perform a reset using Nord Sound Manager

- ipdate or Reinstall OS: Re-flash OS version 1.22

At this point we believe we have a dead UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) on the PCB even though the voltage between pins 4 & 5 is ~3VDC.
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FZiegler
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Re: Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

Post by FZiegler »

basnettd wrote: 21 Jul 2025, 19:50 - confirm MIDI Out is enabled.
I don't have a Grand 2, but like you, I don't think the Grand 2 has this setting - it looks more as if the beginning of this checklist is a little outdated.
basnettd wrote: 21 Jul 2025, 19:50 - ensure MIDI Output is set to "MIDI DIN" or "MIDI DIN + USB".
Former generations of Nords did have that setting, but newer models always run MIDI and USB at the same time. Did you, however, check with the USB cable unplugged?
basnettd wrote: 21 Jul 2025, 19:50 - MIDI Channel Assignment
Make sure the instrument is set to transmit on a valid MIDI channel (1–16). If set to “Off” or “Global Only,” it may not send data from the keyboard.
There is only one channel on the Grand 2 for both In and Out. If In works, Out should do as well. What about USB MIDI data? Did you check with a MIDI viewer on your computer? Anything to be received?
basnettd wrote: 21 Jul 2025, 19:50 - Local Control. If Local Control is Off the keyboard won’t trigger internal sounds, but it should still send MIDI. However, some setups disable MIDI Out when Local is off—try toggling this setting.
Local Off shouldn't have anything to do with that problem - in contrary, Local Off exists in order to control an external sound engine via MIDI.
basnettd wrote: 21 Jul 2025, 19:50 - ipdate or Reinstall OS: Re-flash OS version 1.22
This could always be an idea. This item seems to be the only one that's model specific to the Grand 2.
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cphollis
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Re: Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

Post by cphollis »

The menu to check MIDI settings is on page 29 of the manual: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/wt/docume ... tion-B.pdf

All Nords transmit midi by default unless it's turned off. Not something that "breaks" unless hardware gets damaged.

My guess is that it's something else: cable, midi receiver, wrong midi channel, etc.
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Pianoman23
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Re: Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

Post by Pianoman23 »

Did anyone figure out the Grand 2 midi out problem?... I poured over every possibility for a week... which is basically repeating (head bang against the wall) routines... please don't suggest updates or system reboots or midi pages... my tech has had it for a month now and been on the phone with Jam industries trying everything... now it's suggested to ship it back across the country... was SO hoping for an infantile (dumb guy) fix... yes??>.. no???

midi IN works fine... NO midi out... so frustrating.. brand new keyboard... anyone pursued the warranty angle?

cheers..

ps... I have 2 stage 4s and another nord grand and ALL work fine out of the box...ugh...
Pianoman23
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Re: Grand 2 - No MIDI Output

Post by Pianoman23 »

I have spent 6 months now going back and forth with JAM and my tech here and now TWO rounds with a tech in Surrey and replaced the main circuit board today which also did NOT fix the problem so he put the old circuit board back in. (saving JAM $1800... JAM has been very good to me btw it's just perplexing this MIDI out thing>> ). and like you said... PLEASE stop telling me to reboot... go to the midi page etc... we have spent DAYS on this SOOOOO>>>. the tech in Surrey is going to Tom Lee music tonight to check the Grand 2 they have there... and if the midi out does NOT work then...????.. I'm guessing it doesn't work on ANY grand 2s. so WHY doesn't it work?.. the MIDI IN works just fine.. USB does too...

anyhow... I NEED midi out from all my MAIN keyboards... yes.. I have the Grand as well... works just fine... I have TWO stage 4s... works just fine... For a product this exalted and revered and PRICED?... this is SO unacceptable... SO frustrating ... bought mine in march and have not been able to perform with it yet... OR if I have I've had to skip all my vocoder parts in the show. we'll see??? I guess/???

Andrew johns.
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