Nord Grand 2: Connecting to iPad and using it as a soft synth

[vlgrand]

Hi All,
I have a Nord Grand 2. I also want to be able to play hammond sounds using B-3X (IK multimedia software emulator for iOS. Given that the Nord keyboards (I guess that applies to every kind of Nord keyboards (Stage, Piano, Elektro, etc)) do not support USB MIDI Audio interface, can somebody explain to me how to connect my Grand 2 to the iPad? If I connect USB-USB then I do not know where I am going to get the iPad audio from as I have the latest iPad pro - which only has a single USB-C port (no audio output).

Thanks in advance.

[FZiegler]

To get MIDI into your iPad, just use a USB MIDI interface cable. They exist with USB-A (ESI MIDImate eX e.a.) or USB-C plug (iConnectivity mioXC). I have no idea if you can use a second USB connection (via hub) at the same time.

[Heatha05]

There are a number of options using various kinds of USB C hub. You can find these easily on Amazon or similar. Some have an audio or headphones output and they all have a power input. This means you can connect your iPad to the hub, keep the battery charged and then connect your Nord to one of the USB connections on the hub.

Like this one :



There are many of these on Amazon. Remember that you get what you pay for!

Or - use a similar hub without the headphones output, and find a USB Digital to Audio Converter. The sound quality should be better this way.

Like this:



Again - if you pay more, you get better results.

My preferred solution is more expensive - using the Radial Key Largo connecting the iPad to the USB. And 5 pin MIDI to the Nord. This keeps the connections simple and sound quality high. But it does not keep the iPad charged.

In any of the options, your iPad on iOS26 will ask you what kind of audio connection you are using when you plug in the USB C for the first time. It is important to select 'other' and not 'headphones' because Apple try to be helpful and pre-process the audio for headphones (limiting volume). Select 'other' and set iPad volume to maximum for the best sound. Use the volume control on the Key Largo, DAC or mixer to set the levels.

Hope that helped!

[vlgrand]

Thank you all for your time and responses!
@Heatha05,
I am not able to see any of your amazon links (I am properly logged in). I decided to go with Key Largo (that solution is straight forward and is well documented in their manual). I have two keyboards that I plan to play live, so Key Largo seems like reasonable solution.

All the best!

[cphollis]

Hi All,
I have a Nord Grand 2. I also want to be able to play hammond sounds using B-3X (IK multimedia software emulator for iOS. Given that the Nord keyboards (I guess that applies to every kind of Nord keyboards (Stage, Piano, Elektro, etc)) do not support USB MIDI Audio interface, can somebody explain to me how to connect my Grand 2 to the iPad? If I connect USB-USB then I do not know where I am going to get the iPad audio from as I have the latest iPad pro - which only has a single USB-C port (no audio output).

Thanks in advance.

Playing B3 sounds from your NG2 is just a matter of cabling, as others have pointed out. Controlling the B-3X software is another matter entirely.

For most folks, dynamically controlling the sound of the B3 (drawbars, leslie, CV, percussion, swell, etc.) is an essential part of the experience. None of this can easily be done from the NG2 as none of the required controls are there.

Also, playing faster organ parts on a weighted piano keybed can be a struggle. I'm not sure if the NG2 supports high trigger either (note sounds at the top of the keypress vs at the bottom as a piano does).

It would work better if you can find find an organ-centric midi keyboard and map the controls so you can really play the B-3X software as an instrument. Here's one, there are others: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ontroller

[cphollis]

Also, I should point out that if you find yourself wanting to blend different tones together (piano, organ, synth, samples, etc.) you're a candidate for the NS4. Your NG2 would make an excellent controller for a nice NS4 Compact on top!

[Wolfgang T]

I use my Nord Piano 5 together with my iPad and the B-3X app from IK Multimedia. I connect the iPad (with Lightning port) to the NP5 using a Camera Connection Kit. For audio, I use a separate cable (the iPad’s headphone output into the audio input of the NP5).

This setup and combination is great, but typical organ playing techniques (like glissando, smears, etc.) are hardly possible on the NP5 keybed.