NS2 Power Supply Creating Lots of Static

[hijlko]

As stated earlier I have exactly the same issue with a Nord Stage Classic which is from 2008 even when playing through a Line 6 POD HD Pro. I also believe it is a design issue and probably not limited to the Nord Stage 2 and therefore second the opinion of ClassicRockGuy.

[Mr_-G-]

@classicrockguy: Not sure if you did, and perhaps you know this, but I think that the mic cavities should be the most important to shield and make sure the shielding is connected to the audio ground.

[classicrockguy]

I shielded all of the cavities and double-checked ground continuity throughout with a meter. I do not believe there is anything else I can do to this guitar to make it "quieter" around the neon Nord (other than unplugging it).

[classicrockguy]

Just a quick update if anyone is still interested in this thread. My intent is for this to be my last post on this topic.

The problem remains unresolved. I have played the NS2 on stage a few times, and I hate the noise and sometimes find myself moving my position when playing guitar to avoid it. Quite a nuisance, really, and a constant reminder that there is a basic design or manufacturing flaw in the power supply. From other's similar experience, it seems this is par for the course for at least some portion of the Nord product population out there.

There have been no responses to my emails to Nord tech support. Not very impressive for such an expensive, widely used brand. I suspect they would respond something like "this is normal", but they have not even extended that much communication. At this point, I don't expect anything forthcoming ..."it is what it is".

To those considering purchasing a Nord keyboard, I suggest they audition the model they are considering in they way they intend to use it. Particularly if this type of power supply noise issue would be a problem for them like it is for me.

I suspect for most users this is a non-issue. For me, it is a big disappointment in an otherwise excellent product.

[pablomastodon]

There have been no responses to my emails to Nord tech support.

Sorry, but I must correct this record. Barry and I have exchanged numerous emails on this topic. To say that there have been no responses is simply not true.

Pablo

[neolithic]

I wonder what material that cream colour part is. Is it plastic? If so, could that be the part that leaks the noise?

It's probably a ceramic and under there will be the transformer coil which gets quite hot.

[classicrockguy]

OK, I said I was done posting, but I owe Pablo an apology.

Pablo. Apologies. I guess I did not pick up that you were official Nord tech support or that our few exchanges constituted the final "official" response from Nord. Perhaps someone at the factory would do a little testing to see if they could replicate the issue, and perhaps even offer a solution (replacement power supply?). Let me clarify that the Nord "home office" has not expressed any interest in knowing more about this, nor have they come back with any explanation or solution. You and I exchanged a couple of emails for sure, and in one of them you replied with your assumed position from Nord (in part):

"Nord's position on this will essentially be that there are very strict standards which must be met by these types of electronic devices in order for countries to permit their exportation/importation around the world. All Nord models are meticulously tested to meet or exceed these requirements and these testing results are certified by independent testing labs and on file with appropriate agencies around the world. I am able to produce copies of this documentation upon request."

Peace. But this does not mean the unit(s) are free of undesirable affects such as what I have experienced. It only means they are "legal".

Further, you replied (in part):

"It is our sincere hope that a satisfactory resolution can be found for your situation, but under these trying circumstances I'm afraid that we are not able to offer any additional insight as to what might possibly be done to alleviate this issue in your rig. We remain, however, very keenly interested in learning of any further developments about this and will appreciate being kept in the loop."

So, from this I gather I am supposed to debug Nord's issue on my own (which I have spent considerable effort trying to do), and let them know the solution which they are keenly interested in. Hmm.

You also indicated in that same note that there aren't any other reports of this problem from Nord's large customer base. Perhaps this is true from Nord's perspective, but there are others that have indicated on this very forum that they too have this problem. Regardless, the problem is real for me, it is clearly indicative of some sort of issue in the design/manufacture of at least my unit and (possibly) several others. I have no way to know if it is widespread, but since most folks don't stand in front of their Nord's with an electric guitar, it's likely most Nord users don't experience this issue. Further, with all due respect to those on this forum, not every Nord owner is represented here.

Again, my comment that there has been no response from Nord tech support was inaccurate from the perspective of our interactions. However, what is true is there has been no "official" response from Nord attempting to debug and/or address the issue (e.g. no effort from Nord beyond your notes suggesting what they would likely say, which was "our unit is fine").

On the other hand, kudos to Sweetwater for ponying up another new unit without so much as a blink of an eye so I could verify I did not have a "1-off" faulty unit.

Perhaps Nord's huge success had lead them to some arrogance, or perhaps 1 frustrated customer (who has demonstrated considerable effort to resolve the issue himself) is insignificant to their business model. Who knows. I am not naïve nor do I expect any sort of special treatment. I like the Nord products in every other respect, so much so that I kept the NS2 and am working around the issue on stage (again, I shouldn't have to). Maybe something will come of this in the future, and I will be able to switch out to a newly designed power supply or some other solution. If not, such is life.

[hijlko]

As stated earlier I have exactly the same issue (I also play electric guitar) but did not report this problem. To help clarifiying should I report my issue somewhere and if so where is that somewhere ?

I live in the Netherlands, my supplier does not exist anymore and if you don't want to put the location where to report on this forum please send an e-mail to i n f o AT h s o e p b o e r . n l .

[Adams]

Remember reading this thread a while ago. I recently was a awaiting a new Sennheiser wireless system for my acoustic guitar. I borrowed a cheap Shure one, meanwhile, and, sure enough, had lots of noise thru the PA.

The noise and hum would change character and pitch as I walked near. Not thru the Nord outs but the acoustic channel... Sennheiser one is here now and no noise at all.

Just an observation.

[pablomastodon]

"It is our sincere hope that a satisfactory resolution can be found for your situation, but under these trying circumstances I'm afraid that we are not able to offer any additional insight as to what might possibly be done to alleviate this issue in your rig. We remain, however, very keenly interested in learning of any further developments about this and will appreciate being kept in the loop."

So, from this I gather I am supposed to debug Nord's issue on my own (which I have spent considerable effort trying to do), and let them know the solution which they are keenly interested in. Hmm.

Hope I'm not beating a dead horse here...i have often said that this forum is a shining example of the best that the internet can be and I believe that. Flames are few, far between and quickly extinguished. Your very reasonable note, however, deserves a response.

The point is not that Nord expects you to 'debug their issue.' The point is that there are tens of thousands of these instruments out there all containing power supplies which are identical or very nearly so. Even after beating the bushes seeking out similar cases, these seemingly similar reports still do not number in double digits. When we first communicated it was immediately clear that your knowledge concerning audio matters is more sophisticated than that of a great many people with whom I often deal. As such, I was instantly inclined to give your observations and opinions enhanced weight. But you are the one with the guitar rig which is, for reasons unknown, producing these results. What should Nord do? Buy one each of every guitar/pickup/amp combination on the planet for testing purposes? It is precisely because 1) your rig does exhibit this behavior, and 2) you do clearly have a more sophisticated understanding of audio issues, that I expressed interest in learning whether you might ultimately discover something specific about the cause of this issue. It is as though there is an exotic and very rare disease out there. Studying healthy patients will not help to learn more about this disease. Because you have one of the very very few such cases on your hands, you are uniquely positioned to study it. I'm sorry if my note came across sounding like I was trying to impose an obligation upon you.

Bless,

Pablo