Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Everything about the Nord Electro series; features, specifications, how to operate, and questions about technical issues.
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Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by Davek »

Have a strange problem that I can't solve. I have an Electro 5D, and play both electric guitar and the Nord in my band. During shows, I'll sometimes be required to play guitar while standing in front of or near the Nord. When I do, the Nord is creatong some major interference with my Telecaster's single coil pickups, resulting in the most God-awful hum and noise through the PA or amp, whichever I'm using. I have fully shielded my Tele, which entailed appliing conductive paint and foil to the cavity. It is virtually noiseless when I'm not in close proximity to the Nord. The only solution I can see is to turn the Nord off when I am not using it during a gig on songs where I'm playing guitar.

Is there anyone out there experiencing the same issue? I am looking for any suggestions to shield the frequencies/interference that are coming from the Nord. It's almost bad enough to make me consider selling it, which would suck mightily.

Thanks!

Dave
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by Davek »

Well, I did some digging here on the forum for similar experiences in Nord-land (gotta remember to do that first in the future), and found several that are is identical. Appears to be without a solution. [emoji31][emoji34]


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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by Eumel »

Hi,

I can't believe that this is normal. Have you checked out if you have the same behavior with another Nord keyboard? I'm pretty sure that this is a problem of your individual instrument.

Greets,

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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by pterm »

Eumel wrote:I can't believe that this is normal. Have you checked out if you have the same behavior with another Nord keyboard? I'm pretty sure that this is a problem of your individual instrument.
It may not be normal, but this has been reported by a number of users.

I believe that the mains transformer in some Nord power supplies leak magnetic fields outside the transformer and into the space near the keyboard. Users recorded audio samples of the noise, and its definitely at mains frequency (and harmonics thereof).
Video was posted demonstrating how the guitar's proximity to the Nord increased the noise level.

It's certainly real, and one of Nord's weaknesses.
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by rudiratlos »

I have the same problem, described it last year in a post; It's a weakness of the nord power supply, and there's still no solution. I'll try to keep the best distance with my guitar to the power supply of the NE5 to minimize the electrical interferences.
Here my post and the reactions to it:
http://www.norduserforum.com/nord-elect ... 10977.html
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by Lee Batchelor »

Here is a wild stab in the dark folks.

Back in the 60s, my dad experienced the same issue with the gear of the day - recording and sound equipment. These were the early days of component stereo. I forget the exact scenario because I was only about 10 years old, however, I remember him mentioning he used a sheet of 1/4 inch aluminum between the two devices to scramble the magnetic field. I'm unsure how this could be applied between the Nord and a Tele. I'll probably be told that it is not the right answer, but it worked for him. Now that I think of it, I think dad had the hum issue when he had a turntable on one shelf and a tape recorder on the shelf beside it. He placed a vertical piece of aluminum between the two devices, glued to one of the vertical shelf walls separating the two devices. The hum was gone. Not sure how this could be implemented with a Nord and Tele. Perhaps you could have someone hold a piece between the two devices to see the affect. I believe aluminum foil may work too. At this point, I suspect you're willing to try anything :).

Are there any electrical engineers out there in Nordland?
Last edited by Lee Batchelor on 30 Jan 2017, 15:03, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by Mr_-G- »

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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by skydogg »

Weird timing on this. The bass player (who also does some keyboard work) in the band before us at a show this past weekend, when he saw I was using a nord told me that he used to have a Nord too. Unfortunately he had to send it back because of the terrible noise that would happen if he stood to close to it with his bass on.
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by pterm »

Lee Batchelor wrote:Back in the 60s, my dad experienced the same issue with the gear of the day - recording and sound equipment. These were the early days of component stereo. I forget the exact scenario because I was only about 10 years old, however, I remember him mentioning he used a sheet of 1/4 inch aluminum between the two devices to scramble the magnetic field. I'm unsure how this could be applied between the Nord and a Tele. I'll probably be told that it is not the right answer, but it worked for him. Now that I think of it, I think dad had the hum issue when he had a turntable on one shelf and a tape recorder on the shelf beside it. He placed a vertical piece of aluminum between the two devices, glued to one of the vertical shelf walls separating the two devices. The hum was gone. Not sure how this could be implemented with a Nord and Tele. Perhaps you could have someone hold a piece between the two devices to see the affect. I believe aluminum foil may work too. At this point, I suspect you're willing to try anything :).
Similar idea discussed in post45096.html?hilit=mu%20metal#p45096
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Re: Noise - what's a guitarist / keyboardist to do?

Post by qreative »

I play a Nord 5 and guitar in a band and I have no issues with noise. I always make sure that my guitar amp and pedals are in the same outlet as the Nord.
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