This is a weird bug -- but it's caused by a "hidden" mode or some incorrect internal state.
The thing is that you can get it into a mode where the LED's are all off but you're still in extern mode.
The other instruments switch between the combinations as pr. the split; for instance in M-split mode, shift+zone select cycles through **--, --** and ****. However, the external section goes through **--, --**, **** and ----. In the --- mode, all LEDs are off, but it works just like ****. When you're in the non-split mode, there are two modes: The normal **** and a weird ---- mode that works just like the **** mode, but has no LED's lighting up.
When you enable or disable the external section, the main display shows the current state as "Extern on" or "Extern off". If you're in "Extern off" mode and press the on/off button (i.e. without the shift), it will switch the section on. If you press the key again (without the shift), it will go off. It does so all the time on my NS3.
If you're in "Extern off" mode and press the shift-zone select button, then you will just go to "Extern on" (so it works just like the unshifted button). If you're in "Extern on" mode and press shift-zone select, then you will cycle to the next switch point combination.
Antago wrote:Sure!
Select Patches: NS3 A:01 Royal Grand 3D; Electro 1:1 Grand Strings
Press extern (4 zone lights on), play the NS3, now the strings from the electro come in.
Press shift + extern (4 zone lights off), play the NS3, the electro strings still come through (where I would expect none).
You should not press shift+extern to switch it off

Just press shift again -- which will switch it off the extern section.
When you press shift-zone select you don't switch it off; have a look in the display when you press the button. There is no "Extern off" message. Press shift-zone select again, and you're still in "Extern on" mode (but now you've switched back from the hidden ---- mode to the **** mode.
press split
press shift extern (bottom 2 zone lights on), play the NS3, electro strings on the lower split point, none on the upper.
press shift extern (upper 2 zone lights on), play the NS3, electro strings on the upper point, none on the lower.
press shift extern (all 4 lights up again), play the NS3, strings on all zones.
press shift extern (all 4 lights off again), play the NS3, strings on all zones, where I would expect none.
Yep, here you're still in "Extern on" but have selected the "hidden" split mode of no LED's that work just like the all LED's lighting up.
So: It's a very confusing bug, but easy to work around: Enable or disable the external section by pressing the unshifted on-off button in the external section. And when you change the zone selection, make sure you never leave the instrument in the no-LED lights up.
I hadn't notice because I always press the unshifted button to enable or disable external mode.
I'll add it to the bug list...