Nord User Forum

I have a Nord Stage 2 along with Mainstage. I am trying to set it up where I can either route sounds to my nord from Mainstage or play the nord and have the sounds from Mainstage come out of the computer. I am unable to figure this out how to make this happen so any help would be appreciated!!

I use Mainstage with my NS2EX76. Look in the Nord manual and study the External section. It will explain how to control an external device there. Pick a MIDI channel on the Nord. There are two types of MIDI Channels on the Nord, Global and Extern MIDI. To control Mainstage from the External section on your NS2 set the Extern MIDI channel and your Mainstage to the same channel. Depending on how you set up, it can be done with a MIDI cable and interface, or a single USB cable. I have done it both ways. These days, I use a single USB cable. By doing this you can play Mainstage from your NS2... However, the NS2(EX) is NOT a good parameter controller for Mainstage. In the Extern mode there is just not enough parameter control knobs, switches ect. You CAN have plenty of control by going GLOBAL MIDI, but then you effect the sounds of the NS2. IF you choose to NOT use the NS2 sounds (which would be a sin) you could use your NS2 as a very expensive controller... Everybody I know uses the Extern section to control Mainstage, and a separate midi control surface (such as an AKAI LPD8 or KORG Nano Control 2). I use the LPD8...
That should be enough to get you going. At least that's the way I have been doing it live, but I am always open to a better way.


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Jennifer21 wrote:I have a Nord Stage 2 along with Mainstage. I am trying to set it up where I can either route sounds to my nord from Mainstage or play the nord and have the sounds from Mainstage come out of the computer. I am unable to figure this out how to make this happen so any help would be appreciated!!

Next to smcelyea's answer is my question: what do you mean exactly with routing the sounds from mainstage to your NS2? I'm not sure why you want to do this.


Gr
Bart

You can route your Mainstage into your NS2, but it will not go to the MAIN outputs of the NS2, only the headphone. The audio input is only designed as a type of monitor/click input that mixes with the sound being played on the Nord through the headphones (kinda limited imo). I liked the set up on my Yamaha MOXF8 much more because it DOES route to the output. I often use it to run rehearsal tracks during band practice. Very handy. I have even run Mainstage through it as a layer before, BUT that's not gonna happen with the NS2EX. Nevertheless, my Nord RULES!


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You also can route the audio out of the NS into Mainstage. Make an external instrument in mainstage and hen you can make splits or layers inside mainstage even with sounds from NS. I use the external section of NS only to change patches in MainStage and use the global channel to play and control your sounds.

So, what I understand above is that the only way you can use Mainstage sounds with a Nord Stage 2 or 3 is to control the sounds through the Stage but route them from Mainstage to an audio interface then to a separate channel on your mixer?
What I'd like to be able to do is skip the audio interface step and just route the Mainstage sounds back to the Stage via USB and have the Stage then send those sounds to output channels along with its internal sounds. What I'm reading above, if anyone checks this thread, is that is not possible, correct?

I'm cool with buying an audio interface if necessary, but I wouldn't if I could get away with it...

Copia wrote: What I'd like to be able to do is skip the audio interface step and just route the Mainstage sounds back to the Stage via USB and have the Stage then send those sounds to output channels along with its internal sounds. What I'm reading above, if anyone checks this thread, is that is not possible, correct?

Correct, it is not possible.

If you want to avoid the audio interface you need at least a mixer to combine the NS and Mac/Mainstage stereo outputs together.

Thanks! The mixer would have to have a FireWire or Thunderbolt port though, I assume. I'll buy a small 2 channel interface to send to the mixer. I appreciate your helpful input!

On the Nord Stage 3, as I understand it, you should be able to take the Mainstage audio from the headphone out of the Mac, route it into the Monitor Input of the NS3 (with a single stereo 1/8" cable), and the Mainstage sound will be merged with the Nord's own sounds through the 1+2 outputs.

Really, that sounds great. I'll try that!