Nord User Forum

Hi,

I am using a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 for my personal mix and also as the interface for my iPad.
Now we have our first gig on a larger stage, a mixer desk some 20 m in front of the stage.
I am planning to send stereo outputs from the interface to the stagebox/main mixer. All outputs of the interface are symmetrical. I would use an audio cable with 1/4 inch jacks (stereo)in the interface and XLR to go into the stage box, i.e. a symmetrical connection.

Any need for an additional DI box between my Nord Stage and the interface?

Many thanks
joepno

I'm not clear what exactly you intend to do:

If the Nord is hooked up to the stage box directly, you will need a DI box.

If it runs into your interface and out through the interface's stereo output, you won't.

The nord outputs (unbalanced) go into the interface. The interface outs (balanced) go into the stagebox.

As you said, in this case no need to have a DI Box. The interface will serve as a DI box, right?

And this would be the appropriate cable for the connection interface - stagebox, right?
https://www.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cfm_3 ... _kabel.htm

Many thanks. Just want to make sure that I have everything I need.

Hmm, to me the whole setup looks a bit too much for a live gig. If I remember correctly, the Focusrite is much more intended to be an analog to digital converter PLUS a small mixing console, right? And am I right, that you have your two keyboards on stage which you want to mix? Does your iPad also play music files which have to be mixed down? I mean, if there is a real person at the foh mixer, why not have him/her let do the mixing? If the stage box has inputs enough, I would put both keyboards plus eventually the iPad in there. This would mean that you need DI boxes, but normally the sound crew has those. But after 30 years on stage, keep it simple and riskfree!

Just one keyboard and some sounds (bs-16i and sampletank) and setlistmaker/imidipatchbay (for lyrics and switching the presets) from the iPad. I control the iPad sounds with my Nord. Thats why I need an interface anyway. I know, a smaller interface would do, but the benefit of a smaller interface is negligable for me.

With the interface I can control my personal monitor mix when I receive an AUX mix ex keys.

For me it feels like a very slim setup. No additional hardware sound modules, all additional sounds come from the iPad. And no additional DI box between Nord and interface, which I have just learnt. I have used this setup several times, but only at smaller locations.

Someone who reviewed the Palmer Pan 04 DI box said he had put the DI box between his Nord keyboard and the interface. I could not understand why because as you have confirmed the interface will serve as a DI box as well. Or could I nevertheless experience humming etc. with my planned setup?

It is exactly as analogika explained some posts above: From the nord directly into the Focusrite doesn't need DI boxes. I guess it's only short distance, isn't it? And the cable as in your link above is perfect for the way from interface to stagebox.