My Passive DI Box Is Reducing Volume On My Nord Stage 2

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Can anyone help? I have gig this Saturday and need to resolve!

I didn't realise until rehearsal this week, when the volume had to be pushed up to max on the PA keyboard channel, (with my Nord master volume knob also on max), that the DI box was seriously affecting the volume output from my Nord Stage 2. All the Filter, Phase buttons etc were switched off and it only reduced the volume further when they were activated.

I use an ARTcessories Zdirect Professional Passive DI that was sold as new from a v respectable music shop where I bought the Nord and all other equipment. Not being very techy they explained how I should connect the DI and mixer so I could use in ear monitors. viz:

Mono 1/4" jack cable out from NORD CH1 to DI 'INPUT'
XLR cable from DI "OUTPUT" to PA/DESK
Line out returning from PA/DESK to Mixer (line 2), for in ears band mix. (Only usually bother with this for live performances)
Mono 1/4" jack cable returning from DI 'INPUT THRU' to mixer (line 1) for my in ears Nord sound
Earphones plugged into mixer.

To test the theory that the DI was causing the significantly reduced volume, we put a line from the Nord Channel 1, directly to the PA and the volume was instantly restored. We had as much volume as was needed. To double check if the in ears monitor setup was affecting the volume I removed the INPUT THRU cable which returns from the DI to my mixer, leaving just the cable from my Nord Channel 1 to DI 'INPUT', and the volume was gone again.

Could it be that my DI is broken (only 2 years old max and looked after), or does using a DI radically reduce the volume like this. I do recall that some sound engineers on live gigs have struggled with my volume on some occasions and have replaced my DI box with one of theirs, so I can't really say for how long this problem may have been occurring.

Any ideas or advice would be really appreciated.



Sally

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

First thing that comes to my mind: have you set the attenuator buttons to 0db?

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Hi,

I believe have! None of the attenuator buttons are pushed in so they should be on 0db. Here is a link to the DI box I have, (from Absolute Music from where the DI box came from): https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/art-zdi ... 00QAvD_BwE

[cgrafx]

Its possible your having an issue with your DI. Its a fairly mid-range DI.

You can't compare plugging in the Nord directly to the board through a line-in input with a signal through a DI box. Two completely different signal paths.

You'd have to try a different DI to test that. Personally I'd look at replacing the DI.

https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html
https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html

either of these would work and you can trust they will pretty much be a lifetime purchase.

[Quai34]

Usually, on a DI, when you push IN the -20db pad, you enable it, so, to get a 0db level, you should have them outwards, not inwards.
Second, yes, Art Accessories are ok but still very basic stuff, nothing like a Radial product...
Last thing, if you sound is good directly in the main board, why do you need to use a DI?

[RichardG]

Can anyone help? I have gig this Saturday and need to resolve!

OK, very short notice

You could also buy a small mixer if you're thinking about buying anyway.
That way you can have balanced outs (stereo !) and control your own in-ear volumes.

I have a small mixer and all cables in a small case and only need 1 power-plug to run everything.
I connect my Nord to the mixer, FoH plugs in 2 XLR cables and I'm all set.

Good luck !

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Its possible your having an issue with your DI. Its a fairly mid-range DI.

You can't compare plugging in the Nord directly to the board through a line-in input with a signal through a DI box. Two completely different signal paths.

You'd have to try a different DI to test that. Personally I'd look at replacing the DI.

https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html
https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html

either of these would work and you can trust they will pretty much be a lifetime purchase.

I will check out the DI's you've recommended and hopefully get a next day delivery so I have it for tomorrows festival. (Although the sound engineers may have a spare available, its not guaranteed so I'd rather have my own). The Radial name has cropped up in various internet searches I have made on this matter and all reviews on them have been excellent.

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Usually, on a DI, when you push IN the -20db pad, you enable it, so, to get a 0db level, you should have them outwards, not inwards.
Second, yes, Art Accessories are ok but still very basic stuff, nothing like a Radial product...
Last thing, if you sound is good directly in the main board, why do you need to use a DI?

Thanks for clarifying the pad positions. Really appreciated.. I'm not techy! I'm picking it up as I go along, but yes the 0db button is outwards.

Am thinking of checking out the Radial DI today and getting it delivered for tomorrow morning before I go.

Although the volume is massive when I take a lead directly to the main board/PA I understand that to do this live would allow for noise/distortion/loss of signal etc as I will often need very lengthy cables connecting the keyboard to the mainboard/PA across stage. I also understand its needed to balance the signal and it provides electrical protection for the Keyboard... (and me)!?

I also use the INPUT THRU from the DI to return a line back to my own keyboard mixer unit for my in ear monitors. I could I guess work out a different way to configure the cables for in ears but I thought use of a DI was a must for Keyboards... Again, I'm learning as I go along!

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Can anyone help? I have gig this Saturday and need to resolve!

OK, very short notice

You could also buy a small mixer if you're thinking about buying anyway.
That way you can have balanced outs (stereo !) and control your own in-ear volumes.

I have a small mixer and all cables in a small case and only need 1 power-plug to run everything.
I connect my Nord to the mixer, FoH plugs in 2 XLR cables and I'm all set.

Good luck !

WOW this sounds really interesting. I am currently looking into going stereo and must follow this up.

I do have a small mixer already an ALTO ZMX52 ( https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/alto-ze ... PwEALw_wcB ). Do you think I could do same with this??

So your cables link the mixer to the Nord (which Nord out channels do you use for Stereo), and the sound guys 2 x XLRs plug directly into your mixer, and definitely no DI boxes on their line to the PA?? I don't suppose you could send me a link for the mixer you use could you?

Also do you mean you use just 1 plug to power the Nord and mixer or have I misunderstood. Can't imagine how one power plug provides power to both bits of equipment.

I need to travel lighter so this all sounds very interesting.

[Sal-FloydonNord2]

Its possible your having an issue with your DI. Its a fairly mid-range DI.

You can't compare plugging in the Nord directly to the board through a line-in input with a signal through a DI box. Two completely different signal paths.

You'd have to try a different DI to test that. Personally I'd look at replacing the DI.

https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html
https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/radial- ... t-box.html

either of these would work and you can trust they will pretty much be a lifetime purchase.

I will check out the DI's you've recommended and hopefully get a next day delivery so I have it for tomorrows festival. (Although the sound engineers may have a spare available, its not guaranteed so I'd rather have my own). The Radial name has cropped up in various internet searches I have made on this matter and all reviews on them have been excellent.

UPDATE:

Just ordered the Radial Pro D1 through Absolute Music and it should arrive before mid-day tomorrow so all good. Sounds like its easy for a non techy to use and very robust so should last a lifetime as you say!. Thanks for your help!