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NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an External
Posted: 26 Apr 2023, 08:09
by mrgkeys
subject says it... I can't seem to turn off the KB Zone for an external layer to just send PC changes and nothing else.
edit for the obvious, I've owned every iteration of the Stage beginning with the first one in 2007. I know how to do it, it just doesn't work on the Stage 4. And the manual is not forthcoming about how to do it differently. Just wondered if any one else had any luck or has tried.
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an Exter
Posted: 30 Apr 2023, 06:05
by mrgkeys
bumping this...no one else using an external layer for Program changes only? can anyone try to turn of an external KB zone?
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an Exter
Posted: 30 Apr 2023, 11:32
by changearound
I don't own a Stage 4 so can't check this myself but on page 45 of the manual there is a section called Non-Keyboard Extern Setup. This suggests that Shift + Oct Shift should give you a combination of no zones. If this doesn't work then maybe you've found a bug.
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an Exter
Posted: 30 Apr 2023, 19:45
by missoundscape
I just tried and there is always a zone selected indeed. I don’t know if this is a bug or intended design. You could try contacting Nord support.
I always used the external section on my NS2ex for program changes, but with the NS4 you will lose a layer. So I’m using another synth as master for program changes.
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an Exter
Posted: 08 Jul 2023, 21:37
by caso12
Still not fixed in V1.12.
Can they not just make it do what the manual says it does?
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an External
Posted: 05 Sep 2025, 12:58
by nordynord
Fixed in 1.52: "Implemented KB Zone setting for Extern, where an Extern Layer is not assigned to the internal keyboard. This is indicated by only the left- and rightmost KB Zone LEDs being lit" (
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/update-hi ... te-history)
I've installed 1.54 and it is working as described
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an External
Posted: 07 Sep 2025, 22:56
by MartinJ2EX
ProgramChange has been working since I got my Stage 4 in 2023 while still using internal synth sounds - set it to “send on load”
What has been changed with 1.52 is that you can now use the encoders to send 3 separate CCs while having keyboard set to “no zone”
Re: NS4 anyone know how to turn off the KB Zone for an External
Posted: 08 Sep 2025, 08:14
by Heatha05
MartinJ2EX wrote: 07 Sep 2025, 22:56
ProgramChange has been working since I got my Stage 4 in 2023 while still using internal synth sounds - set it to “send on load”
What has been changed with 1.52 is that you can now use the encoders to send 3 separate CCs while having keyboard set to “no zone”
And, really helpfully, send sustain pedal CC64.so you only need a single sustain pedal for two keyboards.