Nord User Forum

I'm trying to configure my Nord Stage 4 so my wife can use it to learn piano through an Ipad. The objective, of course, is to have her hear both the Ipad/Flowkey lesson and the Nord Stage 4 through professional headphones out of the 1/4" jack of the Nord.

But having a big problem with the connections. Our new Ipad has only a USB-C out, no headset 1/8"/3.5mm out.
I bought a USB-C Hub that has the a 3.5mm out so I connected both (1) the headset cable via the hub to the "monitor in" of the Nord, and (2) the Midi Out of the Nord (USB-B) to the hub ... with both going into the Ipad.

It works but the mix is terrible, there is intermittent static on the line, and the whole thing is wonky (unstable). Can you recommend a better solution or a mixer that works better for this purpose?

Greatly appreciate the help. Chakulan

Hi. Welcome to the forum.
The topic is already discussed in this thread: nord-stage-forum-f3/stage-4-monitor-inp ... 23970.html

Chakulan wrote:I'm trying to configure my Nord Stage 4 so my wife can use it to learn piano through an Ipad. The objective, of course, is to have her hear both the Ipad/Flowkey lesson and the Nord Stage 4 through professional headphones out of the 1/4" jack of the Nord.

But having a big problem with the connections. Our new Ipad has only a USB-C out, no headset 1/8"/3.5mm out.
I bought a USB-C Hub that has the a 3.5mm out so I connected both (1) the headset cable via the hub to the "monitor in" of the Nord, and (2) the Midi Out of the Nord (USB-B) to the hub ... with both going into the Ipad.

It works but the mix is terrible, there is intermittent static on the line, and the whole thing is wonky (unstable). Can you recommend a better solution or a mixer that works better for this purpose?

Greatly appreciate the help. Chakulan

Hi, I suggest to avoid using the 3.5mm out provided by the hub and go for a good USB audio card and/or small mixer with USB Audio

Looking at mixers, Yamaha AG03 could be a nice option or (if you want to stay cheaper) one of the small Behringer Xenyx mixers with USB audio, like the Q502 USB. You will connect the mixer via USB to the iPad (through the USB-c hub) and use it also to mix the Nord outputs, so avoiding to use its Monitor IN.

maxpiano, thank you very much. Could you explain the "USB audio card" solution. I'm looking for the least # of hardware units/more streamlined option. Cost isn't really a worry if I can get this working. Again, thanks for your reply and input.
Chakulan

Here’s an easy and cheap solution that I’ve been using for a year now on both a Stage 3 and 4:
It connects directly to your USB-C equipped IPad and you’ll use a stereo 1/8 cable from that to the monitor in port of the Stage. You’ll need a USB-A to USB-B cable (known as a printer cable typically) from the device to the Stage if you want to send and receive MIDI.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/392315496183?m ... media=COPY

Chakulan wrote:maxpiano, thank you very much. Could you explain the "USB audio card" solution. I'm looking for the least # of hardware units/more streamlined option. Cost isn't really a worry if I can get this working. Again, thanks for your reply and input.
Chakulan

Well it is just a USB Audio Interface (I said card but that's the more appropriate term) of the size/cost you want to go for, starting from things like a small and cheap Behringer UCA202/UMC22 and up. The key requirement is that it must be USB Audio Class Compliant (i.e. driverless and/or explicitly stating it works with iOS/iPad).

However, you can also try what StuartR suggested (basically a more compact version of the hub you have, but maybe that 3.55 audio output works), but before anything else... check the problem is not actually related just to the cable you are currently using to connect your hub audio out the NS Monitor IN

Found this attached schematic for wiring mixer with an iPad and keyboard. Does this make sense --

Chakulan

P.S. Sorry just not very technical

Not in your case, as you can see the iPad in that diagram is supposed to have a heapdhones out.

It is much easier:

1) USB Mixer/Audio Interface (USB Type B port) -> (USB Type A port #1) USB-c Hub (USB-c cable) -> (USB-c port) iPad

2) NS4 (USB Type B port) -> (USB Type A port #2) USB-c Hub...

then for audio you have 2 options

3a) NS4 OUT 1/2 to Mixer/Audio Interface stereo input + headphones connected to Mixer/Audio Interface Heapdhones out.

3b) Mixer/Audio Interface stereo out into NS4 Monitor IN + headphones connected to NS4 Headphones out.

But before going any further: have you tried a different cable to connect your current USB hub 3.5mm audio out to NS4 monitor IN?