Nord User Forum

Hello

Would like to use headphones at the same time when external output lines (L/R) connected to main AMP device or mixer. How to control the headphone volume levels separately from the volume control of AMP -lines ?

Nord Electro 6

Hi and welcome to NUF,

this is not available on Nord keybords (HP volume is always linked to main), so the simplest solution is to use an external passive stereo volume control for the heapdhones (DYI or there are some knobs/cable available in the market that do the same, example KGUSS Mini Active Volume Control Knob, this has mini jacks but there also models with standard jacks).

thank you very much !

maxpiano wrote: ↑25 Feb 2025, 13:19 Hi and welcome to NUF,

this is not available on Nord keybords (HP volume is always linked to main), so the simplest solution is to use an external passive stereo volume control for the heapdhones (DYI or there are some knobs/cable available in the market that do the same, example KGUSS Mini Active Volume Control Knob, this has mini jacks but there also models with standard jacks).

Depending on your setup, you may need a headphone *amp* instead of a passive control, as some headphones want a really strong signal to get loud enough, and you'll end up overdriving your main amplification if you use the main keyboard volume to do that.

Some headphones have built-in volume controls. We used them a lot in special ed. Admittedly they are not audiophile in appearance, and can be a bit bulky.

In the rehearsal room, I use a headphone amp (Behringer Powerplay P2) to control IEM volume directly on the body. But that needs batteries and provides rather advanced fidelity instead of ultra-top sound.

What's your use case? I don't know of an ideal keyboard mixer with headphone amp included for live use - but there should be.

FZiegler wrote: ↑25 Feb 2025, 19:33 In the rehearsal room, I use a headphone amp (Behringer Powerplay P2) to control IEM volume directly on the body. But that needs batteries and provides rather advanced fidelity instead of ultra-top sound.

What's your use case? I don't know of an ideal keyboard mixer with headphone amp included for live use - but there should be.

The Flow 8 would be my vote for "best budget keyboard mixer" https://www.behringer.com/product.html? ... e=0603-AEW

I don't use it, but I know people who do.

It has two separate mono monitor outputs, which (with a cheap adapter) can be used for stereo headphones or IEMs. Sound quality is surprisingly good, build is heavy/solid, the FX are nice, plenty of inputs, XLR out for the PA -- and it stays put on top of your keyboard.

And, since it's from Behringer, it's very inexpensive.

I do use the Flow-8 for rehearsals. Why I don't want to recommend it to everyone: The power connector is a microUSB type plug - maybe not totally reliable for tour conditions; and the noise level is absolutely fine for live use, but maybe not for studio environments. Something a hobbyist like me might use.

The price -- on the other hand -- even dropped since I got it: It's almost ridiculously inexpensive.

I use Behringer Powerplay P2 - Perfect for personal monitoring and handy device!