Stage classic

[Laserman1]

I have a stage classic 88. What is the best way for getting string sounds as a pad without upgrading to a stage 2 or 3? The classic does what I need as far as piano and organ but want to midi other sounds into it.

[anotherscott]

I have a stage classic 88. What is the best way for getting string sounds as a pad without upgrading to a stage 2 or 3? The classic does what I need as far as piano and organ but want to midi other sounds into it.

"Best" has many possible answers. But if you happen to already have an iPhone or iPad, getting your string sound from there would be a very low cost way to go.

[maxpiano]

I have a stage classic 88. What is the best way for getting string sounds as a pad without upgrading to a stage 2 or 3? The classic does what I need as far as piano and organ but want to midi other sounds into it.

"Best" has many possible answers. But if you happen to already have an iPhone or iPad, getting your string sound from there would be a very low cost way to go.

+1 but to connect a Stage Classic to a smartphone/tablet or computer you need a USB MIDI interface, because on Stage Classic MIDI is not available over USB, only on the traditional DIN connectors.

An alternative would be to get a "legacy" expander (e.g. a Motif ES or XS Rack would be a good option for orchestral/acoustic sounds, but there are many also older/cheaper models or other brands')

[anotherscott]

+1 but to connect a Stage Classic to a smartphone/tablet or computer you need a USB MIDI interface, because on Stage Classic MIDI is not available over USB, only on the traditional DIN connectors.

An alternative would be to a "legacy" expander (e.g. a Motif ES or XS Rack would be a good option for orchestral/acoustic sounds, but there are many also older/cheaper models or other brands')

You can adapt the traditional DIN connectors cheaply and easily, the interfaces you mention can be pretty inexpensive and simple, they don't even need power. CME has these adapters in the $20-$30 range (depending on whether you're adapting to USB-A or USB-C), Roland and iConnectivity have ones in the $40-$50 range. There are cheaper no-name ones, too.

If your iOS device is lightning rather than USB-C, you'd also need Apple's USB adapter, I prefer the one that lets you also keep the charger plugged in, the "Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter," though again there are also cheaper no-name ones. This is also the same piece you would need if you had a later Nord that did already have the USB connector. (And similarly, either way, you have to also get whatever you need to get sound out of the i-device, which varies with whether or not you're using a model that has a headphone jack.)

So even on a board like the original Stage with no USB connection, it's really not an issue to connect to the iOS device, you just need the right cables. If you already have the i-device and you're on a budget, it would remain my first choice... cheap, and you don't have to worry about the issues that can come with buying used gear. Plus highly portable (you probably have the device with you anyway),

[Laserman1]

Are you talking about using the usb cable that came with my classic that I plug into computer for connecting to nord sound manager? I’m pretty dumb as to set up. Could you tell me what I need between the Nord and laptop to get sounds and also which program downloaded to the computer to pick the sounds from.

[maxpiano]

Are you talking about using the usb cable that came with my classic that I plug into computer for connecting to nord sound manager? I’m pretty dumb as to set up. Could you tell me what I need between the Nord and laptop to get sounds and also which program downloaded to the computer to pick the sounds from.

Nope, we are talking about a USB to MIDI DIN interface like this one LINK (just one example, there are many brands/models)

[Justanotherguy]

Not to hijack this post, but do you think this cable would work for nord drum 3p/windows 10?

[maxpiano]

Not to hijack this post, but do you think this cable would work for nord drum 3p/windows 10?

Yes, it should work with no issues on Win10, it is a Class compliant (driverless) interface.

[Justanotherguy]

10-4. Thank you