Nord User Forum

Hi everyone! I have had my NL3 for a year and it's been a wonderful experience. The only small problem is that the large encoder with detents near the display sometimes skips one or two click. Applying a small pressure on the encoder usually makes the problem less present. Maybe it's oxidation, but I am absolutely not well-versed in electronics

It has been perfectly usable up to now but I am worried it may fail in the future. Did anyone else have similar problems? I think the replacement part should be pretty easy to source but I don't think it warrants a substitution in the state it's currently in.

Encoders skipping steps are not related to oxydation but to wear, when the frequency (amount) of steps skipped will become too high to be acceptable for a normal usage you will have to replace it.

maxpiano wrote: 06 Sep 2025, 19:32 Encoders skipping steps are not related to oxydation but to wear, when the frequency pf steps skipped will become too high to be acceptable for a normal usage you will have to replace it.

Thanks max, helpful as always. I'll stick with it as long as possible

Is that particular encode still manufactured?

I absolutely adore my Lead 3 and I have a Nord Rack 3 too. The overall UI, and in particular the specific LED rotary encoders Nord used, are incredibly intuitive compared to every other synth I own, even if they're not quite as precise. It does have a number of problems including the A/C not being properly grounded for US power, and its MIDI implementation, like all Nords I guess, is um, strange, but I love it just the same. I only wish there had been a 73 or 88 key version made.

I found something online on Syntaur and synthesiszer parts, but they don't look like genuine replacements. I hope that they will work when the time will come, I absolutely love my nl3!