Nord User Forum

Hello everyone,

I need your expert light on this issue. I have a NL4 (second hand) for 4 month. For the last 2 weeks, when i try to use it it seems stuck :

- Powering up is as usual, no problem.

- Once powered on, all lights are lightin up normaly (not ALL lights, just the ones that indicate the patch values for each encoder)

- But it's blocked. If for example LP24 is selected and that I press the filter type button, nothing happens, for all encoder. However, if I turn a rotary encoder, the value will change on the LED screen once I finish turning.

- Sound is also blocked, when I press a key, a very short and low sound is heard and thats all (whatever the envellope )

HOWEVER, If I let the Shift button pressed, the LED screen start to change quickly beween some values, I think these are program names, but it so quick I'm not sure. When doing this, MAGIC, I can change value of knob normaly and pressing a key will play a sound like normal. This sweet magic is stopping of course as soon as I stop pressing the Shift Key.

- Same thing is happening if I let Copy/mirror lock pressed. This don't work if I let pressed any other key

- I tried a lot of button combo, did not change a thing.

- Could not update the firmware until I tried with SHIFT pressed. Update installed herself smoothly, but this didn't changed anything

- The problem appaired without prior obvious cause

I tried cleaning the PCB , unplugging and pluging again all cables. Next step is unmounting the lcd PCB. I need to find the proper screwdriver for that. If there is no obvious deterioration sign, I will send it to the closest audio material fixer. But the guy told me he will need at least 2 month before being able to work on my NL4.
If it's the only possibility I'll wait, but if one of you already encounter that problem,I'm at least curious to know more about this and see if that something I can handle on my own.

Thx for reading, and sorry for the unperfect grammar,
Cheers

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Nord keyboards use 8x8 matrix-type button detection circuitry.
http://www.openmusiclabs.com/learning/d ... index.html
If part of this circuitry fails, it affects other parts: For example, the circuitry contains diodes to prevent interactions between switches. If one of these diodes fails, many buttons malfunction.

I recommend not touching the LCD. I think this is a key matrix issue causing strange messages to reach the microprocessor. The Microprocessor thinks it is receiving many key presses so keeps updating the LCD.

It might be helpful to see and hear what you experience. If you are able to post a video, it might help us understand the behaviour and the problem better.

Hello Pterm,

Thank you for your warm welcome. It's much appreciated to be greeted like that when arriving in a forum.

Thank you for sharing this learning lesson with me. I'm currently learning about synth electronic, it's nice to be able to understand a bit more.

Before touching anything, I'm gonna try to understand a bit more about the architecture of the NL4.

If i'm not too bad, this post should have a video showing the problem.

Thank you for taking time to help me.

it is possible that internal multi pin jumpers are loose and need to be reseated.

I have carefully opened all of my nords to reseat connections and blow the dust out as general maintenance.

there are videos on YT on how to safely open most nords...not sure about NL4?

a can of air and a spray can DeOxit D5 contact cleaner - you might nurse this back to health easily.