Nord User Forum

Hi guys,

I've recently had my eyes opened to the incredible MIDI capabilities of the Nord Stage, and would like to start implementing them in my setup. I use a Stage EX 88 and a Nord Wave and here is what I would like to do:

- When I change a program on the Stage, I would like the Wave to change programs too, e.g. If I select patch 4 on the Stage, I would like patch 4 to be selected automatically on the Wave. I've managed this if I set the global channel to the same as the Wave but as you read on you will see why this is a problem. Ideally I would like to avoid having to use the program change dial in the Extern section as there is little time between songs for patch changes.

- I would like to use the Wave on some patches to control the Organ section on the Stage whilst the Stage controls a different section - I've managed this in Dual KB mode but this requires the Wave's global channel to be set to the same as the Dual KB's channel, and then if I would like to carry out the program changes like above, this means that the Wave will control all the sounds on the Stage at all times.

- I would like to be able to control some samples from the Wave with the Stage, sometimes combined with sounds from the stage, and also be able to control a different sound on the Wave with the Wave whilst I do this.

Maybe my basic understanding of MIDI is letting me down here, but if anyone reckons they can help or offer other solutions then your help will be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance
Sam

From what you posted, it seems to me you have a pretty good understanding of MIDI. Problem is, what you want seems to go beyond what a typical keyboard/synth can do MIDI-wise (not just Nords). I don't think you could do what you want without adding a component, as it seems to involve filtering (or potentially even changing) specific MIDI messages.

One option would be to stick a computer with two sets of MIDI INs and OUTs between the Wave and the Stage. You could run software to do the filtering/modifying of MIDI messages to suit your taste.

Another option might be to connect some dedicated little box between the Wave and the Stage to do this work. A company called MIDI Solutions (http://www.midisolutions.com/) might have something usable, but what you want might go beyond what their products can do. Another option would be a bit of Open Source hardware called the MIDIpal by Mutable Instruments (http://www.midisolutions.com/, he also makes the awesome Shruthi synths). There is a good chance the MIDIpal also cannot do everything you want, but the software on it is Open Source (just like the hardware) and it could be modified.

Maybe I'm making things to difficult though. I must admit I've been thinking about building something myself

Not sure if I can help here as my knowledge of the Wave is extremely limited. However I am familiar with controlling external gear using a Stage so here goes.

Put the Wave into Bitimbral mode and for the 2 slot MIDI channels set one to the same as the Stage's Dual Keyboard channel and the other to a channel which the Stage doesn't use for Global, Panel or Instrument. The Dual keyboard channel should not be the same as the Stage's Global, Panel or Instrument channels.

On your Stage, go into the External Menu make sure Program Change is set to Send, then activate the External Sections and set the Channels the same as on your Wave. Set whatever Program Change and Bank Select you require in one of the External Sections and make sure Send On load is set to Yes. This way when you call up a Program on the Stage, the appropriate Program on the Wave is automatically selected. You can also choose to send no Program Change message from the Stage if required.

By activating the Keyboard Zones on your Stages External Sections you can choose whatever combination of the Wave's sounds you want to be played from the Stage's keyboard. This enables you to do keyboard splits from the 2 Wave sounds which I believe you can't do on the Wave itself?

For playing the Stage's sound from the Wave things are a bit more tricky due to the limitations of the Wave as a controller. However, the Wave will only play the Stage's panel B if Dual Keyboard is activated on the Stage. Using the octave shift buttons on the Wave you can select what region of Stage panel B is played on the Wave. For patches where you want to do this you need to create Wave patches where the Output is set to Zero otherwise the Wave's own sounds will be played. So in your example, you could use the Wave to play one Manual of the Stage's organ.

Hope this is of some help.