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Key velocity on a single key (piano sounds on Electro 3)

Posted: 17 Mar 2014, 16:08
by GuyBennett
HI All
new user here
got an urgent problem I was wondering if anyone could help me with

Nord Electro 3
I have one key (E Below middle C) that has a much higher velocity to all the other keys.... its a real clanger and quite limiting.
this only happens on the piano sounds and only on the lowest octave shift .... which makes me think its not a mechanical error or contact error?
i have updated to the latest OS and have tried downloading new piano sounds but its the same for every one
any got any ideas / experience with this?
many thanks

Re: Key velocity on a single key (piano sounds on Electro 3)

Posted: 17 Mar 2014, 21:03
by Mr_-G-
Hi, welcome to the forum.
This might be a dirty key contact. Have a look here in the forum, it happens sometimes and people have posted instructions on how to clean it.
Also please there is no need to repeat the posts. I hope you do not mind, but lets keep this thread and I will delete the other one so all the answers are followed up here.

Re: Key velocity on a single key (piano sounds on Electro 3)

Posted: 19 Mar 2014, 00:36
by OBDave
There probably needs to be a FAQ because this question comes up a lot.

This is a very common problem with FATAR keybeds, which is what Nord uses. Underneath each key there are two rubber bubble contacts which close at slightly different times when you depress the key. The Nord's microprocessor measures the time difference to calculate velocity. The high-velocity note problem is caused by dirty contact(s) under the affected key. To fix the problem you'll need to take the keyboard apart and clean the contacts (or hire somebody to do it for you). Here's a pretty good video that shows you what's involved. It's for a Kurzweil keyboard, so the disassembly procedure is somewhat different, but once he gets down to the FATAR keybed the contact cleaning process is the same:

Dave

Re: Key velocity on a single key (piano sounds on Electro 3)

Posted: 19 Mar 2014, 08:35
by Johannes
I agree it is most likely a dust issue with your keybed. As OBDave and Mr G pointed out, it can be fixed by yourself, or using a service center. If your Electro still is overed by warranty, going through the official Nord service center in your country might be the best solution if you can live without the instrument for some days.
If you want to fix it yourself, check the video link posted, or here in the USer FAQ you find some links to previous posts and a detailed description of how to do it (last point in the General NORD FAQ section): http://www.norduserforum.com/nord-user-faq.php#general
Good luck!