Nord User Forum

Hi guys,

Back for more:).

I am aware that the Wheel on the NS2 can write (send) automation into a DAW.

But with my NS2 set as an external synth in Logic, the NS2 seems unable to READ the same automation back to the synth. By contrast, if I use any of the parameter ports to write the same automation (raising the volume up and down or adjusting the rotary speed on the organ), the NS2 can read the automation and play it back just fine. But when I do the exact same thing through the Wheel (and it is written into the DAW - I can see the automation taking place), the NS2 doesn't respond to the automation upon playback. I can also see the Wheel activate the parameter I want as I'm doing it.

I have set Extern MIDI A/B Send Wheel: Yes

Is this expected behavior? Is the Wheel not to be used for external synth situations?

Maybe the program is not set to respond to the wheel? The wheel itself is just a controller, so unless you set it to change something (via the morph function or in the vibrato section of the synth) you are perhaps just recording the action in a MIDI track, but this action has not an assigned function.

Another possibility is that your DAW might be set to filter out wheel data on playback.

My NS2 is packed up right now so I don't have an easy way to test this, but the manual has a section about recording with a sequencer. "The effect parameters, the performance controls (pedals, Pitch Stick etc) and the Morph will be transmitted on the Global MIDI channel, and should be re-routed in the sequencer to the individual Instrument channels." Does your MIDI sequencer have a monitor that displays raw MIDI data in realtime? If not, you should fire up MIDI-OX for Windows, or MIDI Monitor for Mac, and play around with those to familiarize yourself with how they work. You could then try assigning different morph functions to the mod wheel and see what gets transmitted when you move the wheel. The quoted section of the manual seems to indicate that the mapped function CCs will get transmitted, but perhaps not on the MIDI channel you're expecting them on. I'm curious about this myself and would go test it right now if my NS2 was accessible.

Hi, sorry for the delay:

Mr_G: The wheel is definitely controlling the volume parameter as I'm recording. I can see it moving when I adjust the wheel.
RedLeo: I checked the "input filter" section of the Project Settings in Logic and everything is unchecked.

OBDave: I think you are onto something! The modulation CC data is indeed being recorded on Channel 1 (my Global Midi Channel) even though I have Midi Piano A set to record to Channel 3. Ok that part makes sense!

But here's the stumper: Why is it that if I re-assign the CC data I recorded in Logic from Ch 1 to Ch 3 (Midi Piano A), the NS2 doesn't play back the automation?

Have you tried muting all MIDI output from Logic except the offending wheel data and observing the Stage's MIDI receive light to see whether or not the Stage is receiving the data from Logic?

Also you could check any *output* filters in Logic. Clearly there will be nothing wrong with your input filters as you can see that Logic is indeed receiving the wheel data ok.

I had to recently create an 'Environment' in Logic 9 to get it to reliably talk to my Stage 2, Kronos and the Mac's IAC bus on separate outs and channels. Don't understand why I couldn't just choose an out from a channel strip - but, there you go...

The filter things did nothing for me... Had to create external instruments (even for the internal bus) from Environment and paste them over the channel strips in Arrange. All's works fine now!