NM1: Strange noise and PC connection to editor does't work

roadrunner

>>> Product: Nord Modular Rack
>>> Version: 3.03
>>> Computer: XP Sp2

I hear a strange noise via the PA when switching the nord modular on.
This noise is always present.

It stops when the midi connection to the PC (PC in/ PC out) is disconnected. The nord modular editor is not able to establish a connection to the nord modular rack.
There is no change in the configuration, so I expected a failure in the cabling or my computers midi interface.
I changed the cables and I changed my PC's midi interface. (I own a midiman and a ESI midi interface). This changes does not have any effect to the noise. I recorded a mp3 file of this noise which I attached for diagnosis.

The other midi interface of nord modular rack works normally.
It receives midi from a attached master keyboard I hear the choosen patch.

If I switch "LEDS ACTIVE" from yes to no, the strange noise stops immediately.
And I also find out, that the pattern of the noise depends of the chosen patch.
The volume is independent of the master volume knobs position.

I put my error message to the clavia technical support website. But the response from the german distributor is quite poor up to now and not helpful.
The NM1 was bought in january 2005.

Hope you got a hint for me.
Thanks in advance

modular_error_noise.mp3

Description:

The duration of the recording is about 30 seconds.
Starting at 10s I played the welcome patch sound. This dissapears afterwards.
When diconnecting the PC-out cable from the NM1 the strange noise dissapears.

Download (listen)

Filename:

modular_error_noise.mp3

Filesize:

710.92 KB

Downloaded:

482 Time(s)

blue hell · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum roadrunner.

I Listened to the mp3, this is nothing I ever heard or heard of, sorry for being not able to help. Clavia would be the way to go, they are probably closed for holidays though.

I moved this to the NM Classic forum.

Colin OOOD · Joined: Dec 11, 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Bristol, UK

I can't listen to the audio file right now but from your description it sounds like what I call 'MIDI breakthrough' - electrical/earthing problems causing non-audio signals to be passed from the instrument to the amplifier/mixer.

Try disconnecting the screen from the mixer end of the output cables from the Nord. If you're editing the Nord from a laptop, try running it on battery rather than from the mains.

This link may help:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug06/articles/qa0806_4.htm

erstlaub · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

I've heard this before,

I was convinced it was a broken soundcard for ages until i remembered the pair of midi ports on the back of the emu 1820 that I had my original NM pugged into.

I think it's down to the midi interfering in some way with the audio connections but tbh, the only way I managed to stop it, as you mentioned, was disconnection.

Oddly enough, I didn't get the same problem when using the midi ports on the front of the 1820s breakout box.

Probably not a terribly useful post for you but at least it makes you feel not alone.

Best wishes.

D

roadrunner

Thank you for reading my problem description and thank you very much for your helpful comments.

I found out what the failure is. And, what should I say, it was my mistake.
The reason for the strange noise was a swap of the MIDI connection to the PC. If PC-out and PC-in are x-connected to the MIDI interface this strange sound occurs. And - of course- that's the reason why the editor hasn't worked.
I am very sorry for confusing you.

Now I'm ashamed about my silly failure and stealing your time.
But no failure is so bad that it couldn't be helpful.
Lessons learned:
When you hear strange noise, check your also the midi cabling.

I never dare to dream this, because the midi connection is opto-coupled between devices.

Thank you.

blue hell