Wow! New Pitch Stick Options for Your Nord Electro 6 (To Control Pitch Bend)
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2024
- In this video, we learn how to use the Nord Electro 6 and an external pitch stick to create pitch bending without the requirements of a second keyboard. It requires a programmable MIDI merge device which is also explained.
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🔗 Link to programmable midi hub (merge device): blokas.io/midihub/
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Here is the situation:
1) The Nord Electro has no built-in "pitch stick" to bend the pitch. 😪
2) Out of the box, you can use an external keyboard to bend the pitch, but you also have to play the external keyboard to trigger the notes and sounds on the Electro. In other words, you can't play the actual Electro keyboard while controlling the pitch bend until...
3) This new setup lets you play the actual Electro keyboard while also controlling the pitch using an external pitch bend controller. (This new setup no longer requires an entirely separate additional keyboard just to control the pitch bend!)
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Nice. I hope they release a smaller unit. As a new Nord father (lol), I'm grateful to God for this channel & your insights.
Thank you @dare2win215 I'm not sure what you mean by releasing a smaller unit (unless you are talking about a smaller pitch stick Touché? Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.
This enlightens my world, the fact that it is possible to send and receive on different midi channels and how it works! Also a nice setup :)
@MagnusB1992 Hello Magnus! Thank you for your comment, and I'm so happy to hear this enlightens your world. It's something Nord doesn't go out of their way to emphasize, yet so many people have an understandable interest in this! On this same topic, a student taking "Master the Electro 6 course" from my website brought this solution to my attention, which I think is quite clever, and I might just have to take a look at it closer. ("Virtual Jeff" Whammy Bar): www.fomofx.com/
I’m so grateful for this channel
Thank you Tokoza Muimo! Appreciate you watching!
But why?
Thx for adressing the issue again … it‘s really one of the drawbacks of the NE6
Indeed it is. "Where is my pitch stick?!" Goes through our minds often, I think.
Great content as usual!!
Thanks Darrick! Appreciate you stopping by. Hope all is well...
@@MyKeysToMusic Yup doing well. I do quite a bit of live audio now in addition to playing live. Still posting on the channel when I get the time as well.
@@darrickkeels6387 Glad to hear it! Ya, I'm seriously thinking of putting more "performances/jams" on the channel too. As far as gigs go, I've really cut back to give me time for my side hobby (CZcams/Training). My day job keeps me very busy in the meantime!
Is it though?
OP really had purchase from a Lithuanian manufacturer to learn what midi merge is and his entire channel is about keyboards with midi functionality
Cool!
@@MyKeysToMusic Not really
@@3rdGen-MediaSorry, I may not be entirely sure I understand your first comment. I don't know what "OP" means. When you say "His entire channel is about keyboards with MIDI functionality", I'm not sure if you are referring to this channel (my channel) or someone else's channel. I'm trying to determine if you are voicing a complaint, a comment, or what. It's very unclear what you are trying to say - sorry!
@@MyKeysToMusic I’m talking about you, your channel, this video. MIDI merge is what you’re doing with the external hardware you purchased, Einstein. Similar products have already existed for decades
@@3rdGen-MediaHaha - I get it now. Yes, MIDI merge has existed for years, but perhaps not in a box that has 4 ins and 4 outs, that is completely programmable via a computer interface, yet doesn't require a computer for it to work on a gig. The box has a single button to switch up to 8 configurations, etc. 99.9% of people who watch this channel barely know what MIDI is, let alone what MIDI merge is. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones! You're not going to learn anything from me at this point, but thanks for your critical comment just the same. 👍🏻
There is a fantastic way to do MIDI merging and channel remapping and a zillion other things. IOS program called Camelot Pro version 2.
I use it 100% of the time on gigs.
It runs my set list patches and scene changes as well as being a PDF reader.
Yes, I’ve looked at it but never pulled the trigger. It’s made by the same people that make the Swam instruments. It looks awesome.
Hmmm this does seem a bit much for me, but glad to know the option's there. I tried the pitch bend on the keystep 37 the other day but found it kinda awkward. Haven't had the Electro 6 long, and only realised recently how much pitch bend would add to the kind of music I want to make. Such a bummer. This is my only big criticism of the Electro 6 so far
Hey, the pitch bend that comes with selected Nord keyboards is very effective and fairly easy to use as well. And yes, many people are critical about not having a pitch stick on the Electro. I think the decision was made to include a pitch stick only for the Nord keyboards that also have a full synth engine. We'll see what the future brings, but this is the rule they've had in place since day one regarding the Electros. Continue to enjoy your Electro for the things it's good at it!
Could you run the Nord through a pedal like the Boss PS-6 and then into the amp and use an expression pedal plugged into the Boss pedal to do this? It seems like that would work also
@sjl-nb1kw I'm not totally familiar with the Boss PS-6, however if it supports pitch bend or something like it, then yes, in theory this could work.
Hi Marc! I have one question that I can't find an answer to, maybe I missed something, but there aren't many videos on this topic in general.
If I connect a midi controller with mechanical drawbars to the Nord electro 6D and want to use it as a second organ manual, will the drawbars of the external device control the drawbar settings of the second (lower) manual? I suppose that on the Nord stage this would work thanks to the Dual KB, but since the electro doesn't have this feature and doesn't even have A and B panels, I'm not sure. Thank you and greetings!
Hello @Dominik Benda - Great question! Did you already watch this video where I demonstrate how to control the drawbars of a Nord Electro 6 keyboard via an External Controller? czcams.com/video/xYEblqZRKKE/video.html
So, after doing about 20 minutes of testing just now, I have some good news and some bad news:
*The good news:* While using "Dual Keyboard Mode" on the Electro, you can have two independent organ sounds being played from the external keyboard. In addition, those drawbars can be controlled from an external controller as well. To toggle between the drawbars lower and upper, you have to use the button on the Electro called "Edit Lower Manual". This too, can be programmed to work via the controller on CC#8. In this mode, all 3 sound engines will play from either the Nord itself or the External keyboard. If you were hoping to do all this but isolate the organ so that it can only be played from the external keyboard, you can't do that in this mode. See below.
*The bad news:* You cannot simultaneously put the Electro in "External Keyboard To Low" mode while still having all the features above. Once you put the Electro into this mode, you lose the ability to have the drawbars controlled from an external keyboard. Since the External Keyboard to Low option works via a different MIDI channel, that MIDI channel doesn't allow for things like program changes or drawbar manipulation. It will, however isolate things so that only your external keyboard will play the organ sounds while the Nord will have the option to isolate the piano and/or synth so long as it's played directly on the Nord. In this mode, you won't hear the organ sounds playing the Nord itself. See a video on how the Extern To Low works via an external keyboard here: czcams.com/video/xf6LSm6K_cQ/video.html
So, it seems you are going to have to make a tough decision as to which method you prefer because it seems that you cannot have your cake and eat it too I'm afraid. 😅
Hey.
Would a guitar pedal work for this? Like the Bigsby whammy pedal?
Hello @threedifferentones4072. Yes and no. The Bigsby can take the audio out from your Nord and bend it. However, your audio would be mono from that point forward and your pianos and stereo effects would be somewhat diminished. You could put your keyboard in mono mode which helps, but it's not ideal. Another interesting side note is that the Bigsby can double as an expression pedal too but still requires power when using it just for that.
Hi, I have a Nord Grand and recently purchased a Genki Wave MIDI ring, in combination with CME WIDI for direct MIDI control via 6 gestures.
I can get volume to work, CC-7, but not sure about pitch bend as it’s not in MIDI section of manual and obviously doesn’t have a pitch wheel. I’m hoping you can help determine how to set it up, assuming not restricted completely by Nord.
Hello @Robin Stephenson To the best of my knowledge, the Pitch Bend option via MIDI is wholly restricted in both the Nord Grand and the Nord Piano line of keyboards. A small exception exists for the Electro series (as you see here in this video), even though the Electro doesn't have an actual stick. So, unfortunately, I have no good news to report to you here on this question. 😢
Crazy Idea: Trading in the Nord Grand for a new Stage 4 88 key would be one option if you are really missing some of these really cool synth options without sacrificing too much else. Yes, there's nothing better than the Kawaii feel on the Nord Grand to be sure, but the new Triple Sensor 88 key weighted on the Nord Stage 4 is a close second. If this is an idea you find interesting, and you want to learn before you leap, I think if you go and try out an 88 key Piano 5 somewhere. That should have a similar feel as the upcoming Nord Stage 4 since they both have the triple sensor and are fully weighted keys. I say Piano 5 because, at this time, that may be the only way you are going to get your hands on a similar keybed for testing. The Nord Stage 4 has aftertouch also built into the keys which is not on the Piano 5, so I don't know if that will affect the feel. If it does, it shouldn't be much.
Now, I wouldn't haven't mentioned such a bold suggestion to swap out the Nord Grand for a new Nord Stage 4, except that you are already toying with the "dark side" with your Genki Wave MIDI ring. - So, really, to get the most out of that ring, you should be powering a keyboard that has a full-featured synth engine. This all assumes you don't already have a synth or computer in place for use with the ring, of course. Another thought is to add a Nord Wave 2 to your rig and then connect that with your ring instead. Then, you can use the Grand for the piano stuff and light pads and use the Wave 2 for when it's time to get "serious with the synth". I wonder if the Nord Wave 2 would neatly fit on top of the Nord Grand - that's an interesting idea too!
These are just some of my thoughts to get the ideas swirling. Not sure if your budget or desire is up to these flirtations or not, but that's where my mind goes. I, too have/had an Enhancia Neova ring, so I feel like I can relate to what you are going for a bit... A ring like that can't really be fully utilized unless it's talking with a board that allows for all the synth bells and whistles such as pitch bend, vibrato, filter modulation, volume, and all that sort of stuff. My 2 cents 🎹
Thanks for the prompt response, and as expected for now.
I do love music tech and hence the Genki Wave, however I believe I chose the Grand to best match what I want out of my home keyboard, and unfortunately stretched the budget to do so. I’m interested to find out how Clavia gathers their feedback for future FW upgrades and assume this is from customer feedback somehow. Understand they can’t implement everything, and limit certain things to encourage sales of their other platforms. However some additional features like being able to utilise wearable MIDI controllers on all their keyboards for the basic functions you mentioned (like PB) would benefit everyone, and bring Nord a step closer to the competition.
I can’t see too many professionals gigging live with Genki, so those people would stick with a physical wheel plus all the other controls on Stage.
Just feel like there is a 4th dimension I could tap into with my Grand, that I (and others) will miss out on…..unless they can miraculously make something happen in FW. 🤞🏼
@@robinstephenson9938 Good questions! I honestly don't know how the folks at Nord collect feedback. They may take some hints from the Nord User Forum, which has a lot of great contributions and plenty of suggestions for future features from people using these keyboards longer than I have. But, if there ever comes a day when my influence and ideas could be part of the official suggestion pool, I welcome that. For now, I'm just a power user who loves to help the community, and I go with the flow.
I agree with you that if they extended the MIDI implementation a bit further to expose Pitch Bend and Modulation from external MIDI sources, it would set up the "4th dimension (great term) and allow the platform to flourish more in today's modern music-making world. Really neat that you mention that because it's so true and so often not discussed. With that said, I don't think any software updates will be available to make the Nord Grand work like this, however. It's probably a rare day that someone with a Genki also uses a Nord Grand, but I love that combo!
Hi Marc, what is the synth sound you use @2:25 please?
Hello @monsterjazzlicks How are you? The sample I'm using is called: "A1 The Prophet" and it should be available and installed on your Nord Electro 6.
@@MyKeysToMusic Oh wow, it sounds so great when you play it! 👍
@@monsterjazzlicks Thanks! Sounds are sometimes greatly enhanced with pitch bend. 😉
Hey. Sorry to bug you again. How did you set up the midi hub, along with the widiMaster to control the pitch bend app on the iPhone? I have the same midi hub with the desktop editor.Thanks.
@threedifferentones4072 Good news!! Here is a custom video on more of the details for the setup. I'm putting it on Patreon as it's a bit too niche for a CZcams video on the channel itself. You can find it here: www.patreon.com/posts/nord-electro-6-94636835?Link&
Please let me know if this gets you over the hurdle of making it all work...
Awesome!
This is exactly what I was looking for.
I’ll try this out and let you know how it goes.
Thanks a bunch.
@@threedifferentones4072 Excellent! Yes, I hope this gets you over the hurdle.
Does the Touche do anything else for the elector 6
Hello @Frederick Dixie good question and the answer is a small yes and a larger no. You can program the Touché to send CC messages so there may be a few odds and ends of things you can do, but so little of that would have any impactful benefit in my opinion. The Touché coupled with a Nord keyboard that has a built-in synth engine would have more use here because those keyboards have more onboard controls where you can directly manipulate the sound. To know what "odds and ends" I'm talking about, you can visit the MIDI Controller List page towards the back of the NE6 manual. There it indicates all the things you can manipulate via MIDI.
Would this work on the electro 5
Yes, this works for the Electro 5 as well. Note that the setup is slightly different. Instead of using the Low zone, you'll be using the High Part on the NE5 and you will have to set up the MIDI settings on the Electro 5 just so. The manual refers to the setup and provides details for it. Good luck!
Why no pitch stick in the Electro? If you look at the evolution of the Electro, first introduced over 20 years ago, the idea was to create a light weight keyboard that could emulate the sounds of classic electro mechanical keyboards of the 60s and 70s. In fact, the first Electro did not even include acoustic piano emulations. They arrived with the Electro 3 including the ability to play back synth samples. Things have progressed to today's Electro 6 that is pretty much a Nord Stage 3 lite. I think it will come down to marketing. If the Electro 7 were to include a pitch stick and mod wheel, would buyers coveting a Stage 3 spend less for the Electro? Hard to say but I guess we will eventually find out. If pitch bend is that important, I think the additional keyboard routed to Lo makes the most sense. You can get a small keyboard controller with pitch and mod wheel pretty cheap these days, less than a programmable MIDI merge device but your workarounds are very interesting
Hi Lou! I appreciate the insight on this. My first Nord was in fact, the Electro 3, and it was the new piano engine introduced with that model that made it a no-brainer for me back then. I agree with your thoughts where including the pitch stick (or not) may come down to where the line is drawn for marketing. And yes, controllers in general have come way down in price and you get the added benefit of now having a controller for other things as necessary. Always good to hear from you!
@@MyKeysToMusic Yeah Marc, my first Nord was the NE3-61. While I love my NE673 and Stage 3HP, I miss the simplicity of the 3. Keep up the excellent work.
@@ldifalco2010 Thank you!
I believe you are onto something there. I have tried both the electro and the stage find myself being totally happy with a electro except for not having a pitch and mod wheel and so i feel like i’m having to make the decision to spend £2k extra just for those mod wheels. It’s very frustrating and annoying! Seriously considering just getting the electro and giving up playing with a mod wheel, which feels like a shame. Or of course - just go with another manufacturer. Anyone got any good recommendations to replace an electro but with mod wheels built in? :)
@@drmeaker vivo s3 pro dexibell
How about sending the keyboard output to a pitch bend pedal?
@kerrycressman8625
Hey Kerry! That "should work". Can you direct me to a pedal that does this with a link or a website? I'm curios to see what this might look like and how it works exactly.
Hi! Thanks for the tricks but it doesn’t works for me. I don’t really understand, which midi Channel is set on the touché?
I have almost the same setup, (touché, nord, and midi solution merger) and no way..
Nord receive midi information but there is no sound.
Thanks!!
@akiagora1610 So, your touché will be on MIDI channel 1 (at least that's what I'm using in the video). You'll have to set your midi solution merger to take all incoming MIDI from channel 1, merge it, and then send it out on channel 16 (or whatever channel you want to use for the Extern to Low option on your Electro). Once you do that, make sure your Electro is set to "External to Low" and then set your synth engine to play on the low part only. After that, it "should" work for you. I suspect that there is something not quite right in your midi solution merger? You might find that you need the midi solutions "event processor" or "event processor plus" in order to translate MIDI from one channel to another. They key here is that not only do you have to merge the MIDI, the MIDI coming back into the Electro has to be on another channel. You could create a ticket with MIDI Solutions and ask them about this. They should be able to direct you on the best product to use to accomplish all this. Perhaps the MIDI merge you already have can also translate the MIDI to have it come out on a different channel? Might require their software to configure it. Sorry, that I don't have that answer right off the top of my head. I solved this with the "midihub" you see me using in the video.
Thanks for the details, I’m agree, I think my midi solution merger is the problem. It’ sa really simple box, you can’t set anything about midi chanel. However, I tried to plug an other keyboard on my electro and there was no pitch. I Check the firmware, It’s fine, so I don’t know..
Anyway, I keep going to find a solution!
Thanks again
@@akiagora1610 Hmm, it should work out of the box with another board. Have a look at this video if you haven't already seen it - I get very specific with the details on how to get pitch to work from another board: czcams.com/video/YRYJf2J4fO4/video.htmlfeature=shared
. . . and the sound @9:20, also?
Hello @monsterjazzlicks at 9:20 we're using the "Fender Precision Preamp" bass sound/sample. Cheers!
@@MyKeysToMusic Sounds brilliant!
@@monsterjazzlicks The sounds work well with pitch bend... 👍🏻
and in the Nord Piano 5?
Hello Rhafael Great question. The Nord Piano 5 doesn't have an "External to Low" option which is the only way the Electro gets away with this. Therefore, I'm 99% sure the Nord Piano 5 doesn't support external pitch bend control like this. Sorry!!
@@MyKeysToMusic thanks 😊
@@RhafaelAnastacio Happy to help. Enjoy your Nord Piano 5!
@@MyKeysToMusicIs there any solution to Nord Piano 5, theoretically?
@@smwyin3718 Hello! I don't think there is any solution for the Nord Piano 5 because it doesn't support accepting that kind of MIDI signal. The Electro on the other hand, does support this by way of the "External To Low" option. However, the Nord Piano series does not have an External Keyboard To Low option nor does it support external pitch bend in any other way. Sorry to deliver that bad news! But you do have "Glide" which is a fantastic feature that you can do a lot with when it comes to synth sounds. I was shocked they gave the Nord Piano 5 Glide but happy to know that it's there.
The lack of pitch bend and modulation is the sole reason I never considered purchasing this otherwise amazing keyboard. What the actual H* are they thinking to exclude those very important functions on an instrument that has synth and brass sounds???
@vanessajazp6341 This point is a good one and it has been a question on most minds since the Electro was invented. I think it comes down to two theories, and they both might be true:
1) The Electros don't have a true synth engine, therefore, they don't "deserve" a pitch stick or mod wheel.
2) They (Nord) want to clearly differentiate the Electros as more of a stage board than a synth. Much like a digital piano doesn't have a pitch stick, neither do the Electros...
But, the truth is, we may never know what they are thinking - these are my best guesses!
@@MyKeysToMusic I've been a Yamaha fangirl for years, but I know that Nord is king when it comes to B3 sounds and a user-friendly interface.
Every Yamaha stage keyboard ever sold (Roland and Kong, too) includes mod/pitch wheels or joysticks.
Oh well. I'll just keep waiting for Nord to come out with an electro that has those.
@@vanessajazp6341 I hear what you are saying here, and I largely agree. You may be waiting a LONG time for Nord to change their stance on this. I don't think we'll see it in our lifetime, to be honest. 😢
They want you to by the Stage 4 for $5000. That’s the reason.
You need a bigger headset mic.
Haha Yes! 😜I tried the tiny ones but they sound a bit thin, so I decided to go football coach for a while. They are very durable which is nice.
It's, uh, $400. That's a pretty hefty price for pitch bend. The Midihub is another $180. Might as well sell your Electro and get a Stage...
Hello @Eric Martin It's funny, I was thinking exactly the same thing when I was recording this video! I kept telling myself, this is "just an experiment" to see if can be done. Then I thought, just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should! So yes, the economics of this don't pan out especially now that the Stage 3 pricing is a mere $500 difference to the Electro 6 (Stage 3 73 versus Electro 6 73).