Linking Nord Rack 2 and Edirol PCR-300

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

Hi there, I'm completely new to both here and Nord synths
I recently got a 2nd hand Nord Rack 2 and I'm having trouble setting it up to work with my midi controller, PCR-300, I've read through the manual and tried what it says in there but still have had no luck
Could someone give me a guide as to how to do this? it would be a huge help, as i said I am completely new to Nords and hardware synths in general so please be patient haha.
Cheers,
Dubmission

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

Dubmission

I tried to download the Roland PCR-300 User manual, but no luck...

I assume you know how to set the Midi Out channel on the controller.
All you have to do is set the Slot you want to play to the same Midi channel by pressing [Shift+Unison(=MidiCh)] and scroll using up and down arrows to the right number.

Wout

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

Yes I've tried those, and tried changing the global midi channel from 1-16 with no luck either

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

No need to change the Global Midi, though. You'll need this only for Program Change and uploading Patches...

There is a Midi cable going from the Controller Midi Out to the NordRack2 Midi In? This cable is not broken? You can test this using a softsynth on the computer.

The Controller has 32 Midi channels, which means this is 2x16 channels?
Could it be the Controller sends on a channel the Nord doesn't have? (I'm not able to download the User Manual... Sad

)

No Nord Midi channel is set to 'off'?

Wout

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

I found a link to download the manual here http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/om.cfm?ln=en&dsp=0&iCncd=2163
I am not sure how to get to the other 16 midi channels on the keyboard so that might have something to do with it, and no midi channel on the nord is switched off, I have tried it over every 16 channels on each ABC+D

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

Well, that was the link I used, but nothing is happening... Only a purely white screen... (I singed the agreement)

Is there a way to find out if the Midi works, knowing it's your first hardware? Did you see or hear it work, knowing it's second hand?
Is the C4 knob functional?

Wout

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

How strange, I downloaded it without any trouble

I have the nord going through an interface into my mac and it's picking up midi-in signal from when I press the trigger button on the nord
The C4 nob? which is this
And I have had the nord functioning excellently recording audio (spoke to soon however, as now that's messing me around!)

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

Has the manual helped you any further?

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:

Njet yet...
Believe it or not: my Acrobat Treader needs to be updated first Smile

Wout

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

Haha
Damn acrobat!

milan · Joined: Feb 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Cluj - Romania

Hy, I'm having the exactly same problem with my NL2 and PCR-500. I can not trigger synth sounds with my controller, although the connections and the midi channel selections are ok.

Any progress on your sides ?

Regards,
Milan

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:28 pm Post subject: Re: same problem here

Milan

milan · Joined: Feb 26, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: Cluj - Romania

I really don't know, it is the first time I try to control a synth with my PCR-500. But I'll investigate. This should be very easy, I guess that we just miss something.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:38 am Post subject:

timfurnish · Joined: Feb 27, 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Louisville

Hello. I see that some of you are having similar issues as I am. Allow me to describe my setup.

I've got a Edirol PCR-M50 hooked up via usb to my Mac G5. I also have a Motu Midi Time Piece AV USB running via USB.

In Digital performer 5.13 i set my PCR-M50 as input and Nord 2 as output (configured just as all my other synths) My MTPAV shows that it's receiving MIDI data on the port I'm sending to, but no sound.

I can easily change the output to any other synth, and it receives and sounds off fine.

If anyone finds a solution to this, I'd be greatly appreciative. I suspect it has to do with some thing associated with how midi channels are allocated in the Nord programs.

Thanks,
Tim

Wout Blommers · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject:

timfurnish

It's a strange thing...
What is different in all these set ups which causes this behavior?
The Lead works in other conditions well.
As soon as Edirol shows up there is trouble.
Is there anyone who doesn't have troubles using this combination?
(anyway, FTM, which isn't read able... There has to be something in there which tells us how to configure those channels)

I'm going on a business trip this weekend and will be away for a week or so and if all goes well I could meet some people who know more about Midi and stuff like this then I do. Hopefully I don't forget to ask.

Wout

Dubmission · Joined: Feb 19, 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Chester, UK

I have managed to fix my problem (slightly) I have now setup my nord in logics environment so it recognises it as an external midi instrument and set the ports to my interface, now I can control it using logics caps lock keyboard or via my midi keyboard (once I have a powered USB hub that is!)