Input connection issue

GlowinGeometries · Post by **GlowinGeometries** » Tue May 22, 2012 2:55 pm

Don't know what's wrong with the input or if it is a feedback loop or something but when I connect my nord 2x or my little phatty I can't hear anything and its really annoying because I connect my iphone through the line input of the kaoss and it works like a charm.

This is my chain:

Nord 2x or Phatty connected through the line input of kp3. Kp3 output connected to a focusrite saffire pro 14. The synths have plugs and I use some plug to rca cables (sorry for my english).

I can hear the sound from the kaoss but with a lot of fuzz and background noise so bad I need to turn all the way up the volume and it sounds really bad.

Can you please help me address this problem? I don't want to take it back to the store as its a great piece of gear for my setup.

Thanks.
Jim

MarcusCarab · Post by **MarcusCarab** » Tue May 22, 2012 4:58 pm

My guess is that you are treating a balanced mono output as a stereo output.

What kind of cables/converters are you using for the connection? If the synth has one line-out jack with a TRS connector (plug with three metal segments, not two) then you need to convert that to a mono RCA first, then split that into two RCAs to go into the KP3. Or you can use a mono jack (only two metal segments) that splits into two RCAs. But you can't just use a cable that goes from TRS to double-RCA.

If that is what you are using (three-part metal plug on one end, two RCA on the other) then you can try plugging that into the *headphone* output from the synth (with your levels turned way down). If that works, but the line output doesn't, then my guess is probably correct and you need to change cables to use the line out.

MarcusCarab · Post by **MarcusCarab** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:33 pm

I'm looking closer at the specs on the Nord 2X. So it has 4 unbalanced outputs that can be configured in a variety of ways. So my guess above is wrong...

Still, noise must be coming from somewhere - i have connected a bunch of different stuff to my KP3 with no problems.

You don't accidentally have the KP3 in Send mode by any chance, do you?

GlowinGeometries · Post by **GlowinGeometries** » Fri May 25, 2012 1:11 am

MarcusCarab wrote:I'm looking closer at the specs on the Nord 2X. So it has 4 unbalanced outputs that can be configured in a variety of ways. So my guess above is wrong...

Still, noise must be coming from somewhere - i have connected a bunch of different stuff to my KP3 with no problems.

You don't accidentally have the KP3 in Send mode by any chance, do you?

hey marcus, thanks for your repplies, I was connecting an adapter of only 1/4 plug to 2 rca, I think that is why is having that issue. maybe a phase cancellation or something. I put them separated and I get it to work but the sound just comes from the right channel =S awkward. Do you know what is wrong? maybe its broken..

MarcusCarab · Post by **MarcusCarab** » Fri May 25, 2012 1:19 am

if your ipod works fine with the KP3, and now you've got the synths working on one channel, then it must be a problem with how the synth outputs are configured - or still a problem with how you are splitting them. I'm not really sure - but it definitely sounds like phase cancellation was the problem before. I don't think anything's broken.

The nord has four outputs. You should use two mono TS to RCA cables - one from output A and one from output B. Is that what you're doing? You can also just use an RCA y-cable and split one of the outputs into two.

GlowinGeometries · Post by **GlowinGeometries** » Fri May 25, 2012 1:29 am

MarcusCarab wrote:
The nord has four outputs. You should use two mono TS to RCA cables - one from output A and one from output B. Is that what you're doing? You can also just use an RCA y-cable and split one of the outputs into two.

Yes, I do get sound now with those cables you mentioned, each of the outs with the ins of the kaoss but get the signal in mono. the drums and synths onboard of the kaoss through an audio channel in live works in stereo perfectly fine. thanks for your time!

Kaden · Post by **Kaden** » Fri May 25, 2012 6:59 pm

Marcus, I'm really hoping your presence on this board doesn't portend the imminent arrival of a cadre of ACs...

MarcusCarab · Post by **MarcusCarab** » Fri May 25, 2012 7:37 pm

Heh

The ACs have been quieter than usual lately... here's hoping it's not the calm before the storm

GlowinGeometries · Post by **GlowinGeometries** » Fri May 25, 2012 7:59 pm

MarcusCarab wrote:Heh The ACs have been quieter than usual lately... here's hoping it's not the calm before the storm

Ok marcurs thanks a lot for your info. much aprecciated.

but something came along the process, I buy an sd card to store samples from my mac. but when I try to eject it, it says that something is using it and I can't remove it. its states and error that the device has been pulled out incorrectly and data may be lost... why is this happening? I don't have the kp3 editor open if that might be the problem and I try to shift 7 the kaoss because it says " busy" and nothing happens either.
thanks for the help!

MarcusCarab · Post by **MarcusCarab** » Fri May 25, 2012 8:05 pm

The thing I sad about ACs was a response to Kaden, who it seems knows me from the blog I write for. Inside joke

Not sure about the SD problem - there must be *something* running on your mac that is using the card still (virus scan? something like that?)

I mostly don't use USB-mode for my SD card. Instead I just use the KP3 editor (which works with the KP3 in normal mode). It's a LOT slower - but it converts all the samples to the .kps format which has proper slice/bpm data and is less likely to drift when looping. However, copying .wav files directly to the SD card via USB is very good for one-shot samples.