How To Sync Sounds From Your Nord Rack 2X To Your Nord Electro 6
Ask Marc Anything 🤔
Question:
@andrewredford9112 asks: Hi Marc, perhaps you could answer a question for me:
Is it possible to play sounds from my Nord Rack 2X and my Electro 6 at the same time from the Electro 6 keyboard by synching them somehow?
Answer:
Andrew, yes, this is indeed possible. On the Electro 6, you would use a traditional 5-Pin MIDI cable going out (MIDI out) to the same style port on the Nord Rack 2X (MIDI in). Then, make sure that the global MIDI channels match on both devices. Both should match by default if you've never played with the MIDI settings on either unit. The kind of cable you need is like this, and you can get also get them at any music store or online retailer - nearly as common as a guitar cable...
Pro Tip #1:
If you haven't already done so, consider getting an effects unit and send your Rack 2 outputs to that. This will provide reverb, delay, and other effects that will significantly expand its capability and make it feel like you have a brand new world-class-sounding synth. Effects make up half the sound we hear out of synths, and it's a super-important part of the equation.
Pro Tip #2:
If you don't have an audio interface yet or a mixer, you can send the audio outputs (left and right) from the Nord Rack directly into the Nord Electro and hear both keyboards from the headphones of the Electro! This makes for a low-stress setup with the least amount of gear while still being able to hear both boards layered together (which was the foundation of your question here in the first place). To do this, you would go 1/4" out from audio 1 and 2 from the Rack directly into the mini 1/8" jack on the back of the Electro. On the Electro, this is known as the "monitor in" jack, and it's near the control pedal jack. You could also invest in a single cable that has two 1/4" male TS on one side and a single male TRS 1/8" on the other side. Here is a link to a single cable that will do all the audio conversion for you from your Rack to the Electro. This kind of setup is perfect for practicing music at home, but it also works live as your audio out from the Electro will mix both synths to the mixer/PA!
Nord Rack 2X
Nord Electro 6
Good luck! And hey, with these two boards along with an effects unit from the rack that I recommend, you can indeed rule the world with the sounds you'll be able to create because you have the 4 synth parts from the Rack along with the Organ, Piano, and Samples from the Electro 6. You'll have it all and do it with a tiny hardware footprint and stress-free setup compared to most other setups and configurations. 👍🏻 🔊 🎹
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Marc 🎹
My Keys To Music
