distorted sounds/specific keys/specific octaves

[buehrert]

New to the forum and new to post. I have a Stage 3 that has operated fine until this week.

When I powered it up to use this week, certain notes--G, B, and D#/Eb--play distorted sounds, but only every other octave. So for example, G4 above middle C is distorted, but B4 is fine. In the next octave, G5 is fine, but B5 is distorted. These patterns hold throughout the 88-key range, for example:

G2 and G6 are distorted, but G3 (and G5) is fine
B1 and B3 are distorted, but B2 (and B4, and B6) is fine
Eb1, Eb3, Eb5 etc. are distorted. Eb2, Eb4, Eb6 etc. are fine.

I've provided a link to a short video to demonstrate below. It doesn't matter what patch is used (in the video I happened to have a piano patch selected, but it could be any patch). And it doesn't matter how the Nord outputs audio--it does the same thing whether I'm playing through a powered amp, through headphones, or (in this case) through computer speakers.

https://tinyurl.com/33w6anw8

I've updated the Nord OS to the most recent version, and done a Restore. These have had no effect.

Any ideas as to cause and possible solutions? Much appreciated.

[cphollis]

Sounds like the scanning matrix cable is loose in places -- it's getting a clean signal most of the time. Find a video and gather the tools required to open up your Nord, then simply re-snug the ribbon cables -- should fix the problem. For some reason, there was an early batch of NS3s that developed this problem, maybe yours is one of them.

[buehrert]

I removed the top red panel and carefully removed, cleaned (with can of air), and re-seated the ribbon cable connectors I could see under the panel. Upon reassembly, the Nord only boots to some sort of diagnostic mode. I cannot find a way to exit that mode:



I tried connecting it to my computer and perform an Operating System update. The update begins as normal: erases the old, receives the new, but then it hangs when it tries to reboot. Nord Sound Manager returns the following error message when it attempts to communicate with the instrument:



Next step is probably to investigate the cost for professional repair unless anyone has another idea first. Thanks for any input!

[Mr_-G-]

What happens when you press the buttons indicated in the display? Are those test routines?
Maybe try reseating the connectors again?