Nord User Forum

Dave Ferris wrote:If anyone is in the LA area and interested - I have my SpaceStation v3 for sale. $650 cash with cover. Sorry but local pickup only.
Thanks

My SS amp has sold but thanks for the recent inquiries.

How is the low end punch on this? I do a lot of B3 and Clav with the Èlectro 5, and I'm currently running through a Yorkville 300k which my ears like but my back doesn't.

The low end is pretty much what you would expect from an 8" speaker. I own one.

Thank you Cphollis for the configuration discussion on SSV3 and B1200D. So from your description above of the configuration between the units, the Nords input into a small speaker, as does the BD1200D which then directly inputs into the CPS SSV3. Im new to amps and such and want to understand the configuration as you outlined it, cause you've won me over. If you have time, I'd love a layman description I can better wrap my head around. Or if someone else understands it, please assist.

Let's see if I can make this as simple as possible.

Let's start with two Nord keyboards, each with a left (L) and right (R) outputs. So four 1/4" TR cables are required to feed into a small Yamaha MG06 mixer. Same cables as a guitar player would use. The mixer does two things: mixes four signals down into two, as well as provide some nice level boost.

From the mixer a pair of ordinary XLR cables (three pins each) go to the back of the BD1200D subwoofer. The BD1200D handles the lower frequencies, and also filters out those lower frequencies so they don't get passed to the SSv3. The BD1200D also has a pair of stereo outputs to pass the signal along to the next device.

You will need to order a pair of special cables to connect the BD1200D to the SSV3. Sweetwater has them, among others. One end of each cable is a female XLR connector, the other end is 1/4" TR cable. Your SSv3 will now be a bit louder and cleaner as it won't have to deal with lower frequencies which sap energy.

Thanks for such a speedy response. Truthfully, seeing how the post was aging, wasn't sure if I'd get one. You've made the configuration very clear... thank you for that. I appreciate your experience with the SpaceStation. One comment from another Nord member was that in his experience he'd never had any luck getting sterio out of one box that was worth anything. That's why such well thought out posts like yours does much to counter such talk. It does look like a clever design. I love the fact it is so manageable in setting up. I have only played real grand pianos at restaurants like found at the Hyatt house and such, to candle light and tux even. But I have the chance to play jazz/cocktail piano at a themed club, the place is called Prohibition, and it has no real piano there. Thanks again Cphollis.

Glad I could help. Sorry about the guy who got frustrated with his. It takes a bit of effort to crack the code, but worth it.

Don't know what you've read, and what you haven't. Everything sounds wonderful from a SSv3 with the exception of acoustic piano voices, which need some extra work. APs are notoriously difficult to amplify, so that's not a diss on the SSv3.

The challenge with most Nord piano voices is that there's very little stereo content, so -- given the SSv3 design -- the side speaker can remain largely inactive unless steps are taken. Nord has a 3D piano voice you can download, helps somewhat. Layering in a bit of sweetener (DX7 tines, strings) with stereo chorus helps. Or occasionally a bit of chorus on the AP voice itself, if the style supports that. And you'll need some EQ.

In all fairness, the SSv3 is the only thing that does what it does in that form factor. You want to spend more money and bring more gear, there are certainly higher-end options, many of which I own. But if you want to show up to a gig with a single amp and sound great, ain't nothing better in my book. To be clear, the BD1200D stays home most of the time, because if I'm bringing two pieces, I'll step up a bit to something like a pair of RCF TT08-a or similar.

Best of luck!

Second thought here -- forgive me. You're playing solo at a themed club? Acoustic pianos all night?

If that is *all* you're doing, I'd steer you to the Bose L1 Model II. Had one for a while, fell in love the pristine acoustic piano sounds, filled the room amazingly, but it crumbled in the electric bands I was playing. So I sold it. But was mightily impressed with its talents, even in mono. Skip the ToneMatch. You can find used examples for less than $2k.

Pricey gear, but definitely top shelf for that application. Pure ear candy.

Thank you again. Yes, I've been hitting up on a lot of SpaceStation v3/Nord ap discussions. Have come across your comments on many of them. I've got such a mix of comments, but its apples and oranges sometimes, huh? I have to filter the comments for what setting the forum members are using their SS v3 for. I appreciate you picking up on my application and steering me to something to handle the intimate jazz/cocktail atmosphere I will be playing for. I'll check out the JBL. I'm hearing some good things about the more reasonable priced EV ZLX 112p, DXR10 and Line 6 LT2. Any thoughts on these if Im short of cash? My Nord piano shows up tomorrow, Im so excited. If you had to suggest an amp for someone on a budget of 1000 or less, what would it be? I know your philosophy of getting the best, and thats why I got the Nord, but it also crunched my finances lol.

It has no out. That means for larger venues it has to be miked (and who know if one can successfully mike this thing). Or I have to run separate cables from my personal mixer to the PA, as it's only 100 watts with an 8-inch woofer, and that will not be enough with a full rock band in a big room.

The manufacturer admits as much: "Spacestation v3 is the perfect solution for those challenging small live venues like a restaurant or church." That's a deal breaker for me, especially at that price. I'll stick with the QSC powered speakers.