Nord User Forum

[Eumel]

This probably deserves its own thread.

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libr ... by-upright

Ive loaded the XL sample into my Electro 5 HP and played it a little while (no EQ or FX). Here are my initial impressions:

1. It has the characteristics you'd expect of a small upright, including woody muffled bass range, but as has been increasingly true of Nord's piano samples as of late, you really get the feeling of being in a room playing the real deal. Doesn't sound electronic.

2. The far upper reaches really sing/cut in a way that many of the earlier samples don't. If you play rock piano in a group setting and do any Jerry Lee Lewis type stuff way up high, you will like this sample a lot, and the boxy bass probably won't be an issue. There is a slight metallic buzz in the notes from about B6-C8 (probably a characteristic of the original instrument?), but in a rock setting that might be an asset rather than a liability.

3. The sample it compares most directly to is the Bambino, which I liked for its character as well, but I think I like this one more, and it will likely replace the Bambino in my lineup. Both have a bit of the wide tuning typical of slightly beat up uprights, but to my ears the Baby has bit less of it than the Bambino, and it's not in the mid range so much. There's also a little less "room tone" inherent in the sample with the Baby (to my ears), so it's likely to be a little more flexible in terms of being able to get the sound you want.

Very initial impressions, but I'd say if you use the Petrof or the Bambino for rock stuff you should probably check this one out.

[PScooter63]

Thanks for the review, Orpheus... I keep looking for the ultimate sound for the opening to "Old Time Rock 'n Roll", and yeah, I thought the Bambino was gonna be as good as it was gonna get... but it sounds like I gotta try this one!

[cphollis]

Love all the choices we have these days

[maurus]

This is a very nice, lively and realistic one indeed!
It's not for fans of thundering Bosie basses, but very playable

[De fursaK NE5]

Hello,
Yes very playable. Very very strong bite, the attack is strong.
To play energicaly, it's a nice one. Boogie, Rock, etc
I prefer grands but it's a question of taste, anyway the sample is very good, the impression of the instrument being there in front of you

Cheers
de fursaK