The Next Thing I'd Like To See From Nord

[Rusty Mike]

Nord has made a great business out of packaging their technologies in different ways:

• Nord Piano: piano and sample player engines
• Nord Leads: Synth engines in various configurations.
• Nord Electro: Piano, organ and sample player engines
• Nord Stage: Piano, organ, synth (with sample playback), external control

I would like to see them come out with Stage/Lead mashup, something that would work as a versatile second tier keyboard:

• Dual synth engines. Ability to load samples as waveforms (like the Stage) is a plus
• Nord's C2D/E5 organ engine, complete with the rotary model and drawbars
• Effects bank like the Stage or A1
• External MIDI control
• FIVE octave keyboard. It can use either the synth action or waterfall, but it must include velocity and aftertouch
• Split and layer capabilities
• Pitch bend stick and mod wheel
• Light weight
• Under $2,500 US

I guess I'm looking for pretty much a "Stage Lite" kind of model, one that does not include the piano engine, but pretty much all the other stuff. I don't want to overcomplicate the synth section, and still want that intuitive UI factor, but I like that the Stage can use the samples like oscillators in the synth engine.

I like the way the A1 sounds and operates, but I would need aftertouch, and another octave of keys would be nice. The Electro is great (I own 2 of them), but the synth controls are simply not there and it does not have aftertouch. I'd also prefer not to bring multiple keyboards to cover stuff other than piano. I think Roland has a great idea with the VR-09, but it's a pretty low quality instrument with some significant operating quirks. Nord already has the stuff in the parts bin to build a high quality competitor.

Would something like this find an audience?

[kagamul]

My wishlist!

On the the Electro 5, I'd like the same external Midi control support for the lower section it already has for the upper section.

And 2 things that are never going to happen:

A new Nord Modular which supports the sample library like the Wave.
A new Nord Electro Rack,

But you can dream!

[Gambold]

1) Pitch bend wheel on the Electro 6 would be nice. I don't really need/want a Stage, so when the time comes, I will likely upgrade my E4 to a future E6. Would love me a bend wheel!

2) Digital readout for current gain level. The dial means nothing once you change your sample or program.

3) Some type of solution to attach a music stand.

4) XL versions of the Grand Lady D and the Black Upright.

[offrhodes]

>> 2) Digital readout for current gain level. The dial means nothing once you change your sample or program.
I think the NE5 does this already (press SHIFT and move the GAIN button, it will show the current value like for most other knobs)

[maxpiano]

Generalized price decrease?

[offrhodes]

Generalized price decrease?

Or then, the exact opposite - more features. The Nords are already in the top price segment, so people might be happy to pay for more if it offers functionality they can't get anywhere else.
Lower cost alternatives exist, but I'm not aware of any "upgrade path".
Example, I once bought a K2661 for a lot more than the NE5 (unseen - and then realized I can't carry it so it's effectively useless).
And $1000 more for an upgrade from the NE5 to a "Stage 2 EX 61D" would have been perfectly reasonable, the only problem being that it doesn't exist...

Some ideas:
- Weight reduction kits including conversion by local service center: Aluminum bottom and top plate, carbon fiber end plates. Titanium screws
- Electromechanic drawbar actuator so they follow the preset. Not as over-the-top as it may seem, since permanent magnets have improved a lot in recent years.
- Convolution-based (impulse response type) speaker model and reverb.
- optional low-profile end caps for buttons and drawbars so there is less risk of transport damage.
- A USB audio interface
- Independent acceleration / deceleration for the rotary effect (use case: rapid spinup, extended slowdown)
- A single, separate clean organ output for an external Leslie with a basic mono reverb.

[dkernohan]

Some great ideas so far. From me:

The owner of the legendary Rhodes E piano (https://www.emodelrhodes.com ) has been working with Jay Graydon (http://www.jaygraydon.com/hottxt.htm , see halfway down the page) to record an ultra-high fidelity set of samples.

I want these samples in the Nord Piano Library. I don't care how big the file size is (XXXL is fine) as long as it fits in my electro 5.

This would be the ultimate Rhodes sound - and a huge coup for Nord if they can do it. It might cost them though.

[maurizio]

Personally, i want something very simple: a synth with the ergonomy of the NL3 and the sound of a NLA1.
My cash is ready, just in case :->

[captain-twang]

a supersimple, lightweight coollooking 61 keys piano with hammers. no organs and synthy and stuff. it would not hurt, if the price is low....

[michael_C1]

Get rid of Fatar for the weighted action versions. Have a light, but fully weighted action like Yamaha, Kawai (and possibly Casio) have. Their keybeds are good, and the entire instruments weigh only 25-26 pounds. These actions, unlike Nord's HP, are not a compromise.