Nord User Forum

[rosindabow]

Hello, I would like to look at a Nord keyboard but I am confused as to what I should purchase. Basically, this will be mostly used as a live performance keyboard. It needs to have a ton of preset sounds like strings and horns as well as organs and both electric and acoustic pianos. It is not however primarily going to be used as a piano, I have other keyboards for that. I want something with easily switchable presets and some onboard effects that (again) are easily modified. I do not specifically need a sequencer but a small one like my old Roland Jupiter 6 might be fun. The touch does not need to be completely weighted but something with a nice feel would be cool- that however, is not a breaking point. 73 keys or more ... What would you suggest? Thanks.

[Rusty Mike]

Without knowing what kind of music you play or what your other keyboards are, a suggestion would be somewhat of a shot in the dark. Based on your brief description, it sounds like a Stage Compact 73 would be most suitable.

[rosindabow]

Without knowing what kind of music you play or what your other keyboards are, a suggestion would be somewhat of a shot in the dark. Based on your brief description, it sounds like a Stage Compact 73 would be most suitable.

Mostly rock and pop music

[anotherscott]

With minimal piano needs and no indication of any particular synth needs, it sounds like the Electro is the model for you to look at, though the only thing you mentioned that is a particular Nord strength is easily modifiable effects. For organ, do you care about manipulating the drawbar parameters of the organ sounds, or are you just looking to call up a handful of popular presets? If the former, that's another Nord strength. But if your need is really just to call up presets of sampled ("rompler") sounds from a huge library of presets, Nord might not be the best choice.

[harmonizer]

You wrote: "It needs to have a ton of preset sounds like strings and horns as well as organs and both electric and acoustic pianos."
This makes me think of a Nord Stage as opposed to a Nord Electro, since the Stage has more split and layer capability. But the part about "ton of preset sounds" might also lead you to purchase something other than a Nord.

You also wrote: "I want something with easily switchable presets and some onboard effects that (again) are easily modified." A Nord strength is the onboard controls, easily accessible while performing live, without having to dive into menus.

Nord (both the Electro and Stage) also have a very good B3 organ emulation.

Note that the Electro does not have a pitch bend control, while the Stage does have one.

I started out with an older Roland rompler (which gives me access to a large collection of sounds), and then later added a Nord Electro which added its excellent B3 organ sound, which had been completely lacking in my Roland rompler. I use both of these together, since neither would meet my needs by itself.

[stiiiiiiive]

The Stage models will allow multitimbrality, while the Electros won't, except for the NE5. which is bitimbral. If you plan to play more than one sound at a time, pay attention to that.

[anotherscott]

You wrote: "It needs to have a ton of preset sounds like strings and horns as well as organs and both electric and acoustic pianos."
This makes me think of a Nord Stage as opposed to a Nord Electro, since the Stage has more split and layer capability.

...though the OP didn't mention anything about needing to split/layer. But he could be assuming...

the part about "ton of preset sounds" might also lead you to purchase something other than a Nord.
...
I use both of these together, since neither would meet my needs by itself.

Yes, both of us suggested that a Nord might not be his best choice, and I agree it's easier to get all you need out of two boards than it is out of one. It might be good to know what other boards he already has at his disposal (since he mentioned that he has other boards that limit what he needs this new board for).

Note that the Electro does not have a pitch bend control, while the Stage does have one.

That's true, but I'm not sure why that should be singled out. The Stage has lots of things the Electro doesn't, and it's not like he asked about pitch bend or any synth-y features.

The basic problem is that Nord is top tier for on-board live effects tweaking, but not for rompler sounds and easy selection from among tons of presets; and the boards that are better for the latter are weaker for the former. So I don't know that any board really does quite what he wants.

[danrv]

Hello, I would like to look at a Nord keyboard but I am confused as to what I should purchase. Basically, this will be mostly used as a live performance keyboard. It needs to have a ton of preset sounds like strings and horns as well as organs and both electric and acoustic pianos. It is not however primarily going to be used as a piano, I have other keyboards for that. I want something with easily switchable presets and some onboard effects that (again) are easily modified. I do not specifically need a sequencer but a small one like my old Roland Jupiter 6 might be fun. The touch does not need to be completely weighted but something with a nice feel would be cool- that however, is not a breaking point. 73 keys or more ... What would you suggest? Thanks.

I wouldn't suggest a Nord based on the above criteria.
Roland Jupiter 50 sounds more suitable.
Has loads of presets, nice keyboard feel and 76 keys.
Effects can be switched on/off easily but not sure about hands on adjustment.
Maybe a slider can be assigned for effect amount.