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Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby MyFirstNord » 22 Oct 2013, 05:20

Hi all.. I've just bought a Nord Electro 4SW and was (disappointingly) assured that "any modern keyboard can layer sounds". This is the main function I wanted in a new keyboard and now after reading various bits of information on the net, it doesn't seem possible to layer sounds on the NE4. I'm very disappointed. Does anyone know if there are any good sample sounds that would suffice eg PIano & soft pad sound.
Please Nord can you add this function to the Electros!!!

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Layering Piano with Pad sounds


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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby elektromin » 22 Oct 2013, 09:34

I suppose Nord thinks that you should go for the stage model if you want layers... The electro is not multitimbral and will never play two sounds at the same time.

I've tried various piano/strings layer samples that are available here at the forum, and they do work. However, my experience is that these are far too unexpressive compared to a real multitimbral layer. This is because the piano part should respond much more to the velocity than the string part, and the nord sample player can't do that.

I typically use two keyboards instead and play the piano on the nord and the strings/pads on the other keyboard. An alternative would be to use a midi cable to a separate sound module (you can even use you smartphone as a sound source...).

Good luck!!

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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby Frantz » 22 Oct 2013, 09:57

Hi,
I think that we should be able to layer/split the organ, the samples, and the piano section for that price.
Unfortunately, today, there is no choice but save more money and go for the Nord Stage or another keyboard.
At least, for 2000 €, on the NE 4, we should be able to layer the organ and the piano/sample section, or better, it should be like "Half a Nord Stage", that means only one slot, but layer/split functions for the 3 sections. Well well ... Fortunately, nothing sounds like the Nord E 4 you bought, and I hope you'll find out that it's a very fine keyboard.
Cheers,
Frantz.
http://displaychord.arfntz.fr
A mobile app to display chord names while you play, using midi / bluetooth connection.

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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby rb4u1 » 22 Oct 2013, 17:35

The OP didn't know the Electro was not multi-timbral.
It would be a feather
In Nord's hat if they could accomplish this one thing.
An acoustic piano with strings is pretty much a staple.
Nord is probably losing out on the sale of medium price
keyboards since they haven't accomplished this.
I would guess that not everyone wants to buy a Stage
just to get this one sound. It's a shame they don't produce a
keyboard in between the electro and the stage.

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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby Cornopean » 22 Oct 2013, 22:34

The Electro is about emulating vintage keyboards, which didn't layer. The Piano is about being a basic stage piano, with some useful features for that. The Lead is about being a synth. The C2 is about being an organ. The Stage is about being everything in one, but while leaving some distinctive features to each of the other models.

When you look at it like this, it's hard to see why Nord would bring in another model that would be not much less money than the Stage. I've said before I'd love to see a Nord Combi, think cut-down stage with a 61 note waterfall keyboard, but each product in the line-up has a distinctive purpose at the moment without elbowing out another product's raison d'etre.

Original poster, you have good grounds for getting a refund if you were misinformed about its capabilities. The Piano 2HP offers two layers in a similar sized package, at the expense of the organ section, if that's what you need. And, at least in the UK, there have been some reasonable B-stock deals on the Stage SW73 if that's more your thing.

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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby MyFirstNord » 23 Oct 2013, 03:23

Cornopean wrote:The Electro is about emulating vintage keyboards, which didn't layer. The Piano is about being a basic stage piano, with some useful features for that. The Lead is about being a synth. The C2 is about being an organ. The Stage is about being everything in one, but while leaving some distinctive features to each of the other models.

When you look at it like this, it's hard to see why Nord would bring in another model that would be not much less money than the Stage. I've said before I'd love to see a Nord Combi, think cut-down stage with a 61 note waterfall keyboard, but each product in the line-up has a distinctive purpose at the moment without elbowing out another product's raison d'etre.

Original poster, you have good grounds for getting a refund if you were misinformed about its capabilities. The Piano 2HP offers two layers in a similar sized package, at the expense of the organ section, if that's what you need. And, at least in the UK, there have been some reasonable B-stock deals on the Stage SW73 if that's more your thing.



Thanks for this information, really helpful understanding more about the function of individual Nord keyboards. So do Nord fanufacturers actually read this forum and then act on what's been suggested? It would be to their great advantage to do so!

& Yes I'd like to get a refund or hopefully can get a fantastic deal on a Stage 2 to make up for the misleading advice from the sales rep who obviously just wanted to make a sale.
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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby MyFirstNord » 23 Oct 2013, 03:35

elektromin wrote:I suppose Nord thinks that you should go for the stage model if you want layers... The electro is not multitimbral and will never play two sounds at the same time.

I've tried various piano/strings layer samples that are available here at the forum, and they do work. However, my experience is that these are far too unexpressive compared to a real multitimbral layer. This is because the piano part should respond much more to the velocity than the string part, and the nord sample player can't do that.

I typically use two keyboards instead and play the piano on the nord and the strings/pads on the other keyboard. An alternative would be to use a midi cable to a separate sound module (you can even use you smartphone as a sound source...).

Good luck!!


Thanks for this information, very helpful. If I were to replace the NE4 with a Stage 2 - do you know if they come in a semi weighted touch or are they all hammer action? I like semi weighted touch now, even though I learnt to play on an upright (non electrical) piano at an early age.

And If I'm unable to get an upgrade to Stage 2; from the Nord samples you have experiemented with, what sample sound for layering (piano/strings; piano/pad) is the best in your opinion. You metioned that the samples are unexpressive, but would still like to try one; something is better than nothing.. Additionally, does the Nord sample series actually include pad sounds or just emulations of piano and organ?

Finally, if you know at all, what is the least expensive Nord (70+ semi weighted keys) that is able to layer sounds. Sorry, so many questions, but I'd like to know all I can before ringing the supplier of my keyboard to get a refund or an upgrade by paying a little extra. Thank you so much!
Last edited by MyFirstNord on 23 Oct 2013, 03:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby Cute James » 23 Oct 2013, 14:25

MyFirstNord, might I suggest you spend some time reading the product information on the Nord website:

http://www.nordkeyboards.com

The website explains the various instruments' capabilities in sufficient detail.

Best of luck with your refund!

Kind regards,
James
x
My mind says Kawai, but my heart says Nord.
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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby elektromin » 23 Oct 2013, 18:00

Hi MyFirstNord,
if you are into an upgrade, I beleive you are looking for a Nord Stage SW73.

Now, these are a few piano/strings samples I've tried out, and the first three are the ones I currently have loaded in my Nord. Note that there are no such layered samples on the official nordkeyboards.com site, so these are all found here at the user forum.
- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2991 (Piano Pad 2)
- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1906 (Piano Strings layer LR)
- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=958 (EP_String_Layer)
- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=958 (Piano_Strings_Layer)
- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2995 (pnostrgmulti)

Good luck!

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Re: Layering Piano with Pad sounds

Postby druidstone » 25 Aug 2017, 13:43

I too are very disappointed at the Electro 4 lack of layering capability.
Surely it couldnt be too hard to allow two sounds to play at the same time.

Even the most basic no-brand keyboards have the capability of layering two sounds.

In my opinion the Electro 4D shouldnt pretend to be a piano, (by having piano sounds on it)
if it doesnt have the capability of layering piano with other sounds.

Really, who wants to cart around two keyboards to a gig just to have the ability to play two sounds? What a joke.
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