Nord User Forum

[Nymitch1]

Thanks Gambold and Jfenton.

[eibinger]

Hi, I have the same problem with hammer-action. I thought, I could use the Nord5d-73 without HA, but the strongness of the sounds is very weak - though adapting the eq!
I know, that the samples are wonderful, but sometimes I prefer my (much older) Kurzweil SP4/7. Using my Nord5d as sound-Expander via MIDI (out of the Kurzweil), the sounds are stronger, louder, better in band-context.
Does anyone know, if the change to Nord5d-HP could solve my Problem?
Thanks from Germany!
Tom

[cEgws]

I have no problem playing expressive piano on my 4D Waterfall keyboard. I played sampled pianos for years on a Roland A-50, but I also have an upright Steinway in the living room (so I _do_ know what an acoustic piano action feels like). To each his own!

[eibinger]

Sure, there is no Problem, I know! The sounds are great and wonderful for studio-Performance.
On stage I like the simple use of nord.
But in band-context the assertiveness is much better using not the internal keys of my Nord5d.
Perhaps anyone has the same subject and had made a comparision between waterfall-keys and HP!?

[cEgws]

If you have access to both types of keybeds, you could hook them each up to a MIDI monitor and look at the MIDI velocity values to see how the responses are actually different when you play. I doubt that you cannot get a full velocity from the waterfall keys, but perhaps the response curve is different and affects your playing. The A-50 allows you to adjust the velocity curve, and I set the A-50 to give me more sensitivity around the middle of the keypress force. (I'm not sure how to word the previous sentence clearly but I hope you get the idea.) Do you have a custom velocity curve set on the Kurzweil?

[eibinger]

Yes, I know this Option to hook via MIDI, but I don´t want to carry both Keyboards with me in every case (e.g. for small gigs).
I consider to change my NORD5d with a NORD5HP and ask for any experiences in comparision these booth Keyboards.
I do parametrize the velocity curves in every combination:
Nord5d from 1 to 3, but the velocity is not good. I think the reason is the compromise for piano- and organ-sounds.

[Dyffryn Studios]

Interesting discussion and a very similar thought process re tradeoff. I very recently acquired a 5D for the quality of the pianos, the organs, and its portability. I have a Roland stage piano, which sounds great and has a lovely keyboard action. Only issue is in it’s flight case its just too bulky and heavy for easy transportation to and from practice. So for the last year or so I have been using a Roland Fa06 as my portable solution. It has a vast array of great synths, orchestral sounds library on line and sampling options as well as drum machine which is very useful for practice. But the organs in it aren't in the same league as the Nord so I have gone for the Nord Electro 5. I agree with the others re the quality of the sampled sounds, they are ok, and definitely useable in the mix. The Nord does gives me a very portable and great sounding 73 note (Who uses the other 15 notes ) piano and organ which is plug and go with easy on the fly tweaks. With a bit of time and effort I could no doubt get the samples that I use as multilayers from the Fa06 in a few songs. But ..I can’t see my ditching my Fa06 , (It is so transportable, although a bit plasticy), a double tier keyboard stand for those occasions when I need both will be the solution, as I like the quality of its other sounds and the other features it has. I did consider just buying midi controller keyboard and going all “virtual” for the pianos and organs. Lots of great VST’s out there. An 88 note weighted midi controller is about the same weight as my Digital Piano, so not an option then it would be 61 or 76 note controller but for me Laptops, midi leads, midi controller assignments…. always end up being a bit of a faff. Plug in turn on and play is what I have with the Nord and Roland (or any other good synth). It’s very early days so I will report back on how I get the Nord set up. I picked it up Tuesday unpacked it and used it at a new band rehearsal that night. So in at the deep end, not having used one other than trying out in a shop. Used the preset pianos and organs and even some of the choirs…it was a joy to play and got some great comments form the other band members. There is no one perfect keyboard, but as a high quality staple sound with portability and immediacy it wins in my book. So until I get my own roadie too bring my stage piano .It will be the best option I have.

[eibinger]

Thanks, I know, what you want to tell me: The nord5 is a compromise and yes, it is! If we do not have enough space, I use my nord5d (73 keys - sure!)
When there is enough space, I prefer my Kurzweil Sp4/7 (as Dyffryn Studios his Roland). I had a Roland-FP4 and is was wonderful, but heavy.
Using my Kurzweil I add my Hammond xk-1 and I think "only Hammond sounds like Hammond!" This ist the best combination!
Sometimes I use my Sp4/7 and my Nord5d and this is great too.
But I consider to replace my 5d to a 5HP. Is anyone able to answer my question: Is there a better velocity (and assertiveness) using Nord5-HP or is it the same like 5d?

[Synthnut]

Yep, I couldn't get by with just the Nord sounds, I have to have a Motif XS as well, {both equals no limitations!} given a choice between them, id have to keep the Motis XS for way more versatile sounds and better keybed.

[htevents]

I did consider just buying midi controller keyboard and going all “virtual” for the pianos and organs. Lots of great VST’s out there. An 88 note weighted midi controller is about the same weight as my Digital Piano, so not an option then it would be 61 or 76 note controller but for me Laptops, midi leads, midi controller assignments…. always end up being a bit of a faff. Plug in turn on and play is what I have with the Nord and Roland (or any other good synth).

Well, for synth sounds and orchestral sounds a VST setup (Like Apple's Mainstage) could work, I used Mainstage as my main rig with 2 midi-keyboards and a controller, but I ended up buying an Electro 5D 73SW. Why? Listen carefully: First, if your VST rig crashes (it is still a computer), where do you gonna get your sounds from? Second, VST/Plugins that will sound decent enough for gigging etc. often will cost money, some of them a lot. Third: and that was my main reason to end up buying a real keyboard: I used a very good piano library and a very good B3 VST, but it alwas sounded a little thin and off time in the mix, because a midi>computer>audio-interface setup always contains a little delay in it, mostly processing time for the virtual instruments and buffering it to your audio-interface. I was listening to a recording of a gig and it always looked like I was "too late" and that my timing wasn't right. Of course I was hitting the keys at the right time, but because the computer needed a few miliseconds of processing time, you need a damn good workhorse PC to make it almost delayless.
And I think a beautiful, red Nord on the podium is someting special. It just stands out next to al the other black stuff on the podium.

Hopefully you my information was a little helpful for you.