Tricky question, despite I love tinkering with synth sounds I just purchased the electro5D because being a pianist I knew I would've enjoyed the semi-weighted keys a lot more.
But I'm starting to feel like I would've probably had more fun with the A1. How does it feel playing piano and piano melodies (two hands) with the A1?
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
1. The A1 cannot play samples, so any piano sound you play would be synthesized (unless you're triggering external gear). I created an electric piano type sound for myself, using all four layers, which has key noises including release. It's a pretty good substitute for a sampled Rhodes but it's not the same thing. You can hear it on this video (at 2:06): https://youtu.be/IDhLEz0V9UI?t=2m6s. Sorry, I'm keeping this one for myself, but I believe there are other, and perhaps better, user-created synthesized pianos available to download for the A1 on this site.
2. The keybed touch is very very light. Much lighter than the Electro. Unlike piano, which is played by sinking into the keys, with the A1 I need to keep my arms suspended above it, which requires a completely different technique. For the first year I had the A1, I had horrible shoulder pain and stiffness (all the time, not just while playing). I only rectified it by switching to playing the A1 standing up, with the keyboard very low. Now my shoulders are better and I'm able to play comfortably.
2. The keybed touch is very very light. Much lighter than the Electro. Unlike piano, which is played by sinking into the keys, with the A1 I need to keep my arms suspended above it, which requires a completely different technique. For the first year I had the A1, I had horrible shoulder pain and stiffness (all the time, not just while playing). I only rectified it by switching to playing the A1 standing up, with the keyboard very low. Now my shoulders are better and I'm able to play comfortably.
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
In addition to what Jon reports, the A1 and L4 have a slightly shorter keys compared to other models. Also (I did not measure it) I had the feeling that compared to the NS2 the vertical travel of the keys when pressed was also less. This might be good to play synth lines, but might not be what you expect as a piano player. To avoid disappointment it is best to try before making a decision!
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
I actually think the A1 is pretty good from a keybed standpoint. I think the thing a piano player would struggle most with is only having 49 keys. Whatever keyboard you are playing all the time, you will adjust to if you give yourself the chance. What is hard to adjust to is not being able to roll up or down the keyboard without hitting an octave button.
Also the piano patches as other said are just ok.
The way I would think about the A1 is a supplement to your electro rather than a replacement. The electro can do all the old school cool stuff you need. The A1 can do everything else you can think of. I've got probably 10 different keyboards but my A1 almost always ends up in my setup because it is so versatile in what it does and what I can make it do. With just a little work it will become invaluable to you.
Also the piano patches as other said are just ok.
The way I would think about the A1 is a supplement to your electro rather than a replacement. The electro can do all the old school cool stuff you need. The A1 can do everything else you can think of. I've got probably 10 different keyboards but my A1 almost always ends up in my setup because it is so versatile in what it does and what I can make it do. With just a little work it will become invaluable to you.
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
thks e8ndave, it makes sense.
what I'm really after if i opt for a synth would be the ability to create a performance where i play a melody whilst turning knobs to achieve some desired timbric effects, live.
would this be achievable with the a1?
and what about a1 vs l4?
i do like the electro but it's missing something for me. I'm just thinking i might get a synth now and complement it with a full piano sized keyboard later on once space allows it.
what I'm really after if i opt for a synth would be the ability to create a performance where i play a melody whilst turning knobs to achieve some desired timbric effects, live.
would this be achievable with the a1?
and what about a1 vs l4?
i do like the electro but it's missing something for me. I'm just thinking i might get a synth now and complement it with a full piano sized keyboard later on once space allows it.
- luckyluca
Re: A1 for ex pianist?
@Lucky:
New to synths? The NLA1 is probably a bit easier to tweak than the NL4. IMHO.
NLA1: more "classic " sounding?
NL4: more "futuristic"?
... something like that.
/Michael
prejudiced
New to synths? The NLA1 is probably a bit easier to tweak than the NL4. IMHO.
NLA1: more "classic " sounding?
NL4: more "futuristic"?
... something like that.
/Michael
prejudiced
NE3HP, NP88, NS2, DPP1, NL2X, NL2X, NLA1, NL4, NE5D, NW2 (Collect Them All?), some classic Rolands, Arturias, a Waldorf, a Kurz, a WONOK3, a pile of guitars, a P-bass, loopers, amps and computers ...
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
Unfortunately the keybed of the A1 is not one of the best Fatars. It's also very bad at translating velocities. So deep velocity morphing, for example velocity to Filter Cutoff at almost the whole range, results in quite uncontrollable patches, jumping around the Cutoff. It's usable for patches without or with very subtle velocity morphing though.
That would for sure be achievable with both the A1 and the NL4. As said the A1 is easier to program, but that makes it also a bit more limited than the NL4. I feel I has been quite in the same place as you. Pianist who wants a good sounding synth, that is easy to tweak. The A1 is a good choice for exact that.
I would say so too.
luckyluca wrote:what I'm really after if i opt for a synth would be the ability to create a performance where i play a melody whilst turning knobs to achieve some desired timbric effects, live.
would this be achievable with the a1?
That would for sure be achievable with both the A1 and the NL4. As said the A1 is easier to program, but that makes it also a bit more limited than the NL4. I feel I has been quite in the same place as you. Pianist who wants a good sounding synth, that is easy to tweak. The A1 is a good choice for exact that.
Marlowes wrote:NLA1: more "classic " sounding?
NL4: more "futuristic"?
I would say so too.
Last edited by Duplobaustein on 28 Aug 2016, 22:39, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A1 for ex pianist?
thanks for the helpful replies, I'm considering the a1 over the l4 for accessibility.
btw is it actually possibly to create a number of patches and group them somehow in order to easily switch between them during a performance?
btw is it actually possibly to create a number of patches and group them somehow in order to easily switch between them during a performance?
Last edited by luckyluca on 28 Aug 2016, 22:55, edited 1 time in total.
- luckyluca
Re: A1 for ex pianist?
Since you are a pianist you would probably like my setup much better. I use my NordStage2 as master keyboard, and have bought the A1r. desktop module connected to my Stage - then I have superb action (since I like hammer best), and all the sounds on the A1. But as mentioned above - A1 is not for piano like sounds at all, for that your electro 5D is 500% better...
A cheaper option is to use a piano like a Yamaha p-115 together with the A1r. You can buy both second hand, I bought my A1r second hand for 800£ in Oslo. You need a control pedal (like Yamaha FC-7) on the A1r, since the Yamaha doesn't have the modulation wheel that you need for morphing. Now you have piano action, good piano sound and a nice synth for a reasonable price. (no good organ though).
A cheaper option is to use a piano like a Yamaha p-115 together with the A1r. You can buy both second hand, I bought my A1r second hand for 800£ in Oslo. You need a control pedal (like Yamaha FC-7) on the A1r, since the Yamaha doesn't have the modulation wheel that you need for morphing. Now you have piano action, good piano sound and a nice synth for a reasonable price. (no good organ though).
Last edited by NoDirection on 29 Aug 2016, 09:29, edited 1 time in total.
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