Nord Piano 2 announced

[billnordwall]

See the full release and pics on MatrixSynth:
http://m.matrixsynth.com/2012/01/namm-c ... ducts.html

[musicaL]

Interesting! And, I might add, what I was hoping for. Otoh,the more attractive price on the original NP is making me think about picking the NP1 up. I already have access to the sample library in my E3. Hmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

[Ecaroh]

Now we see it's true. I must say that I am not that impressed of it. As I am Nord Piano 1 owner, I this is kind of a good thing: probably I don't need to even consider it...

Some quick observations or speculations:

1. It looks like it has those same 0-3 levels for KBD touch. If it's same like NP1, you can only make it lighter.
2. Sample player only has attack and release. If it does not have any filter, many many sounds from the library are quite useless. Remember that they don't have velocity layers. Those sounds can be quite "dead".
3. Level knobs indicate that there's no preset based volume settings. So do you have mix them on the fly?
4. Still no external section for MIDI controlling


Two things that we don't know yet:

1. Does it have same amount of memory?
2. Is the keyboard touch same like it is in NP1?

If these two are positive, then it's little more interesting in my case. If not, NP2 is a clear mistake from Clavia in my point of view.

[Dave Ferris]

Now we see it's true. I must say that I am not that impressed of it. As I am Nord Piano 1 owner, I this is kind of a good thing: probably I don't need to even consider it....

So much for "spreading rumors"...

Yeah Jackson same here at first glance . Layering really has no place in my musical world but I could see the split thing coming in handy for those rare occasions when I have to do LH bass.

It's nice for people to be able to load in samples of "other sounds" but if I really wanted to go there, I woulda bought the Stage or Electro 3 HP.

I guess I'll learn more in a few days here. I'm just surprised- the NP 88 was out for only 2 years. For the time being I'm content with what I have.

Glad to see Nord developing new products---keeps the other companies on their toes.

[maxpiano]

I am surprised too and I wonder what will be its price positionng, compared to NS2 and the existing NP...

[Quantics]

I wonder if the action is going to be the same.

If it's heavier, I might consider buying it. Otherwise it's a no-go.

[Grasoon]

But in their official website, they only announce their two new products that will be launched in NAMM which are drum machine and organ (maybe, I don't know what it called 555) but nothing about NP2 but why that website already announced that Nord will launch the NP2. I wonder.

[Quantics]

Also, it would be interesting to see if the sample memory will be useable for the Pianos. That could be sweet, too !

[Quantics]

But in their official website, they only announce their two new products that will be launched in NAMM which are drum machine and organ (maybe, I don't know what it called 555) but nothing about NP2 but why that website already announced that Nord will launch the NP2. I wonder.

Well if it's a minor upgrade, it would make sense that they would rather emphasize on the new products.

I am a bit surprised by this NP upgrade to be honest though, because I don't think that compatibility with the Nord Sample Library was a much requested feature... Or was it?

[agoldstraw]

Nord's UK distributor says the NP2 will ship later this month, and to be fair Nord are usually quicker than most of the other manufacturers at getting NAAM-launched gear into the shops: http://www.soundtech.co.uk/nord/news/nord-piano-2

As I've posted on KC and PW, I think Nord are treading a fine and careful line here not to undermine the Electro or Stage ranges but for me, this answers most of the issues I have with my current NP. I do mostly solo piano work and for that my current instrument is fine but there are times, in band situations, where the ability to do LHB and add the odd pad would be very great. I was considering the Stage 2 but it's a big financial leap, I don't want to play organ on a weighted board and I don't care for the action as much as the NP. So for me, this is a good fit.

Sure, some of the sample libraries will sound better than others but you can't do much with them on the Electro either. At least the NP has proper attack and release shaping.

As for relative levels of the two components, I don't see any reason to believe that these won't be stored in the presets or Live slots.