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Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby Nordraumir » 19 Sep 2014, 12:09

So! After several months of reading, testing, thinking and overthinking, I finally decided to buy the Np2HP over the Ns2. I want to share my story, because this decision did not come easily, and maybe I can be of assistance to some in my position. I am now, however, very happy with my choice.

Heres why:
I wanted the Nord for the amazing piano-section. I was also interested in synth capabilities and all the knobs and effects of the stage 2 caught my eye.
But I didn´t need the organ. And the stage 2 is far more expensive than the np2. So i began looking at the software synths on my macbook and how to integrate them with a Nord, and now I am extremely satisfied with mainstage 3 and my software synths. Even the synths of my iPad (Thor, Sunrizer, Nave, etc) is more customizable than the one one the stage 2. Combining it with loopy HD and some beats, really opens up my creativity and workflow.

With mainstage I can set splitpoints wherever i want, and layer as much as my macbook pro can handle. (never had any issues..!) And the best part is, in mainstage I can assign the knobs of my Np2 to whatever effect or function I want in Mainstage. I recently assigned arpeggio speed, hold and cutoff to the equalizer knobs on the Nord for a program with the Lady D on the Nord, and a blippety arp in Mainstage. (With mainstage you can also customize the arpeggiator pattern far beyond the up/down/random of the ns2.) I am planning on buying a midi controller with faders and knobs (novation 100$) to free up my EQ...:p Beacause lets face it. Its all about the knobs...

At home I plug a minijack between my mac/ipad and the monitor input on the Nord. Don´t need a audio interface, and i can use the piano, sample synth and layer ipad/mac with endless synthorama and drumloops.

The pricegap between ns2 and np2 is huge for one who doesn´t use organs. A macbook is quite expensive. But because i already owned one, it didn`t matter. Mainstage is fairly easy to use, but far more complex than turning the knobs of the ns2. I prefer the flexibility of Mainstage, and I´m glad i took the time to learn how to use it properly.

Exellent pianos, accsess to the nord sample library (And the Nord Forum Sample Library!!!) Unlimited possibilites with software synths and DAWs, 1600$ saved for something else.

Any thoughts? Agreeing or Disagreeing?

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Ns2 vs np2 opinion


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Re: Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby Frantz » 19 Sep 2014, 15:47

Welcome on the forum !
http://displaychord.arfntz.fr
A mobile app to display chord names while you play, using midi / bluetooth connection.
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Re: Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby easplund » 19 Sep 2014, 19:31

And don't forget that it weighs only 25 lbs. for a hammer-action keyboard!
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Re: Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby Jasonbass32 » 20 Sep 2014, 18:54

I was (am) in a similar situation. I wanted access to the nord piano library. Because I had no piano background I took recommendations and bought an electo 4 sw 73 instead of the piano 2. Overall I really like the keyboard and the piano sounds are exactly as I hoped they'd be and more. Problem is I don't use the organ section at all which I feel is probably the primary tool the electro was created for. So now I'm having some regrets about not getting the piano 2 hp. The 88 key version is a little larger than I want to deal with. I'm thinking It would be nice to have weighted action , layering, and the larger piano memory section. However I continually read about people not liking the action of the hp. I have read it described as "sluggish", "clickety-clacety", and "unresponsive.

What is your (and others here's) opinion of the action of the hp. Could someone with a non piano background get used to the Keybed.

Thanks.
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Re: Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby Nordraumir » 20 Sep 2014, 19:30

The 88 was out of the question so i compared the HP with stage HA76. The stage is somewhat "smoother" yet heavier. I liked it very much, but not 1800$ much..:p It's a matter of opinion, and you really have to try the HP, but for ME, I find it just right. After playing with it for 15 minutes in the store it didn't even feel like a compromise anymore. It's just right. AND much lighter than the 88... This is coming off sort of negative. I REALLY enjoy the keybed of my HP;)
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Re: Ns2 vs np2 opinion

Postby Nordraumir » 10 Dec 2014, 21:07

Hi!
No templates for you I`m afraid.. I`m using this exclusively in a studio setting. I was planning on creating huge setlists with tons of automation, but I`m still to busy just closing my eyes and getting goosebumps over how beautiful the simplest of songs sound on my Nord... ;p So i am still just goofing around and trying this and that. The setlists i hope will automatically appear one day..:p For now I´m just using bits of this and bits of that into an project, and just move on to other things once it is done.

What I do when rehearsing/creating/messing around, is either:

1. Connecting a minijack from my macbook to the "monitor in" input on the Nord. This way I get both the Nord program and the Mainstage program in my headsets. This is very easy, since i can easily change midi source to either the mac or my iPad. (Just discovered Korg Gadget and Korg Module...:P) I can then play around and be creative.

or

2. Connecting the Nord as audio track in MS through a audio interface. This is probably the solution for you, since you can choose wether to use the audio track in a program or not. As a helluva bonus, you get to twist your Nord with MS audio effects. Even the presets are lots of fun! (I`m a big fan of huge reverbs and LP-filters)
This way you can also customize splitpoints with as many tracks you want. Like an blippety arpeggio in the top octave, Pads in the next, piano and bass layers on the rest.. This is also customizable, like to turn on and off at a whim, with MS layout editing. You can assign buttons or knobs to an infinite amount of functions in MS.

This is obviously also the best way to record your music..;p

The thing about Mainstage is that it is what you want it to be. You could add a button for practically any function in all of mainstage and connect it to the knobs of your Nord, a midi pedalboard or maybe a seperate midi thingylingy with thousands of knobs and buttons. I have burned through hours just testing this and that.

Oh, and i´m going to buy a novation lauchkey mini as support. Like for big pads or leads on top of piano. It should fit perfectly on the right top of the Nord. It has some knobs, (knobs.. mmmm...) and also some very sturdy pads for either drums, soundclips or whatever.

Are there any specific functions you need help understanding? Did this reply help at all..?:p If not, maybe a Mainstage forum would be more helpful than me!

If anything was unclear, or you need more details, let me know!

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