Nord User Forum

[cphollis]

OK, I've heard about "small gigs" before, but your description takes the prize ... maybe take up the accordion?

The Nord demo samples are pretty much what you get when you load them up, given that you've got decent speakers, etc. Of course, nothing is the same as hearing those sounds come from your own hands through your own gear. I understand that "fullness with zing" thing -- I like a nice, sharp attack with plenty of harmonics that stand out. Plenty of the Nord voices do that for me in different ways, so I have choices and can end up playing 3-4 distinctly different acoustic pianos during a gig.

I use very few effects on the acoustic piano voices, maybe a little reverb and that's about it. On the punchier numbers, maybe dial in some light compression, or a smidge of stereo chorus if you'd like a detuned sound. You also can push a button adjust the velocity response to be a bit lighter if you're not into pounding on your board. No menu-diving on the Nord.

There's an ability to layer/split with the entire Nord sample library -- strings, voices, horns, etc.. Sounds like a great thing, but I rarely use it unless there's something specific I'm after. The acoustic piano voices, string resonance, etc. speak for themselves.

I did some band recording a few weeks back, went straight to the board in stereo with absolutely zero in the signal path. I plugged in, got a level, and went for it. It sounded absolutely brilliant - you'd think I was playing a well-miked grand piano. Every other instrument required major fussing.

Whatever you end up doing, I'm sure it'll be the right choice ...

[Sleepngbear]

Nord certainly don't need to hype their piano sounds, and don't forget that there is an onboard eq that allows you to fine tune your sound as well. Half the fun is downloading different pianos and trying them all out.

From what I've heard so far, I'm inclined to agree.

So I guess we're looking at a done deal here then

About that wife... buy a tin of red spray paint, leave it lying around conspicuously for a few days, then mention that you thought you might try "brightening up" one of your old keyboards...

Brilliant!

[Sleepngbear]

OK, I've heard about "small gigs" before, but your description takes the prize ... maybe take up the accordion?

The Nord demo samples are pretty much what you get when you load them up, given that you've got decent speakers, etc. Of course, nothing is the same as hearing those sounds come from your own hands through your own gear. I understand that "fullness with zing" thing -- I like a nice, sharp attack with plenty of harmonics that stand out. Plenty of the Nord voices do that for me in different ways, so I have choices and can end up playing 3-4 distinctly different acoustic pianos during a gig.

I use very few effects on the acoustic piano voices, maybe a little reverb and that's about it. On the punchier numbers, maybe dial in some light compression, or a smidge of stereo chorus if you'd like a detuned sound. You also can push a button adjust the velocity response to be a bit lighter if you're not into pounding on your board. No menu-diving on the Nord.

There's an ability to layer/split with the entire Nord sample library -- strings, voices, horns, etc.. Sounds like a great thing, but I rarely use it unless there's something specific I'm after. The acoustic piano voices, string resonance, etc. speak for themselves.

I did some band recording a few weeks back, went straight to the board in stereo with absolutely zero in the signal path. I plugged in, got a level, and went for it. It sounded absolutely brilliant - you'd think I was playing a well-miked grand piano. Every other instrument required major fussing.

Whatever you end up doing, I'm sure it'll be the right choice ...

This one place makes a hole in the wall look like Carnegie Hall. But it's on the water and has a pretty large patio area outside -- that's where the masses usually congregate. Unfortunately they're not set up at all to have the entertainment out there.

Thanks again for your input -- whether or not I do grab this board, I do understand now what makes it a premium machine.

[anotherscott]

The Nord Piano 2 HP is one of a very few that are the ideal size and weight for me and what I need, like my Kurz. It looks like it's also semi-weighted like my Kurz, another big plus.

The Nord Piano 2HP is not semi-weighted, it's a fully-weighted (i.e. hammer-style) action. Although it is far from my favorite action, it does feel more piano-like than the SP4-7. But since you're okay with the Kurz, I think you'd really have to try it yourself to see how you like it. Other than what you may feel about the action, I think the biggest reason to consider the upgrade is that I think it is simply a better sounding piano. And related to that, the fact that there are numerous completely different piano samples you can load into it means that it is even more likely you'll find something you prefer. Although the Kurz has numerous pianos patches, they are all based off the same basic sample set, so they don't give you the kind of variation you can get from the Nord, which provides samples of completely different pianos. (I also think the Nord piano sounds better than the MP6 you have.) OTOH, the Kurzweil has some advantages over the Nord as well. It has a lot more the way of non-piano capabilities, including more flexible splits and layers.