Nord User Forum

[richardp]

I’m new here, so Hello. I wonder if someone could offer some input to the following.

Many years ago, I was quite into keyboards, and had a setup with a Clavinova and various modules connected to a computer running Cakewalk. I enjoyed using Cakewalk and sequencing and all that. And a couple of analogue synths too although not MIDI. But for various reasons I now just have an acoustic piano.

Having recently been watching videos on Youtube, I’d like to get a new electronic instrument largely for the Rhodes and Hammond sounds (my main playing interest is Jazz). And I'm quite interested in creating "funk" too. I kind of feel that the Nord Stage 3 88 would be a good buy along with a cheap unweighted controller for organ playing (or possible a not-so-cheap synth?). Perhaps with a Midi pedal board as that is something I’d like to learn too. And I suppose some sort of drum machine. I don’t do gigs so portability is not an issue. But these extra goodies will have to wait as it’s the main board I’m after at the moment.

The more research I have done, the more confusing it becomes. The Korg Kronos also looks good and apparently can do loads of things the Nord can’t. But with a DAW computer setup would I have all bases covered with the Nord? And then there are all the other makes, Yamaha, Kurzweil, Roland etc. When I had my setup (twenty five years ago – now I feel old!) Roland were pretty much the “go to” make and Nord didn’t even exist then as far as I know!

I suppose the immediate appeal of the Nord is all those buttons and knobs which look far more “immediate” than menu-diving. I also like the fact that Nord make their sample library freely available (and for free).

I’m not very close to any decent music stores so I thought I’d ask here for some advice.

I guess that by posting on a Nord forum, you guys might be biased… but the fact I’m asking here clearly shows I’m drawn in the Nord direction!

Thanks,
Richard

[danrv]

Hi and welcome.
Nords are primarily geared towards live performance with their light weight, emphasis on keyboard based instrument sounds and hands on layout. It really comes down to want you want to do with the new keyboard.
A Stage 3 88 will certainly give the Rhodes and Hammond and has a light feel weighted keyboard which is a good balance for piano and organ playing. That would suit your jazz playing style.
What you won’t get is the huge variety of sounds available on the Kronos or other workstation keyboards.

As for creating funk tunes and tracks, the Stage 3 could be used with a DAW to play the onboard sounds and the DAW VST’s and create tracks that way.
A cheap 88 key midi controller would do that too.
The Kronos 88 would do the lot and more on it’s own except that the keys are piano type and wouldn’t be great for organ playing.
Depends whether you prefer using a keyboard or PC/DAW for sequencing and recording.

[anotherscott]

I’d like to get a new electronic instrument largely for the Rhodes and Hammond sounds (my main playing interest is Jazz). And I'm quite interested in creating "funk" too.

Since you're using a DAW also, you already have access to pretty much whatever quality sounds you want, so I would focus on instruments that give you the best playing experience, which means the actions and the operational ergonomics, and the feel of how the sounds "connect" to the sounds. Although I really like the NS3, it is still in many ways a "compromise" board focused on creating the best portable package, which may not be the best solution for you, with portability not an issue.

For Hammond, I'd probably look at a Crumar Mojo 61, which I think most people would find to be a stronger organ than the Nord (in both sound and feel). In terms of funk, is also has nice clavs with a low release point which I think maks clavs play better (Nord has that too). It also has good Rhodes, but the board I've played that "feels" best for EPs is the Korg SV1 (which also has a tube, giving it a kind of character that differs from what you can get out of a VST). The SV1 (or whatever other board you get) could also double as a lower manual for organ, though Crumar specifically makes a lower manual for the Mojo 61 which would give you a better dual manual organ experience than the hammer action would (it's also something you could consider adding later).

The Mojo61+SV1 would probably be my ideal organ/EP/clav combo. It is limited in other sounds, but you have your VST environment for that. The biggest missing piece here is probably synth-style expressiveness (for synth sounds or also even for other acoustic instrument sounds)... i.e. you might still want to have something with pitch and mod wheels and maybe aftertouch. In a studio environment, I'd make that a third board. That brings me back to the initial distinction I was making. The NS3 gives you a strong organ, EP, and synth in one board for maximum portability, but I don't think it is the very best at any one of those things. If portability/space isn't an issue, you can do better for each of those "pieces" individually.

[Bjosko]

Crumar GSI DMC122 with Gemini module are also an option.
You will get everything from the Mojo, and a lot more. Pitch and mod wheels, aftertouch and full midi capability.

[anotherscott]

Crumar GSI DMC122 with Gemini module are also an option.
You will get everything from the Mojo, and a lot more. Pitch and mod wheels, aftertouch and full midi capability.

Yes, though supposedly the key feel for organ playing is better on the Mojo than the DMC.

[Bjosko]

I have heard some have said that, but in my opinion, if you disable the aftertouch on the DMC, they are equal ( I have them both).

[richardp]

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about there.

Does the Nord Stage 88 have a lighter keyboard than other EPs? I do want a really nice hammer action keyboard.

I think I'm going to have to travel to a shop to try some out!

[cphollis]

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about there.

Does the Nord Stage 88 have a lighter keyboard than other EPs? I do want a really nice hammer action keyboard.

I think I'm going to have to travel to a shop to try some out!

That may be problematic, depending on where you live. Here in the US, the only way to try out quality instruments is at a handful of music stores, usually in major cities. Even then, there's going to be a gap in any particular shop.

All the other music shops have keyboards to try, but they're not the better ones, usually entry-level stuff for the cost-conscious. Most of us bite the bullet and buy online with return privileges if we really don't like the board. Or buy the top two contenders and return the one you don't like.

That last approach is dangerous though, as you can end up keeping both boards, which isn't what your spouse had in mind.

The list of top-tier digital piano boards is pretty short
Nord Piano 4
Kawaii MP11
Yamaha CP4
Korg GrandStage
Roland RD 2000
Dexibell

I might have missed one, but that's pretty much it. If you spend time on forums, the Kawaii gets kudos for the best action, but is heavy. They all sound great, but the Nord gets the nod for sheer breadth and variety of sampled pianos available. I find the Nord action a bit on the lighter side, which is exactly what I want for longer gigs.

I don't know if the Nord Piano is the lightest, but it is among the lightest, and it's pretty easy to move around, get on a stand, etc. I have played all of these at one time or another, and still keep coming back to Nord. Actually, mine is an ancient Nord Piano 2, and I haven't found any real reason to upgrade yet.

Hope this helps.

[anotherscott]

The list of top-tier digital piano boards is pretty short
Nord Piano 4
Kawaii MP11
Yamaha CP4
Korg GrandStage
Roland RD 2000
Dexibell

I might have missed one, but that's pretty much it.

Maybe Kurzweil Forte? But with the OP's emphasis on Rhodes and Hammond, that's not the best short list anyway. For piano, he has an acoustic piano. The subject line is kind of misleading.

[cphollis]

Yeah, the OP is starting on a journey many of us have been on for decades Spend your money, learn from your mistakes.

All part of the grand plan.