Rhodes - why only new pianosamples and no proper Rhodes

[white elefant]

I`m wondering since years, why Clavia offers one new accoustic piano sample after another. But the current Rhodes samples remain not suitable anymore. I love the concept of Nord and their Interface. But I changed from Nord Stage to Korg Kronos only because of its Rhodes-sounds. Because I´m playing more in a Chanson, Electrojazz context the weak and, compared to Kronos, flat Rhodes-sound of a Nord prohibits my return to Nord. I´m aware that for many nordusers the current Rhodes-sound is ok, especially if one´s play more in a Rock/Pop context.

So what do you think is the reason why clavia offers no new, highstandard Rhodes-Sample? technically? marketwise?

[RedLeo]

I´m aware that for many nordusers the current Rhodes-sound is ok

Really, you've answered your own question here.

If you don't like the Nord for its Rhodes sound, then buy something else you like better. It's that simple. Frankly you've discussed this at considerable length previously on this forum, I don't really see the point of bringing it all up again and simply repeating the same things over and over. You've already made your point.

[azwel]

i think the last one, the amped rhodes is fine.

[white elefant]

@RedLeo
yes that´s right, but it was a long time ago. Since then Clavia offers a variety of accoustic piano samples but not a suitable rhodes. 10 years ago Clavia had no real competition. Then the Korg SV1 came out (better rhodes, worse acc.piano) and then the Kronos (very good rhodes and acc. piano but less intuitive interface). So if the rhodessound is very important for the performance, I know players that changed to other brands even if they like nord for other reasons a lot. A friend who plays with a fantastic jazz vocalist brings with his nord piano a laptop with scarbee to the gig. It´s not a single opinion. You can look it up in current test reports.

So RedLeo says If you don´t like it, just play another instrument. The best would be a real rhodes, but .... more than 50kg or a vintage vibe piano but .... more than 4500 Euros. He may thinks that clavia is not interested because players like me are a insignificant minority. But I don´t think so. Because this is an intelligent communication platform we may find some other explanations Is there f.e. a technical problem that interfers clavia to improve their rhodes samples?

[NoDirection]

Clavia writes on their web-pages that Mellotron and Chamberlin are Licensed partners among others. Could it be so easy that they need some kind of license to make more accurate rhodes samples?

[AinTziLLo]

If you don't like the Nord for its Rhodes sound, then buy something else you like better. It's that simple.

...it is what I and White Elephant have done.

But White Elephant gave an excellent starting point for discussion.
Why Clavia not give us a few "new" electric piano sound that pushes me (and someone else, I think) to go back to using Nord keyboards also for electric pianos?

My guess is that the Nord Piano Library does not allow more than 2-3 layers; I think that a decent electric piano sound is needed many more layers in order to give the right expression which, in the North, is missing. I love the 7-layered sound of my electric piano on my Korg SV1... although it is a project of 2009, now in 2016 the SV1 can give me what I was missing by using the Nord Piano Library.

[daniel70]

i think the last one, the amped rhodes is fine.

I don't find the amped rhodes very pleasant, and it doesn't cut through very well.

[1000Keys]

I find that the sounds cut through way better when played on a 73 sw keyboard. At least for me, it is really hard to get punchy attack and full volume with the 76 HP keybed, especially with (fast repeating) chords. Playing on the 76 HP and, via MIDI, the same Epiano sound on the NS2EX with the NE3 73 in comparison, makes big difference, even with dynmic curve on the NS2EX set to 3...
The same sound triggered via MIDI seems at least 3db louder than played on the 76HP (at least in terms of the felt "Lautheit" against "Lautstärke"). Summed up, I find it extremely hard to get full velocity with chords on the 76 HP, and funky clavinet sounds are even harder to realize than EPiano. Just my two cents...

I've been playing organ/keyboards for 30 years now, and before the NS2 I had a Yamaha S90 with a keybed from a Motif 88, which is WAY easier to play in this regard. But then again, I always was more a organ/keyboard man than a real pianist...

Oh, I forgot: With acoustic pianos on the NS2EX 76 HP, I don't have the same problem. Way easier to get out a funky, puchy attack there...

[SingerNick]

There is certainly some irony in how much I am enjoying the Rubba Roads. Dynamically, there is just so much more going on than with the traditional Rhodes samples. The CP80 Amped also fills some of my would-be-rhodes moments. The Mellow Upright is a surprisingly useful dark texture as well. Indeed, Nord is tempting us with an array of distractions while the relevance of their Rhodes library recedes. It's a strange place to be in, and I hope they address this soon.

[elecpiano]

First, excuse my bad English, is not my language.

For me, the main problem of Nord Rhodes samples, is that they come from poorly adjusted pianos. For example, most electric pianos have FUZZY and DISTORTED sampled sounds in the low-mid area (Mark V, Mark I Close Ideal, Mark I Amped…). I know that sound comes from a bad tines and/or improper voicing.

Also, the release sampled sounds in the upper area (damper sound) are TOO LONG and STRONG, ie, dampers are maladjusted. This produces an pseudo-resonance effect, such as short reverb, which is unrealistic and unpleasant. Ironically, the Rhodes sound of Korg SV-1 suffer a similar defect.

The Rhodes sound is important to many musicians. Clavia should put a little love in it (especially considering the price of their keyboards )

My five cents