Nord User Forum

[maurich]

After all this time when I try to figure out how to get real piano feel on my master keyboard Doepfer PK88 ( and get sound from my NS3C), I finally recieve Midi solutions VELOCITY CONVERTER from Thomann.de. My master keyboard doesn't have options to change velocity, so I' ve try with this midi solution. ( We talk about that here: nord-stage-forum-f3/ns3compact-piano-help-t15561-20.html ).
After all? Dissapointed. This little thing lose power ( no, it's not cable), work a little, than not...so, I'll send it back to Thomann.de and I decided to buy new stage piano. What I want? Real keyboard feel, real 88 weight keys. After I spend 1000euros on master controler and velocity converter I want to buy stage piano with real feel and great sound. Don't tell me Nord piano. I don't want it. First I owned Electro 5 and I never have problems with that great instrument, and never have problems with velocity, like on NS3C. I have Nord Lead A1. I don't want just another Nord. In a future, I will use my NS3C for Hammond and synths, but now I must decide:
1. Roland RD2000 ( I love Roland key actions, few years ago I have RD700SX).
2. Korg Grandstage ( somebody try that thing? I am pretty fascineted with design and sounds from Kronos, but that old RH3 keys... I don't know... =
3. Yamaha CP4 ( maybe a little bit hard keys and ugly design, but great sound).
Every suggestion is welcome.
( sorry for my bad english)

[anotherscott]

Not all keyboards can properly power the MIDI Solutions boxes, sometimes you need one of these...

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodpwr.htm

As for whether any of those keyboards will give you a piano sound you'll like at least as much as the Nord's, no one but you will have the answer to that. Besides Roland, Korg, and Yamaha, you could also look at Kawai and Kurzweil.

[That1Guy]

A simple "solution" would be to just get used to it. Real pianos don't have such adjustments and the Doepfer PK88 is just flat out cool.

OK, I'm sure you tried that. Here are some other thoughts.
You could always look at the VST side, but that becomes cumbersome after a while. Sometimes you just want to plugin and play.

Between the ones you mentioned and the sound of your post, it seems like the RD2000 may fit the bill as you are already accustomed to it. The pianos are very customizable (to a point). When I was looking, I did not have a Yamaha to try out but was intrigued.

I tried the Grandstage and loved it (especially for Rhodes) and was very close to getting it ($300 off), but wanted a smaller board with more on-board control. The GrandStage was the winner in my book except for its size (was looking for something light and non-weighted). It's a very nice board with a lot going for it (great pianos, stellar EPs, decent organs, great synth and strings, balanced outs, great design and good looks).

I ended up getting the NE6 and still love it. Best of luck!

[maurich]

Thank you, guys.
I' ve think about master keyboard and Keyscape, Mainstage, etc...but..I'm an old-school...just want to sit and play.
Kurzweil- noooo, I love simple things - few pots and buttons and let's go. That's why I love all my Nords.
Kawai - great keys, but sound is not the best. At my home, I play on Yamaha Clavinova and that's great key feel and sound...but CP4 is so ugly ( very subjective, of course)...
I am sad because my Doepfer has cool look, but that velocity curves killing me...
Does anybody here owned Roland RD2000? I think it's killer rig with NS3C...

[baekgaard]

I have the 2 generation older model, the RD-700NX, and in my view, it doesn't work that well with the Nords; I have difficulties finding a curve that gives me good feel... and now I've just adjusted to playing the Nord. But maybe the RD2000 is better also in that respect?

I don't know why you rule out a Nord categorically (probably for some other, good reasons), but if you just want something that feels more like a piano "just to sit with and play" -- it sounds pretty much like a NP4 in my book. The NP models have a different weight and feel compared to the NS models -- which you may very well know; I just wanted to make sure this was part of your decision making also in case you haven't tried one.

[anotherscott]

Kurzweil- noooo, I love simple things - few pots and buttons and let's go. That's why I love all my Nords.

Kurzweil SP6 is super simple (albeit limited, the double edge sword of few pots and buttons). It has a lower end action, but feel is so subjective. Someone in another forum felt it wasn't too far off from the CP4, so you can't predict what you'll think. But I'm not so sure that even the Forte is as complicated as you think. Programming custom sounds and real time sound tweaking is simpler on your NS3, while other things (like patch selection) are simpler on the Kurz. So the question of what's simpler might be a matter of what you want to do on which board. (And I would not say that the NS3 has few pots and buttons!)

Kawai - great keys, but sound is not the best.

Which Kawai(s) have you played?