Piano Sounds on the next C2d ?

[anotherscott]

Clavia could clean up here as the EPs in the Suzuki SK series are pee-your-pants-laughing quality

I wouldn't say that, but either way, here's what they're doing with the new SK Pro...



though of course Nord has a whole lot of very different Rhodes sample sets you can load in.

[Meggia]

The release of a Nord Piano 5 is an unexpected event by most. For many people this choice made little sense. This led me to speculate : what if this Piano 5 was not only a stand-alone product but also a 73-key lower manual to be combined with a 61-key upper manual ? We'll get a new C2d with piano sounds (or a double manual Nord Electro 7). Many will call me a visionary and I know you will have a laugh !!

[anotherscott]

A lower manual shouldn't have a deep "Nord Piano 4" style control panel. You want the keys of the two keyboards to be closer to each other. The Grand layout would be a bit more suitable.

[Rob Millis]

Clavia could clean up here as the EPs in the Suzuki SK series are pee-your-pants-laughing quality

I wouldn't say that, but either way, here's what they're doing with the new SK Pro...



though of course Nord has a whole lot of very different Rhodes sample sets you can load in.

Oh, I would, honestly. The Wurlitzer especially isn't even as good as the one in a 20 year old Kurzweil Micro Ensemble. And all the revisions in the post SK1/2 models have been about velocity not improving the sounds.

I really wanted the SKx to have some really nice EPs in it as well as addressing the woeful drawbar set to manuals ratio that the SK2 had. But no - even Jim Alfredson told me that it really wasn't much of an upgrade to the EPs in real terms, and Jim is very diplomatic and a loyal, principled Suzuki man.

What does the SK Pro actually bring to the table other than synths - it's a better organ engine isn't it?

A lower manual shouldn't have a deep "Nord Piano 4" style control panel. You want the keys of the two keyboards to be closer to each other.

We might have to disagree on the SK series EP sounds, but I'm with you there 100%.

The release of a Nord Piano 5 is an unexpected event by most. For many people this choice made little sense.

I'm seriously starting to think that the C2d might be the last dual manual organ from Clavia or anything like one. The Mojos and Legend Lives have nailed making something not much bigger than a C2D which has a more modern sound engine with better chorus vibrato and Leslie and - in the case of the Legend Live - really is like sitting at a B3 that's had the presets sawn off. For considerably less money. I doubt a large percentage of the same crew who need a dual manual would be tempted by another red thing with a non-traditional dashboard now they don't have to be.

[anotherscott]

What does the SK Pro actually bring to the table other than synths

What it brings to the table depends on what you're comparing it to.

[Rob Millis]

What does the SK Pro actually bring to the table other than synths

What it brings to the table depends on what you're comparing it to.

I'm just interested in what it is all about other than synths after you brought it up because it isn't something I want or need, so haven't delved in much myself. I think I read the SK Pro has a better organ engine in it than the SK1/2/x.

There's something that just doesn't quite scratch my itches about the SK-line. They seem to be all about compromise - generally not the best Suzuki organ engine added to a selection of extra sounds that range between usable (the acoustic pianos) to absolute drivel (the Wurlitzer; a big part of my loyalty to Clavia who get this right every time) and it took a major model revision (SK2>SKx) to even give you a set of drawbars per manual when the C2d and Legend Live are already offering every tactile control a tonewheel console provides.

And yet they aren't priced especially 'compromise'.

[anotherscott]

I'm just interested in what it is all about other than synths after you brought it up...

Actually, it was Hlaalu who brought it up, not me, but yes I do find it appealing.

...because it isn't something I want or need, so haven't delved in much myself. I think I read the SK Pro has a better organ engine in it than the SK1/2/x.

There's something that just doesn't quite scratch my itches about the SK-line. They seem to be all about compromise - generally not the best Suzuki organ engine...

Yes, it has a better engine in it than the previous SK, and it is indeed the best Suzuki organ engine, the first time it's been available at this price.

If you want a board with a full array of dedicated organ controls and a full array of dedicated lead synth controls, the SK Pro and the Nord Stage 3 are probably your only choices. And that's a very nice combination of functions for a single board to put over a hammer-action board for your pianos and EPs.

But as I said, particular plusses and minuses depends on what you compare it to. I could list a whole bunch of ways it might be more appealing than the competitive Electro 6, for example. (Though of course, the Nord will retain some advantages of its own as well.)

[Hlaalu]

I'm just interested in what it is all about other than synths after you brought it up...

Actually, it was Hlaalu who brought it up, not me, but yes I do find it appealing.

Yes, we were talking about the multicontact feature. My point was that Clavia, in order to appeal again with a new dual manual clone, would need to improve in other areas other than core organ sound, which is already good -- like multicontact emulation.

This is even more so since Hammond, with the SK Pro, has now showed to us, much to our amazement, that in order to make a decent multicontact emulation all it takes is two sensors and clever firmware.

[Rob Millis]

I'm just interested in what it is all about other than synths after you brought it up...

Actually, it was Hlaalu who brought it up, not me, but yes I do find it appealing.

Yes, we were talking about the multicontact feature. My point was that Clavia, in order to appeal again with a new dual manual clone, would need to improve in other areas other than core organ sound, which is already good -- like multicontact emulation.

This is even more so since Hammond, with the SK Pro, has now showed to us, much to our amazement, that in order to make a decent multicontact emulation all it takes is two sensors and clever firmware.

Right, with you. Well, as I said before (I think!), I'd be happy with better chorus vibrato and a Leslie of Neo Ventilator standard. Anything else would be 'nice to have'.

But I really don't think we are ever going to see another dual manual organ - be it in one lump or modular - from Clavia. I think that sector is better catered for by others now, and Clavia will remember that it was the Electro 'swiss army knife' single manual that got them their organ fanbase and revert to that.

R

[Hlaalu]

But I really don't think we are ever going to see another dual manual organ - be it in one lump or modular - from Clavia. I think that sector is better catered for by others now, and Clavia will remember that it was the Electro 'swiss army knife' single manual that got them their organ fanbase and revert to that.

That is scaringly plausible but I strongly hope you're wrong.