Nord User Forum

[DimitrisPl]

Guys what about the expanded polyphony on piano section and sample synth section?Do you hear any big difference compared to Nord electro 5?

[maxpiano]

NE5 has Vintage 1,2, and 3 for the B3. #3 is the really leaky dirty tonewheel setting that I loved. NE6 has 1 & 2. That’s it. Neither sound like that. I wish they could restore #3 in an update but I’m not sure how that works. Simply do not understand why they did away with it.

I see, not owning one I didn’t realize the NE5 has that additional setting, of course Nord could add it to the NE6 too via a software update, if they want.

[anotherscott]

NE5 has that “leaky” noisy sound (which I loved) on the Vintage B3. NE6 doesn’t have it. I miss it.

They also removed a number of other settings... additional variations for key click level, percussion level and decay (and drawbar-robbing), maybe rotary balance. I guess it's more the NS3 organ rather than the NE5 organ.

What about the expanded polyphony on piano section and sample synth section?Do you hear any big difference compared to Nord electro 5?

More polyphony doesn't affect the sound at all. It changes how many notes you can play at once, but the notes you hear don't sound any different.

[Nordy1083]

“They also removed a number of other settings... additional variations for key click level, percussion level and decay (and drawbar-robbing), maybe rotary balance. I guess it's more the NS3 organ rather than the NE5 organ”.

Indeed. Vintage 3 sounds like that old B3 that’s been sitting in the corner of a bar for decades. You can hear the tonewheels even when it’s not being played. I loved it, used it frequently, and would sure like to have it in my NE6.

[Littlemopp]

In the Nord comparison chart they say that the Electro 6 has „C2D rotary speaker simulation“ while it says „122 rotary speaker simulation“ for the Electro 5. Does this refer to a real difference or is it only a marketing thing? Also I read somewhere that the overdrive has changed from 5 to 6. What is the consensus about the organ and rotary development from 5 to 6? Thank you!

[pablomastodon]

"C2D rotary speaker simulation" = "122 rotary speaker simulation"

[Littlemopp]

That‘s good to read! Thanks!

[Gambold]

I upgraded from an Electro 4, with digital drawbars. I actually prefer the digitals, after using the manual ones - I thought I would love the manuals and they look cool but I guess I was so used to the look and feel of the digitals that I've not grooved on the sliders.

For some reason I think the organ sound was slightly better on the 4. I can't prove this to myself since I sold the 4 first - it could be my imagination. The one other thing I'm not keen on is the program organization. The screen is great and I'm used to the buttons now, but I was a bit let down by the whole set up. It wasn't the quantum leap in ease and functionality I was hoping for.

Other than those few quibbles, the 6 is superior in every way. Layering sounds, separate controls for each, tons more memory, even brackets for a stand, which I bought. I have no regrets and wouldn't look back...the Electro is the best all-purpose digital keyboard on the market.

[Akorder]

NE5 has Vintage 1,2, and 3 for the B3 in the tonewheel settings. #3 is the really leaky dirty tonewheel setting that I loved and used. NE6 has only 1 & 2.... Neither 1 nor 2 sound like that on the 6. I wish they could restore Vintage #3 in an update

Quite right! I had to check the online E5D manual to verify this. Yes, there really is a 3rd vintage setting on 5D.

I jumped from Electro 2 to 6 and at first I thought the B3-emulation hadn't changed at all, until I turned on the Vintage 2 setting which does sound better than original E2. But Vintage 3 might be even better.

[anotherscott]

But Vintage 3 might be even better.

Vintage 3 plays leakage constantly, even when you're not playing any notes. Based on my experience with "real" Hammonds, It's actually the most authentic setting. Whether that is a desirable artifact or not is a matter of opinion, but it was nice to have the option. I also miss the higher key click setting.