Nord User Forum

[handlon]

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a used Electro 2 Rack in excellent condition and would like to hear any feedback (positive or negative) about these in general. I don't have enough money to invest in a used Electro 5 or 6, which is what I would prefer, so I am trying to see how these might sound and perform?

I know certainly that they are not up to the same standard as the newer releases but I'm just looking for some good B3, Electric Pianos and Clavs to fill out my sound pallet and to use in tandem with my Yamaha MODX6 for synth and other sounds.

Many thanks for any and all input and cheers!
Handlon

[anotherscott]

I'm just looking for some good B3, Electric Pianos and Clavs to fill out my sound pallet and to use in tandem with my Yamaha MODX6

For EP and Clav, I'd look at adding this to the MODX: https://www.purgatorycreek.com/index.php/montage-modx/

For B3, you could also consider an iPad running B3X. For that matter, if you connet the iPad, you could get some nice EP and clav there too (e.g.Korg Module), though I don't know how they'd compare to the ones from Purtgatory Creek, A variable could be how much space for loading new sounds you still have available in your MODX, vs. the increased complication and hardware demands of running multiple iPad apps simultaneously.

[pablomastodon]

NE2 and NER2 would very nicely fill your stated desire for good B3, EPs and clav. Perhaps not so much for acoustic pianos, but you've got the Yamaha for that.

NER2 very rarely come onto the market (I just sold mine on reverb this past weekend). As a result, if you can score one at a good price, you can use it for some considerable time and when you're ready to let go of it almost certainly get all your money back, or even a bit more. Good investment!

bless, pablo

[alex78]

For a decent B3 simulation you could also consider the Ferrofish B4000. It is not so expensive relatively to the quality it can deliver.

[brucie808]

I think the Electro 2 is still a great option. I only sold mine earlier this year after I got an Electro 6.

The electric pianos and clav on the Electro 2 are great. In my opinion it took until the Electro 6 until Nord matched the Wurli sound of the Electro 2. Although the samples are the same, they did away with the velocity response parameter from the Electro 3 onwards, so to me the electric pianos always seemed to reach the high velocity samples too quickly. They introduced electric piano filters in the 6 that has addressed this.

The organ on the Electro 2 may not quite match more recent clones but it still does a good job, particularly in a band context.

The one thing to bear in mind is that the software for swapping the pianos on the Electro 2 has not been updated for a long time so it only works on Snow Leopard or earlier on a Mac and 32 bit Windows 7 or Vista on a PC.

Cheers

John

[iluvchiclets]

It's still a very good option. I sincerely love all the instruments on the early "rack". Not as much detail as the newer Nord samples, but still excellent.

As mentioned earlier, the Rhodes, Wurli, and Clavi still have their own funky vibe. ....parts of them I like more than the current offerings!

My only complaints are :

- no reverb.
- Electro and Electro 2 had odd artifacts on some of the drawbar frequencies. My fave setting is bars (stops) 1+3 pulled all the way out. On the early Electros there is an additional "higher octave frequency" that is not on a real Hammond, which makes it a bit churchy sounding. It likely won't bug you at all, but it irks me! I had a Stage Classic two years ago, and it had the same problem....

If it's a good price, I would grab it!☺

[handlon]

Thanks guys for all the responses! After some thought, I decided to pickup a near mint Electro 5D even though I 'll have to stretch my budget. I figured for another $500 it would be worth it.

Cheers and thanks again,
handlon

[alex78]

The benefits you get with the E5 definitely worth that extra $. Layers, splits, compatibility with newest Piano and sample library, more detailed organ engine and so much more. Good choice!

[iluvchiclets]

The 5 is a killer! ☺ nice score.

Still my fave Electro....

[anotherscott]

Yeah, I'd say the 5 is much better, except for the clav, and having 8 patch select buttons instead of 4, and of course if you want a rack form factor instead of a full keyboard. On the 5, the organ with drawbars, the whole piano library, the whole sample library, the ability to play two sounds at once, are all big advantages.