Is it worth putting large piano samples on Electro

[Schorsch]

For your own use, practice, or solo/acoustic group work you are going to want to use an XL. Nord XL piano samples are the best ones around, and your investment in a Nord keyboard is maximized by using them.

Yeah - just a shame that they are all much too old and outdated

[Gambold]

>Yeah - just a shame that they are all much too old and outdated<

A lot of them are too old and were sampled with technology that has been surpassed. If you can spare the space, I would focus on picking one or two Grands that work best for you from the White, Royal, Velvet and Silver and load the XL versions of these. This group is pretty varied - the Silver is very bright and cutting, while the Velvet is quite muted (possibly too much so). The Royal and White slot in somewhere between. Anything before these are over ten years old and a lot don't have an XL option. That's not to say a few don't have charm - but work with the newest ones first, before you start mining the archives.

As for the Uprights - these are a real mixed bag and I personally would load up the better ones (Pearl, Amber, Grand) in M, test them out, and pick one to load in XL. You probably won't use it that often, but it's nice to have one upright onboard to change things up. There a lot of others but they are either very sound-specific (Baby, Felt) or too old to bother with (anything which doesn't have an XL option). If you do a lot of ragtime or play in a band where an old-timey sound is needed, the Saloon is a good alternate in M. Don't bother with the honky-tonk.

While it's tempting to have a passel of different keyboard samples onboard in small sizes, you will probably find that you will rarely use most of them. Use your precious space for XL versions of the two or three that you really like.

[Rusty Mike]

Of course it depends on your needs. I use only two primary piano samples myself, and would agree with Gambold's advice. If you're in a situation where you need a huge variety of different piano characters, then it's a more difficult choice. Some of the pianos are rather flexible, and can emulate other characteristics through effects, EQ or the Nord filters (if your instrument has them). This could help reduce what you load in.

cphollis has made the point several times in the past that in the din of (musical) battle, much of the nuance and detail of the piano samples are lost. So keep it all in context. If you're playing close and intimate, then the XL samples are preferred. If you're rocking out like Spinal Tap, well, it may not matter which piano sample you use.

[playsabadguitar]

I downloaded the XL white grand to my Nord electro 6d 73. I hear a difference, but I am no expert. I was using the 3d grand before which I loved, but I love Xl white grand even more. And I had so many sounds I was not using, so I it was not a big sacrifice.

[ironheadslim]

I play the XL White Grand on Electro 6D through headphones for my own satisfaction and I love it! Goosebump good!

[cookie]

I play in a band there XL are not really needed and no use also to have trillions of Medium pianos.
I am happy to have space for the "hidden" Roland pianos that fits well in an 80's setlist !
Therefore, my selection is based on the pianos that do cut thru the mix.

Fred