Nord User Forum

[JVSalazar]

Is is possible to hook up an external MIDI controller to the Nord Piano 5 and have it send MIDI to only 1 layer (and have the local keyboard control the other layer)?

[maxpiano]

No, this is not currently supported by the MIDI implementation of NP5

[FZiegler]

This is possible to some extent for the Stage 3 with its 2-panel structure. Depending on the way you want to use the pedals.

The Piano 5 looks different - there is no such thing as independent panels, at least on the control board.

Are you still looking for what suits you best?

[FZiegler]

This is possible to some extent for the Stage 3 with its 2-panel structure. Depending on the way you want to use the pedals.

The Piano 5 looks different - there is no such thing as independent panels, at least on the control board.

Are you still looking for what suits you best?

I've thought about it long and hard, but right now my current plan is to get a Nord Piano 5 73 (which I just ordered) and replace my NS3C with a Nord Wave 2. I figured that this new setup would have less redundancy than a NP5 + NS3C, as I don't really foresee myself ever having to use all 4 piano engines simultaneously. It would also have more capability synth-wise in the NW2. To make up for the missing organ section (which I frankly don't use all that often), I plan to add a desktop organ module (e.g. a Crumar Mojo Desktop) to use with the Nord Wave 2 as needed - from what I've seen, the keybed is exactly the same as a NS3C, and I've found it more than sufficient for organ playing. With this setup I will likely also get a Blokas Midihub as an MIDI interface between the two and other desktop synths I might use live. I don't know if this new setup is bulletproof or prone to some issues I don't know about yet, but as of now it looks good to me.

I suppose you could say that if I wanted a weighted key setup that retained similar functionality, then I could have just gone for a NS3HP76 or NS3HA88 with a 2nd tier board of my choice. I probably would have strongly considered the HP76 if it weren't for the TP100 keybed, which I can't stand playing (if it had the same keybed as the NP5 though, this would have been a different story). As for the HA88, it is just too unwieldy for me to transport regularly. In my case I find that carrying 2 smaller/lighter boards with one in a backpack case, is far easier for me to transport than one relatively big and heavy 88 key that I can't put on my back, even if the combined weight of the two somewhat exceeds the 88 key.

As a side note, if you remember the discussion we had regarding the CP73, I did try some velocity conversions using midiflow on iOS. It did yield some somewhat passable results, but even then there is just something about the keybed that makes the tendons in my hand sore after extended playing. I really noticed this after playing for an extended period testing out the different velocity curves. I don't notice this happening when I play on my acoustic Yamaha upright. Probably a foregone conclusion that I will get rid of the CP now, but at least I tried I suppose.

[cphollis]

The advantage of the NS3 is that you can use one device as a control plane for all. In my world, the NS3 gets midi from a NP4, and I use extern for iPad or anything else that comes along, including lighting presets. One control surface to rule them all, or that's the idea. No need for MainStage or the computer it runs on.

That's in addition to its great chops as a primary board. Seen that way, the NP5 makes a great controller that also provides a measure of redundancy. Anyway, that's the way my rig is going.