Nord User Forum

[M1tsos]

M1tsos, regarding the nord grand, it's $600 more than the P5, it also doesn't have the 4 layers of the P5 and though not a big deal, the grand has 512MB while the P5 has 1GB for the synth sample section. The P5 is also lighter, which is helpful. The extra money alone is a deal breaker, since I don't have it, but paying extra for reduced functionality is also problematic.

BTW, just received a replacement P5 and the defective keybed is the same - clacking white keys all across the board. I'm taking it back for a refund, don't know what I'm going to do for a keyboard, traded in my Roland RD-800 to get the P5.

For me the most important thing is the keybed my friend.. i am very happy with the kawai keybeds.. and i am done with fatar.. everytime i see fatar i run away

[RobertBaker_USA]

Good advice (see next post)

[RobertBaker_USA]

For me the most important thing is the keybed my friend.. i am very happy with the kawai keybeds.. and i am done with fatar.. everytime i see fatar i run away

Good advice, M1tos! That's amazing considering the hundreds of thousands of keyboards out there with Fatar keybeds. The few exceptions I'm aware of include Kawai, Yamaha, and possibly Roland. I'm developing a list of keyboards to consider buying and keybed mfg'r is definitely one of the parameters I am checking on!

Thanks again!

[MarkJames]

For me the most important thing is the keybed my friend.. i am very happy with the kawai keybeds.. and i am done with fatar.. everytime i see fatar i run away

Good advice, M1tos! That's amazing considering the hundreds of thousands of keyboards out there with Fatar keybeds. The few exceptions I'm aware of include Kawai, Yamaha, and possibly Roland. I'm developing a list of keyboards to consider buying and keybed mfg'r is definitely one of the parameters I am checking on!

Thanks again!

I personally think Fatar is maligned too much. The good and bad about it is that if you like one type, the experience should be similar across other keyboards with the same Fatar keybed. But if you don’t….the same applies.

I tried out the RD 2000 before buying my Piano 4, and I HATED it. Same with the cheaper Roland piano keybeds. But that’s just my preference.

I still have an old Ensoniq TS-12 that I bought close to 30 years ago, that I believe has the Fatar TP/10 keybed. My issue was less about the feel and more about the weights that fall off and the key stops that break. But it wouldn’t put me off buying another keyboard with a Fatar keybed.

[NordDocZac]

M1tsos, regarding the nord grand, it's $600 more than the P5, it also doesn't have the 4 layers of the P5 and though not a big deal, the grand has 512MB while the P5 has 1GB for the synth sample section. The P5 is also lighter, which is helpful. The extra money alone is a deal breaker, since I don't have it, but paying extra for reduced functionality is also problematic.

BTW, just received a replacement P5 and the defective keybed is the same - clacking white keys all across the board. I'm taking it back for a refund, don't know what I'm going to do for a keyboard, traded in my Roland RD-800 to get the P5.

What ever happened to your NP5? I ordered mine and await its arrival and hoping to not have keyed issues. I am coming from an MP7SE that has similar issues users here have had with the Grand, obviously because they have the same action.

[Nordlicht]

I own a Nord Piano 5 since 4 days and I am not sure if the action is faulty. There is an unexpected noise when releasing some keys. Quite annoying when I play at home, which is my main use. Here is a short demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/e5EOtZjtSRA

Is this normal? I find it odd that some keys have a normal noise level, while other keys have this cracking/clicking noise when the key returns to its initial position.

Hi,

any news about this topic? Did you try another device or did you switch to another manufacturer?

I'm observing the same "clacky" keys on my brand new NP5, especially in the lowest octave but there are more keys throughout the whole keybed. Is it just an acoustical problem or a real technical fault?

Edit: I've also noticed that the loud/clacky keys behave in another way when returning to their initial position after releasing the key:
The "good" keys bounce a bit when returning, while the "loud" keys return with a hard thud.

I also quickly made a video where you can see and hear this well (at first a normal key, then one of the loud keys):

Watch on youtube.com

[Nordlicht]

FYI: I’ve showed my video to my dealer (and they to the German distributor), and the keybed is obviously faulty.
My NP5 will be exchanged for a new one.

[Nordlicht]

A Brief update: I got a new NP5 today and its keybed is far more homogeneous and altogether quieter.
It feels very good and makes fun to play.
So I obviously had a "Monday model" with the first device.

[lawman]

M1tsos, your "small video" is great and your personal insight is very helpful and interesting. Thank you!

[Macsaint777]

I had this issue (exactly the same) with my Nord Piano 2,3,4 and Stage 3 88. I gave up. It’s the way the action is made, it’s not faulty, as in broken… it’s just the design has the hammer mechanism falling back against the metal inside the chassis. I finally bought a Stage 3 Compact with an entirely different keybed, and it’s been flawless. I went through 5 Nord Piano 4s with Sweetwater before giving up. I have no faith the Piano 5 does not have the same issues- and it is the SOLE reason I won’t buy a new Nord Stage 4 in the weighted versions. I’ve settled on a Stage 4 compact with a Yamaha YC88 under it for the action.