Nord User Forum

[jfish930]

Hello everyone,

Any folks have an idea of ETA for the Nord Piano 5 88 to arrive in the USA? I called a couple of places and have been advised 8/6 and/ 10/8.

Having a really tough time deciding between the Nord Stage 3 and the NP5. I know/have researched the differences; I have a Fantom 8 so am leaning more towards the NP5 due to pricing and my guess is the Nord Stage 3 will be replaced by a Nord Stage 4 soon as it’s about 4 years old or so. Also the Fantom 8 can provide most of the synth sounds/pads I need.

I am an at home composer and don’t do live gigs.

My background is as a classical pianist although I play my Fantom 8 a lot differently than I would a piano. Action on a synth/keyboard is important but looking for lush excellent sounds is equally as important.

Thanks everyone!

[Berretje]

Hi,

Unfortunately i cannot help you about the US ETA of the NP5. I am having the same kind of dilemma with the Stage3 and the Kronos and this might help I think.

- I don't think there is any noticable difference between the NP5 and NP4. The action is the very same and all the sounds from the library are the exact same. Nord is jut making a marketing catch with the NP5 but they didn't really change anything. If more memory size and true vibrato are essential to you then go for it but other than that i think there is a good chance to buy a new NP4 at a discounted price because Nord will stop manufacturing the NP5. Also, the NP5 has an increased price tag (for no reason) compared to the NP4 and the NP5 nearly costs the same as a NS3. They keybed of course is different between these models.

- Nobody knows when might Nord announce the Stage 4. They are not really much into hardware improvements the last couple years and they didn't do anything for the current Summer NAMM so the closest when they announce a new Stage version is Winter NAMM 2022 but in my opinion is highly unlikely. If you are a home composer you should also check the Dexibell Vivo S7 Pro, the Yamaha CP88 and the Korg Kronos which is also a workstation like the FANTOM. All these other keyboards have excellent piano action and the sounds are no less then any Nord to me in fact I found the Korg Kronos pianos and EPs much more detailed. I was gonna go for a Stage3 but it has serious limitations in 2021 and sounds libraries are not up to date either. Nord has lots of competitors these days.

I know these are tough decisions and we are talking about a lot of money in any case the best thing you can do is try everthing and spend days in retail shops

[DJKeys]

They also have their hands full with the new NSMP V4 update, which will require OS updates for other instruments besides the Piano 5.

-dj

[Mr_-G-]

- I don't think there is any noticable difference between the NP5 and NP4.

Erm... NP5: two piano engines + two sample engines vs NP4: one piano engine + one sample engine...
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/ ... ison-chart

[jfish930]

Thank you Mrniceguy76,

I appreciate your detailed reply. I used to have a Kronos 88 but (regrettably) sold it a couple of years ago. I felt I was only utilizing/understanding about 10% of it’s capabilities. I am definitely able to get more from my Fantom 8.

I will check out your other recommendations; just began yesterday looking at the Yamaha YC88 but will see how that compares to the CP88 you are recommending. I am not familiar with the Dexibell and look forward to researching it too.

Mr G - thank you! That was one of the things that appealed to me about the NP5; 4 sample engines!

[SteveNordP3]

Hello everyone,

Any folks have an idea of ETA for the Nord Piano 5 88 to arrive in the USA? I called a couple of places and have been advised 8/6 and/ 10/8.

Having a really tough time deciding between the Nord Stage 3 and the NP5. I know/have researched the differences; I have a Fantom 8 so am leaning more towards the NP5 due to pricing and my guess is the Nord Stage 3 will be replaced by a Nord Stage 4 soon as it’s about 4 years old or so. Also the Fantom 8 can provide most of the synth sounds/pads I need.

I am an at home composer and don’t do live gigs.

My background is as a classical pianist although I play my Fantom 8 a lot differently than I would a piano. Action on a synth/keyboard is important but looking for lush excellent sounds is equally as important.

Thanks everyone!

I can’t help with the date but have you considered a Nord Grand? Available now and if you’re a classically trained pianist, work from home (don’t need to schlep your gear around) and can use the Fantom for synths, you may truly love the keyboard feel of the Kawai keybed in the Nord Grand. Same library of piano sounds but terrific playability. Drop the fantom on the Grand’s top shelf - you’re golden!

Good luck!

[PianoManChuck]

The latest info I have for USA availability on the NP5 is September/October. With the worldwide shipping problems, its almost beginning to become the norm to pre-order something and expect to receive it a few weeks (or months) down the road. But in this case, its more than that - NP5 is a new model, and new models take time to get them into the market. The worldwide shipping problem only adds to that problem.

- I don't think there is any noticable difference between the NP5 and NP4.

There's actually quite a bit of difference! There's a lot more than just new sounds, and dual piano and sample/synth engines. With dual piano engines, I can generate piano sounds you've never heard before! I actually did a video that covers the differences and have compared the NP4 and NP5 side by side:

https://youtu.be/91b8IjyoPuw

Once you view the video you'll understand that its a lot more than simply doubling the sound engines!

I like the NP5 so much that I'll be purchasing my own when they become available (and will be selling my NP4 to help fund that). The Nord Grand wasn't even enough to make me go from NP4 to NG (to be fair though, I need portability and the NG didn't quite provide that).

[Dave Ferris]

Hi Chuck, can you feel any discernible difference in the action between the NP4 & 5 ? Thanks.

[PianoManChuck]

Hi Chuck, can you feel any discernible difference in the action between the NP4 & 5 ? Thanks.

Hey Dave... been a while! As I mentioned in the video, the NP4 / NP5 have identical action... even then sometimes they feel different but it felt the same to me.

[Dave Ferris]

Chuck, thanks, I didn't watch the video in its entirety. Hope all is well my friend.