Nord User Forum

[jb1979]

Hello

After spending more time with the NP4 I still cannot get used to the keyboard action. I find it very unsexy to play and unnatural, while I really like the Nord Stage action (but I don't have a Nord Stage) and the similar NP1 action (sold long time ago). When I record with it, it's a lot of trouble getting the track right, and most of the time it doesn't have any groove. As a result I barely use it and think of reselling it.

Of course there are subjective things: it's not graded, it's too slow, it's too heavy (especially in the high register because it's not graded), etc

But one thing bothers me above everything: I have never been able to play chords properly with it. When I play a chord, it's very difficult to have all notes play at the same time, even when concentrating a lot on it (which I am NOT supposed to do). This is worse at pianissimo or piano levels, or if the chord is a mix of white and black keys, or if the chord is in the mid-high or high register, or when accentuating the top note of the chord.
I have been playing classical/non-classical piano and other keyboards for 30+ years and never had this particular problem before.

I may have found a clue about this: it looks like the keys trigger the sound "too early", I mean before the keys reach the bottom or "stopping rail". This would explain a lot of things.

Am I the only one having this problem?

Thanks

[motonekorg]

Interesting subject. I've only had my NP4 for a week (it's been returned for a warranty claim on a problematic Eb6 key) and I am playing ABRSM classical exam pieces. Having been playing an SV-1 for the last four years, I found the action on the Nord was a bit lighter than the SV1 and that made paying trills etc a little smoother and connected. The keys on the Nord do seem ever slightly narrower than what I'm used to, but that might just be my imagination. Gripping five note chords does take some concentration. Have you found any difference if you adjust the velocity settings ? Or does that just alter the volume ?

[cphollis]

I do not play classical, but do some occasionally challenging material. I go between three acoustic-type pianos: a Bosie 200, a Yamaha AG N3 and of course the Nord Piano 4. I like them all for different reasons.

I would not expect the action on the lightweight and portable NP4 to match the other two. There was some adaptation required on my part. It wasn't too hard. I can now go back and forth without too much trouble. But all three actions do have their nuances.

If you're looking for a lightweight, portable and great-sounding AP experience, I think the Nord is a great choice for gigging. If lightweight and portable isn't as important to you, there are other choices with more sophisticated (and heavier, more expensive) actions. Also, the sensitivity adjustment helped me a bit.

[jb1979]

Thanks for your answer motonekorg

Interesting subject. I've only had my NP4 for a week (it's been returned for a warranty claim on a problematic Eb6 key) and I am playing ABRSM classical exam pieces. Having been playing an SV-1 for the last four years, I found the action on the Nord was a bit lighter than the SV1 and that made paying trills etc a little smoother and connected.

I only played the SV-1 three times at concerts or recording studios, but I remember preferring its action compared to the NP4. It is heavier but, as far as I remember, also quicker and with more firm key traveling bottom end (which I like, because it helps feeling the instrument)

The keys on the Nord do seem ever slightly narrower than what I'm used to, but that might just be my imagination.

The black keys, I don't know, but the keyboards of my NP4 and my upright acoustic piano have exactly the same width (122.3 or 122.4 cm for 88 notes), while my Rhodes is slightly smaller (too bad! but otherwise a very good instrument)

Gripping five note chords does take some concentration.

OK so I am not the only one having this problem. Do you have the same feeling with other keyboards?

Have you found any difference if you adjust the velocity settings ? Or does that just alter the volume ?

Velocity settings only alter the volume. I guess it is a problem with the sensor being too "high"

[jb1979]

Thanks for your answer cphollis

I do not play classical, but do some occasionally challenging material. I go between three acoustic-type pianos: a Bosie 200, a Yamaha AG N3 and of course the Nord Piano 4. I like them all for different reasons.

Actually the problem I have remains for any kind of music, for example even (and especially) when playing slow chords with both hands at low volume. And when playing faster (say a ragtime for example), chords always sound slightly arpeggiated, like a weird guitar.
When switching between your three pianos, did you remark something similar?

I would not expect the action on the lightweight and portable NP4 to match the other two. There was some adaptation required on my part. It wasn't too hard. I can now go back and forth without too much trouble. But all three actions do have their nuances.

That's for sure. But in the past I have used several stage pianos that were the same weight or lighter than the NP4 (NP1, Nord Stage, Casio PX3, various Yamahas) and they did not have this strange problem.

If you're looking for a lightweight, portable and great-sounding AP experience, I think the Nord is a great choice for gigging. If lightweight and portable isn't as important to you, there are other choices with more sophisticated (and heavier, more expensive) actions. Also, the sensitivity adjustment helped me a bit.

Yes I bought the NP4 for gigging (I have an upright acoustic piano and a Rhodes piano that stay at home).
For Rhodes sounds, I use the velocity curve #3 because it makes it more similar to my Rhodes. But the NP1 I had before was much better for Rhodes playing. For acoustic sounds, when I used curves #2 or 3 the sound was too bright, but ok I will try again.

I must be the only guy on earth who prefers the action of the Nord Stage 3 for any kind of sound and musical style! But upgrading to a Stage just for this would be crazy, that's a lot of money

[cphollis]

"For acoustic sounds, when I used curves #2 or 3 the sound was too bright, but ok I will try again."

I would suggest using the curves to try and get the right feel, and nothing else. You can adjust perceived brightness a number of different ways.

[jb1979]

"For acoustic sounds, when I used curves #2 or 3 the sound was too bright, but ok I will try again."

I would suggest using the curves to try and get the right feel, and nothing else. You can adjust perceived brightness a number of different ways.

I tried to play the NP4 more and found partial solutions:
- First, playing louder helps because the problem of playing all the notes of a chord at the same time is reduced (see above). That said, when I come back to acoustic piano after, I play too loud.
- Also, for acoustic pianos, it seems more natural to use velocity curve #2, especially with the White Grand sound.
Unfortunately, these solutions go against each other because as a result I play too often with a velocity of 127.

Meanwhile I tested some other stage pianos: Yamaha CP88, Kawai MP7SE, Kawai E920, Crumar 7.
I think the Yamaha and the Kawais have a good keyboard (they were mounted on a wall at 45 degrees so not 100% sure), and at least one good acoustic piano sound (but frankly, nothing exceptional). Then the Rhodes are a big deception. On the CP88, it has very weak, and often "farting" sound in the bass register; also, you hear the velocity layers a lot. The Kawais have a very dated, "EP"-style Rhodes sound, and also rather weak bass.
I tested the Crumar mostly for fun because it was there. I don't like this kind of keyboard (slow, smooth and heavy). The Rhodes sound is very unnatural when you play f in the upper register (somehow makes "two notes at the same time").

In the shop they also had a Nord Piano 5 that I used as a reference. Compared to the others, for the acoustic pianos, this is debatable; but I really prefer the Nord Rhodes sound.
More importantly, I did not bring my NP4 there, but I am almost sure the keys and the velocity curves are better on the NP5.

Still not sure, but at least I have two solutions now:
- trying to swap my NP4 against a NP5 in the shop where I bought the NP4
- using one of these <600euros, <12kg stage pianos that have a better keyboard than the Nords + a small computer (with no screen) + sound card + software

Happy new year everybody!