How many layers on nord pianos?

[taglia74]

Hi guys, last year I bought montage8 and can notice that nord pianos sample (also in xl version) have less layer than yamaha.....that I can tell because before I had ns2 and now electro5.
In live, with a band, this isn't a issue for nord, but when I use at home finally I choose anytime to play yamaha because more expressive by a lot of dinamic done by 11 layers of cfx and bosendorfer yamaha samples.

[maxpiano]

So what? Means you use the Montage at home instead? Would it change your life knowing that Nord ha 3 or rather 5 layers? Mind what you hear, nothing else matters.

[taglia74]

At home most of the time I use yamaha because I can be more expessive than with nord. I like also nord timbre but I can't be so expressive when I use it (and I usr it with the same 88 montage keyboard).
Of course nothing change knowing how many layers have nord.....but it can explaine to me why I can't be so expressive like yamaha 11 layers sample.

[Berretje]

This is confusing... or is it only me?

[analogika]

This is confusing... or is it only me?

I think it's you.

I find the question of how many velocity layers are differentiated in a nord piano sample quite a good one; the idea that more layers afford more nuanced expression doesn't confuse me in the least.

[Berretje]

This is confusing... or is it only me?

I think it's you.

Sorry.. it was a bit early when reading the question. Now (when I've read it again) it makes sense.

So probably Yamaha takes more time of making the samples? Or at least, to put more layers in the sample.

[analogika]

Or maybe, their sampling engine allows for more layers, and this is an architectural limitation of the nord keyboards.

It's also quite possible that clavia's insistence on keeping sample playback and proprietary .npno engines separate architectures may be coming back to bite them in the ass ten years down the line, as it's less flexible than they need to be to remain competitive.

But maybe not.

[Mr. Marko]

I agree...the competitive products are very forthcoming with their specifications...IMO the NORD product line continues to have the best "user interface" but improvements need to be made under the hood if they want to "lead" in performance as well as "form".

[paulmapp8306]

This is why I went RD2000..... because its modelled rather than sampled (for the V-Piano sounds) there are effectively 128 sample layers as each midi value has its own sound. There is a lot of comment on the net that it lack dynamics - but thats down to technique and not setting up the keytouch properly. I suffered the same until I hooked up to a midi monitor. At the default medium touch - I couldnt get a midi value more than 112 from the board - so I was missing all the top end dynamics of loud playing. Once adjusted so I could JUST hit midi 127 its Soooo much better.

Granted it still lacks a little in the top end compared to samples, but in my mind the overall tone, smoothness, trails (no sample loops and such) out weighs that. Modelling will only get better (Pianoteq for a start) and until (or unless) sample based instruments include a LOT more velocity based samples (like 128 ideally, but a minimum of 32) then as a technology it will always be behind modelled based. The better modelling gets the further ahead it will pull. Currently its JUST behind samples for pure accuracy on a single note/single velocity base - but its not just that to me.

Id LOVE to see a Nord board with 32 velocity layers per note - that would be awesome. The Yam hit is better at that part, but still I find switching to and from the Roland V-Piano .... its just ritcher, more nuanced. It ust lacks a little top end dynamic - but once touch is set its minimal.

[kirsty]

I would be interested how you are deducing that you can hear so many more layers in the Yamaha sample?
Not sure how many layers are in the CP4 that i had before, but I sold this because of Lack of expression. I found the samples very thin, synthetic and quite boring on the ears. In terms of playability Yamaha created the opposite feeling to what you describe for me.

I also run the Synthogy Ivory II software pianos through my PC which have 18 layers of Steinway, a multi gigabyte super high quality sampled file. The pianos in this suite are Superb but I cant say I have ever thought, the Nord lacks behind because of less layers. Its just different

The Nord samples are very thick and bold, very in your face, perfect for a live setting if you like which is what they are built to do surely?