Keyboard action NE5 vs NE6

[Henry38NRW]

Hi all,

I have a NE5 73 at the moment and are thinking about getting myself a NE6 73.

Problem is: I don't like the keyboard action on the NE5 73 very much (compared to the former Nord Electros I had (2,3,4)) - so is there anybody out there who can tell me if the keyboard action is DIFFERENT between the 5 and the 6 version?

I am literally living on a small island and can't simply go to my nearest shop and check. And I understand that everybody has their own opinions what a good/bad keyboard action is. So all I'd like to know: Is the action DIFFERENT between NE5 and NE6?

Thanks in advance,

Heinrich

[maxpiano]

Hi Heinrich, being the same keybed from Fatar used on both models, I would not expect any significant difference.

An important factor is use, spring loaded keyboards, such as the Fatar TP8O of this case, tend to loosen the more ypu play them so sometimes playing a brand new one feels “harder” than a used one.

[anotherscott]

Hi Heinrich, being the same keybed from Fatar used on both models, I would not expect any significant difference.

Yet, all the semi-weighted Electro and Stage models have ALL used the same Fatar action (except the Stage versions had the aftertouch strip while the Electro versions did not), yet they do not all feel the same, particularly in dynamic response when playing piano. They may be the same actions, but with velocity response calibrated differently in the electronics? And/or Fatar could have made subtle changes to the design over time...

[dannymo]

They may be the same actions, but with velocity response calibrated differently in the electronics?

This is spot on, subtle changes to the velocity curve can have dramatic effects on the "feel", especially for piano.

I have this same question about the electro 6HP vs 5HP. Has anybody with the 6HP has noticed a similar change in "feel" over the 5HP?

Thanks!

[Ignatius]

Henry, the keyboard action is certainly an important consideration. I know there are many fans of the Nord HP keyboard set up. I am not one, so I got the waterfall (is that still what you call it? - the non-HP in any case,) when I bought my NE5. I find that set up perfect for organ, so-so for e piano and just bad for acoustic. I have fixed this by linking a Yamaha P-255 via midi to the NE5, and using it for all things piano (e and a) and using the NE5 keyboard for the organ. So consider a solution like that if you have a keyboard you really like you can connect to the E6 via MIDI. I know not everyone can afford the luxury of two keyboards, but I find it well worth it. Good hunting.

[Push-Pull]

Henry> I just upgraded from NE5 to NE6, and (by choosing the same pianos) I didn't notice any difference.

[baekgaard]

I have no recent experience comparing the NE5 vs the NE6, but the NE6 feels different to the NE3.

I much prefer the NE6 response to my playing; I think it is actually quite useful for piano playing unlike the NE3, that I always struggled to play piano on. The 88 key actions are of course better for piano playing generally, but I don't mind bringing the NE6 to a rehearsal where I also need to do some piano playing. I would usually try to avoid that with the NE3

[anotherscott]

Similarly, I found the NE5D and NS3 both more playable for piano than the NE3 and the NS2 were (all in SW versions).

[Henry38NRW]

THANKS ALL ...

that was quick and pretty concise

a) "Physical" keyboard action is the same
b) Differences can come from electronic calibrations (and partially from "wear and tear" of the keys over time)
c) Henry, be a clever guy and get yourself a nice 88 masterkeyboard for the piano action and use the NExx for organ/epianos ...

I got a Studiologic SL-88 Grand at home, that should do the trick. So the next new Nord will be the NE6 73 (or, if I can persuade the wife) the Stage 3 compact.


THANKS ALL!