Nord Piano 4 - memory limitations

[paboivin]

I have a NP4 at the house and they have a NS3 at the store I have been trying out, so I am getting plenty of hands-on comparison. Yes, the action is very different on the NP4. I have it sitting right next to my grand piano and I will play subtle jazz and classical passages on both, and so far I am very pleased and impressed with my new NP4.

[LewTheKeysGuy]

Could I tempt you to a Nord Grand? I really would recommend it, believe me, I do recommend it, it's pure unadulterated HEAVEN!!!!

[cphollis]

You appear to be mostly a piano guy, so if you're seriously thinking about trading in your NP4 for an NS3, be aware that the actions are quite different. The NS3 action is a compromise suitable for use with organ and synth as well as piano samples. It is therefore a little lighter and less piano-y than the NP4. If you're simply looking for the NS3's larger piano memory and are fundamentally focused on piano, you'd be better off going for the NG, which has an improved action as well as the larger memory. I wouldn't buy an NS3 without trying one first, even if some travel is required.

This.

While the action itself is OK on the weighted Stage keybeds, there's this spongy aftertouch strip underneath that just kept throwing me off on my more enthusiastic AP parts. I'm used to a certain "bounce" when I play hard, and it wasn't happening. I supposed I could have stuck it out and learned to adapt, but I chickened out. I play real APs, and I did not like having to change my technique back and forth.

My answer was to use a NS3C as a main board, and a proper weighted board underneath (currently a NP4) to drive the piano voices on the NS3C. It's a slick setup that more than meets my needs these days. The standalone NP4 gets plenty of use for acoustic gigs.

If I had to choose between more piano memory and a friendlier AP action, I would always choose the latter.