Nord Electric Piano Sounds

[Spence895]

Hi all,

I've had my Stage 3 88 for a little over a year now and am still very much so learning the ropes with it. I play in a trio (Keyboards, Drums, Vocals) and am in need of heavier low end sounds to comp for not having a bass player. My sound guy keeps harping on me to improve my electric piano sound as he says it sounds very thin. Attached is the file, anyone have any idea as to how I may be able to increase the fullness of the sound?

Thanks,

Spencer

[Spence895]

Hi Spencer, I haven’t checked your program yet but have you tried to split the keyboard and add another electric piano or a bass sample to the lower part, for which you can also use the EQ to adjust to your taste?

[Spence895]

Hi Spencer, I haven’t checked your program yet but have you tried to split the keyboard and add another electric piano or a bass sample to the lower part, for which you can also use the EQ to adjust to your taste?

I've played with the idea some - layering in a fretless bass. My biggest problem there is that I can often hear the bass coming through as well which in my opinion compromises the sound a bit. Was out this past weekend and saw a Steely Dan tribute band - both keyboardists utilizing Nord Stage 3 88 units. Needless to say, I couldn't believe how full their electric piano sounds were. Have had to really pump the EQ settings to achieve fullness out of the sounds all across the board in my Stage 3, it leads me to think I'm doing something very wrong. Any ideas as to why this may be? Do you have trouble with thin sounds as well?

[Schorsch]

I think that speakers also matter a lot, it’s different listening to a band with a full PA or listening at home through some monitor speakers or headphones. For samples I would look at some soft synth bass samples rather than bass guitars which might be suited better to add a subtle amount of low end without compromising the electric piano sound too much

[PScooter63]

I’m sorry, but my initial reaction to the subject line was, “Wait… General Electric made a PIANO?!”

[Spence895]

I’m sorry, but my initial reaction to the subject line was, “Wait… General Electric made a PIANO?!”

I should probably edit that haha. Just reread it

[Spence895]

UPDATE:

Went into Guitar Center today and was able to side by side my Nord Stage 3 with one they had on the floor. Sounds when compared were identical in fullness leading me to believe that it may be a cable problem?

Question for anyone who knows cables. I'm currently running 1/4 in. to XLR hybrid cables directly to the board. The tech at Guitar Center had told me I should try running straight 1/4 in. to the board or utilize a direct box. Had mentioned level impedance as the cause for sounds lacking fullness. Would the variation in hybrid cable to straight instrument cable have that big of an impact on sound? If this is the case the problem might lie entirely with how I'm getting to the board rather than within the sounds themselves.

Thanks in advance for any advice on the subject.

Spencer

[DJKeys]

The Nord outputs are unbalanced, so a mixer with balanced outputs or a direct box is a good idea going to the main board-

-dj

[WannitBBBad]

Hello, I don't see any benefit in using those cables if they don't convert your signal from Hi-Z to Lo-Z. I would suggest using a direct box for each channel out (1/4" to the direct box and XLR from the box to the mixer) or running 1/4" cables straight to the board. Also, if your house mix isn't stereo with your channels (assuming just two) panned left and right, the NS3 also won't sound optimal as well. I hope this helps, good luck.

Edit: Agree with DJKeys about a mixer being a good option as well.