Nord Christmas Gift ?

Everything about Nord keyboards in general; which one to choose, the sound manager, sample editor, and general discussion about the sample and piano libraries.
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analogika
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by analogika »

Gambold wrote:>Given you (@Gambold) are really playing an Electro 6D, I don't understand how you can say that the most important sound on your Nord is a grand.<

Because it is. It's the flagship sample. The one in the number one program slot.

>The Electro should be a specialist for organ and maybe EPs in my eyes.<

I don't think Clavia shares your view - if they marketed the Electro only to organ specialists who dabble in EPs, that would cut the customer base down considerably. People (like me) buy Electros because the Stage is hugely more expensive. The Electro is the "entry-level" board for most Nord customers - and I would argue there should be an Electro Lite out there that sells for even cheaper.
The name „Electro“ literally derived from the emulation of electromechanical keyboards, which is the hallmark and initial justification for the whole product line. Up until the Electro 3, the acoustic pianos were a mere afterthought (and sounded more like a gimmick — I still own an Electro 2).

Today, the product page starts with
„The Nord Electro 6 combines our award-winning emulations of vintage electro mechanical and acoustic instruments in an ultra-portable package.

With 3 independent sound sections, a new streamlined user interface and the addition of Seamless Transitions, we're proud to present the most powerful and flexible Electro ever - a refined modern classic.“

It then goes through all the various organ models, before describing the piano and then synth sections.

The fact that „piano“ isn’t the main function or hallmark feature of the Electro should also be apparent from the existence of an entire product line, helpfully named „piano“, where it is.
The Nord giveth; the Nord taketh away…
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
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Rusty Mike
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by Rusty Mike »

There are people out there playing the waterfall Electros with acoustic piano patches very successfully (and happily). I've seen a few YouTube videos of Nord's "featured artists" doing so. It's not necessarily for everyone, but certainly can be done. I've used mine for big band rehearsals and jazz combo gigs, as I really like the light weight. Not personally thrilled about the springy action, but it's certainly very playable.

That said, the Electro supports the exact same piano library as the Stage with no significant difference in features or sound. And the Electro HP plays the piano samples with the exact same feel as the Stage 3HP. It's origins were certainly rooted in electric piano and organ emulations, but it has come a long way since the original version. I would not limit it's capabilities in that regard.

I would also not share the view that the Electro is an entry-level board. It's a high quality and very sophisticated instrument, and I actually prefer it over the Stage for many applications. I'm eagerly waiting to see what the next generation Electro features, and would seriously consider replacing my Stage 2EX with it. I'm less inclined about the Stage 3, as I don't need the synth section nor the A/B panels.

With regard to the actual piano samples, I myself put aside any notion of "flagship", "newest", "best" or upright vs. grand. I use the pianos that are best suited to my purpose. Right now that is actually the Amber Upright, which is 90% of my piano sound. To me, it's lyrical, versatile, robust and flexible. Before that I used the Queen Upright and would go back to it in a heartbeat if I needed to. The main grand is currently the White, but I'm finding it's not playing well with my new speaker despite some deep EQ fiddling, so I'm going to re-audition all the grands this weekend to see which works best.

I still also use EP2 as my main Rhodes sample, despite its age and the introduction of newer "deeper" samples. It sounds good to my ears, and that's good enough.

Nobody has ever asked my why I use an upright piano sample and not a grand. In the band or out in the audience, nobody cares which specific piano sample you use. They'll just tell you that it sounds great (or not).
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Mike from Central NJ, USA
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by Gambold »

Awesome summary. I think that closes this thread.

I’m going to pull out the Queen. Back in the day before the XLs i always thought it was the best upright.
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by florence »

see you next December :)
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by Schorsch »

Yeah - don't close this thread, just put it on hold for the next 11 months :D
Last edited by Schorsch on 06 Jan 2023, 17:16, edited 1 time in total.
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Regards Schorsch

Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!

Gear: NS3C, Uhl X4V-1, 2-manual HX3.4 organ made by Tastendoktor, SL88 Studio
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by SteveNordP3 »

I’ve been away for a while. Did I miss anything? :-)
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by Schorsch »

Not much, just a new Upright Piano sample
Regards Schorsch

Check this https://chris55.github.io/ns3-program-viewer/ awesome tool to visualize NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!

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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by Matt-new »

ajstan wrote: 18 Dec 2022, 19:52 I think I may have posted this a while back, but here is an updated list of the piano and sample libraries with release dates. From 2012-2018 (with the exception of 2014 which had an early December release) there was a late December release (from the 18th to the 22nd) which I'm assuming set the expectation for the "Christmas Gift." In June 2019 we received the White Grand, Marimba, and Vibraphone. In mid-January of 2020, 2021, and 2022 we received the Symphobia Strings sample collection, the Swing! sample collection, and the Felt Upright respectively. Even if we don't get something by end of year, there is still the possibility of January.

Please feel free to PM me to let me know of additions or corrections and I can update this post.

Updated 1/3/2024

Date Name - Category
-------- -------- ----------
12/22/2023 Soft Grand - Grand Pianos
6/16/2023 Stockhom EP - Electric Pianos

12/22/2022 Pearl Upright - Upright Pianos
1/18/2022 Felt Upright - Upright Pianos

5/22/2021 Sample Library 4.0 - Sample Library
1/22/2021 Swing! Collection - Sample Library

1/15/2020 Symphobia Strings - Sample Library

6/27/2019 Marimba - Miscellaneous
6/27/2019 Vibraphone - Miscellaneous
6/13/2019 White Grand - Grand Pianos

12/18/2018 New EPs (8 Versions) - Electric Pianos

12/21/2017 Baby Upright - Upright Pianos
11/3/2107 Sample Library 3.0 - Sample Library
8/22/2017 Ballad EP1 - Digital Pianos
8/22/2017 Ballad EP2 - Digital Pianos
8/22/2017 Hybrid EP - Digital Pianos
8/22/2017 Silver EP - Digital Pianos
8/22/2017 DigiGrand1 - Digital Pianos
8/22/2017 DigiGrand2 - Digital Pianos
7/4/2017 Amber Upright - Upright Pianos
1/19/2017 Steinway No.1 - Chris Maene Collection

12/21/2016 Royal Grand 3D - Grand Pianos
7/6/2016 Bambino Upright - Upright Pianos
1/28/2016 Broadwood Fortepiano - Chris Maene Collection
1/28/2016 Mozart Fortepiano - Chris Maene Collection

12/22/2015 Velvet Grand - Grand Pianos
7/1/2015 Silver Grand - Grand Pianos
5/16/2015 DX Full Tines - Digital Pianos
5/16/2015 DX Rubba Tines - Digital Pianos

12/4/2014 Chinese Orchestra - Sample Library
11/2/2014 Mellotron Master Tapes - Sample Library
10/16/2014 Mellow Upright - Upright Pianos
4/10/2014 Fairlight - Sample Library
2/6/2014 Electric Grand Amped - Electric Grands

12/20/2013 Wurlitzer 2 Amped - Electric Pianos
10/2/2013 Grand Upright - Upright Pianos

12/20/2012 Italian Grand - Grand Pianos

6/17/2011 Bright Grand - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Grand Imperial - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Grand Lady D - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Studio Grand 1 - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Studio Grand 2 - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Concert Grand Close - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Concert Grand Ambient - Grand Pianos
3/29/2011 Queen Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 Black Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 HonkyTonk Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 Saloon Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 Romantic Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 BlueSwede Upright - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 Rain Piano - Upright Pianos
3/29/2011 Electric Grand CP80 - Electric Grands
3/29/2011 Electric Grand Gerbstedt- Electric Grands
3/21/2011 Wurlitzer - Electric Pianos

5/18/2010 Hohner Clavinet D6 - Clavinets
5/18/2010 French & Italian - Harpsichords
3/16/2010 Mellotron (Unlooped) - Sample Library
3/16/2010 Chamberlin (Unlooped) - Sample Library
Cool list! Do you maybe a list of the instrument release dates also?
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Re: Nord Christmas Gift ?

Post by ajstan »

Matt-new wrote: 21 Dec 2024, 18:00 Cool list! Do you maybe a list of the instrument release dates also?
Thanks! I don't, but someone should be able to look up release dates via Wikipedia and compile a list.
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