Differences between V6 and V5 piano samples

[Nordlicht]

I’ve just noticed that some samples lack the "soft release" function in their V6 version (for example Studio Grand 2, Bright Grand, Imperial Grand).

[ElectroStrat]

I’ve just noticed that some samples lack the "soft release" function in their V6 version (for example Studio Grand 2, Bright Grand, Imperial Grand).

Yes. This was already the case with V6 version of samples provided with the Piano 5.
See the following post for the list of samples :
general-nord-forum-f29/piano-library-ne ... ml#p163028

I've tried the Grand Imperial MED 6.1 with the hope that the issue is fixed.
Unfortunately, the soft release is also missing in the MED version (like in the LRG version that was only available with the Piano 5).

I guess the issue is present in all sizes for the flawed samples.

It's a pity.

[ajstan]

Would someone please make a list which pianos are updated? That would be nice! Thank you!

Here's a list of the pianos I have downloaded and the date I downloaded them in alphabetical order. You can compare to what's on your Nord and what's on the website.

10/24/2017 Amber Upright GrSt 132 Lrg 5.3.npno
12/21/2017 Baby Upright Nordiska Lrg 5.4.npno
3/30/2022 Ballad EP1 Med 6.0.npno
3/28/2022 Bambino Upright Lrg 6.1.npno
10/24/2017 Beethoven FortePBroadwood Lrg5.3.npno
3/12/2018 Black Upright Petrof Lrg 5.3.npno
3/22/2018 BlueSwede Ostl&Alm Lrg 5.3.npno
6/26/2018 Bright Grand YaS4 Lrg 5.3.npno
6/15/2019 Bright Grand YaS4 XL 5.3.npno
4/20/2022 Clavinet D6 6.1.npno
10/11/2017 Concert Grand1 StwD Lrg 5.3.npno
10/24/2017 ConcertGrand1Amb StwD Lrg 5.3.npno
3/30/2022 DigiGrand 1 Sml 6.0.npno
3/30/2022 DigiGrand 2 Sml 6.0.npno
3/30/2022 DX RubbaTines Lrg 6.0.npno
3/30/2022 DX7 FullTines Lrg 6.0.npno
3/30/2022 EGrand 3 Sml 6.1.npno
3/1/2018 EGrand 3 Stereo CP80Amped Med5.3.npno
10/24/2017 Electric Grand 1 CP80 5.3.npno
10/24/2017 ElectricGrand 2 CustomBld 5.3.npno
1/16/2023 EP1 Deep Timbre Lrg 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 EP2 Ideal Timbre Lrg 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 EP3 Shallow Close Lrg 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 EP4 Mk5 80s Lrg 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 EP5 BrightTines XL 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 EP6 Sparkletop XL 6.1.npno
12/21/2018 EP7 Amped Tines XL 6.0.npno
1/16/2023 EP8 Nefertiti XL 6.1.npno
6/16/2023 EP9 Stockholm Lrg 6.0.npno
6/16/2023 EP9 Stockholm XL 6.0.npno
3/21/2022 Felt Upright Lrg 6.2.npno
10/24/2017 French Harpsi 1A Lower8 5.0.npno
10/24/2017 French Harpsi 1B Upper8 5.0.npno
10/24/2017 French Harpsi 1C Low8 Up8 5.0.npno
4/19/2022 French Harpsi 1D 6.1.npno
10/24/2017 French Harpsi 1E L8 L4 U8 5.0.npno
10/24/2017 French Harpsi 1F Lute 5.0.npno
3/29/2011 Grand Imperial Bdorf XL 5.3.npno
3/21/2022 Grand Imperial Lrg 6.1.npno
3/12/2018 Grand Lady D Stw D Lrg 5.3.npno
3/12/2018 Grand Upright YaU3 Lrg 5.4.npno
3/30/2022 Hybrid EP Sml 6.0.npno
10/24/2017 Ital Harpsich 1A Short Str 5.0.npno
4/19/2022 Ital Harpsich 1B Long 6.1.npno
10/24/2017 Ital Harpsich 1C DoubleStr 5.0.npno
4/19/2022 Ital Harpsich 1D Lute 6.1.npno
6/26/2018 Italian Grand Faz Lrg 5.3.npno
6/26/2018 Italian Grand Faz XL 5.3.npno
4/21/2018 JD800 E.Piano Crystal Lrg5.1.npno
6/27/2019 Marimba 6.1.npno
6/27/2019 Marimba mono 6.1.npno
11/11/2019 Mellow Upright Bdrf C130 Lrg 5.4.npno
4/23/2018 MK80 A.Piano1 Lrg 5.1.npno
4/24/2018 MK80 E.Piano1 Contemp Lrg 5.1.npno
4/24/2018 MK80 E.Piano2 Classic Lrg 5.1.npno
4/24/2018 MK80 E.Piano3 Blend Lrg 5.1.npno
4/23/2018 MKS20 A.Piano1 Lrg 5.1.npno
4/24/2018 MKS20 E.Piano1 Lrg 5.1.npno
4/23/2018 MKS20 E.Piano2 Lrg 5.1.npno
10/24/2017 Mozart FortePno A.Walter Lrg 5.3.npno
12/22/2022 Pearl Upright Lrg 6.0.npno
12/22/2022 Pearl Upright XL 6.0.npno
3/12/2018 Queen Upright Bdorf Lrg 5.3.npno
3/12/2018 Rain Piano SvPnoFab Lrg 5.3.npno
3/22/2018 Romantic Upright Schimmel Lrg5.3.npno
10/24/2017 Royal Grand 3D YaS6 Lrg 5.4.npno
1/11/2017 Royal Grand 3D YaS6 XL 5.4.npno
6/26/2018 Silver Grand SK7 Lrg 5.3.npno
6/15/2019 Silver Grand SK7 XL 5.3.npno
3/12/2018 Size Comparison.xlsx
10/11/2017 Steinway No1 XL 5.2.npno
10/24/2017 Studio Grand 1 YaC7 Lrg 5.3.npno
10/5/2023 Studio Grand 2 Lrg 6.2.npno
3/22/2018 Studio Grand 2 YaC7 Lrg 5.3.npno
3/21/2022 Velvet Grand Lrg 6.1.npno
6/27/2019 Vibraphone 6.0.npno
6/27/2019 Vibraphone mono 6.0.npno
6/13/2019 White Grand Lrg 6.1.npno
6/13/2019 White Grand XL 6.1.npno
1/16/2023 Wurlitzer 1 6.2.npno
1/16/2023 Wurlitzer 2 6.1.npno

[maurus]

I’ve just noticed that some samples lack the "soft release" function in their V6 version (for example Studio Grand 2, Bright Grand, Imperial Grand).

This mustn't be a flaw - it may also be the case that the end (or release) of the samples have been redone in the new versions. The "long" or "soft" release function was a stopgap measure introduced by Clavia in order to mask unnatural aprupt releases of their acoustic piano samples. In quite a few of the newer piano samples the hammer release was done properly, and hence some of us (myself included) preferred to do without the long/soft release button anyway.

A detailed analysis would have to compare this in all samples concerned but I don't have time right now to look into this more closely.

[maxpiano]

I’ve just noticed that some samples lack the "soft release" function in their V6 version (for example Studio Grand 2, Bright Grand, Imperial Grand).

This mustn't be a flaw - it may also be the case that the end (or release) of the samples have been redone in the new versions. The "long" or "soft" release function was a stopgap measure introduced by Clavia in order to mask unnatural aprupt releases of their acoustic piano samples. In quite a few of the newer piano samples the hammer release was done properly, and hence some of us (myself included) preferred to do without the long/soft release button anyway.

A detailed analysis would have to compare this in all samples concerned but I don't have time right now to look into this more closely.

I am not sure, if you read on NS3 (NS2) manual the Soft Release (Long Release) feature is described as:

SOFT RELEASE will add a slightly longer and less pronounced release to the piano sound. This
is equivalent to what happens when you adjust the damper tension in an acoustic or an electromechanical instrument. The added release is individual for every note and responds dynamically to the force with which you play.


and on NS2 manual it is indicated that If a piano is selected that isn’t compatible with the Long Release feature, this function will be disabled. Release compatible pianos are of v5.3 or later., while on NS3 the statement became more generic Some Piano types, such as Clavinets and Harpsichords do not support the Soft Release feature. In these cases the button will be disabled. but still it doesn't seem to indicate explicitly that (some) Acoustic Pianos may be excluded

So in fact I think Nord should clarify if/why this feature has been disabled on latest v6 pianos (or at least indicate for each piano library download if it is supported or not)

[ThePianist]

There seems to be somewhat different velocity response and different "texture" in the new sounds (especially for my all time favourite piano for solo and mellow needs, the Studio Grand 2). Not bad at all, but takes a bit to get accustomed to.

I finally got round to check out the new 6.2 version of the Studio Grand 2 (on my Electro 5), and made a direct comparison with the 5.3 version I already had. It's a very substantial and welcome upgrade indeed! Clearly it is the same piano, but the clarity has generally been improved and, most importantly, the one big weakness of the older Studio Grand 2 has been dealt with: all too weak octaves at the top. This new Studio Grand 2 shines in the top 2-3 octaves now - a joy to play.

A big change in overall character and playability. For me, the new Studio Grand 2 is among the very best pianos in Nord's library. Warm and mellow at the bottom, singing in the solo range and brilliant at the upper end. LOVE IT. Or, to put it in another way: definitely worth a try!

I'll check out the other updates to V6 (where there are) when I find the time. And even if they didn't make a lot of noise about their upgrade, Clavia has demonstrated again that they listen to musicians' feedback. This weakness of the older Studio Grand 2 was well known and talked about here for a long time...

That's VERY interesting!
I went to the Piano library and noticed another thing: The Studio Grand 2 V6 versions greatly expanded in size, they are more or less twice as big as the V5 samples, and are now comparable to the size of the most recent samples.

Most important, there is an XL sample available!!! The other "old" pianos are still available only in S, M and L size with V5 versions... maybe Clavia is finally upgrading the old samples, the Studio Grand 2 was the first and hopefully we'll get the others too?
That would be amazing: people have been saying for years that samples like the Grand Lady D and Studio Grand were among Clavia's best, and it would be great if they were available in XL size. Maybe I just wasn't up to date with the new developments of the library, was this already noticed?

It seems like the Studio Grand 2 has XL, but not the Studio Grand 1. I couldn't find the XL for Lady D either, was anyone able to find it or it doesn't exist?
Hint to Nord PM team - we want a new sampling of the Lady D (D-274) recorded with today's tech in XL size, please.

[Nordine]

I couldn't find the XL for Lady D either, was anyone able to find it or it doesn't exist?

It doesn't exist and it never existed before. Why don't you check the Nord website? if they release the Lady D v6 they would eventually announce it.

[Eumel]

Hi everybody,

does anybody hear any difference (or know what the difference is) between Clavinet 5.1 and 6.1? The size is the same...

Thanks

Eumel

[Gambold]

if they release the Lady D v6 they would eventually announce it.<

Not necessarily. They released an XL of the Studio Grand 2 and unless I didn't see it, there was no announcement. It was suddenly just there, on the website. If I'm wrong, please someone link the announcement here.

There was a lot of speculation on just how this XL of the old Studio Grand 2 came to be. It seemed unlikely that Nord staff went back and re-sampled this piano. Some posters offered a technical explanation that I can't remember but it led to the further question - why NOT an XL of the Grand Lady as well?

BTW - The Grand Lady is off Nord's radar. They have not included it in any factory installation since the Stage 3 in 2017. The Studio Grand 2, however, continues to be included on every new board. So we may never see an XL of the Grand Lady D. Below is a chart of factory-loaded pianos, per model: