Nord Electro 6D and 6HP

[teheino]

Hi!

What are differences between 6D and 6HP? (beside manual drawbars)

[M_a_c]

The Electro series was initially meant to be a mix of organ and electric piano (roughly); acoustic pianos and synth engine can be seen as added features. The Electro 6D has the more organ specific key action, the 6HP the more epiano type of action (even if not fully satisfactory for some pianistic approach - there's the Piano series as a better alternative).

The HP key action is a compromise for those looking for a lightweight mobile piano action. I'd recommend to buy the HP action only if you were able to test it before.

[M_a_c]

I fully agree with FZiegler - but I need to add my statement, that the NE6 Waterfall keybed is a really good one (and I had checked lots of other brands),
that finds a hitting compromise to satisfy for all sound-playings from Piano, over Organ to Synth.

Even if myself would always choose the Hammer-Mechanism (Ne6HP) to have the best Piano-Feeling,
I have to say this Waterfall-keybed (NE673"compact") is one of the best.
It is designed for Organ-Playing, but it offers enough nuance for emotional Piano-Playing.
Synths are a little flat out of the box, but some velocity tweaking - even with the poor options of the NE6 - helps.

I had a NE573 with the Waterfall-keybed and it was a really portable tool for all those rehearsals,
where I need to built my stuff up and tear it down again.
As I had to choose the keybed for my NordStage4, I took the Hammer-one, what is a really great inventon.
Beside that, I´m the one in this Forum who often and always notes, the we keyboard player can never be satisfied
without a Hammer-Key below and and an organ/Synth key above...

All NE6 Keyboards have the same functions, buttons and sound-engine. (but the manual Drawbars...)
The only different are in the keybeds, some dimension and the weight,
what should be mention, if you carry it very often:
Nord Electro 6D 61: 900 mm (35.4") x 97 mm (3.8") x 296 mm (11.7") - 8,1Kg
Nord Electro 6D 73: 1066 mm (42") x 97 mm (3.8") x 296 mm (11.7") - 9,2Kg
Nord Electro 6 HP: 1074 mm (42.3") x 121 mm (4.8") x 344 mm (13.5") - 11,4Kg

How FZiegler mentioned, the Synth is rather rudimentary and a little lifeless compared to the NordStage-Series,
but if you spent some hours in Sample-Programming with Attack, Release and the onboard effects
(or some money to buy targeted samples from an external supplier, what never ist the same quality to an own sample)
you can bring some life in. I like it - but I spend lots of time in sample tweaking too.
The Piano Engine offers the same Sounds like the bigger Nords - but with less RAM to store,
what means you have to choose between the different Sounds and their different quality level (what applies to their size).
If you don´t need more than 4 different Pianos - it should be no trouble.
But well - we´re not intended to compare Electro<>Stage...

[Rusty Mike]

How do you intend to use it? That would help hone the responses a bit more.

[devanirreolon]

Hi,

Do you know or have you ever happened to break the HP keys?

I heard users that the keys broke, and that in the latest versions of the electro, it was improved. I think 2.2 is current today made by hand.

Does anyone know anything about it, if it's really better the ones in the version that are currently coming in the electro?

[Rusty Mike]

Hi,

Do you know or have you ever happened to break the HP keys?

I heard users that the keys broke, and that in the latest versions of the electro, it was improved. I think 2.2 is current today made by hand.

Does anyone know anything about it, if it's really better the ones in the version that are currently coming in the electro?

I’ve owned two HP Nords in the past, Electro 3HP and Stage 2EX 76HP. Never broke a key ever.

[devanirreolon]

Rusty Mike, Thank you for the answer.

Your experience with the issue of playability noises of desengagement, is that true? Or the way you bought it will keep the same noise as the keys, or does it always need to do some maintenance?

[Rusty Mike]

Rusty Mike, Thank you for the answer.

Your experience with the issue of playability noises of desengagement, is that true? Or the way you bought it will keep the same noise as the keys, or does it always need to do some maintenance?

Yes, I've written rather extensively in this forum regarding the action noises and how I remedied them. The sounds were due to (in my opinion) inadequate lubrication, so the noises were these little "clicky" sounds. They did subside once I did the re-lubricating. On both instruments, I waited until well after the warranty period before opening them up.

The noises have absolutely nothing to do with the mechanics or playability of the instrument. If you are playing live with a band, you will never hear the sounds, but they are audible if you're playing at home by yourself. But the action never degraded even after playing both instruments regularly for many years. I would argue that no maintenance is really needed. The action is built by Italian manufacturer Fatar and is used on many different keyboard instruments by several companies.

I have a friend who plays the Stage 3 HP and he has never mentioned anything to me regarding action noise. Hopefully that gives you some assurances.

[Rusty Mike]

I might add too that I own an Electro 6D that I do use for piano. It is not my full time piano, but I like taking it out for various occasions. While the action is better suited for organ, I can happily play both acoustic and electric piano patches with no problem. I personally get along fine with the action.

One of my bands rehearses in a room upstairs from a bar, and the light carrying weight of the Electro is a blessing.

[devanirreolon]

Rusty Mike,
Thank you for your attention and time in the response.

Blessings on you.