Whither Holiday Gift?

[tsss27]

Would a new clav count?

For me, most definitely. And I can't be the only one. The clav is more out of date than many of these piano samples, that's for sure!

[tsss27]

While I know some people were left breathless over the Symphobia strings, or ecstatic to receive yet another 18th century repro piano from Chris Maene - those don't swing, baby.

That Chris Maene Steinway No. 1 Kitchen piano can certainly swing. Reminds me of a really old upright in a jazz club...or a living room. The decay is a bit quick and the real piano in question doesn't have all 88 keys so the useful range is missing the extreme bottom and top, but I will always have a soft spot for this instrument anyway.

[Gambold]

I'm sure it's fun, but I'm going to guess that if it's even still loaded on your board, you play it maybe...5% of the time. If that?

A holiday gift needs to be a new flagship, or at least a sound important enough to become a solid alternative.

[Gambold]

>The clav is more out of date than many of these piano samples<

It's hard to see what Nord can do regarding a new Clav sample. Re-sample the Hohner with the new technology? That might give you a fuller sound but it's gonna be the same board. Clavs aren't known for their nuance or "character." They pretty much have a funky sound and you bang away on them, mostly for Stevie Wonder tunes. It's not like a bigger sample is going to change things.

Now, maybe there is another brand out there that I'm unaware of?

[analogika]

>The clav is more out of date than many of these piano samples<

It's hard to see what Nord can do regarding a new Clav sample. Re-sample the Hohner with the new technology? That might give you a fuller sound but it's gonna be the same board. Clavs aren't known for their nuance or "character." They pretty much have a funky sound and you bang away on them, mostly for Stevie Wonder tunes. It's not like a bigger sample is going to change things.

Now, maybe there is another brand out there that I'm unaware of?

Note-off samples, for one.

And if they could add some sort of after-touch majick (sample vibrato) for the pitch/excitation you can get when you wiggle a pressed key on a real clav, that would be the icing.

[maurus]

I want to see and XXXXL version of John Cage's prepared piano so I can play 4'33'' at full blast.

Have you ever been to a live performance of 4'33"?
I have (in Chicago), and it was amazing

[Gambold]

>And if they could add some sort of after-touch majick (sample vibrato) for the pitch/excitation you can get when you wiggle a pressed key on a real clav, that would be the icing.<

That's a detailed, interesting ask - I'm not convinced that Nord has it in them these days to come out with something like that.

The last really exciting release from a samples standpoint was the 2019 White Grand, which was a Steinway (a big deal for Americans), you could get it in XL, and it wasn't a sonic experiment like the 2016 Royal 3D or an eccentric make like the 2015 Velvet, which I personally kind of like, but it's low on the popularity lists. (The Stockholm from last year is quite good, but....it's an EP.)

Before the White you need to harken back to the 2017 Amber Upright to find a piano sample that was more or less universally celebrated and likely still most players' go-to for an Upright.

Since these two its been the Soft, Pearl and Felt - none of which could be called a competitor for Lead Sample, and none of which were as happily received as those mentioned above. So...we are due. It's been five years since they've released a biggie.

[maurus]

I want to see and XXXXL version of John Cage's prepared piano so I can play 4'33'' at full blast.

Have you ever been to a live performance of 4'33"?
I have (in Chicago), and it was amazing

Yes I have! For sure an XXXXL npno sample would be useful.

[Rusty Mike]

Hmmm - I have my Kawai acoustic upright for 28+ years now, bought it because of its rich sound with a lot of body. I still like very much playing it, do I think about replacing it by another one because of a need (really a “need”?) for a new sound? Not at all…

I use 3 pianos on my Nord Stage 3, the White, the Silver and the Bright. Have chosen them because I like their sound and they are perfect in a band context. Do I need (really “need”?) a new one because they are old (really “old”?)? Not at all…

Not saying that a new flagship piano wouldn’t be nice, of course it would - but who really “needs” it?

[Rusty Mike]

I'm happy with the White, Amber Upright and Stockholm for pretty much all my needs. They all swing well, which is all I need. I just used the Pearl Upright for a recording I'm working on, and have used the Mellow Upright and Silver Grand in the past. Just speaking selfishly, I'm not hurting for a new piano sample right now, even if they bring out a new "flagship".

As Schorsch said, just because a sound is older, doesn't mean it's not usable or bad.

A better holiday gift would be to introduce the Electro 7 with a new HP action!!