NS4 compact - superb keybed feeling

[maximus]

Bought a NS4 compact and for me the keybed just feels cheap...I'm coming from a Yamaha keyboard. Love the features and size and weight, but I'm unsure if I will ever get used to it. It has also shorter keys...The size change vs NS4 723 is totally minor, the weight is more significative.

It's always a good idea to try before you buy if you're unsure. Maybe an unweighted keybed is not for you?

As far as unweighted keybeds go, the NS4C is exceptionally nice for a synth/organ action. I use mine with a weighted controller, and it's awesome.

Since you don't mention which Yamaha keyboard you're coming from (there are literally HUNDREDS), it's tough for anyone here to provide a compare.

Thank you. What weighted controller you use please? Coming from P515.

[cphollis]

Bought a NS4 compact and for me the keybed just feels cheap...I'm coming from a Yamaha keyboard. Love the features and size and weight, but I'm unsure if I will ever get used to it. It has also shorter keys...The size change vs NS4 723 is totally minor, the weight is more significative.

It's always a good idea to try before you buy if you're unsure. Maybe an unweighted keybed is not for you?

As far as unweighted keybeds go, the NS4C is exceptionally nice for a synth/organ action. I use mine with a weighted controller, and it's awesome.

Since you don't mention which Yamaha keyboard you're coming from (there are literally HUNDREDS), it's tough for anyone here to provide a compare.

Thank you. What weighted controller you use please? Coming from P515.

I use my NP5 73 as a weighted controller. Pricey, but perfect!

Compared to the P515, I found the NP5 action a bit firmer and requiring a bit more hand strength, which is perfect for me. I'm unable to play AP and EP parts decently on the NS4C keybed directly. Others can do this, but not me.

The Studiologic controllers are popular, as are the Yamahas you're used to. The fiddly part may be getting the midi response curves to line up to your satisfaction, something I did not have to do on the NP5 obviously.

[anotherscott]

Coming from P515.

Ah. Yes, if your reference point for the kind of action you like is a P515, no wonder you're disappointed with the NS4 Compact. It's kind of like comparing an SUV to a motorcycle. It's not that one is inherently better or worse than the other, it's that--even though they are both designed to get you from point A to point B--they have completely different design priorities. P515 is a fully weighted hammer action board, designed to feel piano-like. The other NS4 models (the hammer action 76 and 88 key models) are much more comparable to the action of the P515. Not identical, and people will still have their preferences, but at least it would be more of an apples-to-apples comparison. The semi-weighted non-hammer action of the NS4 Compact is more comparable to Yamahas like the YC61, MODX6/7, Montage 6/7... which are all different from each other, but are at least generally in that same family of non-hammer semi-weighted actions. And you probably wouldn't like those very much, either!

As for playing your NS4 Compact from a weighted controller, to pick up from what cphollis said, there are lots of possibilities, but since one of the things you do like about your NS4 is its light weight, you might be looking for a light-to-carry controller as well. He mentioned Studiologic, and they do have some lightweight models, the SL73 and SL88... not as nice feeling as their SL88 GT, but with lighter travel weight. The new MK2 versions (as opposed to the original "Studio" models) would have an improved feel, though. Casio PX-5S could be another lightweight possibility that's still pretty well-priced, and similarly has above average MIDI functionality (though without aftertouch). If it's for gigging, I like the idea of the second board also having sounds, even if only for backup.

[maximus]

Coming from P515.

Ah. Yes, if your reference point for the kind of action you like is a P515, no wonder you're disappointed with the NS4 Compact. It's kind of like comparing an SUV to a motorcycle. It's not that one is inherently better or worse than the other, it's that--even though they are both designed to get you from point A to point B--they have completely different design priorities. P515 is a fully weighted hammer action board, designed to feel piano-like. The other NS4 models (the hammer action 76 and 88 key models) are much more comparable to the action of the P515. Not identical, and people will still have their preferences, but at least it would be more of an apples-to-apples comparison. The semi-weighted non-hammer action of the NS4 Compact is more comparable to Yamahas like the YC61, MODX6/7, Montage 6/7... which are all different from each other, but are at least generally in that same family of non-hammer semi-weighted actions. And you probably wouldn't like those very much, either!

As for playing your NS4 Compact from a weighted controller, to pick up from what cphollis said, there are lots of possibilities, but since one of the things you do like about your NS4 is its light weight, you might be looking for a light-to-carry controller as well. He mentioned Studiologic, and they do have some lightweight models, the SL73 and SL88... not as nice feeling as their SL88 GT, but with lighter travel weight. The new MK2 versions (as opposed to the original "Studio" models) would have an improved feel, though. Casio PX-5S could be another lightweight possibility that's still pretty well-priced, and similarly has above average MIDI functionality (though without aftertouch). If it's for gigging, I like the idea of the second board also having sounds, even if only for backup.

Thank you! You are right, not apples to apples. Was trying to find reviews about P515 vs NS4 73 keybed, and many list the Yamaha better! Anyways Im getting more and more used to the compact, still have 3 days to decide between the compact or the HA 73 for 150eu more. My dilemma comes from knowing that the keybed in the HA 73 is superior to the compact, and if that's true the quality always comes first to me, not the weight or size. Moreover the HA 73 is like I said only 150 more....Am I wrong with my quality statement?

[maxpiano]

I think you'd like the HA73 better if you come from the P515 and you play mainly piano sounds and not organ/synths, if instrument overall weight is not a concern either then I'd suggest to spend those 150€ more.

[maximus]

I think you'd like the HA73 better if you come from the P515 and you play mainly piano sounds and not organ/synths, if instrument overall weight is not a concern either then I'd suggest to spend those 150€ more.

Thanks. Mainly piano playing, but recently I decided to start on synt and organ as well...I'm tempted to go C.

[maxpiano]

I think you'd like the HA73 better if you come from the P515 and you play mainly piano sounds and not organ/synths, if instrument overall weight is not a concern either then I'd suggest to spend those 150€ more.

Thanks. Mainly piano playing, but recently I decided to start on synt and organ as well...I'm tempted to go C.

It's your choice finally, I'd not say the HA73 is "superior" to the SW73, just "different"; one is better for pianos and the other for all the rest, but you can play any type of sounds on both, just of course playing a piano will feel more natural on a HA and viceversa playing organ & synths more on the waterfall, so finally it all depends on your priorities. If you keep the Compact you can always add an external weighted master later (and viceversa of you go for the HA)

[anotherscott]

Maxpiano is right, neither is better, they're just different. (See also my motorcycle vs. SUV analogy.)

I think the only place where the HA would feel substantially worse than the Compact would be for organ, and even then, it depends on your repertoire and whether you actually are using (or intending to use) more organ-specific technique. Personally I'm fine with playing most synth stuff on either kind of action. It's easier to play accurately on a hammer action, it's easier to play fast on the waterfall.

And yes, just as you could stick with the Compact and get a hammer action second board to play its pianos, you could also get the HA board and add a non-hammer board to play its organs, and synths if you prefer. (Though also, I'd want to have aftertouch on the board I'm playing synths from.)

If you don't enjoy playing anything from the Compact, and the weight is not an issue, then I'd say move to the HA. OTOH, if you're just fine playing the non-piano sounds from the Compact, and it's only the pianos that give you pause, that might argue for keeping it, with an eye toward adding a controller if you continue to find it unsatisfactory.

I'll also mention that, while many people feel that Nord is at or near the top choice for pianos, its reputation for organ is a little less stellar, with lots of people saying, yeah it's good, but there are better choices (e.g. Viscount, Hammond, Crumar). Looked at that way, if you wanted something more like the best of all possibilities, that could be another argument for going with the HA, and if you really get into organ, supplement with one of those clonewheels as your second board, both for its own sounds and to trigger additional Nord sounds.

[maximus]

I think you'd like the HA73 better if you come from the P515 and you play mainly piano sounds and not organ/synths, if instrument overall weight is not a concern either then I'd suggest to spend those 150€ more.

Thanks. Mainly piano playing, but recently I decided to start on synt and organ as well...I'm tempted to go C.

oo
It's your choice finally, I'd not say the HA73 is "superior" to the SW73, just "different"; one is better for pianos and the other for all the rest, but you can play any type of sounds on both, just of course playing a piano will feel more natural on a HA and viceversa playing organ & synths more on the waterfall, so finally it all depends on your priorities. If you keep the Compact you can always add an external weighted master later (and viceversa of you go for the HA)

Thank you, really appreciate your time to deal with my problems. Likely to keep the C, already have the 515 for beautiful HA.

[maximus]

Maxpiano is right, neither is better, they're just different. (See also my motorcycle vs. SUV analogy.)

I think the only place where the HA would feel substantially worse than the Compact would be for organ, and even then, it depends on your repertoire and whether you actually are using (or intending to use) more organ-specific technique. Personally I'm fine with playing most synth stuff on either kind of action. It's easier to play accurately on a hammer action, it's easier to play fast on the waterfall.

And yes, just as you could stick with the Compact and get a hammer action second board to play its pianos, you could also get the HA board and add a non-hammer board to play its organs, and synths if you prefer. (Though also, I'd want to have aftertouch on the board I'm playing synths from.)

If you don't enjoy playing anything from the Compact, and the weight is not an issue, then I'd say move to the HA. OTOH, if you're just fine playing the non-piano sounds from the Compact, and it's only the pianos that give you pause, that might argue for keeping it, with an eye toward adding a controller if you continue to find it unsatisfactory.

I'll also mention that, while many people feel that Nord is at or near the top choice for pianos, its reputation for organ is a little less stellar, with lots of people saying, yeah it's good, but there are better choices (e.g. Viscount, Hammond, Crumar). Looked at that way, if you wanted something more like the best of all possibilities, that could be another argument for going with the HA, and if you really get into organ, supplement with one of those clonewheels as your second board, both for its own sounds and to trigger additional Nord sounds.

You both right, I already started enjoying it, in just a week. It does seem the C is more popular, as the HA 73 is heavily discounted in EU.