HELP! I can't get a good piano sound

[MattC]

I've bought a ELV ZLX 12P and really like it. I only have one speaker, so only mono output is possible. Two of them would make the sound even better, of course.

[Kodexia1]

I have a electro 5 and i don't like any piano sounds either.I must admit that my old, cheep yamaha np80 v has better piano sound versus NE5.I try to find new piano samples if i will get better sounds.

-K-

[danrv]

Hi,

So I have owned a Nord Stage EX 88 for over 4 years now. However I have always been terribly disappointed with the acoustic piano sounds (to the point of hating playing live gigs and practicing with the nord). It seems like no matter what I do, no matter what amp I use or how I try to EQ the piano it just sounds awful and tinny. I recently acquired a good set of speakers and a sub with a Yamaha mixing board and I was hoping for a great improvement but I am still incredibly disappointed. I have heard these same speakers on a Roland and it sounded amazing. Am I doing something wrong or is it possible that the Nord does really terribly when it comes to acoustic piano sounds? Any help at all would be very appreciated.

Thank you,

P.S, I am a jazz pianist so i mainly use acoustic piano sounds on gigs.

Hi
My thoughts exactly on the piano sounds on my Stage 2 HA76.
It's almost like they're too 'realistic' and not optimized
for live use.
I've upgraded my amplification from a Roland KC120 to a pair of Yamaha DXR10's but there's not always the room on stage for both so often
only use one.
Just last Friday during a soundcheck at a gig through our RCF/Mackie PA, the guitarist said the piano didn't sound right. Too much mid and a bit honky sounding (Yamaha Bright Grand XL).
It was quite a live sounding room so this might have had something to do with it.
I've been trying to find a general, usable piano sound on the Nord since I bought it around 2 years ago.
Never had a problem with Roland piano sounds (XP80). Always clear and amp friendly and that's why I've sampled it and use it on the Nord.

Where the Nord piano sounds do sound amazing is when recording. No problem here which is why it's a bit frustrating that they're not good live.
I've tried tweaking the EQ but find I seem to need to do this depending on the venue.
I think I've got decent amplification and FOH is always stereo.

[Dreamer]

Your guitar hero has good ears (still). I pair two DXR10 with a E5. It works but you need two versions of piano samples, one for recording and one for live use with the DXR's. You need to reduce the mids for live use (banana frequency shape). Put them on poles on both sides of the stage, that helps, too. Put the FOH to "none" when doing so, leave eq-ing to the built in eq in E5. For recording, use the unaltered factory versions. This will be better but not perfect, for perfection you need better speakers. Best hint I can give.

Regarding sound, Bright Grand Large works for me great in a rock/blues context. This thing gets through. IMHO, there is no all purpose piano sound for stage and all musical styles (except Studio Grand 2 Large for recording, which has a built-in works everywhere ).

[danrv]

Thanks.
Yes, I never quite know what to say when sometimes the piano doesn't sound right at our sound checks.
'Nords are everywhere. 'It must be something you're doing wrong' is what I get.
They are popular and show up on many TV shows and performances but not playing through a 4K PA rig or as we use them.
Most likely connected directly to the AV equipment and monitored with IEMs which would sound good.

I use the NJS mini tripods to raise the DXR's. They're really good. I did initially have one speaker each side of the stage but if there's space I like the pair to myself
for the all important stereo .
Don't think I'll be changing my Yammies. They're too useful with their compact size, built in stereo mixer with stereo link and plenty of clean volume.
I'd rather take that over optimum compatibility for the Nord piano sounds.
Plus the Hammond and Rhodes completely rock on the Nords. It's only the pianos that disappoint in a live setting.
I'd like something like a Roland XV2020 piano but really don't want to be connecting a module at gigs.

[rachalb]

Just a quick note (just noticed this might be completely out of date as today is 7/23/25 in my world):
Check out performer Natalie Spears maybe she can help. I thought she had a beautiful piano sound from her NORD 88 (don't no the specific model). To the point that I think I made a mistake buying a Roland GP607 -- Maybe the speakers have more to do with it than I would have though; you may be on the right track there. Maybe she has a really great sound team...
-rachalb

[Klondyke77]

Besides the quality of speakers there is another aspect how the piano samples sound:
Nord Piano samples depend highly on velocity!
So I would recommend to try different DYNAMICS settings.
Also check that MONO setting is not set.
If you have only one speaker use only one output (CH1 or CH2). Don't sum both inputs to Mono, try to use MONO setting instead.