Logo for Nord should be a snoring human

[SteveNordP3]

Can we please just get an updated Lady D - please?

[Gambold]

Shhhh....you might wake them up!

[Ecaroh]

I too think that these Nord guys are in happy sleep: no groundreaking updates or even new sounds coming.

I got tired to wait MIDI features of NS4 to be at least close as good that they were in NS3 so I sold it (NS4) away. For example better External midi handling (wheel, at, pedal etc.) was promised to be high on the list but nothing happened in more than 2,5 years. So they are in quite deep sleep state.

As a replacement one option was Nord Grand 2 but it came quite evident that whole Nord line is far over priced nowadays. As a stage piano Grand 2 is obviously good but is it really worth 4111euros? For comparison Yahama CP88 is just nearly a half of that price (2399). Even their soft cases cost much more than others: for example you can get a good Yahama soft case for CP88 for 288e when comparable Nord costs 339e.

So it would be no surprise that I took CP88 and I am happy for above reasons. CP88 is many ways simple but it too has some qualities you would welcome in Nords too: It has douple outputs (XLRS and 6.3mm’s), much better MIDI controller features than in Grand, integrated Audio interface.

In my opinion now it’s time to wake up Nord folks! You cannot stay in that false self-satisfied state forever if you wanna keep your customers.

[Gambold]

My guess, and it's just a guess, is that the Stage 4 did not sell as well as past models in the line. Asking $6000 for the top model in the USA is a bridge too far, even for we fat Americans.

The Organ 3 is finally out, but that's a pricey little beast for Hammond lovers only (don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one). That's not going to sell like hotcakes either. Add in the competition from VST and other new tech and Clavia's palmy days are probably over. I smell a cash flow problem, and the first thing that gets cut when the money is tight is product development.

Also, principal ownership is now well into the Godfather shuffling around his tomato garden territory, and there's been no indication that anyone younger, hungrier, or on the ball has taken over.

[kirsty]

Fascinating how any topic originated by Gambold always drives me to click in immediately for some humour and entertainment!
Jokes aside this forum is full of Nord fans and thats great, but gushing only about what we like is preaching to the converted somewhat and there are valid points in what Gambold says - the brand has to be open to feedback and criticism to improve.

Nord are still the premium leading instrument in terms of pure No1 Stage instruments IMO. Many pros are using them by default and they still have the appeal to many. Not the top selling by volume and thats a different metric for lost of reasons, price, need etc. I'm sure Toyota sell many more cars than BMW, but I know which is the more impressive vehicle and most fun to own.

Personally for Nord ive moved through a few models since I first came into the brand in 2015, Piano 2HP, Stage 2 EX76, Stage 3, Electro 5HP - now Piano 5 73.
Comparing the latest to the oldest over my 10+ years of ownership, ive gained in essence more memory, a better action keyboard, sound filters, seamless transitions and a second AP sound engine. All of these have been very welcome additions. I know we can argue other boards had these features all along but eventually they did come together in one package and result in further Nord sales to me, so I cant say they havent been making worthy improvements! I dont see any reason to move from the P5 to P6 currently.

I have noticed a slowdown in sample releases. When I came into the brand they were releasing new AP's regularly and the samples were all top end Grands, Fazioli, Shigeru etc. Now its much more infrequent and most often not sounds anyone is actually requesting or needing. New samples were part of the appeal of moving ship from Kurzweil. That said the new Astoria Grand seems rather interesting so this may pacify me for a while! I still too would like to see an updated Steinway D, or a CFX or other Concert grand sample appear,

I'm interested Gambold, to know what it would take for Nord to bring you back again? Theres clearly an itch you want them to scratch hence you coming back on the forum to call them out frequently despite selling your instrument. What board or features in particular are you demanding of them?

[analogika]

I'm interested Gambold, to know what it would take for Nord to bring you back again? Theres clearly an itch you want them to scratch hence you coming back on the forum to call them out frequently despite selling your instrument. What board or features in particular are you demanding of them?

Yes, that is what we're all really asking ourselves: what the hell is Gambold doing back here? He switched to Yamaha a while ago…is he back for fun — or redder pastures?

[kirsty]

I'm interested Gambold, to know what it would take for Nord to bring you back again? Theres clearly an itch you want them to scratch hence you coming back on the forum to call them out frequently despite selling your instrument. What board or features in particular are you demanding of them?

Yes, that is what we're all really asking ourselves: what the hell is Gambold doing back here? He switched to Yamaha a while ago…is he back for fun — or redder pastures?

Perhaps he was thinking if he votes with his feet and jumps to Yamaha, Nord might sit up and make changes and then he can come back and say it worked

[taxman]

I think it’s Nord’s stickiness - you can go wherever you like but even Gambold won’t stay away here since he is infected by the Nord virus

[Gambold]

>what the hell is Gambold doing back here? <

I missed your charming comments, Analogika! You and the rest of the lunatics here. Have you BEEN to the Yamaha boards? Oh man, it's like going to an insurance seminar. Trust me, this little corner of the keyboard universe is still the most interesting one out there. Sure, I rub some fur the wrong way, but for every cranky cphollis there is a merry Schorsch to keep me smiling.

And of course I still love Nord! Whoever said I didn't? Oh yeah, all those forum members who think if you criticize something, rightly or wrongly (and I do both), you can't still like and enjoy it. Well, some people fart too loudly in church, what can I say...better out than in.

Don't get me wrong, the YC88 is awesome. Wonderful keyboard, terrific organ, lots of features that I'll never use. It's way too freaking heavy, so it's definitely a stay-at-home board...I'm not young lad anymore. I need a Nord to take to gigs. But the YC88's properly weighted keypad has been a godsend for me getting my technique back after years of playing Nord's craptastic Fatar waterfall offering (gee, will they improve THAT on the Electro 7?).

So Kirsty (and thank you for YOUR charming comments, which WERE actually charming)..I'll be back if they release an Electro that's an actual evolution in features to justify the inevitable price hike. And could they please go out and sample another Bosendorfer? Enough of the roadhouse and parlor keyboards. And this time get the Bosie right...we all know that could have been the Greatest One of All except they botched the upper half of the keyboard.

Hugs and tickles, yr pal, Gambold

[Schorsch]