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StarF666 wrote: 21 Jan 2026, 23:32
New user but long time Nord player. . .
. . . What do you NE users prefer when you bring just one board?
Welcome to the community! You'll find we are a wonderfully varied group with a mix of musical backgrounds and interests. I think among the Electro users, you'll find all kinds of different answers.
I'm a jazz player who brings my 6D 73 out for small gigs to play piano and organ. For the past few weeks, I've been using it stacked over another keyboard to emulate a 2 manual B3 setup. Been working on improving my bass lines and comping.
I mostly play piano in a few jazz big bands and bring my Piano 5. I've pre-ordered the E7 HP to hopefully replace the P5. I'm looking forward to the Kawai action on this new instrument. Big fan of the Electro.
Mike from Central NJ, USA
Tools: Ten fingers, two feet, middle-age brain, questionable judgement and taste Current Nords: Piano 5 73, Electro 6D 73
Ownership History: Electro 2, Electro 3-73 SW, Electro 3HP, Electro 4D, Stage 2EX 76HP
Are there any current stage pianos - all brands - using the “Kawai Hammer Action Portable” keybed?
I am really curious about the feel and action compared to the Fatar TP/100–TP/400 keybeds currently used in Nord Electro HP, and Stage models.
Anyone visiting NAMM who can give a description?
Nord Stage 2 HA76, Nord Electro 6 HP, Yamaha Montage 6
NoDirection wrote: 22 Jan 2026, 12:11
Kawai Hammer Action Portable?
Are there any current stage pianos - all brands - using the “Kawai Hammer Action Portable” keybed?
I am really curious about the feel and action compared to the Fatar TP/100–TP/400 keybeds currently used in Nord Electro HP, and Stage models.
Anyone visiting NAMM who can give a description?
Best I can put together is that it’s likely Kawai’s 3-sensor Responsive Hammer Compact II found in products like the CX202 or ES520.
NAMM opens today so I’m sure we’ll start hearing some field reports.
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Mike from Central NJ, USA
Tools: Ten fingers, two feet, middle-age brain, questionable judgement and taste Current Nords: Piano 5 73, Electro 6D 73
Ownership History: Electro 2, Electro 3-73 SW, Electro 3HP, Electro 4D, Stage 2EX 76HP
NoDirection wrote: 22 Jan 2026, 12:11
Kawai Hammer Action Portable?
Are there any current stage pianos - all brands - using the “Kawai Hammer Action Portable” keybed?
I am really curious about the feel and action compared to the Fatar TP/100–TP/400 keybeds currently used in Nord Electro HP, and Stage models.
Anyone visiting NAMM who can give a description?
Self quoting myself from some pages back in this thread
maxpiano wrote: 17 Jan 2026, 12:03 (..) considering the weight I guess it is probably derived by the Kawai RHC = Responsive Hammer Compact, used on models like the ES110/120 (you can find details about the RHC other Kawai actions at this page Kawai Keyboard Actions
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Something that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is that Kawai also has the Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) action used in the ES60, so that could be another possible foundation.
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anotherscott wrote: 22 Jan 2026, 16:02
Something that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is that Kawai also has the Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) action used in the ES60, so that could be another possible foundation.
>Good price for an almost-sparkling unit. Congrats!<
It's a little mysterious. The original shipping label was still on the box...it was bought last November. So seller had it for less than two months. All the packaging was intact, even the little protective sticker on the screen was still there. The power cord and manual were still sealed up. The box had been opened, but I'm not sure if the keyboard was ever turned on. All the dials were to the left, including volume, the drawbars all down, etc. Seems like it could have been returned to Sweetwater within 30 days. Hmm, well, not complaining.
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Kawai's Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) and kawai Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) are both not triple sensor as far as I know. So maybe it's a Responsive Hammer II/III ore derived thereof?
I hope it's not entirely unuseable for organ playing, especially regarding the trigger point. Any decent inexpensive recommendations for a waterfall MIDI keyboard, just in case? Or should I simply keep my NE5 73 as a backup and SW MIDI keyboard? Would at least make a nice stack.
StarF666 wrote: 22 Jan 2026, 19:01
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Kawai's Responsive Hammer Lite (RHL) and kawai Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) are both not triple sensor as far as I know. So maybe it's a Responsive Hammer II/III ore derived thereof?
I hope it's not entirely unuseable for organ playing, especially regarding the trigger point. Any decent inexpensive recommendations for a waterfall MIDI keyboard, just in case? Or should I simply keep my NE5 73 as a backup and SW MIDI keyboard? Would at least make a nice stack.
There is a triple sensor version of the RHC II, used on the ES520.
A viable organ-forward alternative would be the Viscount Legend One. Although the 73 key version is not waterfall.
Mike from Central NJ, USA
Tools: Ten fingers, two feet, middle-age brain, questionable judgement and taste Current Nords: Piano 5 73, Electro 6D 73
Ownership History: Electro 2, Electro 3-73 SW, Electro 3HP, Electro 4D, Stage 2EX 76HP
—Nordine
Jazz pianist & co-author of "Jazzology: The Encyclopaedia of Jazz Theory for All Musicians" Nord Piano 5 (88)
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