Clunky Keybed

[WORSHIP_KEYS]

I upgraded to a Nord Electro 6HP, and the first think I noticed was how clicky and loud the keys were. Is there something I can do to quiet them down, or is this just a cheap Keybed? Are there keybeds I can buy to replace it? Thanks!

[audios]

Did you buy a new one? Nord announced the Electro 7 that releases in the summer, featuring an improved HP keybed.

Yes the keybed on the older Electros is notorious for being noisy and unloved.

[FZiegler]

No question that there are quieter keyboards on the market. What you bought (it's the one from Facebook marketplace, right?) is the ultra-mobile version of a Nord hammer action - with exactly that known issue that the keys may get a little loud. So, your keyboard sounds more or less normal to me.

What about the velocity issue of your keyboard? Did you manage to solve that?

As far as key noise is concerned, folks sometimes add lubrication to get clunky keys banned - but I couldn't hear lacking lubrication in your video. If you want to go that way, you'd need to find out what lubrication matches with the plastic keys.

Of course, you can swap the full key set, but I don't see a big enhancement if it's only the sound of the keys being hit. And no, I don't think that there are other key actions (other than Fatar TP/100) that would fit.

[Schorsch]

Hi,

regarding the swap of the keybed - that would be useful only if you could replace the TP/100 with another keybed type, since the sound of the keys will be more or less the same when replacing the TP/100 in the Electro 6 with another TP/100. Replacing it with the new TP/110 would give you a better keybed, but I asked a product manager from Studiologic some time ago about swapping a TP/100 for a TP/110 in their Studio SL masterkeyboards, and he mentioned that this will not work both mechanically and software wise - that might be the same for the Electro 6.

[cphollis]

I upgraded to a Nord Electro 6HP, and the first think I noticed was how clicky and loud the keys were. Is there something I can do to quiet them down, or is this just a cheap Keybed? Are there keybeds I can buy to replace it? Thanks!

It is not a "cheap keybed". It's designed to be light.

It's the Hammer Portable action, and that's exactly what it's supposed to do -- a portable performance board (not a home instrument) so all the focus is on weight, making the action a bit on the lighter side.

You will never notice the keybed clacking when you're gigging.

You could sell it and go for another keyboard, but they all make some degree of keyboard noise when turned off.

[WORSHIP_KEYS]

Thanks for all the info! I think that the electro 6 will just be a temporary stepping stone until I have enough cash for the 7 .

[Ecaroh]

In another thread about HP keyboard I presented my video of NE3 HP keyboard. IMO in this condition it’s practically useless. This is not an faulty individual unit, I’ve seen / tested other old HPs. They are as bad as this. I certaily hope new NE7 HP is better what it comes to keyboard durability.


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[Rusty Mike]

For whatever it’s worth, I disassembled and relubricated both an Electro 3HP and Stage 2EX HP a few years back. Here’s more info:

https://www.norduserforum.com/viewtopi ... 29&t=10058

A thorough lubrication did the trick, but I sold both instruments so I cannot tell you how they’ve held up. I will add that the key noise is not related at all to pieces breaking, just some stickiness due to the lubrication issues. The sound was only evident while playing in my quiet home - never heard noise on the gig.

Have the new Electro 7HP on order. It’s a completely different keyboard action, so I’m optimistic about an improved playing experience.