Improving the Rhodes pianos

[anotherscott]

But the Pianos are a real let down for me. And i don't understand why so many people rave about them. But there again, i am on a Stage Classic and can only download the Large versions. Don't get me wrong, they are OK, but even so i think Roland totally blow the arse of Nord in the Acc. Piano department.

Yes, the pianos do sound better on the NS2/NP/NP2 than they do on the Stage Classic, Even apart from XL, I think "Long Release" really made a difference in how natural they seem when you play them. There's improved string resonance, too. But as to why so many people rave, I think it's also a matter of the competition. I think there are more keyboards out there with better EPs than Nord's than there are ones with better pianos, and the boards that are at least as good as the Nord for piano always weigh too much for me to gig with. But as always, there is a subjective element here... personally, I like the Nord pianos better than Roland's anyway.

[bluesbaba]

The NE3 HP is god-sent for traveling "popjazzpianists"

[monsterjazzlicks]

Yes, the pianos do sound better on the NS2/NP/NP2 than they do on the Stage Classic, Even apart from XL, I think "Long Release" really made a difference in how natural they seem when you play them. There's improved string resonance, too.

Thanks AS,

The reason i ask in detail is because i am seriously considering upgrading my Stage Classic to an NS2 next year (hence the forum thread i started a couple of days ago). So it was very interesting to hear your comments on the quality of the Grand Pianos on the NS2.

i guess the Rhodes sound exactly the same on any Nord insrument because they do not come in a variety of MB sizes ??

Ta,

Paul

[jazzystu]

In my opinion, the 2 is an ideal instrument to replace the Classic. I don't see enough of an improvement to merit chopping the EX in.

I would hang on a bit and then see what the 2EX is like. I think it will come sooner than previous updates...law of diminishing returns and all that....

I can see that the bigger samples are getting bigger. My thoughts are that the new Rhodes when they come will probably be massive. This will be another "encouragement" for people to update. For this reason, I'd hold tight and see what they do with the new EPs and how these line up with the memory of the 2.

BTW. Have you tried the A pickup (neck) on the clav routed with all the filters off and through the leslie sim with the rotor set to stop? From our conversation earlier, the Wah Clav is better than my old D6 used to be, but straight, it's crap. I am quite a fan of a straight "warm" sounding clav. All of the Nord jobs are a bit thin, no matter how you EQ them. Mine with all the switches forward was VERY FAT indeed. (I think that might have been BD off the top of my head)

[monsterjazzlicks]

Hi Stu,

Thanks very much mate. To be honest, i find it quite confusing understanding the differences between all the various models. i bought my Stage Classic in good faith thinking it would last me for years. But 6 x months down the line i began to realise that the memory was so small and various other annoying factors. And of course it was not too long before the Stage Classic was superceded (which rubbed salt in the wound). i paid nearly £2,000 for my Stage Classic and thats why i am somewhat bitter about the situation. It is clearly not going to cope with the size of the samples which are due in the near future. So i am not sure how much i would get for it if i stuck it on ebay ?? £500 if i am lucky !!

Was the EX the next model up from the Classic, and then the NS2 the next model up from the EX. And now the NS2 EX is the next model up from the NS2 ?? Not sure if thats correct or not.

i did not know that Nord were bringing out new Rhodes which were going to be larger in MB ?? Are they re-releasing ALL 6 (or how ever many it is) of the original Rhodes samples which everyone has had for years ?? Or will these be totally NEW ones ??

i have a Hohner E7 (thru a Crybaby and Fender DeVille amp) and it sounds totally amazing !! Its in excellent condition and so it too good to actually gig !!! Yes, i did once try putting the Nord Clav thru the Leslie but not with the rotor set to Stop. i had it on Slow and so it sounded quite organy if there is such a word !!).

[jazzystu]

The classic is still one hell of a piece of kit. I would wait and see what their next move is before spending any money.

I reckon the next samples which are "game changing" rather than more acoustic pianos will be big. If so, you might not want to have a 2. The latest Grand is a biggun. My bet is the new electric pianos (wurly/clav/rhodes) will be released at once and they will be big. So it's a case like the classic. "My classic can only hold one XL grand and that's it" or "My EX can only hold 2 XL's and a Medium and it's full".

I think the law of diminishing returns and a shrinking market will cause them to play more of their cards sooner.

I'd wait and see.

My money is on them playing the memory game. You want new pianos? Well, you'll need the Stage 8EX to fit them all on.

Watch it happen. However, if you are like me, you'll want one decent grand, one decent upright, one decent rhodes, one decent clavinet. I fear these will all be 479Tb.

[monsterjazzlicks]

Jazzy Stu,

Which Nord keyboard do you own ?? Do you just have the Stage Classic like me ?

i would be more than happy if i could get (say) 2 x XL Grand Pianos onboard. And then the extra memory left over can be used for the new Rhodes samples (assuming they are going to be big).

If they bring out a NS2-EX then how many MB do you think the memory will be ??

i am also attracted to the Synth Section additions on the NS2. The Classic Synth Section does a very good job for what it is, but the NS2 looks like it has much more to offer. And the Sample library is something very exciting.

TA,

Paul

[Frantz]

I found that the parametric EQ, the drive and the compressor can help improve this. I always (wrongly?) assumed that the compressor would reduce the dynamic range of the instrument, making low notes sound louder, white the top loudness would not be altered. However, if you try hitting high notes hard repeatedly (reaching theoretically the max volume) it can increase further the volume as you increase the compression setting. About 5 of compression seems good for epiano 3 (Shallow) with a Dynamic setting of 3 without losing too much dynamic range in the low velocity notes. Adding bit of drive (~0.9) and fiddling with the equaliser (near max Treble) the adds a lot more of that missing "bite" and presence to the sound in the top third of the keyboard.

+1