Nord Piano 2 HA88 vs HP73... Which one?

[woolybeard]

I've owned an Electro3 61SW since early 2009, and its my main keyboard, hands down. As an all-in-1 kind of box, its exactly what I needed.

I've decided to upgrade as to bypass the few shortcomings it has, first with a C2D (which should be here on Friday), because I wanted a dual manual board WITH drawbars (I do a lot of organ work, and feel that I should truly learn how to play it correctly), and secondly with one of the products with more piano-like feel, as well as more memory for better key samples (185mb is RIDICULOUS, why haven't they upgraded the flash memory to more?)

I feel stuck between both of the models of the NP2. I've mainly ruled out the Electro4HP because I now have the new organs with the C2D, and I still have my Electro3, plus the NP2 has larger memory banks.

I'd like to keep my rig as portable as possible, which makes me lean towards the HP (and the fact that I had a full 88 key piece that SAT in my house for the past 8 years or so and never moved because of portability), but I hear that the action on the HA is MUCH better, and for only a few hundred more, I wonder if it's worth it. I'm not really bothered by the lack of an octave though, as I've been gigging out with a Rhodes quite a bit lately, and I'm not necessarily playing classical pieces where I need a FULL range of a keyboard, even the 61 keys of my E3 has been plenty for most of the work that I do.

So I suppose my question is: REALLY how different are the keybeds? Is it THAT much more noticeable? I'm probably headed to a local shop next week to shoot them out myself between a Electro4HP and a Stage 88, but I just wanted some outside opinion...

[mjbrands]

I'm probably headed to a local shop next week to shoot them out myself between a Electro4HP and a Stage 88

My opinion is that there's really no substitute for hands-on experience, especially since this is such a personal thing. If you can play piano pieces on your E3 and have a fully weighted keyboard at home that isn't seeing that much use because of portability issues, I'd say that makes a good case for the HP version.

One of the things I have noticed is that a common complaint about the HP keybeds is that they can become noisy. On the other hand, there are also people who think their HA keybeds make too much noise (thud!).

I just checked the weight of both, but I must say the weight difference is much larger than I thought: 18,3 kg (40.3 lbs) vs 11 kg (24.25 lbs).

Also note that if you want the triple pedal, you need to buy it as an option with the HP73 as it doesn't seem to be included with that version. You might be able to get the shop you buy it from to give you a good price on the pedal though. At 2 kg that pedal is certainly heavy enough to smash someone's head in with.

[woolybeard]

One of the things I have noticed is that a common complaint about the HP keybeds is that they can become noisy. On the other hand, there are also people who think their HA keybeds make too much noise (thud!).

I've noticed the same complaint, and most that are complaining do mention that the HA keybed is better, I just wonder "how much" better lol. I've noticed my technique falter from playing piano styles on unweighted keys for the past few years, but I don't want to lose the quality of sounds that I get from Nord.

[Vampidemic]

I've owned an Electro3 61SW since early 2009, and its my main keyboard, hands down. As an all-in-1 kind of box, its exactly what I needed.

I've decided to upgrade as to bypass the few shortcomings it has, first with a C2D (which should be here on Friday), because I wanted a dual manual board WITH drawbars (I do a lot of organ work, and feel that I should truly learn how to play it correctly), and secondly with one of the products with more piano-like feel, as well as more memory for better key samples (185mb is RIDICULOUS, why haven't they upgraded the flash memory to more?)

I feel stuck between both of the models of the NP2. I've mainly ruled out the Electro4HP because I now have the new organs with the C2D, and I still have my Electro3, plus the NP2 has larger memory banks.

I'd like to keep my rig as portable as possible, which makes me lean towards the HP (and the fact that I had a full 88 key piece that SAT in my house for the past 8 years or so and never moved because of portability), but I hear that the action on the HA is MUCH better, and for only a few hundred more, I wonder if it's worth it. I'm not really bothered by the lack of an octave though, as I've been gigging out with a Rhodes quite a bit lately, and I'm not necessarily playing classical pieces where I need a FULL range of a keyboard, even the 61 keys of my E3 has been plenty for most of the work that I do.

So I suppose my question is: REALLY how different are the keybeds? Is it THAT much more noticeable? I'm probably headed to a local shop next week to shoot them out myself between a Electro4HP and a Stage 88, but I just wanted some outside opinion...

Definitely try for yourself, but I think the HA 88 is a much better bargain because it includes the pedal unit. If you add the cost to purchase the pedal unit separately, the HP sells for more than the HA!

The HA is not that heavy in my opinion. Just think of how heavy a Rhodes and a Hammond would be as you are loading in your gear and you'll be fine.

[woolybeard]

The HA is not that heavy in my opinion. Just think of how heavy a Rhodes and a Hammond would be as you are loading in your gear and you'll be fine.

I'm not worried so much about the weight, but the dimension width wise. It's a struggle to get a full 88 key into my vehicle most times, and especially if I get a roadcase built w/ an accessories pocket, it'll be even longer... I've learned how deal with the weight lugging around the Rhodes.

[rb4u1]

I recently purchased a Nord Electro 4 sw 73 key model.
It has double the memory of my old electro three.
I find it makes it much eat easier to use the sound manager
because of the expanded memory.
I believe both of the larger electro models have the expanded memory.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[dynanord]

The difference between NP2HP and NP2HA keybed is not a small one !
If you have the chance, try before you buy. HP feels wobblier, HA provides more feedback.

[woolybeard]

The difference between NP2HP and NP2HA keybed is not a small one !
If you have the chance, try before you buy. HP feels wobblier, HA provides more feedback.

Thanks for your feedback!
How would you describe either of them comparatively? Is the HP more like a sluggish Rhodes action, and the HA more like a piano? Or is it more like 2 different strengths of feedbacks from natural pianos?

[dynanord]

The HP is a keybed that I would like to play in a Moog. Feels grippy and kind of heavy but when you press it all the way down, there begins wobblyness.
The last millimeter feels like a little trampoline and the fingers could jump on it
By this I don´t mean it´s a bad keybed but isn´t pianolike. The HA keys are longer, feel light and are (for many users too) easy to play but the
pressed down keys reached their full range and that´s it. Pianolike.
When I tested the NE4HP (same keybed) I didn´t like it after touching it the first time. The HA makes me smile but a little powerless in the fingers.
My impression was the HA makes me play more expressive with a more sensitive feeling. The HA isn´t a graded Hammer action board, all keys feel
the same. I think that´s it from my point of view.