Short solo Jazz piece with the NP88 & CP5

[Dave Ferris]

EDIT on 1/11/12
I was up to my minutes allotted limit on my Soundcloud page so I had to delete the files. I replaced with Divshare files. The quality isn't quite as good but good enough to get a general idea.
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I thought some of the Nord fans here might be interested in hearing this. Perhaps you've heard/seen it posted on other keyboard sites ; but if not, enjoy.

Last Fall Clavia sent me the NP88 to get my 2 cents on some new samples they were working on.

At that time I recorded this quick take on the Dave Brubeck tune, "In your Own Sweet Way". I also included a take with my Yamaha CP5. For best sound, please use headphones or good monitors.
NP
http://www.divshare.com/download/12844997-d39
CP5
http://www.divshare.com/download/12844987-847

[iaorana]

I thought some of the Nord fans here might be interested in hearing this.(..) At that time I recorded this quick take on the Dave Brubeck tune, "In your Own Sweet Way". I also included a take with my Yamaha CP5.

At this musical level, one can almost forget the piano and just listen to the music

For best sound, please use headphones or good monitors.

FYI my choice is:
- Open headphones: AKG K701
- Closed headphones: Shure SRH940

Alain

[Hanon_CTS]

Hello Dave Ferris,
Welcome to the forum!
Wow!!
This is a prime example of how a musician and musical performance transcends the instrument.
In listening to your performance, I didn't have the slightest concern for which sample, or which instrument was being played, it was all just you.

We're truly blessed to have you as a member.
Cheers, Hanon

[Dave Ferris]

Hi and thanks Hanon & Alain for the nice comments and the warm welcome. It's my pleasure to share this stuff in addition to be able to read other user's thoughts on the NP and other Nord keyboards.

Like you both mentioned all of these keyboards are just tools for us to get our ideas across. Each one has a slightly, sometimes radical, different color in regards to action or sound. The preference is that of the player to make the best music with whatever we choose .

I like the fact the NP is so portable. I'm 58 and have been moving gear for around 42 years! I'm in excellent physical shape but still there's a BIG difference between 58 and 28, 38 or even 48---especially when you are doing the moving yourself without any type of cartage or a roadie. In this area, in addition to the excellent build quality of the NP, the Nord Piano is a very attractive from a gigging pianist's standpoint.

Couple that with the obvious facts of---Clavia is always developing new Acoustic piano samples. It seems each one gets just a little better. Also a point that's often overlooked for live playing--the NP is probably the best sounding Digital Type Piano I've used when running in mono. With all the Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kurz offerings the sound is not good if it's not stereo. With the NP, you can get away with just schlepping the one speaker if it's a quick "in & out" type of gig or the set up space or load in is less then desirable. Of course the stereo sound is more flattering and preferable with the stereo panning and separation with the NP, but Clavia's mono mode does an excellent job of making the whole playing experience bearable...

I thought I'd add another short example of both the NP & CP5. This was done with the Yamaha's internal drum track. In looking back I probably should have just passed on the canned drums altogether and just played solo like the first example..

Another disclaimer---the Nord Piano Grand Lady D take was very late at night after a long day of teaching and rehearsing for me. I mistakenly DIDN'T pan each channel left & right, so the NP has less of a big overall stereo sound or field then the CP5. And Hanon, in addition to not being a *recording engineer* , I wasn't sure how to imbedd the urls...I'm a hopless computer idiot so please feel free to modify. One thing I noticed though by NOT clicking on the link-- the recording info is not shown.

In any case here's some improvising on the chord changes to Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin' High".

Nord Piano Grand Lady D
http://www.divshare.com/download/12774435-4a1
Cp-5
http://www.divshare.com/download/12774433-8e5

[Hanon_CTS]

Hello again Dave,
The info is found at the right side of the embeded soundcloud player, the full URL also appears below the player.
I'd say that when one plays as well as you do, they don't need to be a recording engineer, or a computer wiz.

Thanks again for sharing.

Cheers, Hanon

[Nordfan]

Wow!!...... Wow!!! This once again prooves that the man sitting behind the keys DOES make a difference in how an instrument can sound. It gives me comfort that you are 58 (no offence) and when I will be 58 I hope I will have just a fraction of the qualities you have.

But back on topic: The bad thing is that I can't be objective anymore but I was surprised of the sound of the CP5. And with that I meant that I was expecting a better sound than the NP. But is isn't!! I think it has something to do with the lack of synthetics in the Nord sounds. It sounds just more natural.

@ Hanon:
Maybe the CP5 is a good one for some other blind tests?? Also for the Rhodes sounds that are in it???

[Cee]

Great playing Dave!

It's funny how I did pretty much the same thing when I received my NP88. The recording I did was with Aebersolds backing, and the first take was on All The Things You Are. You can listen to it here: http://www.box.net/shared/mi16lh2qf422l147ip27

This was with the Lady D. It's by far my favorite. By no means do I want to in any way hijack the thread, I just found it funny how the first thing I did was pretty much the same as you did!

Great playing, again, and the Nord sounds great! Cheers!

[Nordfan]

Sounds great Cee! What a talent we have on this forum!

But I sense a difference in preferences between the classical/jazz players and the live performers. But that's another topic.....

[Dave Ferris]

Hey thanks Nordfan & Cee for checking it out and your nice comments too.

Cee--really enjoyed ATTYA ! You played some nice alternate melodies and also did some very cool syncopated things with the time. Very nice. The Grand Lady records very well, especially on top of the Aebersolds.

I had a bit of a problem with it live though when I had the NP for almost 4 months at the end of last year. For single note jazz lines, I felt it was *harpsichordy* sounding for lack of a better description. However when I was out in the room listening to someone else play it that *harpsichordy* sound wasn't has pronounced though---just when I was in the "nearfield' range of my speakers. A few bass players that were set up next to me echoed my thoughts on the sound as well. On the other hand, on one occasion, a Sax player who was on the other side of the stage thought it was the best piano sound he'd ever heard. He's a world class cat so I respect his opinion..So it's a bit of a strange phenomena these Nords in regard to acoustic piano sounds.

But back on topic: The bad thing is that I can't be objective anymore but I was surprised of the sound of the CP5. And with that I meant that I was expecting a better sound than the NP. But is isn't!! I think it has something to do with the lack of synthetics in the Nord sounds. It sounds just more natural.

I have a close friend who is a Pro Tools HD wizard composer/engineer. He writes for movie, jingle and TV stuff here in LA. He uses Ivory II and all the latest high end software samples and runs them through original Neve 1073 preamps.. He mixes and masters for Capitol Records and other labels. In other words, he's used to hearing high end sounds through high end gear all day, everyday-- not to mention having *big ears* in addition being an excellent guitarist and all around musician.. I sent him those two solo clips and asked him what he thought.. I'm going to lift his quote from the email:

"Both pianos sound so different it's really hard to compare them. I listened with phones because one of my Genelecs is getting 'tuned'. Both sound very nice but also somewhat digital at times? (I'm a piano snob now!) (my friend just bought a 6' 3" Bluthner) To me, the Yamaha has a more natural and mellow sound but certain registers sound a bit digital. The Nord cuts a lot more and through the phones actually sounds more like a Yamaha piano mic-ed up to me. It can get a bit strident and thin in certain registers. So live it might cut much better but it might thin out a bit more at times? It's a tough call. Obviously they both are very cool and your playing shows them off in the best light possible."

It's just interesting to get everyone's thoughts or reactions to piano sounds. One person's "mellow" is another's "synthetic" or vice versa.

One thing I think we can all agree on is that are both radically different.... I'm trying to sell some old Camco drums here to help fund the NP88. I'm pretty certain I'd like to have both the CP5 & NP to use for different musical situations.

[iaorana]

Sounds great Cee! What a talent we have on this forum!

+ 1

Alain