Silver Grand XL

[Dragan Markovic]

Hi there!

Fresh nord stage 2ex user here.

I was listening to the beautiful demo of Silver Grand XL sample that can be found here.
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libr ... lver-grand

I've loaded the sample using the manager program but, I can't seem to make it sound like that, not even remotely.
I love what I'm hearing on all the demos, but that's not what I get out of my keyboard at the moment.

The sound I get is way to cold, harsh, bright, mid - high frequencies have that ''phone sound''.
I am guessing that simply changing the sample on program A:01:1 Italian Grand to Silver Grand XL is just not going to do the trick.

Playing with the compressor and Amp EQ section does offer some color, but it is clear that this is not the way to do it - at least it doesn't sound that warm.

Actually, even Italian Grand with FazXL sounds too phone like to me.


So...

Is there a particular way to program these or are there any programs out there that are made for Silver Grand in mind ?
When I load the sample into the NS2ex there are no new programs that are assigned to it. Only the sample is loaded.

Is there a way to acquire programming (not just the samples) that can be heard in the demo section on the Nord website ?

Anyway, I must be doing something wrong because it sure does not sound like any of the YT demos, previews etc.

I still have to get through the manual and into programming on the NS though...

[maxpiano]

Basic question: how do you listen to your NS2? Headphones, speakers and whcih brand/model?
A different amplification/speaker system can make a dramatic difference + those demos may also have been post-processed with external equipment of software audio plugins.

[Dragan Markovic]

Through sE Munro 150 Egg powered monitoring system in an acoustically treated environment.
I also have a pair of Shure SRH840 headphones at hand.

I don't think it's that.

In comparison, Kurzweil PC3K8 sounds perfect, just like the demo, Kurzweil Forte too.


Yes, there could be post processing but again.. a difference in sound that is this obvious ?

I'm formatting everything atm and I will load all the XL samples and see what happens. Hmm...

[Dragan Markovic]

Is it possible that the demo might be Una Corda?

I don't have the Nord Triple Pedal.

[AinTziLLo]

"una corda" gives you a sound "too phone", I don't think this is the solution...

I can't try myself...
someone else...?

[RedLeo]

You could try using the Piano sample in a fresh initialised patch to make sure that there is nothing (EQ etc) affecting the raw piano sound and see what that sounds like.

[pablomastodon]

Is there a way to acquire programming (not just the samples) that can be heard in the demo section on the Nord website ?

No, there is not.

Online Nord demos are always "dry" except as noted. In this instance, a little reverb. They are certainly not running things through outboard gear or VST effects processing prior to publishing demos. I am unable to comment on how/why what you hear from online demo differs widely from what you are hearing from your instrument. As Max mentioned, much will depend upon your audio system and listening environment, but from this and prior conversations I know that you, Dragan, are not unsophisticated with these things...not sure what else to say...

Bless,

Pablo

[Dragan Markovic]

First of all, thank you for your replies.

I'm at work at the moment, so I will record something when I get home tonight. I hope you will be able to hear the difference too or I will be forced to come to a conclusion that I'm just not used to Nord piano sounds

I've deleted everything, did a clean system install, loaded only several XL piano samples with no programs attached to them.

The only one that sounds warm and mellow is the Mellow Upright. I would just like to make the Silver Grand sound more like that, more like the demo.


I've also tried playing reeeally gently to the extreme, and of course it does soften things a bit, but I am guessing that's not how it's done


Anyway... Is there I way to set the velocity to a harder response curve ?
I've found only Normal and 1,2,3 - which are all somewhat lighter as I recall.

[MrSitcom]

What OS are you using? The newest (v2.10) replaced the Normal velocity curve with a softer one, quote from the Mothership:

A new Dynamics (velocity) curve added, replacing the old "Normal" setting (no LED lit in Dynamics section). The new curve provides improved dynamic control when playing soft and makes the keyboard slightly "heavier". The old "Normal" curve is moved to position 1 and the old curves 1 and 2 were merged into position 2. Curve number 3 is the same as before. Important! Programs stored with the old "Normal" curve will be automatically re-stored to use the curve in position 1, the old "Normal" curve. Programs stored using old curves 1 or 2 will use the new merged curve in position 2 upon update.

[pcarrilho]

First of all, thank you for your replies.

The only one that sounds warm and mellow is the Mellow Upright. I would just like to make the Silver Grand sound more like that, more like the demo.

Are you trying to turn the Silver Grand into a dark, Warm and woody tone like the Mellow Upright?
I think the the Silver Grand a very bright piano... For warm and dark tone the silver grand is not the best to do that... IMHO. there are sample with best results trying to turn them in a darker tone.

But try to increase a little bit the low Mids with the Eq. to add some body to the silver grand... I did that with very good results! (because i didn't like the raw sample). But you must be careful to find the sweet spot (frequency) to add some body to the sample, because instead of adding body, you maybe turn the piano "boomy" (and it is not so good).