I got the Nord Electro 5 but had to take it back

[Cannonball]

It seems a lot of people held onto their Electro 3's and then jumped to the 5. I have an Electro 4 and was anxiously waiting to upgrade.

I got the Electro 5 and played it a bit and had to take back on the account the leslie sim seemed off and had too much distortion. I haven't tried another Electro 5 in the possibility could've been a problem with the board.

Even when I put the distortion all the way down it felt like the distortion couldn't go below 25% (as long as the leslie was enabled). I was hoping that the B3 Organ Sim would have been the same as the 4 and I could utilize all the cool splits in the Electro 5D. But the change in the Leslie Sim bothered me so much I took it back.

I'm hoping I'm describing this accurately enough but did anyone else have a similar experience (going from the 4 to the 5)?

[Frantz]

It seems a lot of people held onto their Electro 3's and then jumped to the 5. I have an Electro 4 and was anxiously waiting to upgrade.

I got the Electro 5 and played it a bit and had to take back on the account the leslie sim seemed off and had too much distortion. I haven't tried another Electro 5 in the possibility could've been a problem with the board.

Even when I put the distortion all the way down it felt like the distortion couldn't go below 25% (as long as the leslie was enabled). I was hoping that the B3 Organ Sim would have been the same as the 4 and I could utilize all the cool splits in the Electro 5D. But the change in the Leslie Sim bothered me so much I took it back.

I'm hoping I'm describing this accurately enough but did anyone else have a similar experience (going from the 4 to the 5)?

Sorry to hear this

you are not alone
I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay

More seriously I come from a NE4D and yes I noticed what you say about the distortion.
Some people say that it's part of the simulation, mimics the real thing (Leslie 122).
Some people say you have to try before your buy.

If you had a 4D may be you noticed the keybed springs feel smoother on the 5D.
Some people say it's the same keybed (SW).

I understand your disappointment, I had the same "upgrade / downgrade" feeling, "expectation / surprises".
At the end of the day, every instrument is different, a few changes can make some users happy, can't please everyone, it's interesting to have evolving models, more choice on the market, it's also sad / bad that communication is not easy / clear on these details from Nord, but they do a huge work already.

Another difference (bigger one) is the way you select / organize your program, with this new SetList feature. On the NE4 I used to have 4 bank, and always AP on program 1, Organ on 2, EP on 3, Clav and Synths on 4, first bank was for cool songs, second for warm songs, third bank for hot songs, 4th was trash. That was so quick in gigs, ready for any tune in 2 clics. I lost that.

I kept my NE5 for gigs in the mix it's always fine anyway, I begin to love these little things, it's great board, a great great board, far better than the 4. I get used to the SetList, the "organize" feature really change the deal in good. Today I would not go back to NE4, but I really understand your decision.

[chatfd]

Well, I thought the B3 sounded BETTER - who knows. But as a former NE3 owner, who upgraded to a 4D & 4_sw73 (of which I still have them ... both) it's the changes plus figuring out the board ---> so I know where sounds, etc are located. Overall, I feel the NE5D is great, but the learning curve from the "3" to the "4s" was EASIER (for this musical part-timer) than MY learning curve (or way that I use a Nord) than the 4 to the 5. But, I'll figure it out as I've just not had the time over the last 3 months to devote to learning how the NE5D will best be set-up.
Frustrating yes, but I'll overcome soon! However, that being said --->

The things I dislike:
1) The Clavs - don't hack it. Something is missing, taken off, who knows. Just not the same!! I use a NE4 for the better CLAVS - (I always take two!)
2) So much memory (which is a good thing) complicates it more in the OTHER direction; almost like eating too much of a good meal!
3) No BACKWARDS use on the shift button ... so one can't go back one on an effect & so on. I miss that! But like anything, I can get used to the new: I hope!
4) AND = Having to adjust "EVERY" sample to my liking - so darn time consuming! I forgot I did that on all my units! Took lots of time!

On that last #4 ... it is also why (on the new NE5D) I tend use a few tones/sounds that I've liked, & use one of the NE4s for what I KNOW it will sound like.

I did think of returning it - but decided to hang in there. Also, as easy as returns may be, I did not get the NE5D locally in terms of a brick & mortar store.

Ask me in 5-6 months. Why so long, I have more than music on my plate; besides, I've had the two four units for more than two years. I know them well. But that took a lot of my time - I don't seem to have as much time these days!

Sorry that you felt disappointed. My bandmates like B3 on the NE5D. But I also hear what "you" are saying. A thought, how are you amplifying it? Did that affect it or were you using headphone/IEMs or something else? All will be well.

[michael_C1]

I haven't tried another Electro 5 in the possibility could've been a problem with the board.

It's not a problem with the keyboard itself. A number of people have pointed out the rotary distortion you mentioned and tonal differences from previous versions.

[Cannonball]

Thanks for the informative replies. I now feel less crazy. I guess I felt I needed some confirmation that others were hearing that too.

Well, I thought the B3 sounded BETTER - who knows. But as a former NE3 owner, who upgraded to a 4D & 4_sw73 (of which I still have them ... both) it's the changes plus figuring out the board ---> so I know where sounds, etc are located. Overall, I feel the NE5D is great, but the learning curve from the "3" to the "4s" was EASIER (for this musical part-timer) than MY learning curve (or way that I use a Nord) than the 4 to the 5. But, I'll figure it out as I've just not had the time over the last 3 months to devote to learning how the NE5D will best be set-up.
Frustrating yes, but I'll overcome soon! However, that being said --->

The things I dislike:
1) The Clavs - don't hack it. Something is missing, taken off, who knows. Just not the same!! I use a NE4 for the better CLAVS - (I always take two!)
2) So much memory (which is a good thing) complicates it more in the OTHER direction; almost like eating too much of a good meal!
3) No BACKWARDS use on the shift button ... so one can't go back one on an effect & so on. I miss that! But like anything, I can get used to the new: I hope!
4) AND = Having to adjust "EVERY" sample to my liking - so darn time consuming! I forgot I did that on all my units! Took lots of time!

On that last #4 ... it is also why (on the new NE5D) I tend use a few tones/sounds that I've liked, & use one of the NE4s for what I KNOW it will sound like.

I did think of returning it - but decided to hang in there. Also, as easy as returns may be, I did not get the NE5D locally in terms of a brick & mortar store.

Ask me in 5-6 months. Why so long, I have more than music on my plate; besides, I've had the two four units for more than two years. I know them well. But that took a lot of my time - I don't seem to have as much time these days!

Sorry that you felt disappointed. My bandmates like B3 on the NE5D. But I also hear what "you" are saying. A thought, how are you amplifying it? Did that affect it or were you using headphone/IEMs or something else? All will be well.

Nice, thanks for the comparison. I tried running both my NE4 and the 5 through my studio headphones and my qsc k10. I had the NE3 and when I went to the 4 I loved it immediately. I wasn't expecting to be let down.

[Mr_-G-]

2) So much memory (which is a good thing) complicates it more in the OTHER direction; almost like eating too much of a good meal!

I wonder what is the problem caused by having twice the storage for the piano samples.

[michael_C1]

I wonder what is the problem caused by having twice the storage for the piano samples.

Maybe if you have a hard time making decisions?

OTOH, the E5 is the first Nord where it's possible to do side by side comparisons of several pianos easily. This is one of the many things I enjoy on the E5, although like Cannonball, I don't care for the organ.