dilemma: Electro 5HP or Electro 5D73

[zephonic]

I'm currently rocking a NordPiano 88 and the time has come to re-evaluate my rig. I have never been much of an organ-player but I need to get into it more as I've been doing this church gig.

Thinking of offloading the NP88 and getting an Electro 5 (or maybe a Hammond SK2, really enjoyed playing that). The question is, then, whether to get the HP or the D73.

I'm primarily a piano guy, but I can't say that the NordPiano action has been all that convincing. It's fine, but I wonder if I'd lose much going for a D73? To be sure, I dislike playing piano on a semi-weighted action, but perhaps I'd hate playing organ on a weighted action even more.

An additional advantage of the D73 is it will fit in the smaller gigbag, whereas the HP will need the Stage76 case. And, of course, the D73 is $500 cheaper.

I'd be interested in hearing from all NE5 owners.
Thanks.

[zephonic]

On a different note:

I know the E5 can split and layer, but can it split/layer three sounds? For example: bass on the left, and a layer of piano and pad on the right?

[zephonic]

you can split or layer only two sounds: piano+organ, piano+synth or organ+synth.

[afroskully]

it's a very individual decision to make, but personally I thought the learning curve from going to weighted action to the semi-weighted keys on the Nord was a small one. It's much easier to play piano on lighter keys than it is to play organ on weighted keys. Every once in a while I may long for more weighted action while playing pianos live, but it's fleeting. I've gotten used to it and I'm much happier for the versatility. That and the 5D is just an incredible machine.

[pauleway]

I bought the 5HP because I much prefer the weighted keybed to the waterfall touch of the 5D. I had a Hammond SK-1 and got rid of it because I could not get use to playing piano on a SW (organ touch) keybed.
I am primarily a piano player, and I actually like the feel of the weighted keybed for when I play organ. It is all personal preference, but I can tell you the 5HP has a pretty heavy touch (which I really like) but if you are primarily a organ player, and used to the waterfall touch, the 5D would be a better fit. If you are a piano guy, the 5HP! If you can, try both out before you take the plunge.

Best Regards,
Paul

[dkernohan]

Playing organ convincingly (I'm guessing with your "church" gig you'd be going for a gospel kind of sound?) on hammer-action weighted keys is horrible. If you are going to be playing mostly organ, you need the 5D73. You could always add a controller keyboard with a piano weighting (like the Kawai VPC1?) at a later date.

You can get used to playing piano on semi-weighted keys - but do try before you buy... if it's a deal breaker only you can say for sure.

[chatfd]

I started with a NE3, then a 4D, NE4, now a NE5D. ALL Waterfall. Every unit and everyone has a reference. Like the previous note: one "can" get used to it. The less (total) weight both in the carrying of your Nord and the playing .... like life - one can learn ... or re-learn. Besides, if going BACK on a full real piano - one can get used to that again too! My vote is waterfall keys if I am lugging all my stuff all by myself - lol.

Yet I will say that if you are pianist, playing real pianos all the time: go for the weighted keys - then you have what you want & are used to playing! Go for it! Love these Nords!

[tmacb3]

I usually play out on Hammond B3 so I am very use to the feel of that action with the waterfall keys. I own an original Nord Stage Piano (weighted keys) and a NE 5d 73 (waterfall keys). I have had to use the NS in the past when the venue was to small to get the Hammond on stage. One of the main reason's that I purchased the NE 5d was so I could play organ parts more realistically then I could on the NS. That is, organ glisses and quick rhythm chops are much harder to play on the NS when compared to the NE5. Having said that, the action of the NE 5d is not exactly like a Hammond, but for your purposes (i.e. not being use to a real Hammond), this shouldn't be that big of a deal. I would say if you are a real piano player trying to play organ patches on the NE5d (w/out weighted keys), you will likely miss it. In fact, the NE5d that I just purchase was from a fellow who played on a worship team. He didn't like the waterfall keys/ action. He ended up purchasing a NS2 for that reason. Just my $.02.

[zephonic]

Thanks all for your replies.

I tried playing the Nord Piano sounds from my FantomX7 yesterday. Not bad at all, but the Fantom's keyboard is probably the best semi-weighted in the business. Then I tried playing Kontakt's Vintage organs from the NordPiano, that was a little challenging.

Right now, I'd lean towards the D, but it is early days and the Yamaha Montage 7 has appeared on my radar, too.

[michael_C1]

My experience, as primarily a piano player these days, is that I got used to playing piano on a non-weighted keyboard easily enough on faster music and while playing with other musicians in that context. But for playing piano when the piano is exposed and sensitivity of dynamics is important, perhaps for a wedding ceremony, or a piano intro on a ballad, then playing a non-weighted keyboard was, and continues to be, a nightmare for me. Playing organ on a weighted action doesn't bother me at all, unless there's a need for speed. That's difficult.