NS2 vs. Hammond sk

[Spike]

As I have written elsewhere, I own both an NS2 Compact and an SK1. I play them together, using the NS2 as the motherboard and the SK1 as either a slave or on its own for B3 patches. I agree that for almost everything other than B3, the NS2 is better in several ways, but the SK1 is a much better B3 emulator for two reasons: drawbars and Leslie sim. The NS2 is pathetic in these 2 features, although the raw organ tone is excellent on the NS2. So, the NS2 with a Vent and some add-on drawbars would probably be as good as the SK1 for B3 emulation.

Spike

[Hanon_CTS]

but the SK1 is a much better B3 emulator for two reasons: drawbars and Leslie sim. The NS2 is pathetic in these 2 features, although the raw organ tone is excellent on the NS2. So, the NS2 with a Vent and some add-on drawbars would probably be as good as the SK1 for B3 emulation.

Spike

Hello Spike,
Perhaps you would be willing to record audio examples of both the NS2 and SK rotary speaker sims and detail what you don't like about the Nord, and do like about the Suzuki.

I wasn't able to reach the same conclusion based on the youtube videos, and would like to hear a better example of the SK.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Hanon

[Spike]

Hello Spike,
Perhaps you would be willing to record audio examples of both the NS2 and SK rotary speaker sims and detail what you don't like about the Nord, and like about the Suzuki.

I wasn't able to reach the same conclusion based on the youtube videos, and would like to hear a better example of the SK.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Hanon

Hi Hanon,
I'd be happy to do an audio comparison between the NS2 and the SK1, but I'll need some guidance to make the recording. The only recording equipment I have is a Logitech webcam for my PC computer.
What do you suggest? I have both a PC and a Mac.
Spike

[Mooser]

Well, I just purchased a C-2, and whatever learning curve is associated with minipulating the Nord LED bars, it won't be half as steep as the one associated with grabbing a big handful of the Hammond's ONE drawbar section, and discovering it's assigned to the other keyboard! And when the drawbars are re-assigned, are they motor-driven to switch positions? I doubt it.
And since I need piano voices but can't, due to space limitations, make my rig any bigger, can't I just hook up my choice of MIDI module to the Nord and use it's sounds, played by the Nord keyboard? And the modulaes are "half-rack size, and sit right on top of the Nord, to one side of the panel.
There is one thing- the Nord is an honest product. The Hammond is clearly aimed at a benchmark set by Nord. If Hammond could make a 35 lb., two x 61 note organ for $2800 why haven't they done so until now?

[anotherscott]

can't I just hook up my choice of MIDI module to the Nord and use it's sounds, played by the Nord keyboard? And the modulaes are "half-rack size, and sit right on top of the Nord, to one side of the panel.

You can do that, however there aren't many piano modules to choose from these days, and even fewer are half size. Also, you'll need a MIDI module with good front panel patch selection ability (or some other patch changing mechanism) since the C2 doesn't have the ability to program external MIDI Program Change commands into its presets (a very nice feature of the NS2).

If Hammond could make a 35 lb., two x 61 note organ for $2800 why haven't they done so until now?

I think that, being Hammond, the "look" always mattered to them, so they had the big wooden cabinetry. (As did their Korg CX3 and Roland VK8 competitors.) At some point someone realized that many gigging musicians are more interested in lighter weight than it traditional aesthetics. But they still make the cooler looking and more capable 2-manual XK-3c system. And also... technology improves... and every company always adjusts to the market... and companies often take turns in leading and following in trends. At any rate, I think it's a good thing, that the SK2 exists. And I think the SK1 may similarly help inspire Nord to do a little catching up of their own when they refresh the Electro, as they now have more reason to try to get it able to play two sounds at once!

[Mooser]

Mooser wrote: "can't I just hook up my choice of MIDI module to the Nord and use it's sounds, played by the Nord keyboard? And the modulaes are "half-rack size, and sit right on top of the Nord, to one side of the panel."

Mooser wrote that? He's an idiot! He tried it, with a Roland module, and it turned out to be more trouble than it's worth. The Nord is a good organ but it doesn't make a good piano. And sound selection is a problem.
This Mooser dummy should get a small (61 or 76 key) weighted action keyboard for additional piano and other sounds. Placing this keyboard on my upper tier also hides my face, which is of inestimable value to the band. Nobody likes to scare the audience away.

[anotherscott]

Yup, a separate board with weighted action for piano would be a better complement to the C2! There are a number of 73-76 key models to choose from... Nord Electro 3HP, Korg SV-1 (currently with a $500 rebate), Yamaha S70XS, and some older models like Kurzweil PC1SE and Yamaha S70ES.

[Patschi]

The German Keyboards magazine has just published a test review on the SK1.

It calles the organ sound "ingenious" and "fantastic" and states the so-called "Extra-Voices" are in deed just additional sounds, not good enough in that price range.

What I had not known: the drawbars are no drawbars but faders like in a mixing console. So you don't have that feeling of screened clicks while moving them.

[Quai34]

Hi everybody,
New to this Forum as I just bought a NS2 and a Nord lead 2X (Special edition on ebay...great inverted color keys...). The C2 will be my next purchase but with the Roland pedals as I want the long lenght spiraled shape pedals.
So, I played the B3 and the L100 in the past (20 years ago) with a Leslie 147. I would love to have one in my house as one of the best goodies of all times and because it's too nice to have a real piece of wood furniture too. But the price, 20.000 $ new (or completely refurbished form a specialist)...So, don't be too much focused on the name, I've always thought that the Hammond Suzuki should be the best one until the C2 come to the market...I have no time to discuss about the sound, they seem to be very nice both and very close to the original, so why I chose the Nord lead...As I couldn't have a wood made piece of art (Too heavy, too much room needed, too difficult to maintain...), I chose the Nord for the color...the Red is so beautiful on stage and in my studio...aesthetic is also a part of your pleasure when you play,,,and you play better when you like the aesthetic of your keyboard...so, you like the brown wooden style color, go for the real B3 or the Hammond/Suzuki, you would like to be a little different and red in one of your favorite color, go with the C2. To the end, it always come to the color...like a car...
Sincerely

[Horacio]

Good point.