Which Nord should I buy?

[esmeeg]

Hi there!
I'm about to order a nord keyboard but am unsure what the best fit for me would be. Unfortunately my local music store is pretty limited so I was only able to try an Electro 5 SW.
I mainly play piano (both classical and rock) but also play in bands where I need organ and synth. I've been playing an Electro 5 SW73 for the past week and I do really like it, minus the action, and think that I probably could deal with the limited synth options.

I was originally thinking the NS2 88 would be best, but for gigging I'm a little scared to lug it around (I live on the third floor, no elevator). I've read mixed reviews of the HP action, so i'm unsure if its a good action for piano, and thats my main priority I think - I'd compromise organ and synth for that. The portability of the HP is nice as well, and it would also allow me to get a 73 or 76 that would fit better in my car.

So my main question is: which nord should I get? NS2 HA88, NS2 HP76 or Electro HP76?? Is the HP action bad for piano?

[harmonizer]

I don't have the knowledge to answer your question on keyboard actions, but wanted just to clarify a couple of things: (1) The Electro 5 HP has 73 keys, not 76. (2) The Electro 5 HP has the red LED lights instead of physical drawbars which you would see on an Electro 5 SW73 (more info here: http://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-electro-5).

[HokieKev]

I think that this is a tough question to answer. I went to a local music store last week and played 3 Nord keyboards (one with synth action, one with the HP Hammer Action Portable and one with the Hammer Action). IIRC, the models were Nord 5 Electro, Nord Stage 2 EX HP (76 keys) and a Nord Piano 3 with Hammer Action and 88 keys.

The Nord5 had what I thought was a fairly typical Synth action. They call the keys semi-weighted but there is not much weight there. I found the Nord Stage 2 EX HP keys to be kind of "bouncy". I immediately did not like it. But there was a guy I was chatting with that really had some chops and he played it and said - "hm, kind of bouncy - I like it". So, really, it seems pretty subjective. Some people can like a particular action or not. It seems you really need to play it yourself to be certain whether you are going to like it.

The Nord Piano 3 seemed to me to have the action that was closest to a real piano - I guess, as one would expect. I was looking at the Nord Stage 3 myself and trying to decide if I want to lug the 41.8 pounds around. And I need to measure my car to see how easily I could fit the keyboard in. I currently have an old Kurzweil PC3x that ways 55 pounds. So, hey, that is a 13 pound weight reduction for me. I'd keep the Kurzweil as a "backup" probably.

[anotherscott]

I've read mixed reviews of the HP action, so i'm unsure if its a good action for piano, and thats my main priority I think - I'd compromise organ and synth for that.

The HP action is better suited for piano than it is for organ/synth. That said, that doesn't necessarily mean its especially good even for piano. It's somewhat subjective, but most people would say that the HA action is much better for piano than the HP. The HP is generally not great for anything except keeping the travel weight down. But for piano, most people would say that, even if it's not great, it's better than the SW.

The Nord5 had what I thought was a fairly typical Synth action. They call the keys semi-weighted but there is not much weight there.

The terminology does confuse things a bit. The difference between Nord's semi-weighted and "fully" weighted actions isn't really about the weight, it's about whether there is a hammer mechanism or not, which is the thing that makes it feel more like a piano.

[derrellpiper]

There's a big difference though. The Piano 3 doesn't feel anything like the Lead 3, and neither feel anything like the Lead A1, or the Sub37, or the Prophet-6, which doesn't feel like the Prophet-rev2. You really have to play it to see whether you like it. You're the clear demographic for a hammer-action portable but I think people who play piano or organ always prefer fully-weighted or waterfall. So unless you can convince yourself that weight is your primary constraint, I think you should get a fully-weighted board. Disclaimer: I have a Stage 3 88 on order, obviously a fairly generous toy budget, and I don't lug things around. And I did seriously consider the semi-weighted Stage 3.

[Rusty Mike]

The HP action doesn't get a lot of love by some, but it works fine for me. As with any keyboard action (electric or acoustic), you adjust your touch to make it sing. The light weight is not the only good thing about the action. I have found that playing lighter than you think you need to is what helps me the most. In addition to piano, I do play some organ and synth solos on it, and get by just fine. Sure, it's not as precise for detailed organ playing (for stuff like rapid repeating notes and a good squabble), but it's not intended for that. In addition, Nord has been making tweaks to the HP action over the years. My Stage 2EX 76 plays a lot better then my Electro 3HP did.

I'm sure Nord sells a lot of HP instruments, or they would stop producing them. That must say something.

For what it's worth, I did a small gig with my Electro 4D (SW action) last week, and had a real hard time playing the AP sounds. It worked fine for EP and, of course, organ.

You are going to find people on both sides. Instead of listening to the opinions of a few of us, your best bet is trying it out yourself.

[kirsty]

+1 for the HP action here for mostly piano playing.

For comparison I also have a Yamaha CP4 which has an excellent weighted realistic piano action and the HP keybed has a 'lighter' feel to it. That said I have warmed to the HP lots and do still love to play on it. Its effortless whilst still giving feedback and for my style of playing it seems to work very well.

[magpie85]

It is a really difficult question to answer when people ask about different keybeds. The only way to really know is to try the different options.

I own an Electro 3HP and find the action to be ok but a little noisy for playing on my own at home. I use a midi connection to my Roland RD 700 which has a much better piano action when I want to play classical piano.

I primarily got the HP action because I wanted a lightweight keyboard that I could satisfactorily play piano on occasionally at gigs but would mostly be used in a band setting. I am predominantly a piano player. Due to the midi capabilities I have at home and the low cost of the Stage 2ex I am now considering buying a Stage 2ex compact. I expect it to be horrible for playing classical piano on, but for playing in a band I suspect it will meet all my needs and more.

I'm not that picky, but if you are then you really should make sure that you try all the options in a store or get them on a trial/rental basis. There really is no substitute to trying yourself.

You should also consider that the stage has significantly more synth capability than the electro (which doesn't have a synth section - only sample playback with a few limited effects). Do you need and/or want this for now or the future?

[cphollis]

To repeat advice given elsewhere, the best answer is two keyboards, not one. AP parts played on an unweighted board won't feel and sound the same. Some people can do it, most can't. And faster organ and synth parts don't work well on a weighted AP keybed.

I think you'll be happier with one board optimized for piano parts, and the other optimized for organ/synth. Yes, you'll be schlepping two boards and a stand, but I bet you'll enjoy the playing experience more.

For example, my preferred rig is a Nord Piano 2 88 (40 lbs / 18 kg) and a Nord Electro 4D (featherweight). Synth samples get me through most parts, but I can't pitch bend or modulate. Fortunately, the music doesn't require it. While everyone has their opinions on piano actions, I've grown to like what I can do on the Nord Piano 2, and am not looking for an upgrade anytime soon.

If you go this way, I would highly recommend the Nord gig bag for the NP2. Well-placed handles make it very easy to lug it around.

I also own a Nord Stage 2 76. It is a heavy, awkward beast. The weighted action means that it's OK for piano parts, and a pain for everything else. I'll be selling it before long.

[Quai34]

"And faster organ and synth parts don't work well on a weighted AP keybed.":
Or could work for fast synth parts but you really have to practice a lot your dexterity...And for Organ, nothing beats a waterfall keybed...