Nord User Forum

analogika wrote:Or maybe, their sampling engine allows for more layers, and this is an architectural limitation of the nord keyboards.

Regardless of the architecture, there is the issue of size. If you add velocity layers, the sample size gets bigger (or you have to do more looping/stretching).

anotherscott wrote:

analogika wrote:Or maybe, their sampling engine allows for more layers, and this is an architectural limitation of the nord keyboards.

Regardless of the architecture, there is the issue of size. If you add velocity layers, the sample size gets bigger (or you have to do more looping/stretching).

Exactly..

I just did a check on my computer and the Synthogy Ivory German D sample with 18 Layers - 27.3GB!

Looks like an old discussion has been revived -- but if I got the OP right, he said his montage has 11 layers. Last time I checked a couple of samples on the Nord, I seem to remember the number of velocity layers were in the same ballpark, i.e. somewhere like 9-11 samples for each key, or so. I think it depends on the particular sample and key, and I'm of course not sure if these numbers are representative of all pianos and keys.

So I doubt the Montage will sound much different than the Nord due to the number of velocity layers... just saying

As for the Roland RD Supernatural pianos, I agree that they have many more layers, but having played one for quite some years (my main portable "acoustic" instrument for ~7 years), I am MUCH more happy with the Nord pianos and the variety and "vibe" they have. I personally got really tired of the Roland sounds -- but that is more of a personal preference, and I'm sure someone else disagrees. But I must confess I doubt it's the number of velocity layers that makes the (liked or not) difference. I think there is more of a difference if you play a Nord S or M sample, with more stretched samples across keys, compared to the Roland, since a closely voiced chord may be somehow "in sync" between two adjacent keys, making it a bit harder to hear the voicing. But that is not an issue for XL samples on the Nord, and comparing Nord XL to Roland Supernatural is probably more of a preference in what you like to hear.

How many layers are enough? When you completely forget you're playing a digital instrument.

Sorry to repeat myself, but I go back and forth between my Nord Pianos and a killer full-size grand. The Nords are good enough that I don't complain. Hey, it's a small gig that pays a few bucks. The audience digs what I do, and I like how I sound. Love the feel of my NP4.

We're done here, I don't need something that's theoretically better.

No, they can't reproduce a stupidly expensive full-size grand sitting in an acoustically treated living room, but -- given some decent amplification -- I want for nothing else. Like, I'm done in this department.

My advice would be to stop comparing specs, and start digging in and playing the damn boards. If it floats your boat, it's a great board -- period. The underlying technology is secondary.

And make sure you spend $$$ on amplification. The super hidden secret with Nords.

An example? Way back when, I was questioning my Nords, until I decided to splurge on a stupid expensive pair of Fulcrum Acoustic FA-12acs. Magic coax time-domain correction. Not exactly in everyone's budget. Total indulgence.

After that, I was an unabashed Nord fan. Holy crap, what these boards can put out.

As said the band, and the groupies. Amplification matters.

Can someone please explain to me how velocity layering works? I can understand, for instance, a simple curve on a grid showing the relationship between increasing velocity (going to the right along the X axis at the bottom), on the one hand, and increasing volume (going up along the Y axis), on the other. Are there multiple velocity curves like that superimposed on the grid and, if so, how do the different layers relate to each other and to any particular note? If I'm totally off base here, how so? How does all of this affect the sound, as some people apparently can hear the difference between fewer vs. more layers? Is this explained somewhere? "Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand..." ♪♪

lawman wrote:Can someone please explain to me how velocity layering works? I can understand, for instance, a simple curve on a grid showing the relationship between increasing velocity (going to the right along the X axis at the bottom), on the one hand, and increasing volume (going up along the Y axis), on the other. Are there multiple velocity curves like that superimposed on the grid and, if so, how do the different layers relate to each other and to any particular note? If I'm totally off base here, how so? How does all of this affect the sound, as some people apparently can hear the difference between fewer vs. more layers? Is this explained somewhere? "Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand..." ♪♪

Read this https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques ... rt-2#para6

maxpiano wrote:

lawman wrote:Can someone please explain to me how velocity layering works? I can understand, for instance, a simple curve on a grid showing the relationship between increasing velocity (going to the right along the X axis at the bottom), on the one hand, and increasing volume (going up along the Y axis), on the other. Are there multiple velocity curves like that superimposed on the grid and, if so, how do the different layers relate to each other and to any particular note? If I'm totally off base here, how so? How does all of this affect the sound, as some people apparently can hear the difference between fewer vs. more layers? Is this explained somewhere? "Well, I'm not dumb but I can't understand..." ♪♪

Read this https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques ... rt-2#para6

maxpiano,
That was a great article and explained exactly what I wanted to know about velocity layering. In fact, I enjoyed the entire article (Part 2 of the SOS series), as well as Part 1, and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Thank you. I can see clearly now...

taglia74 wrote:At home most of the time I use yamaha because I can be more expessive than with nord. I like also nord timbre but I can't be so expressive when I use it (and I usr it with the same 88 montage keyboard).
Of course nothing change knowing how many layers have nord.....but it can explaine to me why I can't be so expressive like yamaha 11 layers sample.

Regardless of multi-layering with montage, the Nord pianos are very expressive. When you play the nordsound by the montage keyboard, please don´t forget to check your velocity settings. You can optimize your sound a lot; a lot of Synths/Workingstations have differenz velocity-settings, so the soundsource is dull and lacking in tonal clarity AND it might not be expressive as the original.
Cheers
Helmuth