Nord User Forum

I bet, memory upgrade is impossible w/o complete hardware and Nord-OS redesign because of 4 Gigabyte memory limitation (I read somewhere Nords are based on 32 Bit architecture).

If 4gb is the limit, it would great to have flexibilty in allocating them freely (rather than 2gb for pianos and 480mb for samples)

Elias wrote:I located the marketing manager of Clavia Nord, and went to his house. He told me they are releasing a eurorack compatible modular system this summer. Sorry, I did not tell you earlier.

Really??

st2ex wrote:I bet, memory upgrade is impossible w/o complete hardware and Nord-OS redesign because of 4 Gigabyte memory limitation (I read somewhere Nords are based on 32 Bit architecture).

32-bit OSes can't address more than 4 GB of RAM, but that limitation has no relation to storage: e.g. Windows XP couldn't address more than 4 GB of RAM but had no issues running off a 500 GB hard drive. Nord uses NOR drives instead of standard SSD drives because they're faster and more reliable (they're basically as fast as RAM, granting instant access to files), hence the extremely low memory size of their keyboards. Since I'm not an engineer I might be wrong, but if NOR drives are just faster and more expensive alternatives to NAND, then they obviously do not replace RAM (Nord keyboard ought to have a certain amount of RAM, which is probably way, way smaller than, say, a Kronos'). To sum it up, low amounts of memory are a mix of actual costs and business tactics (slowly increasing memory is much more profitable a strategy than suddenly give us 10 GB for pianos and/or samples).

From my perspective, I’m not buying anything more right now, so any new keyboard release is more interesting to me to demonstrate Clavia’s solvency/commitment rather than them getting revenue from me.

A Stage 3EX would go well as we exit the global pandemic, or an Electro 7.

And I’d also like an update for my NW2.

StrangeAeons wrote:

st2ex wrote:I bet, memory upgrade is impossible w/o complete hardware and Nord-OS redesign because of 4 Gigabyte memory limitation (I read somewhere Nords are based on 32 Bit architecture).

32-bit OSes can't address more than 4 GB of RAM, but that limitation has no relation to storage: e.g. Windows XP couldn't address more than 4 GB of RAM but had no issues running off a 500 GB hard drive. Nord uses NOR drives instead of standard SSD drives because they're faster and more reliable (they're basically as fast as RAM, granting instant access to files), hence the extremely low memory size of their keyboards. Since I'm not an engineer I might be wrong, but if NOR drives are just faster and more expensive alternatives to NAND, then they obviously do not replace RAM (Nord keyboard ought to have a certain amount of RAM, which is probably way, way smaller than, say, a Kronos'). To sum it up, low amounts of memory are a mix of actual costs and business tactics (slowly increasing memory is much more profitable a strategy than suddenly give us 10 GB for pianos and/or samples).

I’m not an engineer either but Nords boot up fast and load fast, which is more important to me than having 150GB of samples onboard. Workstations and some keyboards like the Prophet X can take 30 seconds to boot and 1-2 seconds to switch patches.

Well I guess we have our answer. A couple of jazz musicians playing a Stage 3 and an Electro 6.



>any new keyboard release is more interesting to me to demonstrate Clavia’s solvency/commitment<

Yeah, that is the nut of the matter. I know some people don't care and are happy with what they currently have, but one does start to wonder if the company is just coasting now.

Meanwhile:

Gambold wrote:Well I guess we have our answer. A couple of jazz musicians playing a Stage 3 and an Electro 6.



>any new keyboard release is more interesting to me to demonstrate Clavia’s solvency/commitment<

Yeah, that is the nut of the matter. I know some people don't care and are happy with what they currently have, but one does start to wonder if the company is just coasting now.

Meanwhile:

The other thing is that Nords are used a lot in worship bands - NAMM even had an event Thu night related to that. I’m sure there are quite a few attendees that would have upgraded hardware had Nord introduced something new. Their website is quiet as well.

It's a disappointment for me, i wanna buy a stage as an upgrade from the NP5, and i really dont wanna buy a 5 year old product when i know the new format is "around the corner".
Until this weekend is over im still going to hope they show something new on the stage.

Im just a newb trying to have fun with a nord, and i hate to wait for new toys

Darn it. Coasting, maybe. But with the Stage 3 & NE6 that are being used @ NAMM ... well, unless they pull a rabbit-NORD outta their hat(s) ... in the next day or two, nothing much for 2022. Oh well. Maybe some software, firmware updates let alone a few long overdue samples, updated EP's & Clav wouldn't hurt.