Rhodes - why only new pianosamples and no proper Rhodes

[pablomastodon]

I owned a Suitcase 73 from 1979-1984. Don't actually recall which Mark it was, but I'll say that my ears are perfectly happy with what's in the Nord library for Rhodes sounds.

And when I suggest the possibility that some things "will eventually be revisited by Nord in the future," keep in mind that the future is infinite (global politricks willing). Meanwhile, time would be better served playing...

[GeeDeWee]

but I'll say that my ears are perfectly happy with what's in the Nord library for Rhodes sounds.

I totally agree

[elecpiano]

I'm no Nord (or anyone else's) fanboi. But the subject line suggests that there is "no proper Rhodes". And that is b*ll.

The word "proper" is subjective. What works for you does not have to work to everyone. It depends on the tastes of each and I'm picky.

Emulator III, AKAI S1000, Fairlight CMI sampler sounds were among the best in his time but nobody uses them now because currently there are solutions for better sound, and I want a current solution and not one of the early century.

[Quai34]

I agree on this one, when you say that e Rhodes are very good for me. I have all the 7 different E. Piano/Rhodes loaded in my stage 2 plus all the pure E.Piano patches made that I could find on the Nord Forum user website and I've never felt frustrated by the Rhodes sound". Anytime I had a sound in mind or wanted one to come close to the cover we were playing, I was able to find a very good one, so, I don't understand why people continue to complain about the Rhodes on Nord....

[simonkeys]

I'm looking forward to an update of the Rhodes and clav samples. They are certainly usable, but they are much less satisfying to play than the acoustic pianos. It's funny, coming from the Electro 2, where the Rhodes and clav are the most satisfying, and the acoustic pianos the least...

[elecpiano]

I'm looking forward to an update of the Rhodes and clav samples. They are certainly usable, but they are much less satisfying to play than the acoustic pianos.

I totally agree

[elecpiano]

I don't understand why people continue to complain about the Rhodes on Nord....

I agree, sounds are still "usable", but can improve.
Some complaints:

E.Piano 1 Mark I Low Deep:
Distorted samples in low bass (bad tine / maladjusted)
Very poor dynamics from C above middle C (no harmonics)

E.Piano 2 Mark I Close Ideal:
Distorted samples in low mids (bad tine / maladjusted).
Poor dynamics (no p samples layer) and sampled loose dampers in the upper area.

E.Piano 3 Mark II Shallow:
No p samples layer.

E.Piano 4 Mark V Close Ideal:
Distorted samples in low mids (bad tine / maladjusted).

E.Piano 5 Bright Tines:
No p samples layer.
No good sound in low mids.

[Rusty Mike]

I have to agree with Pablo that I find the Rhodes samples very usable. I personally favor EP2 (Suitcase Close Ideal) and EP 5 (Bright Tines) over the others, but that does not mean the others are bad. I see the sample sets simply as seven different electric pianos with different profiles and settings. Pick the ones you like and tweak as desired. With regard to the imperfections, I simple see that as the character of the individual sampled instruments. I owned a 1976 Rhodes Mark I Stage for a lot of years and played quite a few more. I have personally never played a "perfect" piano; they all have oddities about them. I see the Nord sample sets as being no different.

Of the two sample sets I use, I find they have enough expression and dynamics to play effectively. The sound of EP 2 reminds me a lot of the Rhodes I used to own, and the Bright Tines makes me think of the Rhodes I wanted to own. I'm not a fan of the Silver Top or Amped pianos, as they don't fit into the music I play, but I don't see them as bad. They're just not for me.

Being that these are sample based and not modeled, you're not going to get "perfect" pianos, and I think that's great. These are not synthesized, and they don't sound synthesized like other keyboards. To me, this is one of the most appealing things about my Electro; It comes closer to being an organic instrument more than any other I've played. It allows me to see it as a Rhodes or acoustic piano with a bunch of outboard effects all rolled into a 25 pound box.

If Nord comes out with new EP samples, I'll gladly give them a try and see if they work for me. Until then, I will gladly play what I have.

[white elefant]

funny, for some people it seams to be a sacrilege to criticize Nord´s Rhodes sample. But let may say it like this: guitar-,bass-,drum-, trumpetplayers and all the other musicians are able to play an authentic instrument on stage. Only keyboard players have to deal with copies most of the time. Give a guitar- oder saxofonplayer a good electronic copy with let´s say three velocity layers to play a concert. They would complain like hell. Why only keyboard players should be satisfied with a good copy? Yes the Nord Rhodes samples are good. IMO the Korg Kronos samples are very good. I appreciate the work of these companies a lot. But - I think it´s perfectly OK to be unsatisfied till the copy is very, very good - and Clavia could do better. The question remains: why do they not improve their Rhodes samples like their acoustic pianos.

[pablomastodon]

I'm not trying to be controversial here. Everyone is entitled to her/his opinion. Some find the existing Rhodes samples lacking, others are perfectly happy with them. And that's okay that different people have differing opinions. I just wanted to point out that there are those who seem able to play what's there already and be quite happy, and that It's extreme to suggest that there are "no proper Rhodes" and/or that they are unusable.

And as some have pointed out above, even if you bring a real Rhodes, many of the issues complained of above will exist on that original Rhodes instrument.