Nord Stage 3 Impressions Musikmesse

[Jhbackingtracks]

What do we think about the lack of custom velocity control for the pianos still?! ... In every demo you see, everything sounds like it's being bashed because it's so EASY to reach high velocities, and it takes away from the amazing realism of the piano sounds instantly. I've been using a custom velocity curve through a MIDI box for all my gigs recently, and it makes SUCH a difference. As easy as it is to set that up, it's still annoying having to take something extra to the gig.

Do we think we'll EVER see a way of being able to customise a velocity control? Or even there just be a heavier setting, to make use of the phenomenal sounds available? That is a heavily asked for features just as much as smooth sound transitions... I think if I could do this, that would sell the stage 3 to me instantly!

Also, the "songs mode" which looks very useful, says 8 Banks with 50 Songs, does that mean 50 X 8?? Or only 50 songs, spread across 8 banks?? .... 50 wouldn't be enough for the amount of projects we're all involved in, and patch changes PER set surely?? However if things like this can be saved to a USB pen for different gigs, and then the correct 'song' banks applied each night, it could work?

I suppose we were never going to get 128 X 128 'slots' for set lists like a certain other keyboard!!

[anotherscott]

Also, the "songs mode" which looks very useful, says 8 Banks with 50 Songs, does that mean 50 X 8?? Or only 50 songs, spread across 8 banks?? ....

8 banks with 50 songs each. If for no other reason than you can't evenly divide 50 by 8. Also, the Electro 5 is 8 banks with 50 songs each (400 total).

[Jhbackingtracks]

Also, the "songs mode" which looks very useful, says 8 Banks with 50 Songs, does that mean 50 X 8?? Or only 50 songs, spread across 8 banks?? ....

8 banks with 50 songs each. If for no other reason than you can't evenly divide 50 by 8. Also, the Electro 5 is 8 banks with 50 songs each (400 total).

Ahh that's great news! Thanks ... The only thing left for me to seal that deal, would be to have a heavier velocity curve for piano playing, to get the best out of those brilliant sounds! I just don't understand why they don't do it. It must be one of the easiest changes out of all the things people want! ... I think that's more important than having the Piano 3 action that everybody wants, obviously yes that would feel much better to play, but this way we can get the control/dynamic range we want, which is very important!

[analogika]

I just got it confirmed from the Nord staff that the 122 close model will be in the stage 3

[jonilikeskeys]

I just got it confirmed from the Nord staff that the 122 close model will be in the stage 3

Great! I'll get that changed in my post.

[offrhodes]

now if only they could make it work for the stage 2...

[DanielD71]

now if only they could make it work for the stage 2...

If they do it, I will sell my Vent

[DanielD71]

now if only they could make it work for the stage 2...

If they do it, I will sell my Vent

I'm pretty sure that the NS2EX was the last hope for that, so if you want to get rid of the Vent, you'll need to step up to the NS3.

[Spider]

What do we think about the lack of custom velocity control for the pianos still?! ... In every demo you see, everything sounds like it's being bashed because it's so EASY to reach high velocities, and it takes away from the amazing realism of the piano sounds instantly. I've been using a custom velocity curve through a MIDI box for all my gigs recently, and it makes SUCH a difference. As easy as it is to set that up, it's still annoying having to take something extra to the gig.

What hardware MIDI box are you using for this?

I also think we need more flexibility in velocity control. Or at least one harder setting.

As a work around I do this: I connect MIDI OUT to MIDI IN. Then I activate the EXTERN section, set Channel to "MIDI 1" and VEL CURVE to "Hard". Now I set Piano section's MIDI (receive) channel to "MIDI 1" and all other channels to OFF. Piano channel dynamics are "off" (no LED, hardest setting). Then I set the piano section to only respond to MIDI signals not to keys by pressing SHIFT + ON/OFF.

This way I get a velocity setting even harder than the hardest default setting. Now even the "Bright Grand" *CAN* sound dark when played softly!

If you want I can share the program setting here...

Best regards, Alex

[jeffkeys]

Yes, please do, Alex! Thanks!
Jeff