Nord User Forum

EDIT: See post below from Macsaint777. Looks like Piano 5 and NS4 action are NOT comparable.

JackD wrote:Do you have any feedback to share about the new keybed?

I have a Nord Piano 5, which people are suggesting is close enough to the NS4. I play it daily. Once a month I have a piano lesson on a Yamaha U3. I'd say my level is intermediate. The U3 is a different experience because it's an acoustic piano, but in terms of the keybed, I certainly don't go "Ermahgerd! This is like chalk and cheese."

That's not a direct comparison just an indication that the action is not so different from an acoustic piano that I baulk.

I really hate to hear you have an infection! Speedy recovery! As far as the action in the Stage 4 HA options, it is not the same as the Piano 5. The only similarities between the Stage 4 and Piano 5, are that they both now have triple sensors, and they are both Fatar TP series. Piano 5 is a TP-40 H and Stage 3/4 are a TP-40 M, only now the Stage 4 has triple sensors.

Macsaint777 wrote:I really hate to hear you have an infection! Speedy recovery! As far as the action in the Stage 4 HA options, it is not the same as the Piano 5. The only similarities between the Stage 4 and Piano 5, are that they both now have triple sensors, and they are both Fatar TP series. Piano 5 is a TP-40 H and Stage 3/4 are a TP-40 M, only now the Stage 4 has triple sensors.

Ah cool, thanksfor the clarification.

Do you have any idea of the differences between the TP-40 H and TP-40 M?

dcjams wrote:I have a Nord Piano 5, which people are suggesting is close enough to the NS4. I play it daily. Once a month I have a piano lesson on a Yamaha U3. I'd say my level is intermediate. The U3 is a different experience because it's an acoustic piano, but in terms of the keybed, I certainly don't go "Ermahgerd! This is like chalk and cheese."

That's not a direct comparison just an indication that the action is not so different from an acoustic piano that I baulk.

I went to a piano store a couple of weeks ago to try some Yamaha uprights (U1, U3 and YUS1) and I found them to be a lot more difficult to play quietly than my Piano 4. Especially on the U3, the minimum amount of force required trigger the hammers made it really hard for me to play quietly. I was impressed by the YUS1 a lot, but the Piano 4 action was still a lot smoother, and much closer to the Yamaha grand pianos in feel than the uprights.

Anyone hear word of when these will start to be available in the US? My Sweetwater rep said July!
I have another music store owner who said after NAMM

dcjams wrote:

Macsaint777 wrote:I really hate to hear you have an infection! Speedy recovery! As far as the action in the Stage 4 HA options, it is not the same as the Piano 5. The only similarities between the Stage 4 and Piano 5, are that they both now have triple sensors, and they are both Fatar TP series. Piano 5 is a TP-40 H and Stage 3/4 are a TP-40 M, only now the Stage 4 has triple sensors.

Ah cool, thanksfor the clarification.

Do you have any idea of the differences between the TP-40 H and TP-40 M?

Yes. The H in TP-40H is for Heavy, so it simply has heavier counterweights. The M in TP-40M, stands for Medium. One thing Nord does on their piano actions, which I find baffling- is grade all the keys the same. So, instead of having a graded action, heavier in the bottom and lighter as you go up, all the keys are weighted the same. I get that for a Stage series, but not a Piano or Grand.

jfish930 wrote:Anyone hear word of when these will start to be available in the US? My Sweetwater rep said July!
I have another music store owner who said after NAMM

My Sweetwater SE said April, but that is probably because I was literally the first preorder they received.

About the difference between TP-40M and H

http://www.fatar.com/Pages/TP_40_GH_ES.htm

I'm really looking forward to try out the new NS4. I guess the keyboard action is very similar to my Nords Stage 2, and I love that action.

Macsaint777 wrote:Piano 5 is a TP-40 H and Stage 3/4 are a TP-40 M, only now the Stage 4 has triple sensors.

Could you please explain where your information about the Stage 4's key action comes from? Any evidence?

To me, it may be likely, but until now, it was lacking proof.

Hi, finally yesterday I was able to test the NS4 at the local shop here in spain, and I spent around 1 hour testing the new keyboard (88 version).
My thoughts: Yes the action is pretty similiar to the NS3, maybe there is a slightly difference with the resistance of the key, but as said doesn't change so much, if you come from a NS3.
Then about the rest of features:

1) Honestly the possibility to create patches for each kind of sounds looks cool but it is also a bit confusing if you come from a NS3. It is a nice addition but add also a little of complexity. Then ok, for organ is a key feature! But not sure if it is really that better, we will need to play with it.
2) On the piano module I would say that the dynamic compression is nice but not a gamechanger. Unison instead, is a really nice feature I think it will be usefull.
3) On the synth part there is a real revolution: the poliphonic arp is really cool! I love it. But also there the rest of the features are quite interesting.
The only thing I do not like is that now each button has 3 or also 4 functions (vs 1 or 2 that could have in NS3).. and this add real complexity comparing to a nord stage 3.
4) On the FX part nothing to say... a real gamechanger, now you can use all the effects you need on each layer. But I still believe that for most users NS3 is already a very good product even if limited, but for the ones that need a complete and detailed control on each layer.. .then NS4 is the holy grail of FX chain.
5) Last interesting thing is about the output setup... Now there is a main output and 3 submixes to be managed.
And finally they removed the limit of the rotary speaker available only on the main output (1+2) that was quite annoying.

So.. it will be my next keyboard definetly, but I will wait for the 73 version this time, I do not see any reason to go with the 88.
73 is smaller, lighter and cheaper and we have the same keybed