Nord User Forum

Now that the EP7 has had a good shake-out, it's time! Feel free to let us know why you made your pick...it's not an easy choice.

For me (on an NE4) it was close between 1 and 2, but I went with EP1, even though sometimes I find the bell sound too intrusive. Those first two seem to be the most classic sounding, and since I play a lot of mid-70s stuff they match that well.

Sparkletop sounds too much like vibes for me, and the Amped wasn't the revelation I'd hoped for when I first saw the file size.

of all I prefer the EP7 but if I could choose two, I also voted for the EP2
(however my experience is based on the Electro 3)

Voted for EP7. EP 2 and 6 runners-up (runner-ups?) depending on context.

EP2 is really great but it thins out in the upper octaves, so it doesn't cut live in the band when soloing. This shortcoming is so obvious that I can't understand why Clavia never gave us an improved version of this great sample of a Herbie-like Rhodes-tone.

I mainly use EP1, I have also created a program where I blend it with EP3 (65/35 ratio) to just add some more "attack noises" that EP3 has. Sometimes I also use EP2 and EP4, the Amped does not impress me much.

PS: I'd love a new sample with the character of Neosoul Keys Suitcase!

Man, the Chick Corea Spain rhodes is getting no love!

But that being said, I'm a '67 Sparkletop guy. Overtones are great, add in some Pan, Phase, and just a touch of delay. Savage piano!

>EP2 is really great but it thins out in the upper octaves<

Yes, I've noticed that too...tried to remedy it with the equalizer but couldn't.

emartin149 wrote:
Yes, I've noticed that too...tried to remedy it with the equalizer but couldn't.

Yes, i also tried this for years without any success... equalizing doesn't change the substance of a sample.

>equalizing doesn't change the substance of a sample.<

I know some people swear by it, but equalization shouldn't be necessary with high-end samples. I'm not sure why I should have to equalize a 100mb acoustic piano sample, unless I'm admitting that the speaker I'm using is not up to the task. And if I've sprung the moolah for a Nord, then I really should have a decent sound system to run it through.

I play in a rock/pop environment and I've found that there's so many points of equalization - the Nord, my personal Yamaha mixer, my Electrovoice speakers, and the band's own mixing board - that it becomes a chase keeping up with all the dials. It's not making much of a difference anyway, especially with the rest of the band wailing away. Maybe in a quiet jazz environment it would matter...