EX88 vs HA88 and Piano 2 Hammer Function

[freddie]

Hi everyone,

I need some advice. I am about to purchase a HA88 on behalf of an organisation but can not decide whether the HA88 is better than the EX88 and if purchasing this, does it make any sense to get the piano 2 hammer action if money is not the issue. Can I just add I am a novice, I don't know much about keys, just know how to get a good deal.

[merc707]

the ha88 on the np2 is significantly better for playing pianos....as it should be, it's the piano....the stage has hammer action but it is not as good for playing pianos...it is designed to be good piano and synth and organ,

the np2 action is the best hammer action on the professional stage piano category.

if you are deciding between these two boards, it shouldnt be based on the hammer action...because if you want the best specifically designed piano action, you get the np2 hands down.....if you want a board that you can play organ and synth on as well, but still have a decent piano action, then get the stage....

iow it's about function, not which one is better. one is a PIANO, pure piano, the best you can find....the other is synth/piano/organ......

[Stefan1874]

Both of the 88 versions of EX88 and NP2 has the HA88 keyboard. I think it´s essentially the same keybed or very close. If there are some differences, they would be so small, so I think it doesent matter for you. If you will go for the best keybed for a piano session, you have to go for the new NP3 (you said the money is not the issue). Back to your question of EX88 or NP2, you will be happy with both regardless your choice.
Regards Stefan.

[Rusty Mike]

The most significant difference between the HA actions in the Stage and Nord Piano is that the Stage has aftertouch. This affects how the key feels once it's depressed all the way down. There is a bit of extra give, somewhat of a softer landing, so you can press further for invoke an action such as vibrato. It does not affect any attack or initial velocity characteristics, nor will the pianos sound different.

The Stage has aftertouch while the Piano does not. It is otherwise the same keyboard.

[merc707]

they arent the same keyboard, not by a longshot.

[pablomastodon]

I can assure you that you are quite mistaken about this, Merc707. The mechanicals of the HA88 keybeds used on NP2 and NS2/NS2EX are identical except for the addition of the AT strip on the Stage versions. I'm not trying to be argumentative, but also do not wish to see bad info passed along to unsuspecting masses. Those actions are essentially the same.

For reference purposes, I have been employed as the sole, exclusive tech support rep for Nord products in Canada and the USA since March of 2010. I have worked on these instruments on my bench and am well-familiar with them inside and out.

The 73-note version of the NS2/NS2EX models is indeed a waterfall, organ type action and well-suited as a "compromise" for those wishing something which will work decently well across all three basic voice types, organ, synth and piano.

bless, pablo

[GeeDeWee]

I owned a Piano 88 (the first) before I bought my Stage 2 HA88. The difference in keybed is hardly noticeable IMO. Maybe just a little bit of difference because of the aftertouch strip.
Personally I think it's very suitable for playing piano (although it doesn't feel the same as a real upright or grand).

I find playing piano on a HP or SW keybed uncomfortable. For playing the Stage 2 organ and synth I use a waterfall keyboard through MIDI.

[merc707]

well, multuiple other players agree with me as per this thread on keyboard corner
http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthread ... ord_Piano_

i believe that like their senior users, guys with over 8000 posts on that forum, they can explain the reason better than i could....what do yhou think?

like they are saying, it is possible that even though the keybeds are identical, they can be tweaked in other ways, right?

regardless i do perceive a difference, even if it is very small

im talking like maybe 3% differnce, but a difference none the less....its not that one is better than the other, they have different functions....

why would you buy a board that has 66% NON piano sounds, so you can sludge through a really heavy hammer action, and basically play like trash....it doesn even make sense....

the keybed is tilted differently, or the at strip affects it....in a small way

but it is different...

[merc707]

so i apoligize, i dont want to spread mis info

i am not sayint that the keybed itself is different, it's the same, ok

but the "throw" the whatever, it is, a slight but definite different response from the stage compared to np

you feelme?

_____
personally I feel like people are giving bad info, ok maybe not BAD info, but just not completely accurate.....when people say its the exact same keybed...ok its the same keybed, but it is NOT the same action

lmao im just readin what i wrote, yea i guess that didnt come off right hahaha

"they arent the same keyboard, not by a longshot."

sorry, i shouldve specified the keyboard ACTION....not the keyboard itself...

like what rusty mike is saying

The most significant difference between the HA actions in the Stage and Nord Piano is that the Stage has aftertouch. This affects how the key feels once it's depressed all the way down. There is a bit of extra give, somewhat of a softer landing, so you can press further for invoke an action such as vibrato. It does not affect any attack or initial velocity characteristics, nor will the pianos sound different

[merc707]

the difference is very small..but it is different, and should be pointed out, or else the info is not completely accurate imo

so you play both probably alot, since you have access to them alot, so you dont notice any difference in the action when you play both side by side one right after the other?

im talking about the "feeling" of the keys...the actual feeling, forgetting about whether the keybeds are the same inside or not....

you feel that difference?