Nord User Forum

Will be there any problem with velocity control of Nord’s pianos by Roland A88? I mean, I know that guys from Clavia calibrate their keybeds to perform the best possible velocity control, so maybe Roland A88 will not be that perfect for this as it is not calibrated by Clavia?

If Roland A88 was comparable in its ability to control the velocity of NS3 pianos to the original Nord’s HA88 keybed then NS3C for organ and synths + Roland A88 for pianos seems to be a perfect choice, better than NS3 HA88 alone even taking costs into account, doesn’t it?

Of course taking in mind that Roland A88 is much better keybed than HA88, because it is?

It's subjective. Personally, I prefer Nord's Fatar TP40 to Roland's Ivory Feel G (used in the A88), it's quicker feeling. But there's a lot o be said for using a combination of semi-weighted and weighted actions, and in not carrying any board that's as heavy as an HA88, even if you end up with a hammer action you don't like as much as the HA88. For low weight and for a set of sounds that nicely complement those in the Nord, I'd probably look at a Yamaha (MOXF8 or MX88), or the new Kurzweil SP6, or a Casio like a PX5S or PX560. Overall, I don't think the Casios sound as good as Yamaha/Kurz, but they are lighter weight and arguably have better actions.

I play the Juno DS88 along with my NS2 Compact and the Roland has the Ivory G keyed and really love it.

The cheapest and most coherent combo is ns3 compact plus sl88grand: the sl88grand has the same action of np3.

Fedex wrote:The cheapest and most coherent combo is ns3 compact plus sl88grand: the sl88grand has the same action of np3.

The SL88 Grand Instead of the MP11 Kawai? Because the Kawai is too heavy?

Yes, MP11 is too heavy, 32.6 kg is too much.
But you should not consider MP11, it is not apple to apple. VPC1 from Kawai should be considered as alternative to Roland and Studiologic controllers.
And again, VPC1 is 29.5kg, too much. I would understand the use of MP11/VPC1(with external sound generator) alone, for a classical/jazz pianist.

Quai34 wrote:

Fedex wrote:The cheapest and most coherent combo is ns3 compact plus sl88grand: the sl88grand has the same action of np3.

The SL88 Grand Instead of the MP11 Kawai? Because the Kawai is too heavy?

SL88 Grand is cheaper, and arguably more "coherent" in that the action is more like what Nord themselves use on their HA, and so perhaps more likely to have a more well-matched velocity response out of the box.

Still, there are also advantages to the other options I mentioned (i.e. Kurzweil, Yamaha) in terms of lighter travel weight and providing a set of sounds that are complementary to those in the Nord.

anotherscott wrote:

Quai34 wrote:

Fedex wrote:The cheapest and most coherent combo is ns3 compact plus sl88grand: the sl88grand has the same action of np3.

The SL88 Grand Instead of the MP11 Kawai? Because the Kawai is too heavy?

SL88 Grand is cheaper, and arguably more "coherent" in that the action is more like what Nord themselves use on their HA, and so perhaps more likely to have a more well-matched velocity response out of the box.

Still, there are also advantages to the other options I mentioned (i.e. Kurzweil, Yamaha) in terms of lighter travel weight and providing a set of sounds that are complementary to those in the Nord.

Yes, the SL88 Grand is cheaper, lighter and has way more programmable MIDI functions, compared to the VPC-1, to control other MIDI gear. A used Kawai MP-8/8II could also be a great choice if you mainly want to use it as a MIDI controller for the Nord. I believe the MP8/8II have more MIDI controller functions than the current MP11/11se, as do the MP7/7se, but the MP7 don't have the long wooden keys of the MP8/MP11.

But as AnotherScott implies, there are a lot more keyboards to choose from than Kawai and Studiologic, so why not get one with built-in sounds? A Kurzweil PC3/PC3K8/PC3A8 or Forte 7/8 would make a great rig together with the NS3c, just as one example.

Well, I have sort of the same question:
I currently play a NS2 HA88 paired with a synth-action MIDI-controller (actually it's an old Roland D-10 which I only use as a MIDI controller).
If i would replace my NS2 for a NS3, I wonder if there would be any advantages in either buying a NS3C paired with a 88-key HA MIDI controller, or buying a NS3 HA88 paired with a synth action MIDI-controller.

In terms of weight, the first seems to be the better choice, but are there any other things I should consider (technical, NS3 MIDI implementation or otherwise)?
Obviously I would use the HA action for AP and EP and the synth (or waterfall) action for organ and synth.

I have the Kawai MP11. Its action is slightly more advanced than that of the VPC1 (longer keysticks, etc). But take it from me the MP11 is NOT a giggable instrument. It requires two people to lift safely. It's basically best for the dorm room of a serious piano student at conservatory, the desk of a composer, or a touring band that has roadies that can load it in and out like a Hammond. Oh I also have a Viscount Physis H1 (which I'm sending to a friend) that uses the same Fatar TP/40 GWood action and I'm not terribly impressed with it. No let-off (escapement) and not the most realistic weighting. I was far more comfortable with Korg's old RH3 (which they use on the Kronos 88 and SV-1 I believe).