Piano attacks sounds muffled/uncrisp?

[Italiano]

Hello all,

I'm new to the Nord boards and just became the main keyboardist at a church. I have played on and off for about 2 years at this church but noticed recently that the piano attacks sound a bit muted. They don't sound clean or crisp like they have in the past.

I have tried seeing if it was the effects or the KB Touch setting. The KB Touch helped a bit but it's still doesn't sound like it should.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of doing a factory reset?

Thanks in advance.

[hoopyfrood]

HI - it would be helpful to know what model Nord board you're playing? Nord Stage / 2 / 3, Piano, Electro, Grand etc.

A muffled attack on pianos could have a number of causes, some related to the keyboard, and some related to the PA. A few initial thoughts for the cause besides the KB touch:
- Using a different piano sample from the one you were using before?
- Soft or mid piano EQ setting (Stage 3)?
- Compressor on the keyboard set to a crazy value, or to slow mode? Slow mode can be quite good at killing the attack.
- Different panel EQ on the keyboard, or different EQ on the PA?
- Compressor or limiter on the PA?
- Someone has engaged the ~100Hz rumble filter on the keys channel(s) on the PA?
- Flat battery in a DI box or if using in-ears, flat battery in the headphone amp?
- Faulty cable or some other fault in the PA?
- If keyboard is connected to the PA in mono, what channel (left or right) are you using, or are you using mono mode on the keyboard?

[Italiano]

Sorry I didn't mention that it is a Stage 3.

I have tried numerous piano samples but they all have that slow/muted/muffled attack.

I tried playing with the EQ but I'll have to revisit this again to rule it out.

Compressor or slow mode? Hmm.....didn't look into this and don't know how to address slow mode but I will look into it.

I appreciate your input my friend. I'll look into your suggestions.

Do you know if a factory reset is hard to do? I seen I need a computer to do so. Doesn't seem too hard from what I watched on YouTube.

[FZiegler]

A factory restore isn't complicated. It's not just a reset, it will load everything anew from the computer. It takes a while (few minutes) and will erase all own programs and settings - which should be intended.

You could save the programs and sounds via Nord Sound Manager before - as bundles (with instruments) or as programs (without instruments).

Just download the file from nordkeyboards.com and start the program while connected via USB. You won't need internet after downloading everything. You might have to update the Stage OS again afterwards, but I'm not sure.

[maxpiano]

Hello all,

I'm new to the Nord boards and just became the main keyboardist at a church. I have played on and off for about 2 years at this church but noticed recently that the piano attacks sound a bit muted. They don't sound clean or crisp like they have in the past.

I have tried seeing if it was the effects or the KB Touch setting. The KB Touch helped a bit but it's still doesn't sound like it should.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of doing a factory reset?

Thanks in advance.

PLease define what you mean by "how it should" i.e what is your "reference"?

Plus: how are you amplifying and/or listening to the NS3? Nord use stereo samples for pianos so, unless you engage the "mono mode", it should be amplified/listened in stereo for best results.

[Italiano]

A factory restore isn't complicated. It's not just a reset, it will load everything anew from the computer. It takes a while (few minutes) and will erase all own programs and settings - which should be intended.

You could save the programs and sounds via Nord Sound Manager before - as bundles (with instruments) or as programs (without instruments).

Just download the file from nordkeyboards.com and start the program while connected via USB. You won't need internet after downloading everything. You might have to update the Stage OS again afterwards, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for confirming and I am going to do this if all else fails.

Hello all,

I'm new to the Nord boards and just became the main keyboardist at a church. I have played on and off for about 2 years at this church but noticed recently that the piano attacks sound a bit muted. They don't sound clean or crisp like they have in the past.

I have tried seeing if it was the effects or the KB Touch setting. The KB Touch helped a bit but it's still doesn't sound like it should.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of doing a factory reset?

Thanks in advance.

PLease define what you mean by "how it should" i.e what is your "reference"?

Plus: how are you amplifying and/or listening to the NS3? Nord use stereo samples for pianos so, unless you engage the "mono mode", it should be amplified/listened in stereo for best results.

My definition of "how it should" sound is when I strike a note, it has that clear crisp undelayed sound. Right now when I strike the sound it has almost a slight delay and muted sound. I have to think this may be an effect parameter but these keyboards are so advanced now that I have to ask on the forum.

I have to check if it's in stereo mode or not. I will get back to you on this.

[baekgaard]

Do you have reverb on with a 100% wet mix? That would sound exactly like you describe...

[hoopyfrood]

Sorry I didn't mention that it is a Stage 3.
Compressor or slow mode? Hmm.....didn't look into this and don't know how to address slow mode but I will look into it.
.

Compressor section is furthest right on the keyboard. There's a knob which sets the amount of compression, and a button underneath which toggles the compressor on or off. If you hold the shift key and press this button, it puts the compressor into fast mode (fast LED lights up under the button). I probably used the term "slow mode" incorrectly - I mean the opposite of fast mode.

[Schorsch]

I suggest to chose an unused/empty program slot do a PROG INIT first by selecting "Piano" from the OLED display to initialise this section. Then load for example the Bright Grand and make sure that all effects, EQ, Compressor and Reverb are switched off to get you the "pure" piano sound. Then check if it still sounds kind of muffled. Please check this with a decent headphone as well, not just through your usual amplification.

Also can you let us know which amplification you are using, and if you are using outputs 1 and 2 from the stage into your mixer or just one channel?