Nord User Forum

Hello all,
So today I bought a brand new Nord piano 4. In the store the sound was incredible, I was able to achieve mellow warm tone across the keyboard. I brought it home and set it up. I’m using same amp as in store. It’s a traynor block 10. Turned on piano and have what I think is the same settings as in store, and I have what sounds like a very cold and thin sound at middle C and above. Little disappointed as in store was able to achieve a very warm sound across the keyboard. This was one of the reasons I bought this keyboard.
Thanks for your input.

I had to learn that amplification is very important for a Nord. But you say: No difference to the store's. Anyway: Read what Chuck Hollis found out about Nord gear amplification! I relied on his recommendation and was happy with it:
http://chucksblog.typepad.com/late_bloo ... right.html (2015 version)
http://www.norduserforum.com/post48802.html
accessories-and-amplification-f8/nord-a ... 16772.html (2018 version)
Mostly, consider stereo amplification as a large improvement to the sound - even if some report being happy with their mono solution.

Next point I'd say is: A Nord isn't an instrument to turn on and play. You have to find your own settings, your favorite piano sample etc. Maybe it'll take some months, maybe you will change preferences every now and then throughout your life. I have my instrument for 9 months now and have put in hold that "best sound" question: There are so many things to discover, it would be a shame only to search for one "best sound".

Apart from that, my task is different from yours: I'm not into a mellow warm tone, but something warm and cutting through or seconding the horns in my big band. Each one has his/her own agenda here. And I'm quite confident the possibilities a Nord gives will support most if not all of them.

The Traynor is a decent quality amplifier/speaker (made by Yorkville BTW), so maybe it's other things.

For example, if your room has many hard, reflective surfaces, you'll get a harsh, brittle sound no matter what you do. Mono reproduction will be a lot thinner than stereo, which you can't get with a single Block 10. Yes, I know it has stereo inputs, but it's a mono amp.

My suggestion would be to try the pianos on a nice pair of headphones, and adjust to taste: EQ, reverb, velocity, etc. Consider that your "benchmark" sound that you're going for.

I'd offer that room ambience is the #1 cause for disappointment in the piano sounds. That isn't the instrument's fault. I'd also offer that collapsing a rich stereo signal into mono can make the pianos sound thin and watered down.

Going the other way, there are many different piano samples to choose from, including a few very warm ones that sound OK in mono.

I own a NP4, and love the way it plays and sounds. But I use stereo amplification in a room with dampened acoustic reflections . Then again, you might prefer the processed piano sounds you'll find in many other brands that can help overcome various reproduction challenges.

Thank you very much for the two reply’s. Very helpful. I currently have a Roland FP90 setup the same as the Nord and it has a very smooth sound in my studio. Also tried my headphones on the Nord but was still not super happy with the result. I will keep working with it and see what I can achieve. Thanks again

Your post does not describe if you used the same piano sample. There are many piano samples, each with their own character. Some I love and some I'll never use. I would encourage you to experiment with loading the different samples to hear what sounds better to your ear.

I don't know anything about the amp you use, but will tell you that the Nord pianos sound better in stereo. There are a few that work well in mono, but stereo is really the way to. I'll also add that, in general, they sound better through PA speakers than through keyboard amps. I've never heard a keyboard amp that I've liked, but there are recommendations for quite a few powered PA speakers at several different price points.

Good luck!

Thanks Rusty Mike
Ya the dilemma right now is my Roland FP90 is sounding pretty nice on the Traynor block 10 amp. The Nord just seems so thin and harsh on transitions above middle C. I have one of the new L1 pro8 portable line array system from Bose on the way. You think this may fit the Nord piano 4 style better and achieve a more consistent smoother sound across the key board I’m looking for ?

Hi-

What piano sample are you using? Nord has a lot of different ones, have you tried them all?

-dj

The Bose L1 mod8 will sound better than your Traynor, but still not stereo

Have gone through all the piano tones. Went back to the store today and played the demo model again. Heard some tones today we didn’t notice yesterday, so at least I know I’m setup correctly. I think I just need to keep working with it.