Nord User Forum

Hi all!

I bought NS4 73 and still have NS3 compact and then sold my N.Grand which in the end I had no that much use.

This been my Nord setup at the moment and lacking 88, I’d like to ask if someone has VPC1 with Nord setup? Does it play well when MIDI controlling Stage (mainly NS3 or NS4)? And here I mean Nord a.Piano or e.Piano sounds (not organ or synth). Are there issues? Does it handle for example ”low velocity > no sound” -press or continuos pedal?

This question applies to other Piano controllers as well but VPC1 is the most interesting to me because it has best piano touch with no extra sounds or anything which makes it quite cost effective.

I'm using the VPC1 with a Nord Electro 5D on top. Works very, very well. To play the pianos from the VPC1 keys is a joy. (I cannot compare it directly to a Nord Grand though.) The two things you mention remain problematic though: Low velocity will always produce (piano) sound; Nord's sound engines are designed that way. Still, with a suitable touch curve I find it easy to play even very softly. With my Electro, there is no half-pedaling either (but triple pedaling works, via the VPC1). I can live with that. I don't know if it would work with a Nord Stage. Perhaps it would, if you connect the pedal to the Stage, not the VPC.)

In my country the VPC1 + Nord Electro 6 61 remains cheaper than a Nord Grand. I'd prefer that combination to the latter due to its flexibility. E.g. you get an added waterfall action for organs etc., and, best of all, you have an easily portable board to use wherever you want. (Of course the VPC1 isn't very portable at all. )