Nord User Forum

Why is the piano sound of the NE6D significantly different compared to the NS2?
Shouldn't "Studio Grand 1 YaC7 Lrg 5.3.npno" sound the same on NE6D and NS2?
Instead, it sounds very tinny, dull and unlively on the NE6D and two class levels below the NS2 quality. Making EQ adjustments does not bring any real improvement either.
Is this due to the missing aftertouch on NE6D?
Any ideas?
cheers, uli

Aftertouch is not affecting Piano Engine. In general it is true that NE6D and NS3 sound more "brilliant" compare d to previous generation models.

On NS3 and NE6D they also introduced the PianoEQ feature (absent on NS2) on Piano section, which can be a factor: try to use it and for example set it to "Mid" if you need to add more "body" to the Piano sound (but probably you need the 6.x version of that .npno to use it).

but it's actually the other way around: NS2 is more brilliant than NE6D. The sound of the NE6D sounds really 'cheap'. By 'cheap' I mean: expressionless, kind of digital, lacking brilliance....
I tried the EQ feature, which makes it a bit better but doesnt bring is to a good level...

Are you sure you didn't sum the sound into mono? This will never sound really 'normal'.

In order to get a fair comparison of the sound engines, you need to use the same keybed, or same MIDI file to demo and AB them. Also make sure nothing else in the signal chain would create unwanted differences. Such as preamps, eq settings or indeed mono summing as Fziegler suggested. Also make sure you are using the exact same .npno file (including size class (as in L) and version (like 5.0).

EDIT: I've said this before, but I don't understand how different models would reproduce the samples differently. The only reasons I could think of are deliberately altered DACs or somehow different decoding / decompression methods. Not sure why either of those would have been justified by Clavia product developers.

FZiegler wrote:Are you sure you didn't sum the sound into mono? This will never sound really 'normal'.

no, no Mono.

FZiegler wrote:Are you sure you didn't sum the sound into mono? This will never sound really 'normal'.

Good point, since Headphones out is near the Line OUTs, sometimes it can happens to plug one of the L/R cables into it by mistake

Elias wrote:In order to get a fair comparison of the sound engines, you need to use the same keybed, or same MIDI file to demo and AB them. Also make sure nothing else in the signal chain would create unwanted differences. Such as preamps, eq settings or indeed mono summing as Fziegler suggested. Also make sure you are using the exact same .npno file (including size class (as in L) and version (like 5.0).

EDIT: I've said this before, but I don't understand how different models would reproduce the samples differently. The only reasons I could think of are deliberately altered DACs or somehow different decoding / decompression methods. Not sure why either of those would have been justified by Clavia product developers.

Thanks for the hint regarding checking the .npno file.... and not just the file name... although I haven't changed the good-sounding file of the NS2 for years and I just downloaded the file running on NE6D last week (but you never know...)
My test conditions are ok -I think; there is no signal manipulation. NS2 goes to channel 1 and NE6D to channel 2 of the same mixer; all EQ settings are turned off...

The SW action of the Electro 6D is also going to have an impact on the sounds. It simple does not play the same way a weighted action will. You do not specify which model NS2 you have, but I am assuming it's either the 88 or 76 with weighted action. When I play my E6D from a weighted action via MIDI the sound and sensitivity is very different.

You can try adjusting the KBD Touch to a lighter setting (higher number). That will cause the instrument to be more sensitive to your velocity, thus bringing out the brightness.

If you're running mono from each keyboard into the mixer, I'd suggest switching to stereo for both and then doing a comparison.

I have used many different Nord keyboards over the years and do not have any recollection of difference in how the exact same piano samples sound between Stage or Electro. The actions of the keybeds could impact the playability and response, though the underlying sounds should be the same.

Unscientifically, I feel like pianos on my NS3 have a bit more of an edge compared to my NS2, though it is very subjective...almost like the DA converters on the NS3 are a bit nicer. In a band mix, the difference is negligible.

For a few years, I floated between NS2 88 and NE5 HP for gigs and the pianos sounded the same and felt the same.