Dual keyboard setup with a NS3C

[FZiegler]

I'm still in love with my NS3C. No need to update to the NS4C, I even wouldn't want to.

The thing I'd need to update is my secondary weighted keyboard linked via MIDI. I'm not happy anymore with my old Yamaha CP33.

We just recently discussed the alternatives for 73 weighted keys. But I'm more into 88 keys.

I wasn't convinced by the Kawai VPC1 I own: It's got a superb dynamic response, but doesn't seem to be reliable in terms of sustain pedal - I experienced some strange drops and unintended sustains on stage (maybe because I don't fully depress and release the pedal when I'm a bit nervous). And sustain commands from the secondary keyboard are mandatory as the NS3C internal sustain pedal won't control sustain for the external playing when in 'full layer B' DualKB mode.

So I looked into alternatives. Could anybody tell me if pedal noise would work on the NS3C when connecting a Nord Grand 2? The manual says I could still use a Nord Triple Pedal 1 together with the Grand 2, which should allow to enable pedal noise without any issues as it only covers 4 values: would it work? (What happens to pedal noise if I use the Grand 2 with a Triple Pedal 2 on the NS3C? When I use a continuous pedal with the CP33, there are powerful cascades of noise on the NS3C. And the Triple Pedal 2's sustain pedal is continous type, right?) It sounds a bit ridiculous to want to go out gigging with a Grand 2 connected to a Stage 3 compact - but it would mainly be for family use in the living room and just occasionally carried out on stage about 5x per year. And I really do like the Kawai action - much more than the NP5's (which is aside from that the same engine).

I did try the Yamaha P-525 and the Kawai ES920 - and they both don't play too bad. But I wasn't that overwhelmed by their EP sounds and the FX section of both. Which might be better with a Yamaha CP88 or YC88, but they also left my heart without any emotion until now. Are their EPs and FX sections good enough to enjoy at home? I maybe didn't took enough time when testing them at my dealer's.

Unfortunately, I can't compare to a Numa X Piano or a Viscount Legend 70's as my dealer doesn't have them.

Is it really possible that a Grand 2 is a good solution if you just want to play out a few times per year: sometime schlepped on stage, but often enjoyed at home? Is there someone already doing exactly this?

[maxpiano]

Could anybody tell me if pedal noise would work on the NS3C when connecting a Nord Grand 2? The manual says I could still use a Nord Triple Pedal 1 together with the Grand 2, which should allow to enable pedal noise without any issues as it only covers 4 values: would it work? (What happens to pedal noise if I use the Grand 2 with a Triple Pedal 2 on the NS3C? When I use a continuous pedal with the CP33, there are powerful cascades of noise on the NS3C. And the Triple Pedal 2's sustain pedal is continous type, right?)

I am afraid the problem comes not from the external weighted master, but from the way the NS3C translates the CC64 (sustain) 0-127 values into Pedal Noise (and NG2 would anyway send 0-127 CC64 values, I am afraid)

But... is really Pedal Noise so important for you when gigging?

[FZiegler]

I'm not using pedal noise at the moment, in faster rock songs even no string resonance for band context. But, if you can feel with me: Using a 4000 EUR machine and still being restricted in things like that would be a real bummer. Nevertheless.

[vojtech-h]

You feel the sustain pedal problem (a) for a long time or (b) already after the NS3C plus VPC-1 concert away from home.
For answer (b), it looks like a change in the behavior of the VPC pedal (or its cable).

Note. I had a similar sustain pedal problem after connecting the VPC-1 to the NS4C, but after calibrating the VPC pedal (for your advice, for which I thank you again), the behavior of the setup is now as expected.

[FZiegler]

I never encountered that sustain problem at home, only recently at 2 gigs. I may try to recalibrate the pedal, but I already did it with that trick to not fully depress the pedal when calibrating it to 127.

[vojtech-h]

I'm still wondering... is the VPC power supply the same (source / USB) in both cases (at home / concert)?
Maybe it could affect the signal from the pedal.

[FZiegler]

I don't think the difference between home use and gigging is technical. I'm guessing that my feet move more around on stage.

But to come back to my point: I'd like to know if there is someone already using a Grand 2 and a Stage 3 (compact) together.

[Schorsch]

Hi, did I get it right in that you want to connect the Nord Grand to your NS3C by MIDI and the play the piano sounds of the NS3C with the keybed of the Grand?

[maxpiano]

Hi, did I get it right in that you want to connect the Nord Grand to your NS3C by MIDI and the play the piano sounds of the NS3C with the keybed of the Grand?

In fact, thinking twice: why should you @FZiegler not use the NG2 pianos instead in that situation? OK, some additional programming needed, but ...

[Schorsch]

That’s what I was thinking - I would better use the Grand Pianos, they are the same anyway and no hassle with MIDI fiddling for the pedals etc.

I used to play with both a NS3C and a NS3-88 up until some years ago and always used the NS3-88 for Pianos, would definitely do so as well if I go with a second 88-key Nord again. I used to maintain two sets of programs for most of the songs though, one when using both Nord Stages together and another one when using just the NS3C, on which I then was also playing the pianos. That wasn’t much of additional work, just created all programs for the NS3C standalone usage and after that duplicating them, removing the Pianos and eventually adjusting splits before saving them for the use with the NS3-88 together.


I am now thinking of adding a second keyboard for Pianos again to my NS3C but looking at the Numa X Piano 73, since it has the new TP110 keybed and is not that heavy - does anyone have any experience with the Numa X 73 in terms of the keybed feel and connection to the NS3C?