Decision Made, It's a Nord based new rig, Thank you--
Posted: 15 Aug 2012, 03:57
It's a new NS2!
I recently posted a request for opinions on which boards to buy for my new rig. Eight fellow Forum users responded, and I thank each of you for the input and help. I considered all of your opinions carefully and I have decided to go with a NS2-88 for my bottom board, and a Roland Jupiter 80 for my top board. I will join the Forum as a proud owner of these beautiful instruments, and as I learn the new red "beast", I will be on this forum reading and researching topics and techniques.
It's a hard and difficult decision picking new axes and not making an expensive mistake. As a working jazz and blues player, I've got to have the best for gigging. I was leaning towards a Yamaha CP1 and a Kronos X73, however, in following the advise of one of the gentleman who responded in this post, I drove 3.5 hours to St. Louis to check out the Kronos and Jupiter 80, In addition I got to check out a Nord C2 organ.
I eliminated the CP1 because of cost ($5000), and weight (60lb.), and I felt that the Nord wasn't a big drop off in terms of the quality of piano and electric piano sounds. The Nord certainly holds it's own against the CP1 and Roland V-Piano heavyweights, and offers many more options with the organ and synth engines and it's portability. All of these issues were pointed out by Forum members.
After spending a couple of hours playing the Kronos, I came away not impressed. The build quality is awful; the sliders, buttons and dials felt cheap and flimsy. For every great sound there were 10 you would never use. It's a large cumbersome board that's difficult to navigate in my opinion. In fact, I felt the Motif XF was more intuitive than the Kronos. I also felt the Kronos piano sounds were average at best.
On the other hand, I loved the Roland Jupiter 80. I had a Jupiter 8 back in the 80's, and I cut my teeth on analog synthesis. This board does not disappoint, and it has a fantastic build quality. The piano, organ and solo instrument sounds are all quite good, and the synth stuff is off the charts. The board has an intuitive and easy layout to navigate, and with some tweaking and work you can set up stellar registrations which are combinations or various sounds. Hugh sound possibilities, and with version 2 released, this board should be a perfect compliment to the NS2.
I also got to try out a Nord C2, it was awesome. The C2d is on my wish list!
Again, I would like to thank each of the respondents for their thoughtful opinions. I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for my new NS2 to arrive.
Best wishes--
GPalmer
I recently posted a request for opinions on which boards to buy for my new rig. Eight fellow Forum users responded, and I thank each of you for the input and help. I considered all of your opinions carefully and I have decided to go with a NS2-88 for my bottom board, and a Roland Jupiter 80 for my top board. I will join the Forum as a proud owner of these beautiful instruments, and as I learn the new red "beast", I will be on this forum reading and researching topics and techniques.
It's a hard and difficult decision picking new axes and not making an expensive mistake. As a working jazz and blues player, I've got to have the best for gigging. I was leaning towards a Yamaha CP1 and a Kronos X73, however, in following the advise of one of the gentleman who responded in this post, I drove 3.5 hours to St. Louis to check out the Kronos and Jupiter 80, In addition I got to check out a Nord C2 organ.
I eliminated the CP1 because of cost ($5000), and weight (60lb.), and I felt that the Nord wasn't a big drop off in terms of the quality of piano and electric piano sounds. The Nord certainly holds it's own against the CP1 and Roland V-Piano heavyweights, and offers many more options with the organ and synth engines and it's portability. All of these issues were pointed out by Forum members.
After spending a couple of hours playing the Kronos, I came away not impressed. The build quality is awful; the sliders, buttons and dials felt cheap and flimsy. For every great sound there were 10 you would never use. It's a large cumbersome board that's difficult to navigate in my opinion. In fact, I felt the Motif XF was more intuitive than the Kronos. I also felt the Kronos piano sounds were average at best.
On the other hand, I loved the Roland Jupiter 80. I had a Jupiter 8 back in the 80's, and I cut my teeth on analog synthesis. This board does not disappoint, and it has a fantastic build quality. The piano, organ and solo instrument sounds are all quite good, and the synth stuff is off the charts. The board has an intuitive and easy layout to navigate, and with some tweaking and work you can set up stellar registrations which are combinations or various sounds. Hugh sound possibilities, and with version 2 released, this board should be a perfect compliment to the NS2.
I also got to try out a Nord C2, it was awesome. The C2d is on my wish list!
Again, I would like to thank each of the respondents for their thoughtful opinions. I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for my new NS2 to arrive.
Best wishes--
GPalmer
