Nord User Forum

Just an observation but why does Clavier Nord not include this feature on their lower priced instruments ? At a gig with a very well known keyboarder not long ago (do not want to mention names but "Blinded by the Light" should ring a bell), we discussed this deficiency and we both came to the conclusion that we would have purchased Nord instruments long ago had this missing controller been present. It is not expensive and not technically difficult. All other manufacturers include this as it is musically useful. Why not Clavier Nord? Is it just to promote the more expensive instruments?

I agree MrT053,
Many synth samples just need that control function. A pitchbend/modwheel would make an Electro much more versatile.

They seem to see the pitch bend and mod wheel as controls for 'synths'. If you look at the lead/wave range, these controls are there. The only reason they are on the Stage is because there is a synth component - the added bonus you get for spending ~£2500 is that you can use the pitch bend and mod wheel across the entire board.

This along with the 'timbrality' capabilities between the various products makes sense and provides a clear differentiator between the products. If the Electro carried the pitch bend, mod wheel and ability to split/layer sounds then two things would happen, first the price goes up so it might take it out of the range when comparing against competition, secondly, it would erode sales of their 'flagship' product (The Stage).

Buying any product, musical or not, has always been and will continue to be a compromise between price and functionality. This is the way of the world I'm afraid.

I think they are playing a blinder. Historically, each of the instruments is seriously lacking in a major way.

For instance, you have an E3 with it's "better than stage" organ and it's Rhodes Ping-Pong Pan. Then you have the stage without the +/-12 pitch stick. The Electro lacks a pitch stick/wheel, but uses samples. The etc, etc, etc.

You with your whatever model think "If they'd only give me a pitch stick" or "I wish my Stage EX used the sample library" or "Why can't this be bi-timbral" or whatever.

Perhaps next time they might release it. Perhaps not. What is more likely is that it will come out in a manner which is irritating and frustrating. But you will be there with your wallet thinking. I'd really like my Stage 2 to do XYZ like the Wave2 or the Electro 5 and maybe, next time they'll give you something to keep thinking it's great and think continually about upgrading.

One thing they can't do is make the ideal Synth, the ideal Organ (one which can use samples - harmoniums, pipes, mellotrons) or the ideal stage. If they did a Superduper Stage Deluxe with everything on it as a flagship and then an Electro with everything that everyone wants on it. People would stop being interested in developments and get happy with them and stick with their tools.

It's exceedingly clever business practice by them.

Whatever Nord you buy, you will be looking at the next man's woman, so to speak. It will have better legs than yours and yours will have a more pretty face than his, etc.

@jazzystu

There's no such thing as the "perfect keyboard", and there never will be - because different people need different things. You seem to labour under the delusion that what is right for you is right for everybody, and that's simply not the case. If you're so convinced that Nord has got it in for you, then I challenge you to name any other manufacturer who does produce the perfect keyboard that you accuse Nord of deliberately withholding from us. Yamaha, Roland, Korg? Let's face it, if anybody had made that one perfect keyboard, you would have bought that one and would be using it. Yet I don't see you grinding your tedious axe on any of those other companies.

If you're so unhappy with Nord, why don't you buy something from somebody else?

The truth is, Nord is just like any other manufacturer - they produce a variety of different models with different capabilities at different price points. And that's as it should be. Your constant expectation that Nord - or any other company - should exist solely to cater to your personal needs is unrealistic.