Page 1 of 1

Which one to choose?

Posted: 29 Mar 2013, 13:44
by radiomode
Hello

I'm new to this forum and to nord gear as well so i think I have an excuse to ask some noob questions :)

So the question is which instrument(s) of nord line to choose.
As for my needs: i play in an indie-rock band and use Korg R3 a lot and also m-audio midi keyboard to control my audio-units by Arturia, NI and others. I use lots of pianos, electric-pianos, strings and leads in my music. And i'm looking for the nord that will suit all/most of my needs.

Buying a Nord Electro i'll get some awesome pianos and organs and etc? And I'll be aslo able to use sounds from the Nord Sample Library or use my own ones but without an ability to modify the parameters like osc waveform, envelopes, filters etc right?

I'm also thinking about to opt for the Nord Wave synthesizer cause as far as I know it provides an ability not only to use the NSLibrary and create samples by your own but also to control all the parameters of the sound, apply effects and etc.

So am I right thinking that the Nord Wave can 'replace' the Nord Electro in my future set?
Or should I keep using my MIDI-keyboard to play the piano riffs? (cause nord wave has only 49 not HA and even not SW keys) and buy nord wave only for 'synth-sounds'?

Sorry again for such noob questions but your advice would be very helpful for me)

P.S.
Here is a couple of our tracks if you are interested ;)


Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 29 Mar 2013, 14:35
by Mr_-G-
radiomode wrote:Hello
So am I right thinking that the Nord Wave can 'replace' the Nord Electro in my future set?
I do not think so. The Wave is a synth that can play single layer samples (apart from the analog-style synth), but not multilayered like the piano section. They are different things.
If you use piano samples in the wave, they will sound quite life-less, I think.
The best thing is to try them out before deciding what you need.
The Stage 2 has all (but a less powerful synth than the Wave).
Also be aware that there might be something new coming out for the Musikmesse in a few days time.

Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 29 Mar 2013, 15:12
by wartaler
Hi! Welcome!

Depends on how much you want to spend ;)

If you want ONE keyboard for more or less everything you mentioned: Nord Stage2, has organ, piano, synth, will also play the library samples,

with Stage you can choose between weighted hammer action keys, or 'waterfall keys' (=lighter organ type) models.

The synth section of the Stage is nice but limited compared with a dedicated synth.

If you want to keep your R3, and don't care for fully weighted keys: Electro4; will do organ, piano, and play samples, but lacks a synth (although there are quite some synth sounds in library).

The multilayered piano sounds used in Electro and Stage models are in a separate 'piano library' to download from the website, and are not compatible with the Wave,

(the samples that the Wave will play, and that are in the Sample Library are not multi-layered!)

To upgrade from your R3: and if it has to be red: Wave, note: there are rumours about a new Nord synthesizer to be presented at the Musicmesse April10-13...

which could mean: an even cooler new synth model, perhaps a new Wave model, in which case price of the original may drop (?)

Good luck in your search!

Albert

Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 29 Mar 2013, 18:43
by JiminWales
As a sole keyboard, the Electro has the problem of only being mono-timbral. The extra keyboard and splits are for use of the dual manual organ models - the sound engine converts between being a multilayer sampled piano, a single layer general sample player or virtual analog organ but it can only do one at a time. The Stage is the nearest to a multi-role keyboard. Look to the high-end workstation synths if you really want something that can do everything really well (although probably still not as well as some specialized keyboards in certain areas).
If I were you, I'd keep the r3 and get a 73key Electro as well.

Jim

Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 29 Mar 2013, 21:02
by Darren
I agree with Jim. If your budget stretches to it, then you might consider the Electro plus a Wave. But definitely wait until the new product announcement before you leap. You could pick up a bargain or may be swayed to go for the latest and greatest(?)

Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 30 Mar 2013, 03:22
by zzAARzz
Every friday i play with live cover band. We play top100 pop hits. In this gig I use different sounds and for some songs splits/layers. I was think before buying and choose between E4HP+Wave or NS2. I look my setup in Kurzweil pc3 and its much layers and splits and i decide to get NS2. With NS2 I get all my needs for work onstage: splits, layers, the ability to view name on screen, also I can connect my iPad or mac or another sound module and using external section for midi to get some extra. This all for multifunctional. And NS2 better price then E4HP+Wave. You can think about E4HP for base + Yamaha mx49 or another simple low price keyboard - I was think about it, but you can't get nord sample library and VA synth with rom keyboard (like yamaha mx61).

Re: Which one to choose?

Posted: 30 Mar 2013, 11:45
by radiomode
Thanks a lot for your advices! Now I have some food for mind =)
waiting for the new nord to be presented...