Nord User Forum

Hi,I've recently purchased a nord stage 2 ha 88.
Testing piano sounds (in particular the first, default imperial grand in the "large" version) I've noticed that, pushing the key at very high dynamics and holding that note till total fadeout of the sound (i can hear it in particular with central C key, named c4 if i don't go wrong), after 3/4 second from the attack, i can hear a very audible "wobble" in the sound, that ciclycally repeats every 3/4 seconds, while sound goes fading out. On other keys this issue is less audible, but still, more or less, present (very audible in all the notes in the region near that C).
Is it simply a sampling/looping issue, related to the sampling and looping techniques adopted on that sample set, or i should worry about it?
Not already tried with the xl version,i'm specifically referring to the large version.
Thanks, Andrea from Italy

Hi, Could you make a recording of this and upload it here?
I have not noticed it, but will try to listen more carefully next time. Perhaps you are hearing some kind of loop point? Is that without any effects on, I suppose?

hoping is only a matter of (very audible...!) looping points and crossfades, here the link to some audio test
(mp3 encoding don't works well for hearing the issue, I hope soundcloud quality is better):

https://soundcloud.com/andrea-innaciotti/nord-bdf-1

https://soundcloud.com/andrea-innaciotti/nord-bdf-2

https://soundcloud.com/andrea-innaciott ... aha-c7-med

https://soundcloud.com/andrea-innaciotti/nord-stw-d-med

I can eventually send wav files to those interested in a better listening

thanks again

i try to attach also mp3 versions

• nord bdf 1.mp3

• nord bdf 2.mp3

• nord yamaha c7 med.mp3

• nord stw d med.mp3

in the first file (nord bfd 1) the issue I'm referring to is audible at second 4, then at second 16 and then again at second 28

I think what you're hearing is just the natural movement of harmonics and volume in the recorded sample. Real musical instruments do not produce mathematically perfect waveforms like synthsesisers. They have a richer sound than synthesisers because they have more complex movement and overtones. You'd find the same thing on a real piano. If I were you, I would stop worrying about it and just enjoy playing your instrument.

Sounds very much like a looping artifact to me. I suspect the high-velocity layers don't get as much attention as the others.

It's funny how different people notice different problems with the piano and e-piano samples. I don't think I've ever played anything that would have made me notice this particular issue. But I've run into quite a few others.

I agree with you when you speak about looping problems of piano samples. I noticed this issue the same day I purchased the Stage 2 when I made a comparison vs Kawai MP5 grand piano sound that seem do no have looping problems and where the decay time of low range keys is much more similar to a real piano (35 sec. vs 20 sec. of nord stage). Of course I prefer the live presence and the wooden sound of Nord Stage 2 piano, but I would suggest to the Nord guys to keep in mind these aspects in the next release of piano library .

Oh yes Andrea it sounds like a loop.

It also sounds like a normal Bosendorfer Imperial Grand on a Nord keyboard.

You may hear a "bzzz" sound on the E4 key of the Grand Fazioli as well in that case, it's here on every size (M to XL).

Cheers,
Frantz.

Thanks to all for your help.
I suspected a looping artifact, but wanted to be sure and obtain some advice from other users of this wonderful forum.
Not very happy with it...but certainly better than a defective unit, and in any case I love nord piano sounds and timbre.

Thanks again

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthre ... ost1515962


Nord Piano Grand Lady D (large 78.6 MB) -
-------------------------------------------
FILE & SETUP:
- dpbsd_v1.8_nord_grand_lady_d_steinway_model_d_large.mp3
- MacBook Pro (MIDI) => NP => stand alone CD writer => iTunes.
- Recorded by "EssBrace/Steve".
PROS:
- Passes the pedal down sympathetic resonance test - the effect is visible and audible.
- Pedal down sympathetic resonance is pleasant sounding.
- Passes the key down sympathetic resonance test - notes above and below the stimulus resonate.
- Passes the pedal down silent replay test, though with one issue (see CONS).
- Passes the brief pedal partial damping test.
- Pedal "clunk" and "loom of strings" sounds.
- Note release sounds @ key and pedal up.
- Fairly long note decay time (~3/4 Pianoteq).
- Attack and loop samples are longer than most looped DPs, loops are long enough to "wobble".
- This is an unblended 4 to 7 velocity layer sample set.
CONS:
- Pedal down silent replay test issue: vel=1 note play is audible.
- Fails the partial pedaling test.
- Partial pedaling causes loud pedal sound effects.
- Visibly and audibly looped, loop "wobble" is a bit overdone.
- Attack sample lengths are (C1:C8): 3.0,3.5,3.2,2.3,2.1,1.0,?,? seconds.
- Loop sample lengths are (C1:C8): 2.2,1.9,2.2,2.1,2.2,1.5,?,? seconds.
- Visibly and audibly stretched.
- All low & mid stretch group transitions fairly audible.
- Large timbre variations between many of the lower stretch groups, some sound muffled.
- Stretch distances: 2,3,2,3(x3),2,3,2,4,2,3(x3),4,3,2(x3),3(x3),4,4,2,4,3(x4),2 = 31 groups.
- Velocity timbre switches are visible and audible @ vel=48,66,86,98,108,116.
OTHER:
- Notes played @ vel=1 produce sound.
- Dynamic range 33.5dB (vel=1:127).
- MP3 levels: peak @ -1.1dB, noise floor @ -84dB.
- Date reviewed: 2010-09-14.


Nord Piano Studio Grand 2 (large 68.6 MB) -
---------------------------------------------
FILE & SETUP:
- dpbsd_v1.8_nord_studio_grand_2_yamah_c7_large.mp3
- MacBook Pro (MIDI) => NP => stand alone CD writer => iTunes.
- Recorded by "EssBrace/Steve".
PROS:
- Passes the pedal down sympathetic resonance test - the effect is visible and audible.
- Pedal down sympathetic resonance is pleasant sounding.
- Passes the key down sympathetic resonance test - notes above and below the stimulus resonate.
- Passes the pedal down silent replay test, though with some issues (see CONS).
- Passes the brief pedal partial damping test.
- Pedal "clunk" and "loom of strings" sounds.
- Note release sounds @ key and pedal up.
- Fairly long note decay time (~3/4 Pianoteq).
- Attack and loop samples are longer than most looped DPs, loops are long enough to "wobble".
- This is a blended sample set with no visible or audible layer switches.
CONS:
- Pedal down silent replay test issues: vel=1 note play is audible, partial damping at pedal up.
- Fails the partial pedaling test.
- Partial pedaling causes loud pedal sound effects.
- Visibly and audibly looped, loop "wobble" is a bit overdone.
- Attack sample lengths are (C1:C8): 3.5,3.1,3.2,2.1,1.9,0.9,?,? seconds.
- Loop sample lengths are (C1:C8): 1.9,1.8,1.8,1.5,1.4,1.1,?,? seconds.
- Visibly and audibly stretched.
- All low & mid stretch group transitions fairly audible.
- Large timbre variations between many of the lower stretch groups, some sound muffled.
- Stretch distances: 5,3,4,3,2,5,3,4,2,3,3,4,4,2,4,3,2,5,3,3,2,2,4,2,4,4,3 = 27 groups.
- Very little change in timbre with velocity over the lower ~1/3 velocity range.
OTHER:
- Notes played @ vel=1 produce sound.
- Dynamic range 32.3dB (vel=1:127).
- MP3 levels: peak @ -2.5dB, noise floor @ -84dB.
- Date reviewed: 2010-09-14.
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