Nord User Forum

I used my Yamaha P120 last night. Immediately someone
commented that it sounded rich and full. I am not sure why my Electro
Piano section doesn't sound as rich in the lower midrange. Also,
there seems to be a peak in the treble that I don't know how to eliminate.
I have been using the Grand Lady or the Fazoli. In addition,
I usually use a Qsc K10 for an amp.
The Nord's have
certainly gotten better piano samples. However, there seems
to be a lack of balance that I have been unable to EQ. Obviously,
the other sounds on it are much better.

Suggestions, comments.

If you only have a single speaker, and are playing in mono (i.e left and right channels summed to a single channel), the Nord's output will sound worse than the Yamaha, even though the sample quality is superior.

James
x

In my experience, there is no single answer to the right sounding piano. The choice of piano model and eq depends what you are playing and in what context. Live on stage with a typical five piece pop/jazz/funk outfit, I find that firstly you'll need a fair amount of compression to allow the mellower dynamics to be heard, secondly you'll need to boast the upper mid range around 1.5 to 2khz in order to balance against the background of cymbals and guitar.

Then there are the sample sets themselves. I'd guess that the Yamaha p120 has a sampleset derived from a Yamaha grand. From memory I think that's how my old p250 sounded! You'll notice if you play the Nord samples from the C1 and C2 sample sets (not the bright c1 ok!) that they have a much warmer and thicker middle register than the Fazoli or indeed the Steinway. To my ears the C1 is more usable and balanced across the whole register, although I love the middle on the C2 but its upper register is very weak.

This leads to what you actually play, to my ears jazz and pop soloing in a typical band situation, on the C1 sampleset works better in the upper middle and upper registers because the samples have stronger root content and volume. I find the C1 set blends in very well with most pop covers. The Fazoli has some exquisite mapping detail but it just doesn't have the guts or warmth for this type of application. But of course there are songs and situations where this is exactly what you need!

Coming from an instrument with a fixed and rather limited range of piano samples, it is quite hard to grasp that there isn't just one ultimate piano sound for all occasions. Also I think it's something to do with the emotional relationship you develop with the sampleset!! Either way you have to stretch beyond those mind sets. Rock and roll or boogie is going to sound better on a bright and thinner sounding piano which is not the C1.

My Roland (RD700SX and GX) years have left me with a dread of non stereo monitoring and PA setups. I don't think the Nord is quite as vulnerable as the Roland was.

Try the upright pianos as well. They have a very different character from the grands, where you hear a lot of the soundboard. The Petrof Black Upright and the BlueSwede both have very warm characters that work well in blues, jazz and classic R&B. The Yamaha Upright Grand also has great personality.

Make sure you hit the MONO button.

I use an ART tube preamp with my Electro to boost the signal and give it some warmth (I also use a K10). As hector said above, play with the compression and EQ. I personally find that either a cut around 250-400Hz or a boost in the 4-6KHz range work well, depending on the context, room and your ears.

One final point. The K10 projects very well. If possible, have someone else play your keyboard and listen to it yourself from the audience.

The P120 doesn´t sound bad. My piano teacher has got one, and I´m always a little surprised how nice it is.
We play it mono through a guitar amp (MUSIC MAN). PLUS: The action is better than my NP2 - while it´s a piano-teacher-working-horse,
beeing played since it came out. They don´t only construct good motorcycles. Wish I could ride a Nord one day....