Nord electro 4 sw73 as a master keyboard?

[sutrer]

Hey everyone

I'm brand new to this forum and hopefully in the coming days about to become the proud owner of a Nord Electro 4 SW73!
Just got a couple of questions regarding its use in my home project studio. My current set up is using an old Roalnd XP80 workstation hooked up via midi to my PC running Cubase 5 and Reason as well as a variety of soft synths/VST plug ins/ refills. I don't use the xp80 for any of its internal sounds and just use it as a master keyboard.
I'm looking at the Nord Electro as I think it's going to be perfect for gigging with particularly with its array of piano/organ sounds. Love the reviews I've read and the demos I've seen of it too.
My main question is when I'm not gigging I want to, if possible use it instead of the XP80 as my master keyboard in my home studio, can it be used for that purpose so that I can play all the reason refills, vst synths etc through it?
Are there any issues to be aware of doing this?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Cheers everyone

[Johannes]

Hi,
welcome to the forums!
The NE4 can be easily used to play also soft synths vstis etc. on your PC/MAC. Just connect it via the USB cable (or alternatively the MIDI plugs to a MIDI interface), and you can play and sound generator on your computer.
Also, most of the elements transmit CC messages, so you can in theory route and set them up in your software as to control some parameters etc. you like.

Only bear in mind that the Nord Electro is not conceived a proper MIDI Controller Unit. For instance, Mod Wheel and Pitch Bend, and more advanced programming of CC messages, program and bank changes etc. are NOT possible with the Nord Electros. But for standard playing, recording, playback and some editing, it can definitively be used (pretty much as your XP-80, with the only exception of not having PitchBend/MOD Wheel). IF you can live with that, it will well suit the two purposes of doubling as a live gig board and basic midi keyboard at home.

Cheers, Johannes

[sutrer]

Hey thanks so much for the reply! Really appreciate it, sort of had a feeling it wouldn't be an issue to use as a master keyboard but just wanted to double check especially spending such a significant amount.
I guess that's my mind made up then and am looking forward to joining the Nord community.

Cheers again
Dan