Nord User Forum

Hi guys,

I am looking to get a NORD, primarily for the Rhodes/Organ sounds and also for Piano/Wurlitzer. Synth is not relevant for me. My goal is to integrate it into my Ableton Live 9 setup.

From the videos/reviews/specs, I am confused because different models (ELECTRO, STAGE,..) seem to all offer an eclectic range of sounds. With my focus mentioned above, which line would you recommend?

This bring another point: If money is not a factor, should one go for the most recent version (i.e. ELECTRO4 versus the previous E3 & E2)? Or is there another element that would bring one to pick a previous model? My understanding is that any ELECTRO sound can be pushed to the E4 via downloading, therefore I am not seeing why anybody would pick a E2 or E3 over a E4 (again, if money is not a factor - an assumption I am using to clarify my understanding).

Finally, I stumbled upon this great video, but am not understanding what the opening sound is (i.e. what instrument/simulation)?
(00:15)

Thanks, my current understanding leads me to believe that the ELECTRO 4D is the one for me, but your feedback will be super helpful in validating (or not) this pick!
Louis

Cheopsnet wrote:I am not seeing why anybody would pick a E2 or E3 over a E4 (again, if money is not a factor - an assumption I am using to clarify my understanding).

It's precisely because money is a factor that people will pick a second-hand, older model.

Cheopsnet wrote:Finally, I stumbled upon this great video, but am not understanding what the opening sound is

As the reviewer states, it's a sampled Celeste. A Celeste is something like a piano, except that instead of having strings, it has metal bars. You could think of it as a sort of keyboard version of a glockenspeil. It's most famously used in "The Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy" from "The Nutcracker" ballet.

It sounds to me that an electro 4 would fit your needs perfectly. 4D if you are mostly into organs and 4HP if you are primarily a pianist, while 4SW is something in between. Note that the 4D has half the sample memory compared to the others.
Good luck!

Hey Louis, welcome

Another difference between STAGE and ELECTRO series -maybe the most important- is that the Electros are monotimbral, i.e. they can play only one sound at a time.

Number of keys can be a factor, even if you are mostly thinking home recording. I love my Korg SV-1 73, but am still sometimes frustrated that the lowest A and its near neighbors are not easily available without some fancy button work.

When I had a Nord Electro 2 61, the short board was a real, if mild frustration. Yeah, I know you can adjust the tone center to get the notes on the shortest board, but that is quite a trick in the middle of a tune. I now run a NE2 rack through the Korg, and it is great to have those extra keys, even if there are not 88 of them.

Another thing for you to consider. The NE 4s are all 61s, right? Nord Stage is an 88 - are there others? (If money is no object.)

NE4s are available in three configurations: the 4D (with drawbars) is 61-note SW organ action, and there are two 73-note versions: SW (F to F) and HP (E to E)

Stages are also available in three configurations: SW73. HA76 and HA88.

Bless,

Pablo

The Rhodes in the Electro 2 are s***.

What's being played in the video with the celeste? It's quite familiar but don't remember....

Thanks
Ramon

It sounds like something by Tchaikovsky, but it's not the nutcracker.

Maybe from a Tim Burton movie? Or a commercial?