CraigT

Here’s the legit listing for the Nord… https://www.ebay.com/itm/144091344693

There’s a similar scam here in Phoenix. Montage 8 for an unreal price. I responded to the ad for more info and got a short response. Seemed fishy so I found the pic was actually for a listing for that shop in NYC. I was trying to figure out how the scam would unfold but not curious enough to keep the correspondence going. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/msg/d/phoenix-yamaha-montage-music/7423741661.html Here’s the legit listing: https://reverb.com/item/24496561-yamaha-montage-8-music-synthesizer-88-weighted-key-keyboard-piano-mint-armens

Beautiful work. How does neck through sound compared to traditional glued in LP necks?

I"ve heard this before but am not sure of the implications. Does this mean the Compact will respond as if it were a 2 sensor controller? Does it effect playability greatly? I feel controllers like the VPC1 and SL88 Grand are the only good options for the Compact because they have customizable velocity maps.

I upgraded from a Motif XS to the Nord Stage 3 compact. The most recent pions samples, White piano I think is really good. Far far better than the motif pianos. EPs and B3 are much much better too. Where the Motif is still better is winds, strings, and drums. I actually loaded a sampled set of Motif drums onto the Nord since I couldn"t find much else. I wanted hand claps and claves for some live tunes. I don"t find acoustic pianos on the Compact to be super playable. EPS no problem. I tried to midi in the Motif XS8 for a weighted controller and could not get velocity curves to match up well. Eventually I may get a weighted controller with customizable velocity curves to get a good match. I read some negative remarks on the weighted 76 Keybed. I went with the Compact so no first hand experience. Good luck!

Thank you, great information. I will see if a different controller solves the issue.

I just picked up a Nord Stage 3 Compact with the idea that I can use my Yamaha Motif XS8 with 88 keys as a master controller for pianos on the Nord. The waterfall keys on the Nord are fine for organ/synth. The issue I have is that even with a straight 5-pin din Yamaha MIDI out to Nord MIDI in it feels like there is latency. From what I have read the latency for this sort of setup should be a few milliseconds and therefor imperceptible. The other issue is that even with the velocity curve set to hard on the Motif it seems like it I cannot control the dynamics of the Nord pianos very well and the sounds coming out of the Nord are louder than what I am playing. So, is it possible that I am sensing MIDI latency or is it more likely the entire issue is a mismatch in velocity curves? If the issue is velocity curves then the solution is to get a controller to replace the Motif with more customizable velocity curves? Thanks!

I have a Motif XS8. Supposedly the Montage 8 has the same keybed but it sure felt different when I tried it at Guitar Center.

Myles, 12AU7 is not Rivera spec just something I read can work well in the reverb slot. I changed the bias last night and took out all the GT preamp tubes. It was a significant improvement. Thanks again! Craig

Myles, That helps alot. I've been chasing my tale with adjusting bias and swapping preamp tubes with limited success. So, looks like I can keep the 12AU7 in V4 and put a balanced 12AXLP in V5. The TungSol has alot of hours on it so I'd like replace it. So, what would be your recommendations for me to purchase for V1, V2, and V3? BTW, checked out your website. So much great info on there! Craig

Myles, Wondering if you can give some tube recommendations on my Rivera Quiana 2x12 combo w/ vintage 30's circa 1999? I picked it up used earlier this year and have been struggling to get it sounding like I want. It's pretty bright and nasally and I find the B and high E strings lack meat unless I turn the mid up high which makes it even brighter. I'm looking for a nice balance between the Fender channel and marshall channel and I like a creamy distortion. current setup: V1 - GT Mullard 12AX7 Reissue V2 - TungSol 2AX7 V3 - GT 12AX7-R V4 - GE 12AU7 V5 - GT 12AX7 Power Tubes are Svetlana Winged C 6L6 biased to around 80mA. For now I'm hoping for recommendation for preamp tubes and bias current for the Winged C's. The Winged C's are supposed to be good in this amp. The preamp tubes are mostly ones I had available and I'm willing to get a complete new set. I was thinking about trying new speakers but I want the tubes ironed out before I go down that road. Thanks! Craig

Tony, I just listened to your Fellows2Trio demoes...really good stuff. What would you call the style? Folky pop maybe? On the It's Time To Run track you've got some organs in the mix. What are you using for your organs? And your piano for that matter? I seem to recall you have the RD-700SX. Craig