Jump to content


Please subscribe to MPN’s YouTube Channel!

octa

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    359

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by octa

    Hammond SKX Pro - Neo Vent Cable

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    With SK Pro + Vent, I use Hammond's 11 pin Studio12 cable with tip and ring on TRS reversed. After finding the correct mode in Vent, it works flawlessly. Cable came with power cable attached, but isn't necessary so I snipped it off. Could be different for SKX Pro but I bet not. 

     

    The internal sim is real good, but I still like the Vent a little more. When I get a chance to tweak internal sim some more, it may alleviate desire for Vent. 

    • Like 1

    All-in-one keyboard+guitar cases...oddball question

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    My xk1-c fits in a smallish rectangular guitar case nicely. Unfortunately, it is currently in the repair shop along with the case, or I’d tell you the case maker. It’s not a Fender case, but it looks like a case that would fit a telecaster and the previous owner probably removed some guitar shaped filler material to convert it into case for xk1-c. Seems like it’d be easy to find a similar case used someplace. .     

    • Like 1

    Nords, they're everywhere. Should they be?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I've previously owned ne2, ne3, nl2, nl2x w/ inverted keys, ns2c, grand, ns3c, and thought I was finished with them but now have NP5 73. 

     

    Seems like Nord updates DAC between subsequent models, and lightly compresses their samples or the main output somehow, optimizing for loud and live settings. They sound better in mono than Yamahas, Roland and a few others that I've tried. 

     

    But, currently deciding to keep YC88 over NP5 73 probably, for the many extra features and slightly better action. 

     

     

    Do you think it’s important to practice technique on an acoustic piano?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Have you played much on acoustic pianos in the past? It's a good idea to get to know several of them at some point. (their feel and dynamic responsiveness esp.)

     

    The last few years I practice on Kawai VPC1 with various VST's. Occasionally i get to gig or play around on a grand or upright, and it usually seems/feels easier than playing the VPC1. So it translates well. But, maybe that's because I practiced many years on acoustics in the past? 

     

    Pedaling is one thing that doesn't translate well from VPC1 to acoustic pianos though. I'd like to have an acoustic (or more realistic digital pedaling situation) around to work on that. 

    • Like 2

    Anything new from Nord?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, CyberGene said:

    Is the Nord triple pedal unit using optical sensors like in the Yamaha and Kawai digital pianos or is it the same old Fatar potentiometer based pedal that fails after a while?

    It's the exact same (Chinese made?) triple pedal used by Kawai VPC1, but wired differently and much more expensive. A minute ago I tried Yamaha's FC3A with NP5 (while trying the different pedal options, Triple/Closed/Open) and it only does some sort of Sostenuto. On/off sustain pedals work with Nord usually but only triple pedal accesses the "half pedaling" etc. -- "Same old Fatar potentiometer" technology i guess?

    • Sad 1

    Anything new from Nord?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, 16251 said:

    "Nord releasing a single pedal damper would be cool."  It's 2022, right?  <Holding my sarcastic tongue is difficult on this one padawon.>

    heh, yea i guess those have been around about 40 years now. At least make it possible to use the Yamaha FC3A or similar, so I can stop lugging around the triple pedal. 

    • Like 1

    Anything new from Nord?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Here's the only news I've heard about new Nord stuff, posted a year ago by former Sweetwater guy. Seems like legit info. Took me awhile to find in this long video heh:

     

     

    --

    Nord releasing a single pedal damper would be cool. Definitely not using the sostenuto/soft at the rock/country gigs. 

     

    I'd be tempted by a Stage 4 w/ Kawai action, though that wouldn't be any more portable than Nord Grand probably. Would be even more tempted by Stage HA 73/76 or rack unit. 

    Yamaha CP88 and 73 - Deserve their own thread

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    1 hour ago, CyberGene said:

    Here's what I posted on another forum:

     

    no digital piano feels like a real acoustic piano. *

     

    *what I was thinkin'

    But it's been interesting reading about Dave's extensive search for his optimal AP. 

     

    I've been on similar mission lately. Nord NP5 73 has been great in band setting but YC88 seems better for solo or vocal accompanist setting (which may happen a few times in upcoming holiday season) so trying to keep 'em both for now. 

     

    Do You Hanon?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Did a little Hanon & Czerny back in the day, but these days mainly just run scales in the morning (to get limber) and try to do them differently from day to day. Today is a 6th degree apart and up one scale degree, down another, ascending and descending etc. It's taking awhile. 

     

    I don't have patience to practice and memorize classical pieces much lately, but do find that when I am forced to learn something from the written page, that there is a good bit more freedom while improvising at the rock/country/jazz gigs. So trying to work on some Chopin, Bach, Debussy & others a little bit more lately.

     

    I'm only a couple years into studying/playing jazz but when I have a free evening, while watching tv, I'll run some of the alt/dim/drop 2/blues-pentatonic/rhythm changes exercises that i find on various youtube channels and jazz books or work on some of the few standards that i know well enough to play while watching tv. (hi my name is octa, and i'm a tv addict) Jazz theory is a lot more interesting and useful (to me at least) than the classical theory i used to study, but there's a good bit of crossover info.

    2022 NCAA Football

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    had hopes of my SC gamecocks cracking the top #25 this year, but it may be a tough season. Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Clemson upcoming, and all looking very formidable. Beamer 2.0 is keeping morale high though and recruiting like crazy, good coach. 

    Played some Nords recently...(extended commentary)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Nord Piano 5 73 arrived today. As Dave said, "Damn this thread" 😛

     

    It's cool. Not sure if it will replace YC88 yet. Continuing comparisons for awhile. I prefer the Nord piano sounds and effects, and compact size. EP's are a draw, and I just slightly prefer the YC88 action and definitely would miss the organ option for single board gigs. B-3X sans physical drawbars would fill this role I guess. These are just preliminary and subjective findings. 

     

    One disappointment is I received Revision A, which is missing the Voice/Glide button (mono/legato portamento control "adopted from Stage 3") in the Sample Synth section. I didn't know there was a Rev B when ordering. :/ This button would make the synth section more useful and fun, and it doesn't seem like Nord is willing or able to add an ulterior method to access this feature. 

     

    Maybe Nord will release a Stage 3 ex or 4 HA 73 (with drawbars and usb audio) next month, and I'll relinquish both these kbs (and probably some others to raise $7k or whatever heh) 🤞

     

     

    • Like 2
×
×
  • Create New...