New Nord demos

[zahush76]

Nord has put some new demos over at the sample library section, of about every sample library:

 

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Home

[Sam Mullins]

Thanks! As a recent purchaser of an Electro 3, this will be helpful in figuring out what sounds to swap in.

 

Now if they would just let you audition the sounds in the Sound Manager....

[zxcvbnm098]

As much as I love my E2, this functionality makes me yearn for an E3 in a big way.

 

Speaking of the E3, and based on past Nord product updates, any idea when we would likely see an updated Electro? I can't remember the time between the E2 and E3 release.......

[eric]

I'd say give it about 3-4 more years before the Electro 4 comes out, if they can think of more to do with it. There was about 6 or 7 years between E2 and E3, if memory serves me correctly.

[Mogut]

Or you can wait until the electro 27 comes out.

 

You guys really think nord will continue releasing the electro? Interesting...

[AnotherScott]

The improved Electro is the forthcoming Stage 2 (now that, unlike the previous Stage, the 2 will actually include all the Electro 3's capabilities). Feel free to call the Stage 2 an Electro 4. ;-)

[Sam Mullins]

The improved Electro is the forthcoming Stage 2 (now that, unlike the previous Stage, the 2 will actually include all the Electro 3's capabilities). Feel free to call the Stage 2 an Electro 4. ;-)

 

I might agree except for the non-trivial price difference (likely at least $1000 US). In my mind, that means it isn't a replacement.

[AnotherScott]

The improved Electro is the forthcoming Stage 2 (now that, unlike the previous Stage, the 2 will actually include all the Electro 3's capabilities). Feel free to call the Stage 2 an Electro 4. ;-)

 

I might agree except for the non-trivial price difference (likely at least $1000 US). In my mind, that means it isn't a replacement.

 

True, not a replacement. But OTOH, I'm not sure what significant features could be added to an E3 that wouldn't raise the price of that as well, and I don't think I'd want the E3 to be any more expensive than it is. Maybe there could be an additional "in between" model, though.

 

If I was going to invent one, I'd create an E3 "plus" that had a 73-key weighted C-to-C action, and was bitimbral so you could trigger an organ sound and a piano/sample sound simultaneously (via split, layer, or a second MIDI keyboard).

 

I actually find Nord's weighted keyboards quite usable for organ (unlike most weighted boards), but I don't find their "semi-weighted" boards sufficiently usable for piano. The action and the monotimbral orientation are what I see as the biggest shortcomings of the E3. If they could come out with my "plus" version at, say, a $500 premium over the current 73, I think that would be cool... but again, to supplement rather than replace the current models.

[CrimsonianKing]

Wow, i haven't checked their website in a while, lots of sounds to play with! makes me wanna sell my NE2 and get a NE3 even more.

[zahush76]

And here's the full nord stage 2 brochure:

 

NS2 brochure

[Sam Mullins]

The improved Electro is the forthcoming Stage 2 (now that, unlike the previous Stage, the 2 will actually include all the Electro 3's capabilities). Feel free to call the Stage 2 an Electro 4. ;-)

 

I might agree except for the non-trivial price difference (likely at least $1000 US). In my mind, that means it isn't a replacement.

 

True, not a replacement. But OTOH, I'm not sure what significant features could be added to an E3 that wouldn't raise the price of that as well, and I don't think I'd want the E3 to be any more expensive than it is.

 

Agreed. Assuming it will be a couple years before an E4 came out then here is my analysis:

 

- signficantly more sample memory should be doable without increasing price (Moore's law)

- bi-timbral (organ and piano/sample) would require more CPU and perhaps some re-architecture (although perhaps borrowed from stage) - marginal cost

- more buttons for program banks - some cost

- better controller capabilities (mod wheel, pitch stick, pressure senstivity) - significant cost

- synth...non-starter since it would then be too close to stage and would be significant cost

 

 

 

 

[zxcvbnm098]

And a low "E" and drawbars.....

 

I know, I know...........

[AnotherScott]

Assuming it will be a couple years before an E4 came out then here is my analysis:

 

- signficantly more sample memory should be doable without increasing price (Moore's law)

- bi-timbral (organ and piano/sample) would require more CPU and perhaps some re-architecture (although perhaps borrowed from stage) - marginal cost

- more buttons for program banks - some cost

- better controller capabilities (mod wheel, pitch stick, pressure senstivity) - significant cost

- synth...non-starter since it would then be too close to stage and would be significant cost

 

Basically, you want a Stage, you just want it to be the price of the Electro in a couple of years. :-)

 

I can't see their adding mod wheel, pitch stick, or pressure sensitivity to the Electro series. It really is an organ+piano piece, plus sample playback. Organ and piano sounds are not generally used with any of those controllers, nor are many (probably most) of the downloadable samples, though they do give you some synth sounds there you can "use in a pinch." If you want synth-style expressiveness, that's what they make their synth boards for, and I imagine they want to keep that distinction, both for product positioning purposes, and so as not to make the Electro pricier by putting in things that are barely relevant to it.

[Josh Paxton]

- more buttons for program banks - some cost

 

And yet doable in the original and E2.

[Sam Mullins]

Basically, you want a Stage, you just want it to be the price of the Electro in a couple of years. :-)

 

I can't see their adding mod wheel, pitch stick, or pressure sensitivity to the Electro series. It really is an organ+piano piece, plus sample playback. Organ and piano sounds are not generally used with any of those controllers, nor are many (probably most) of the downloadable samples, though they do give you some synth sounds there you can "use in a pinch." If you want synth-style expressiveness, that's what they make their synth boards for, and I imagine they want to keep that distinction, both for product positioning purposes, and so as not to make the Electro pricier by putting in things that are barely relevant to it.

 

Yeah, that would be great if they made the Stage the price of the Electro :-) (Although I would be happy if they just did everything but the synth.)

 

I think we are in agreement. With the exception of the increased sample memory and some minor tweaks, I think the other things either add too much cost or veer into the territory of the Stage which isn't in their interest.

 

Of course, we don't know what they will have to do for competitive reasons. Some scaled down version of the Kronos (or a competitor) may push them in this niche.

 

Good time to be a keyboard player.....back to music.

[zahush76]

Konichiwa:

 

[video:youtube]

[Jon May]

Wow, i haven't checked their website in a while, lots of sounds to play with! makes me wanna sell my NE2 and get a NE3 even more.

 

That's their evil plan!!