Jazz+ Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm wondering which piano from the Nord Piano Library you are finding works best for live combo settings? Dave Ferris? http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Sound%20Libraries&cllibr=Nord_Piano_Library_v5&clplib=Grand_Piano 1) Bright Grand2) Grand Imperial3) Grand Lady D (Steinway)4) Studio Grand 1 (C7 Conservatory Grand)5) Studio Grand 2 (C7 Conservatory Grand)6) Concert Grand Close (Steinway Model D)7) Concert Grand Ambient (Steinway Model D) Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 The only two that work for me are the two newer ones-the Bosie and Yamaha Bright Grand. Don't even waste your time with the others.. The Grand Lady D and Studio Grand 2 record well but thin out live. I use the XL samples on both. The large sample might work well but haven't really tried it. The Yamaha Br. Grand is the one to use for trio, quartet stuff. It might sound too bright by itself but in the group I find it perfect...or as good as a DP can get .. The Bosie works good for solo piano or in a duo situation with AC. Bass. Oh yeah, it sounds good for ballads too. It's more boxy and muffled sounding then the BR. Grand. Good speakers are imperative. Stereo is less critical, at least with the Nord Piano. Things will still sound better in stereo in rooms with good acoustics.. I ran mono last night because the room had too many weird reflections. Your SXA360s should sound good with the Nord Piano samples I'd think. Are you thinking of the E3HP ? That's pretty cool but I'd try and find the NP 1 on a closeout somewhere. I think you'd be happier with that then the E3HP. For what it is-overall sound quality, sitting well in the mix/group, lightweight, small footprint and build quality-I don't think the NP can be beat at this point in time. The down side is that they aren't cheap... https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzjazz Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I use either the Bright Grand or the Grand Lady, depending on the room.I prefer the Bright Grand, but sometimes it's just too bright and 'upfront' for want of a better term. Darren www.dazzjazz.com PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. BMus (Hons) Jazz Piano. my YouTube is Jazz Organ Bites 1961 A100.Leslie 45 & 122. MAG P-2 Organ. Kawai K300J. Yamaha CP4. Moog Matriarch. KIWI-8P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm getting a little confused by the names, so I numbered them. Which numbers are the two Dave is talking about? Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzjazz Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 1 and 2. www.dazzjazz.com PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. BMus (Hons) Jazz Piano. my YouTube is Jazz Organ Bites 1961 A100.Leslie 45 & 122. MAG P-2 Organ. Kawai K300J. Yamaha CP4. Moog Matriarch. KIWI-8P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Thanks! Which Rhodes EP do you favor for live jazz trio work? 1) EPiano 1 Mk1, Low Deep2) EPiano 2 Mk1 Suitcase, Close Ideal3) EPIano 3 MkII, Shallow Case4) EPiano 4 MkV, Ideal Close5) EP5 Bright Tines Suitcase6) EP6 Sparkletop Vintage '67 Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzjazz Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Number 2 on your list - reminds me of Herbie. www.dazzjazz.com PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. BMus (Hons) Jazz Piano. my YouTube is Jazz Organ Bites 1961 A100.Leslie 45 & 122. MAG P-2 Organ. Kawai K300J. Yamaha CP4. Moog Matriarch. KIWI-8P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 5 & 6, although in a room with really good acoustics, with a good drummer who's not bashing, and a bass player that doesn't play too loud- #1 can sound very cool. It has to be the right situation for #1 to work. #6 is the largest sample so consequently sounds consistently the best to my ears. When I was using the high end API 3124 mb+ pre amp, #6 was turning heads in the band. https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Isn't #5 the largest EP? How are the Nord "Vibes"? They sound very good in their demo. I find myself playing my FP-4 vibes on a lot of straight ahead jazz. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 No #6 is. The sparkletop, that's the newest one. No vibes on NP1. You'd have to go with the NP2, E3HP or Stage. Don't use vibes but from a cursory gloss-over in the store with the stage they sound good I guess. The CP5 has good ones. Wanna buy a CP5 ? https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I started out with #1 and #5 (Bright Grand and Studio 2), but listening to my recordings, I switched to Grand Lady D (#3) and I've stuck to that recently (the last month). It has a thicker middle range. Now I'm not doing the thick harmonies that Dave Ferris does. I'm playing most mid to upper registers. I really love the sound of the NP. It just makes me feel connected to what I play. Even in each sample, the EQ adjustments are very flexible so it's not as simplistic as picking the sample. I have different tweaks for each preferred sample. Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 According to the specs on Nord's website, Bright Tines (14.8 MB) is bigger than the Sparkletop (12.2 MB). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Jazz+, I'm curious. Are Nord Stage2 / Nord Piano keys light enough for you? Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I stand corrected on the EP sample size. When I was last in the Nord Sound Manager, I was trying to do the arithmetic and squeeze whatever I could into the memory. I think I just assumed the Sparkletop was larger since it was newer and probably just inverted the sample size between the two (sparkletop & br. tines )in my mind In any case, your #'s 5&6 , Bright Tines & Sparkletop, still sound the most reliable to me in whatever volume or room acoustic scenario I find myself. JW has a point there about the action. I wouldn't classify it as light. I think I mentioned before in another thread, it's definitely heavier then both my CP5 and my Steinway. I moaned about the action in the beginning but I think with the newer samples, the two work well together. Could also be I'm getting more used to it OR just accepting it for what it is. Funny how that light weight and good sound can trump action concerns as you get older.. https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 . https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I spotted a Stage 2 88, so for reference I thought it would be a good idea to A/B with the Korg. I came across the Yamaha Studio Grand 2 sample that ships stock with the NS2. ... As soon I returned home, I dragged my NP into the office where the computer is, hooked up the Nord Sound Manager Any thoughts about the action of the NS2 vs the NP? Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 . https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Dave, when you say there's thinness in the upper registers, frankly that's not true of Grand Lady D and Studio Grand 2, two of my faves. Those have thick upper registers and thus I prefer them. You on other hand focused on Bright Grand, and Bosie XL, both a little thinner at the top. That seems to work with dense chords better but not really working for me with single lines. I'm going to add Bosie to my next gig but I'm adjusting the middle EQ heavily to thicken the top. And then I'll use it when I'm playing denser stuff. BTW - I'm so used to the Nord action now that I don't find any limitations with it. At the beginning, my hands felt strained after playing and I didn't understand why. But not anymore. I'm just loving my NP88. Can't justify an NP2 at the moment. Maybe my next step will be in the NS2 direction (someday). Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 . https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 What kind of gig is that Dave? Guitar duo? Fortunately, I can claim no skill with LH bass so I could never do a gig like that. LOL And the bass sound cannot be a piano? Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 . https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzwee Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 It speaks of the problem of getting enough bucks for the gig if the leader is cutting out the bass player. Good thing pianists are handy with multiple skills. That's a new thing to find out about you, the LHB guy On the other hand, if I were cutting costs, I'd probably do bass+piano and cut out the drums instead. I would have thought this would have sounded fuller. Hamburg Steinway O, Crumar Mojo, Nord Electro 4 HP 73, EV ZXA1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzonebyone Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I've been going back and forth between the Bright Grand and the Grand Lady D. I think the BG has the most consistent clarity of tone up & down the keyboard, but I have to use an external equalizer to tame the brightness a little.I also use my Macbook Air with the NP1. This allows me to adjust the velocity curve, add a layer if desired, and even split the keyboard for LHB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Ferris Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 . https://soundcloud.com/dave-ferris https://www.youtube.com/@daveferris2709 2005 NY Steinway D Yamaha AvantGrand N3X, CP88, P515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I also use my Macbook Air with the NP1. This allows me to adjust the velocity curve, add a layer if desired, and even split the keyboard for LHB. I'm curious how you set up your NP1 for splits with the macbook! Do you mean you just add an external bass sound on top of the piano/ep sound you're using in the lower octaves? aL Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I also use my Macbook Air with the NP1. This allows me to adjust the velocity curve, add a layer if desired, and even split the keyboard for LHB. I'm curious how you set up your NP1 for splits with the macbook! Do you mean you just add an external bass sound on top of the piano/ep sound you're using in the lower octaves? It sounds like he's setting the NP for Local Off, going into the Macbook to process velocity, MIDI channel re-reouting for split, assigning a software layer and/or bass sound if desired, and then going back out to the NP. With Mainstage perhaps? I haven't used MS yet and am not sure about everything it does... Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Grand Lady D "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Ah! That's an interesting way of doing things. I also use my Macbook Air with the NP1. This allows me to adjust the velocity curve, add a layer if desired, and even split the keyboard for LHB. I'm curious how you set up your NP1 for splits with the macbook! Do you mean you just add an external bass sound on top of the piano/ep sound you're using in the lower octaves? It sounds like he's setting the NP for Local Off, going into the Macbook to process velocity, MIDI channel re-reouting for split, assigning a software layer and/or bass sound if desired, and then going back out to the NP. With Mainstage perhaps? I haven't used MS yet and am not sure about everything it does... Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzonebyone Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I use Midipipe (a $10-or-so donationware app) to intercept the midi from the NP1, process it (change velocity and/or filter out the lower notes), and send it back to the Nord. Yes, I select "Local Off", so the NP1 plays only the processed midi.For bass, you can use one of the software instruments in Mainstage. If you don't have Mainstage I guess you could use a Garageband bass, though I haven't tried.It seems complex, but once you set it up it works every time (almost).Some familiarity with Applescript is necessary. I can post an example script if anyone is interested.Mainstage can split the midi from whatever keyboard you are using to software piano & software bass - with a moving tracking split - but it can't send midi back to control the NP in the way that Midipipe can (at least I don't know how). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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