Considering an Electro 4 HP

[yamahaahamay]

Hey KB Corner. I'm considering a Nord Electro 4 HP for my next keyboard.

 

Currently I use a Yamaha MO8. When I first got it around 5-6 years ago, I was enthralled with all the workstation features, but as time went on, I found them to be less and less useful. These days, I primarly use it for jazz, funk, and the occasional rock gig. On my jazz and funk gigs, I rarely deviate from rhodes and piano sounds. The organs are OK, but nothing more.

 

I considered the PX-5S and understand its appeal. However, I realized that I would have no use for the hex layer features, or the organs. Also, as I understand it, the Electro still beats the PX-5S on EPs. Also, I am drawn to the smaller keyboard. From what I understand, the PX-5S has a superior action to the E4 HP, but is the Nord's really that bad?

 

One of my final considerations for wanting the E4 HP is rig form factor. I really don't want to gig with more than 2 boards (at least for now) and I want one of those boards to be either a knobby synth (like the Sub37) or a small rompler (like the MX 49/61), depending on the gig. I am tempted to get a separate organ board (like the XK-3c), but I really don't play enough organ to justify it.

 

Thanks for reading my wall of text. If any owners/praise-singers/haters of the E4 HP could chime in, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm 18 if anyone cares about that sort of nonsense.

[Adan]

Timely post for me, because just yesterday I took delivery of a Nord Piano 2 HP, which has the same action as the Electro HP. I know some folks will shake their heads in dismay at this, but I sold my CP4 specifically to get the Nord. I liked the CP4 quite a bit, but I also like the Nord sounds. The action of the CP4 is much better, but for me, the Nord has the right parameters for portability.

 

I find the HP action to be very useable and even enjoyable. It's very crisp, and feels more firm and heavy than the Nord Piano 88. For me it's a very acceptable compromise for the portability of the keyboard.

 

I would not want to play organ on the HP action. Could do it in a pinch, but for me, a weighted action simply will not work for serious organ playing.

 

I'd say it does matter that you're 18, because a keyboard costing more than $2,000 is a big investment for you. Nords tend to hold resale value pretty well, however.

[yamahaahamay]

Thanks for your input. It's interesting that you made the switch from CP4 to E4. I agree with you on the action being unsuitable for organ. If I find myself playing a good amount of organ I would probably augment the E4. Could I bother you to comment on the piano sounds of the Nord vs those of the Yamaha?

[Adan]

There's lots of discussion on this forum comparing piano sounds. If find I can read the opinions of 100 different people and 60% will prefer Yamaha, 40% Nord, but what does that really tell me, especially when there are opinions that directly contradict each other? I can also go into GC with my headphones and play both, but then they will both sound different in a gig environment.

 

The CP4 and the Nord Piano both sound really good to me, so I tend to make these decision based on other factors such as form and function.

[AnotherScott]

I considered the PX-5S and understand its appeal. However, I realized that I would have no use for the hex layer features, or the organs.

Well, you also said that you are "tempted to get a separate organ board (like the XK-3c)" but "really don't play enough organ to justify it" so maybe you'd have more use for the PX-5S organ functions than you think. Not that they are in the same league as a dedicated clonewheel (or the Nord 4HP's!), but you may still find them plenty useful.

 

 

Also, as I understand it, the Electro still beats the PX-5S on EPs.

I would pick the Nord's piano sounds over the Casio's, but the EPs are a tougher call.

 

 

I really don't want to gig with more than 2 boards (at least for now) and I want one of those boards to be either a knobby synth (like the Sub37) or a small rompler (like the MX 49/61)

Here's another possibility than... a MOXF8 would give you all the MX sounds, and if you weren't totally content with the piano/EP sounds in it, a flash card lets you supplement them.... but then you can add the Sub 37 above that, and maybe that would give you more of what you want than any other 2-board combination. Though still not perfect, because of the lack of a clonewheel function. It really is not easy to get *everything* in two boards. One way to try to get more mileage out of just two boards is to supplement with a laptop or iPad... so for example, you could add the clonewheel function using Galileo on an iPad or VB3 or a laptop. Which sounds/controls you want "in the board" vs. externally is a whole other topic. But what I wanted to add here is that it is very easy to integrate external sounds into your presets if your main board is a MOXF8 or a PX5S... but not if your board is the Electro (nor do the Sub 37 or MX make very flexible MIDI controllers in this regard).

[Joe Muscara]

I considered the PX-5S and understand its appeal. However, I realized that I would have no use for the hex layer features, or the organs. Also, as I understand it, the Electro still beats the PX-5S on EPs. Also, I am drawn to the smaller keyboard. From what I understand, the PX-5S has a superior action to the E4 HP, but is the Nord's really that bad?

The EPs will be a matter of taste. The Electro has updatable samples, but the PX-5S has extensive programming. You may find something great for you in either one. A lot of us love the PX-5S and the sounds. There are some really great EPs available for it. The sad part is, you may not find the sound you want if you try either in a store. Some of the PX-5S' best sounds are still only available as a download. Who knows what's in the Electro you find on the floor.

 

The action will also be a matter of personal taste. I think the PX-5S action is closer to "realistic" as a piano action. I find myself playing the board and the action is the last thing I'm thinking about, because it's just that good in that sort of way.

 

One more thing, you say you don't have any use for the hex layers, but you might want a synth. I know the PX-5S isn't "knobby" but there's some fun real-time control there.

 

[video:youtube]

[AnotherScott]

Joe makes a good point about the PX5S providing some semblance of knobby synth function, too, in addition to the organ function I mentioned. Nope, not a Sub 37, just as its organ functions aren't an XK3C, but until you get that Sub 37, you'll have some synth function there (no mono mode, though). But also, the sliders/knobs on the PX5S can also be used to control the synth functions of, for example, an iPad-based soft synth (or organ functions on a software organ).

[Bif_]

If find I can read the opinions of 100 different people and 60% will prefer Yamaha, 40% Nord, but what does that really tell me, ....

 

And about 0.5% of the audience knows, notices or cares.

 

 

[JeffLearman]

... maybe you'd have more use for the PX-5S organ functions than you think. Not that they are in the same league as a dedicated clonewheel (or the Nord 4HP's!), but you may still find them plenty useful.

I agree. I loathe most ROMpler organs, especially ones where they sampled notes with percussion, so percussion retriggers on each keypress. The biggest sin of ROMpler organs is how few of them sampled the one registration most of use most often: 88800000 (with and without C3 scanner). The Casio is the only ROMpler organ I've ever played that I'd actually consider using for rehearsals or cases where I'm not bringing a second tier.

 

On the other hand, I'd love to have an Electro HP, for rehearsals, short gigs, and jams, cases where I only want one tier. I've played organ on piano keys before and while it's not great, it's way better (for me) than playing piano on anything but hammer action keys.

 

The main reason I personally wouldn't get an Electro HP is that I use an Electro as my second (top) tier anyway, and I wouldn't want another Electro below it. Too much overlap in sounds & features. That, and my budget doesn't allow an extra board just for rehearsals, short gigs, etc. As it is, I use my NE2 for rehearsals and live with the sucky piano, and always have two tiers otherwise.

 

For someone who's more likely to put a knobby synth above it, the Electro HP makes great sense. It's an excellent board for single-tier use, if you can compromise on action for organ, and don't need splits, layers, or zones. I'm hoping that someday they drop in price enough that I can snag one! Maybe in 10 years.

[AnotherScott]

I've played organ on piano keys before and while it's not great, it's way better (for me) than playing piano on anything but hammer action keys.

For me, it really varies with the action. I mostly hate playing piano on non-hammer action keys, but the Numa Compact and Roland VR700 are pretty playable, if you keep your expectations in check. Similarly, I mostly hate playing organ on a weighted action, but Kawai MP7 and the TP40 (Nord Stage, Kurzweil 88s) aren't bad, again, within certain limits.

[Kawai James]

yamahaahamay, will you be needing organs?

 

If not, the Nord Piano 2 is arguably the better choice, due to the (admittedly limited) dual/split functionality.

 

If so, the NE4HP ticks every box, although it's unfortunately mono-timbral.

 

Cheers,

James

x

[Tobias Åslund]

Yes it is very important to know that the Electro, unlike most other keyboards in the price range, is mono-timbral. This means:

 

* you can't layer sounds, ie piano + strings

* you can't split the keyboard to play for example piano and a bass sound

* you can't play organ and piano at the same time, even with an external midi keyboard connected.

 

Also important to know - although there are tons of sampled vintage synthesizer sounds available for free in the Nord sample library, the Electro does not support pitch bend and mod wheel via midi.

 

If you can live with these limitations and need the organ sound, then get the Electro.

If you need split and layering capability, but can live without the organ section, then the Nord Piano 2 should be a much better choice.

However - it needs to be said that the Nord Piano 2 can only layer or split one sound from the piano section with a sound from the Sample library. You can't layer/split a piano with another piano or a synth with a synth another synth. Only the Stage 2 can do these things.

 

My recommendation in any case is to keep the Yamaha and get a Electro or Piano 2 as a compliment to the Yamaha, if you have the $$$... or even better - trade the MO8 for a 61 key MOX6 and get a Nord too... then you'll save weight as well, but have a really nice 2 keyboard rig... but it will cost you of course...

[The Piano Man]

I actually sold my Nord Stage 2 (88) about two weeks after buying a Casio PX5s. As primarily a pianist, I actually think the Casio has the more realistic action and the piano sounds, though not as realistic or rich in variety as the Nord, actually cut through the mix brilliantly. Finally, the unbelievable weight of the Casio makes it so giggable. And of course, it costs about a quarter of the price of a Stage 2.

[Matthiola]

E4HP is a bit more fun to play: more interesting effects like pedal wah and ring mod, also you can route the epiano's through the leslie sim! For pure piano the NP2 is a better choice though: more sophisticated string resonance, dynamic pedal noise, triple pedal included (half-pedalling), larger flash memory for piano's.

[yamahaahamay]

Well, I bought one. I'm pretty sure I want to complement it with an On-Stage KS7150 and a Yamaha FC7. I'm still looking for a hard case, however. Any suggestions?

[Adan]

The Nord 73 note keyboards will fit in most cases designed for 61-note boards. I'll probably be using my SKB 61-note hard case for my NP2HP. First gig with it is next week.

[ITGITC]

The Nord 73 note keyboards will fit in most cases designed for 61-note boards. I'll probably be using my SKB 61-note hard case for my NP2HP. First gig with it is next week.

 

Have you tried it, Adan?

 

My (older model) ATA 61 Note Keyboard Case was a really tight fit for my NE3HP.

 

Nord Electro 3 HP & 4 HP: 42.4", 4.8", 13.5"

 

Nord Piano 2 HP: 42", 4.7", 12"

 

SKB ATA 61 Note Keyboard Case: 42.75", 5.0", 15.0"

 

So I bought the 61 Note Keyboard Soft Case - with wood framed walls : 44.00", 5.75", 16.50"

 

Fits like a glove.

 

 

[JeffLearman]

So I bought the 61 Note Keyboard Soft Case - with wood framed walls : 44.00", 5.75", 16.50"

 

Fits like a glove.

 

This type of case is great for those of us who move our own gear. It's light but sturdy. I wouldn't use it for flights or the band van. I got a case like this for my 55-lb MR76 back in 1997 and am still using it regularly. It now holds a CP4. Over the years I've restitched the straps and replaced the buckles.

 

I didn't realize SKB made these too. Glad to hear it! I wouldn't need wheels on a 61, but the skids are nice.

[Adan]

Oops, I was mistaken. My 61-note ata case is made by Gator, not SKB. And the Nord HP fits with almost 2 inches to spare on the sides.