Grand XL as its opening choice . I am thoroughly impressed and satisfied with the quality of the piano samples Nord has to offer .
FEEL This is where this Nord keyboards win big … their weighted keys . It feels like a real piano . Do note that there are two types of real piano feels , a grand piano which is a bit heavier because of the gravity of the hammer action , and an upright piano which is still weighted but a bit lighter . What I ’ ve noticed is that Nord ’ s weighted keys feel like an upright . The benefit to that is that it ’ s a perfect balance for when you ’ re playing lead stuff , all the way to simple chording . And believe me , it ’ s not a semi-weighted inexpensive feeling keyboard .
SAMPLE SYNTHS The Nord Piano 5 has 205 sample instruments which are 3 Accordion / Harmonica ’ s , 11 Bass ’, 5 Ensemble Brass ’, 12 Solo Brass ’, 9 Choirs , 17 Guitar / Plucked Instruments , 2 Mellotrons , 6 Organs ( No electric organs ), 15 Percussion Tuned ( Bells ), 2 Analog Strings , 11 Ensemble Strings , 2 Solo Strings , 26 Bass Synths , 30 Classic Synths , 27 Lead Synths , 20 Pad Synths , and 7 Solo Winds . You have the ability to change your attack , decay , and release , adjust your dynamics , adjust the tone , give it a vibrato , and you can even use the unison feature which creatively blends several sample voices for rich , ensemble-like sounds . Splitting the range is a capability , and you also get two separate sample synth layers with individual controls for each layer .
EFFECTS The Nord Piano 5 comes with its standard two modulation controls , an amplifier / compressor , an equalizer , delay , and reverb . The Equalizer and Delay effects can be applied to all 4 layers ( 2xPiano , 2xSample Synth ) simultaneously !
OVERVIEW For me , I am very satisfied with my new investment ( yes , I did buy it ). But you may be looking for a keyboard to use for a different purpose than I am . What I can tell you with my experience of the Nord Stage 3 is that there are its differences , but that also shows in the price .
To be fully honest if you are looking for a keyboard for church use , you can use the Piano 5 for a great selection of amazing pianos and connect a laptop for your sample synths that are song specific . Yes , you can connect a laptop with the Stage 3 , but for a better price I would suggest the Nord Piano 5 . The patches are pretty much universal on all Nord devices , so your extra investment in the Stage 3 is in the extra sample synth controls , and the solely dedicated organ engine . So , if that ’ s worth it for you , then go for the Stage 3 . For church , I play with a piano , pad / strings , and an organ patch at the same time , so my job can be a bit complicated trying to balance the 3-4 instruments in my playing , but it helps create dynamics for what I ’ m looking for , and it fills in when you don ’ t have a secondary keyboard , and it can make it sound fuller if you do not play with tracks .
My main takeaway with the Nord Piano 5 is that it is totally different in your hands versus watching someone use it through a video . I love how easy the whole unit is to use and navigate ,
and the way the layer controls are designed . If you are looking for a Nord that is more cost effective , the Piano 5 is definitely the way to go versus the Stage 3 . I have to remind myself of the 10 / 90 rule when it comes to buying things , you typically use 10 % of something 90 % of the time , and 90 % of it 10 % of the time . So , if I ’ m gonna use 90 % of something 10 % of the time , I ’ d rather save myself some money if I can . Be sure to look further into the Nord Piano 5 , it hasn ’ t let me down , and I bet it won ’ t let you down either .
Additional pianos , samples and other content can be downloaded to the instrument using the Nord Sound Manager . Pianos and samples are all free to download and use for Nord users .
The Nord Piano 5 88-Key Stage Piano weighs in at 40 lbs . and comes in that beautiful red color we all expect from Nord !
Price : $ 3,499.00 www . NordKeyboards . com
Chase Cummins Chase is the band director at Experiencechurch . tv in Puyallup , WA and is starting his first year at Rhema Bible Training Center . He has been playing with his church for years and is very well versed in music / media production .