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Quick review from Netherland: https://youtu.be/ry-IiXShe1E
Kawai VPC1 | Arturia Minilab Mk2 Pianoteq 6 Pro | Synthogy Ivory II | Arturia Analog Lab Lite | Korg Collection Roland Quad Capture | Neumann KH120 | Grado SR225i cornet Olds Ambassador, Hohner harmonicas and melodicas
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Another presentation of White grand sample: https://youtu.be/5isWTlbtEG0
Last edited by RichieBill; 06/23/19 06:35 PM.
Kawai VPC1 | Arturia Minilab Mk2 Pianoteq 6 Pro | Synthogy Ivory II | Arturia Analog Lab Lite | Korg Collection Roland Quad Capture | Neumann KH120 | Grado SR225i cornet Olds Ambassador, Hohner harmonicas and melodicas
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Nord Grand $3499 Kawai MP7SE $1799
Apparently they have the same action, but different samples, models, and user interface.
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Two times more expensive isn’t that bad taking in mind how many excellent piano samples there are for Nord and all the other samples.
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Nord Grand $3499 Kawai MP7SE $1799
Apparently they have the same action, but different samples, models, and user interface. They have a similar (bit not identical) action, and nothing else in common other than being digital pianos. Probably the best way to look at it is that it's a $3k Nord Piano 4 that you pay $500 more for to get a version of the MP7SE action and upgraded aesthetics/ergonomics.
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Probably the best way to look at it is that it's a $3k Nord Piano 4 that you pay $500 more for to get a version of the MP7SE action and upgraded aesthetics/ergonomics.
And double the (piano) sample memory.
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I like Nord keyboards. The pianos that ship with the two keyboards in question probably would not be the deciding factor for me. I would value that Nord keyboards can update the piano samples easily when new samples are released. I’m not sure how well that is supported in the Kawai. The Nord EPs May be better than Kawai’s. But polyphony of the synthesizer sounds (46 notes) in the Nord may be too low to support layering of sounds without being susceptible to note stealing. And the absence of harpsichord sounds in the Nord would be a showstopper for me personally even if the prices were the same, although I understand that would not matter to many others.
You could buy a Roland Integra-7 midi module with the cost difference and still have cash left over.
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There are multiple harpsichords in the Nord library. You are covered.
Pramberger PS-157, Roland RD800, Nord Stage 2EX 76HP
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But polyphony of the synthesizer sounds (46 notes) in the Nord may be too low to support layering of sounds without being susceptible to note stealing. May I ask if you are speaking from experience having played a Nord instrument? The number may seem low (compared to other manufacturer's boards), however I do not recall ever reading a post from Nord customers complaining of note stealing. Kind regards, James x
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I call for a ten-year mandatory sentence for anyone caught stealing notes; be it Nord, Yamaha, or Kawai, note-stealing is not what our founding fathers -Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven- envisioned for us. Say no to note-stealing!
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I like Nord keyboards. The pianos that ship with the two keyboards in question probably would not be the deciding factor for me. I would value that Nord keyboards can update the piano samples easily when new samples are released. I’m not sure how well that is supported in the Kawai. Kawai samples are fixed at birth. The Nord EPs May be better than Kawai’s. I haven't heard the recent Nord updates, but at least up until then, I actually preferred Kawai's EPs. IBut polyphony of the synthesizer sounds (46 notes) in the Nord may be too low to support layering of sounds without being susceptible to note stealing. The Nord doesn't let you layer two synth sounds, so problem solved. ;-) (And when you layer a piano sound with a synth sound, the polyphony of one does not affect the polyphony of the other.)
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But polyphony of the synthesizer sounds (46 notes) in the Nord may be too low to support layering of sounds without being susceptible to note stealing. May I ask if you are speaking from experience having played a Nord instrument? The number may seem low (compared to other manufacturer's boards), however I do not recall ever reading a post from Nord customers complaining of note stealing. Kind regards, James x I own a Nord C2, but there are no practical limitations with polyphony with this keyboard. Polyphony often can be an issue with virtual analog synthesizers. The Nord Lead 1 and 2x had 20 voices, bumped up to 26 in the Lead A1, which is the VA synth engine incorporated in the Nord Stage. But each voice can be 4-tone multi-timbral, so I think it would be like having 4x26 = 104-voice polyphony as you only need large amounts of polyphony to layer tones. If I understand the specs of the Nord Grand correctly, the Nord Grand has sampled synthesizers instead of modeled VA ones, with 46 voices of polyphony. So, what players have experienced with other Nord keyboards is not representative of the Nord Grand. As far as the Nord harpsichord sound goes— how does one go about trying it out before buying a keyboard? Thrown into the sample library without including it in a keyboard is not suggestive of a top-tier sample, but maybe it is quite good. Most Nord sounds are.
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The Nord doesn't let you layer two synth sounds, so problem solved. ;-)
Or problem created (no layering).
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As far as the Nord harpsichord sound goes— how does one go about trying it out before buying a keyboard? Thrown into the sample library without including it in a keyboard is not suggestive of a top-tier sample, but maybe it is quite good. Most Nord sounds are.
You can preview what any of the samples (including harpsichord) sound like by going to the appropriate sound library on the nord site. Nord sample library 2: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries/nord-sample-library-20 - or - Nord sample library 3: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries/nord-sample-library-30Click on Piano to get to harpsichords. From there you can hit the play button next to the sample you're interested in before you download it.
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That’s not the same as playing it. But anyway, I was not wanting to debate the relative merits of the MP7SE and Nord Grand. It is a steep price difference that will not be worth it to some, but may be to others, given they will have virtually the same action.
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That’s not the same as playing it. But anyway, I was not wanting to debate the relative merits of the MP7SE and Nord Grand. It is a steep price difference that will not be worth it to some, but may be to others, given they will have virtually the same action. It remains to be seen how "same" the action actually feels in practice, between the modifications made for this version of the action, and how the actions are mated to the sounds in terms of velocity curve and such. But sure, if someone says, wow I love the Kawai RHIII, what's the cheapest board where I can get something like that, it's not going to be the Nord. You buy the Nord for reasons other than wanting that kind of action. I don't think there are very many people who choose their keyboards this way you describe. I mean, your line "It is a steep price difference that will not be worth it to some, but may be to others, given they will have virtually the same action" could just as easily be applied to choosing between a Korg D1 and a Korg Kronos 88, among other similar comparisons. The question isn't how the Nord Grand compares to the Kawai, but rather how it compares to the Nord Piano. The Nord Grand is largely for the Nord Piano customer who thinks, "this is the board I want, I just wish it felt more like a Kawai."
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It's a matter of time before it hits stores and hands-on reviews start pouring in. From what i see on Instagram tags, it looks like most stores should have it by the end of July. I also read that there's a lot of pre orders for it.
Last edited by RobR; 06/27/19 09:22 AM.
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But sure, if someone says, wow I love the Kawai RHIII, what's the cheapest board where I can get something like that, it's not going to be the Nord. You buy the Nord for reasons other than wanting that kind of action. I don't think there are very many people who choose their keyboards this way you describe.
No, but they may also take into account that the kawai sounds are also very good.
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Piano Man Chuck presents and comparing Nord grand vs Nord piano 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU1soh9bgDM
Kawai VPC1 | Arturia Minilab Mk2 Pianoteq 6 Pro | Synthogy Ivory II | Arturia Analog Lab Lite | Korg Collection Roland Quad Capture | Neumann KH120 | Grado SR225i cornet Olds Ambassador, Hohner harmonicas and melodicas
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Thanks for sharing that, Richie. I bet that Nord will be selling many of these pianos unless there is an issue with them.
The RHIII has probably not been modified that much so we know that is burnt in nicely. Only one new button has been added to the system and this button just affords the user from reaching too far and hitting a button by mistake (lockdown). Two Gig of memory affords us the ability to load eight XL piano samples into memory for instant recall. Did I say that you do not need to dig into a menu to find something? Plug it in, put the manual in a cabinet and forget about it.
Yes, the price is high but I do think that it bridges a gap between the MP11SE and the other much larger consoles. This board will be great for professional performers and now too for stay at home pianists.
No more wasting time tweaking the EQ to get it just right via a menu. Reverb, check. No metronome and drum tracks? Plug your iPad/Android into the audio input and blow away anything the other boards have to offer (within reason).
After tweaking my MP11 for many years now I have grown tired of how the interface works and digging through "pages" of menu options. Like Chuck says: Tired of playing a Steinway? Play a Kawai.
It would be great if they offered a much larger updateable memory board for more samples, but it appears that Rome was not built in a day and this is how they all make their money.
That's just my 5 grams (two pennies minted after 1981).
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Nord Grand, Kawai MP11 (v1), iMac 2017, Yamaha HS8's, Sennheiser 650, Focusrite 2i4, Pianoteq 6.4.0, Steinway Model A, Mason and Hamlin Model AA, Piano Marvel: 3C
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