Nord Piano - any users on here?
Discussion
After my earlier post about buying a Kronos, I’ve been trying a number of keyboards over the last couple of weeks and have come to the conclusion that the keybed on the Kronos feels a little too spongy for my liking. As I’m going to be going back to learning the piano I want something a little more realistic to an acoustic piano in feel.
Yesterday I tried my first ever Nord, the Piano 4, and was blown away not just by the glorious sounds, piano and others, but the keybed is just sublime to my fingers.
Just wondered if anyone has been playing Nord and what they think?
At the end of the day I’m sold and will pick one up next week but am keen to hear of ownership experiences and any reason not to go that way.
Yesterday I tried my first ever Nord, the Piano 4, and was blown away not just by the glorious sounds, piano and others, but the keybed is just sublime to my fingers.
Just wondered if anyone has been playing Nord and what they think?
At the end of the day I’m sold and will pick one up next week but am keen to hear of ownership experiences and any reason not to go that way.
Can't directly speak to the key quality of the Piano, but I got a Nord Stage 3 a couple of weeks ago and am now wishing I'd found it before going through a long series of keyboards that didn't work out (Triton Pro, DS-88, Kronos, FA-08, Montage).
I don't know if Nord holds something back specially for the Piano models (in terms of sample quality), but the pianos on the Stage 3 are gorgeous, and so easy to tweak. However, I'm less fussy about piano keybed quality, as I'm not properly trained, and the waterfall keys of the 'Compact' model I bought are perfect for synth and not tested by my level of piano skills.
Got to be worth popping along to a shop that has a decent display of alternatives and spending an hour or so. Maybe somewhere like Bonners?
FWIW, there's one other brand that almost every thread about piano key quality eventually mentions: Kawai.
I don't know if Nord holds something back specially for the Piano models (in terms of sample quality), but the pianos on the Stage 3 are gorgeous, and so easy to tweak. However, I'm less fussy about piano keybed quality, as I'm not properly trained, and the waterfall keys of the 'Compact' model I bought are perfect for synth and not tested by my level of piano skills.
Got to be worth popping along to a shop that has a decent display of alternatives and spending an hour or so. Maybe somewhere like Bonners?
FWIW, there's one other brand that almost every thread about piano key quality eventually mentions: Kawai.
The Kawai keybed is actually the one on the Nord grand piano and is supposed to be as good as it gets. Have not tried that but the size puts me off a little.
I think the Stage 3 88 uses the same keybed as the Piano 4 and all Stage 3 models have the same piano samples as the Piano.
Maybe a stage 3 is what I need
I think the Stage 3 88 uses the same keybed as the Piano 4 and all Stage 3 models have the same piano samples as the Piano.
Maybe a stage 3 is what I need
If you can find a Nord, Kawai, Yamaha and Casio dealer all in one place then I'd go there and try them out. I have a Kawai and found it better than anything Yamaha were serving up a few years back, but I did like the new Yamaha CP88 for the Keybed and samples. Nord supposedly have the best samples going but I've never really found a Keybed I liked. Now they've teamed up with Kawai I suspect they have the market leader.
Casio have been working hard in recent years and the last time I tried one of their £2k options I was highly impressed. Gap is getting smaller between them now.
Casio have been working hard in recent years and the last time I tried one of their £2k options I was highly impressed. Gap is getting smaller between them now.
Cheapish brand-new-used Nord Piano 3 here: https://www.soundonsound.com/readersads - £1500 in Sheffield.
For me, I'd have missed the pitch/mod controls but only because I use my Stage as a controller, too.
For me, I'd have missed the pitch/mod controls but only because I use my Stage as a controller, too.
I’m now really angry that I started this thread because I’ve got this incredible urge for a Stage 3 now 
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
garyhun said:
I’m now really angry that I started this thread because I’ve got this incredible urge for a Stage 3 now
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
Gear4 is great for trying stuff out. I know they sell Kawai and Yamaha but if you do get down there, let me know if they have any Yamaha CP88s to try alongside the Nord.
Chicken Chaser said:
garyhun said:
I’m now really angry that I started this thread because I’ve got this incredible urge for a Stage 3 now
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
Will go and spend some time at Gear4Music this week testing that and trying to make a decision. Looking at all the reviews and YouTube videos online seems to indicate that the Nord Stage 3 is absolutely fine for piano practice BUT I need to feel it for myself.
After watching numerous videos of the Nord Stage 3 it does appear to be an awesome piece of kit.
Gear4 is great for trying stuff out. I know they sell Kawai and Yamaha but if you do get down there, let me know if they have any Yamaha CP88s to try alongside the Nord.
Stage 3 is now out as I really want a proper piano feeling keybed so I'm down to the Nord Piano 4 or Roland SD2000. Right now the Nord is winning. I've got two introductory piano lessons with two different tutors booked for this week and next Monday so will make my decision after having a chat with them.
Heart currently going with the Nord, lovely action and the ability to utilise the Nord online library for extra sounds as and when.
I will probably be down there again later this week so will see if they have a CP88 and let you know.
garyhun said:
Sorry I didn't see this post until now as I've just spent 3 hours in the York showroom.
Stage 3 is now out as I really want a proper piano feeling keybed so I'm down to the Nord Piano 4 or Roland SD2000. Right now the Nord is winning. I've got two introductory piano lessons with two different tutors booked for this week and next Monday so will make my decision after having a chat with them.
Heart currently going with the Nord, lovely action and the ability to utilise the Nord online library for extra sounds as and when.
I will probably be down there again later this week so will see if they have a CP88 and let you know.
Cheers Gary, I suspect I won't be there for a few weeks anyway but it'll be good to get down there to try them alongside a Nord. Stage 3 is now out as I really want a proper piano feeling keybed so I'm down to the Nord Piano 4 or Roland SD2000. Right now the Nord is winning. I've got two introductory piano lessons with two different tutors booked for this week and next Monday so will make my decision after having a chat with them.
Heart currently going with the Nord, lovely action and the ability to utilise the Nord online library for extra sounds as and when.
I will probably be down there again later this week so will see if they have a CP88 and let you know.
Escapegoat said:
Can't directly speak to the key quality of the Piano, but I got a Nord Stage 3 a couple of weeks ago...
Here's a guy who's pretty handy with a Nord Stage...https://youtu.be/CxB4mPuPIzM
https://youtu.be/mIfW0SY5U9U
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