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Sound:
Just put myself into a large chunk of debt for one of these badboys, and it has turned out to be totally worth it. The sounds are amazing, theres just no way around it. I have been running most of my sounds off of logic to compare, which I think are very very good, and the nord is matching or beating them. The best part is if you dont like a sound, the ability to tweak it with equalization, reverb, compression, or effects is a few button pushes away. I also took the liberty to compare the mark 1, to an actual mark 1 73 that I own and I was able to make them sound pretty much identical running them though a KC-550 amp. Now I no longer need to buy any effects pedals for the rhodes because the Nord has every effect I need onboard.
Feature:
Ok where to start....
2 banks of stackable effects easily assignable to seperate instruments on the fly. Compression so you dont overdrive (the synth section can pump some intense sounds, almost broke my eardrums before i turned this on), not to mention it can really help with monitoring yourself while playing with other people. Some nice reverb with some standard settings and a wet/dry Adjust. Again all these effects are individuially assignable and adjustable to various sections on the keyboard. ex/ Play a funky clav bassline with an auto wah with your left on the lower keys, reserve the mid-section for some smooth rhodes with a bit of tremelo, have the top of the register configured for some high end organ (the b3 model is amazing!) and throw on the leslie rotary for some screaming solos. The kicker? This arrangement can be set up from scratch in under 30 seconds with the push of a few (literally just a few!) buttons without going through ANY menu system. This arragement can now be saved and accessed on the fly whenever you want, and is just as easy to adjust. The synth section I cannot comment on too much because im more of a traditional piano player. I am loving it so far and again tweaking with the sounds is very easy. All sounds are catergoriezed into synth lead, bass, or pad which makes it very easy to adjust what kind of sound your looking for, or looking to combine with. Stacking the synths on top of one another or even the pianos and organ on the board can get you some insane sounds effects.
Key action is incredible, I have the weighted keys and they are weighted heavy enough for acoustic embellishment, but light enough to still rock a good rhodes or organ sound. I prefer weighted being a classical player, but I've heard synth and organ players might prefer the compact versions waterfall keys. The velocity sensitivity on the weighted keys has made me very very happy though.
Ease of Use:
Wish I could give this a 12.
I can't emphasize this enough because it was even easier to play this board than I expected. You'll figure out about 50-60% percent of the main functions without even opening the manual. Then once you open the manual you'll realize you can do SO MUCH more just as easily as the functions you've already figured out. I should point out that this is not a workstation like the massive Tritons or Rolands. The whole idea behind this board is to have as much power and accesibility in a board right at your fingertips and at the same time have the ability to very easily make dramatic changes while mid-performance. It is the ultimate live performace keyboard. If your looking for a workstation type keyboard this is probably not what you want. Oh and another great feature is assignable parameters to various pedals and even the mod wheel. Set up all your effects and controls through foot pedals and switches as well as using on-board commands if thats your preference.
Quality:
all knobs, buttons, sliders very easy to access and use, smooth control on the knobs. The mod wheel is made of stone, I kid you not, i think its granite, and the pitch bend is wood and has tension kind of like your pulling a guitar string to do bends. Beautiful red color, wood finish on the ends. Built like a tank.
Value:
It is expensive, but thats what happens when a small company with barely 20 employees pumps out a high end product like this. Worth it so far and I'm not able to easily drop money like this.
Manufacturer Support:
Not needed yet. Website has amazing replacement instruments for absolutley free.
The Wow Factor:
Its a sexy crimson beast, and looks like it might take life of its own when you start it up with all the leds. The most beautiful keyboard I've ever purchased.
Overall:
Love the board, the sounds, the action, the quality, the beauty. My band loves it too! If you get a chance to play one, try it out, you wont be disapointed. The ultimate keyboard for stage performances, hands down. I won't need another keyboard I dont think for a long long time, not to mention I can continually update sounds for free from the nord website. Please email me if you have questions, be glad to answer them.
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Sound:
I first heard this when Alan Pasqua used one at his Live at Yoshi's performance with Allan Holldsworth. I was blown away, so I went and bought one. All the sounds are outstanding, but the piano is by far the best piano sound included in any keyboard I've ever heard. And the updright sample is cool, too.
Feature:
I love that you don't have to scroll through menus. If you want it, it's right there in front of you.
Ease of Use:
Once you get Nord's entirely different approach, you see how much easier it is to use than any other keyboard interface.
Quality:
Clavia just makes great stuff that seems like it will far outlive it's technological lifespan (eg a Korg Trinity still works, but why would you want to use it?).
Value:
I really think this one's a no-brainer.
Manufacturer Support:
n/a
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