Nord - The Making of the Red Keyboards

[johnincolorado]

Saw this yesterday and found it very interesting...wanted to share:

Nord - The Making of the Red Keyboards

 

[Old No7]

As I posted on another keyboards forum about this very same video...

"Well, I’ll openly admit that I’m not currently a Nord fan or user (yet)…

But having spent 4 decades in manufacturing & supply chain, as well as being a lifelong musician — I really enjoyed that video and was very impressed by the “cottage network” supporting Nord’s instruments.

However, if I was on Nord’s Board of Directors, for sure, I’d share a concern about the long-term viability of, and successors for, many of their smaller — and older! — suppliers; but that doesn’t take anything away from what they’re doing today, which seems to be working (for now).

And the next time I see a Nord at the local GC — I guess I’ll have to pay more attention to the pitch stick!"

Old No7

 

[Biggles]

A great video, thanks for sharing.

 

[johnincolorado]

As I posted on another keyboards forum about this very same video...

"Well, I’ll openly admit that I’m not currently a Nord fan or user (yet)…

But having spent 4 decades in manufacturing & supply chain, as well as being a lifelong musician — I really enjoyed that video and was very impressed by the “cottage network” supporting Nord’s instruments.

However, if I was on Nord’s Board of Directors, for sure, I’d share a concern about the long-term viability of, and successors for, many of their smaller — and older! — suppliers; but that doesn’t take anything away from what they’re doing today, which seems to be working (for now).

And the next time I see a Nord at the local GC — I guess I’ll have to pay more attention to the pitch stick!"

Old No7

Their approach to design and manufacturing and their cooperative partnerships were the things that impressed me when I watched that video. In my imagination it is quite different than what we'd see from the "big" companies.

I'm starting to get the impression that Nord is popular enough among keyboardists that some people feel defensive for their own favorites, not Nord. "They are good but there are other options" seems to be the sentiment. I understand that.

On another site, one Nord non-fan said if you play a Nord "you sound like everyone else". I seek good, useful sounds for my amateur recordings. Which brand they come from is not relevant to me.

 

[Biggles]

Their approach to design and manufacturing and their cooperative partnerships were the things that impressed me when I watched that video. In my imagination it is quite different than what we'd see from the "big" companies.

I'm starting to get the impression that Nord is popular enough among keyboardists that some people feel defensive for their own favorites, not Nord. "They are good but there are other options" seems to be the sentiment. I understand that.

On another site, one Nord non-fan said if you play a Nord "you sound like everyone else". I seek good, useful sounds for my amateur recordings. Which brand they come from is not relevant to me.

What dross that non-fan stated.

Every concert that I have ever been to have one thing in common …… the total absence of any Nord keyboard so their statement does not make sense.

One thing that nobody could argue with is the visual look and feel of the build quality of Nord’s.

Love the Husband & Wife team who make the Pitch Stick.

 

[Rayblewit]

 

[Rayblewit]

Check out Hiromi on you tube to see some awesome NORD performance.

 

[Bouncingogre]

Thanks for the video.
You can feel the pride that all the component makers feel in their work.
I don't have a Nord, but never say never!

 

[hubalken]

I had a Nord Electro 4d for awhile and really enjoyed it. Having gotten away from organ playing and more into piano, I recently sold the Nord and bought a high end Yamaha digital piano. If I ever decide to get back into organ playing, I will definitely spring for another Nord without hesitation or reservation!! They are excellent keyboards and my former Electro 4d was no exception!!

 

[jmemcse]

I use my Nord Stage 4 Compact every weekend with my cover band. It works really well for that.

My only issue is I don't like the pitch stick. The placement makes it difficult to reach up and use. It doesn't feel natural in my hand. It looks pretty, but I about never use it.

I like the way Korg does pitch/modulation.

I can play anything the band throws at me with the Nord.

 

[bluesb3]

I had a Nord Electro 4d for awhile and really enjoyed it. Having gotten away from organ playing and more into piano, I recently sold the Nord and bought a high end Yamaha digital piano. If I ever decide to get back into organ playing, I will definitely spring for another Nord without hesitation or reservation!! They are excellent keyboards and my former Electro 4d was no exception!!

Which Yamaha did you buy? I bought a CP73 and found it very convenient for building a variety of patches for live work.

 

[hubalken]

I bought a Yamaha DGX 670 which I absolutely love!! It has all the features I enjoy using and the CFX Concert Grand Piano is super!! I also have a PSR E 383 which I use for my away from home gigs(senior's group at church) due to its lightweight and portability. The DGX 670 weighing in at almost 50 lbs stays at home in my music room along with my Roland fp30x. I love the keyboard actions on both the Yamaha DGX 670 and the Roland fp30x!! They are superb!! The DGX 670 has so many features, I've just barely scratched the surface since getting it a month and a half ago.

 

[amwilburn]

What dross that non-fan stated.

Every concert that I have ever been to have one thing in common …… the total absence of any Nord keyboard so their statement does not make sense.

One thing that nobody could argue with is the visual look and feel of the build quality of Nord’s.

Love the Husband & Wife team who make the Pitch Stick.

Interesting! Every concert I've been to in the last... 15 or so years? *Has* had a Nord *except* Bon Jovi in 2011; David Rashbaum is a Yamaha guy.

Oh and John Williams in concert obviously didn't have a keyboard at all

Mark

 

[hubalken]

Our church worship band has one keyboard player who has a Nord Stage 4. While it sounds wonderful, I've come to prefer Yamaha's piano sounds in preference. I think they are more realistic and more authentic. The Nord excels at b3, Vox and Farfisa organs though. When I had my Nord, the b3 organ was super. Having become a piano player and gotten away from organ, I'm somewhat prejudiced toward authentic sounding piano voices. To my ears, Yamaha pianos are my preferred voices and are my go to voices when I perform for my church's seniors group. Of course, I understand everyone is different and what sounds good to me may not to others. Just stating my preferences.

Regards

 

[anotherscott]

My only issue is I don't like the pitch stick. The placement makes it difficult to reach up and use. It doesn't feel natural in my hand. It looks pretty, but I about never use it.

I like the way Korg does pitch/modulation.

which again shows how subjective all of this is. I find the Nord Pitch Stick to be one of the best benders I've ever used. That and the ribbon I had on my old CS60 have been my favorites. I fine the Nord stick very "musical" feeling because of the way it increases in resistance as you move it further, reminiscent of bending a string on a guitar, providing a visceral feedback that corresponds with the effect.

And I really dislike the typical Korg joystick (or similar x-y axis Roland lever). It makes it too easy to accidentally bend pitch when you just want modulation, and negates the use of a mod wheel function to do something where you want to leave it in its engaged position. Korg tries to address that with buttons over the stick, but it's an awkward compromise.