Nord? TruePianos?

[zerozero]

I am looking for a very good digital piano. In my studio I use TruePianos Diamond Module - I find this Piano quite outstanding, it's such an organic sound, not at all synthetic.  Try the free demo if you don't believe me

I am looking for a new keyboard as I need more bass notes. I have been playing a Nord Electro2 61 key, but frankly the piano sound for my ears is a bit of a joke and I simply could not use it. Its way to synthetic to my ears.
I use the organs on my nord and want to keep this option. I have tested a Nord Stage ex 88 and also find the piano(s) not good enough - far too synthetic.

 Are the Stage 2 pianos any better?


What are others opinions?

Whats the best digital sound for a  natural human classical grand?

[oxy60]

The Nord is an outstanding tool especially the ones with the Hammond tone sliders. It's just not good enough for a real grand piano sound.

Look at models with 88 keys that are intended to be used as pianos. After that there is still
a lot to be done (amps, speakers, etc.) to get a great sound. Nobody I know goes with just one keyboard. Most put some sort of stage piano on the bottom and a Nord on top.

[zerozero]

Hi oxy,
 I agree the Nord is outstanding as a Hammond its the only decent thing with sliders out there (I have a KeyB but its to big and unrel;)

Are you saying that the Nord Piano has different piano sounds to the Nord stage?

[oxy60]

No. The stage pianos I see are Rolands and Korgs, all 88 note types. I like them both.

Having another keyboard on the stack just for piano sound is a good idea. During a show you don't want to be trying to switch amp and mixer settings to get each sound from the same keyboard just right. I like to set it and forget it. I want to go to a certain keyboard for a certain sound and have it ready.

[zerozero]

thank for the insights, in a way I do see, but its probably OK to workaround using presets? The Niord of course carries many sounds synth electronics painos, and a whole lot more ( as you will know) level wise they will all have to be right in a gig. 


If I wanted to have two keyboards on a gig then  I could use TruePianos with a laptop I suppose.

 Just thinking things through..... I think I am going to jump in and get the Nord Stage 2 88 but I want to be sure that the pianos are way better than the ex

[ionian_tinnear]

I used to use a Roland A-90 until it just wore out (two of them actually).  They had amazing piano sound and excellent actions.  Not made anymore. Not since late 90's I think.

I also have an expensive Kurzweil K2600sx which has good piano sounds, but just doesn't the dynamic touch.  i.e. You can't play soft, then loud, then soft, and have soft to loud really be different enough.  You have to use a volume pedal.

I now use a Yamaha S-90.  The piano sounds is excellent, but not as good as my old Rolands, but better than the Kurzweil.  And much better than the Nords I tried.  And the action is the best I've had yet (except for a pure controller from Studio Logic VMK-188).

The yamaha is lighter too.  A plus for me when I go to do a gig..