Understanding the Different Styles of Nord Keybeds
People often ask about “Nord Keybeds” and wonder what is best for them, especially for keyboards like the Nord Stage 3, which provides 3 different styles of keybeds to choose from.
Here are more details regarding this subject.
Available with the Nord Lead A1:
• 41 key “synth” style keybed (shorter keys)
• 73 Semi-Weighted (Waterfall) (shorter keys)
• 73 Semi-Weighted (Waterfall) (shorter keys)
• 76 HP (Hammer Action Portable) (longer keys)
• 88 Weighted Hammer Action (longer keys)
• 73 Semi-Weighted w/Triple Sensor (Waterfall) (shorter keys)
• 73 Weighted Hammer Action w/Triple Sensor (longer keys)
• 88 Weighted Hammer Action w/Triple Sensor (longer keys)
Available with the Nord Electro 6:
• 61 Semi-Weighted Waterfall (shorter keys)
• 73 Semi-Weighted Waterfall (shorter keys)
• 73 HP (Hammer Action Portable) (longer keys)
Available with the Nord Piano 5:
• 73 Grand Weighted Action with Triple Sensor (longer keys)
• 88 Grand Weighted Action with Triple Sensor (longer keys)
• 88 Kawaii Hammer Action (fully weighted with Triple Sensor) (longer keys)
Let’s look at each type in a little more detail…
Non-Weighted:
You’ll find this keybed with the Nord Lead A1 and the other Lead synthesizers from Nord. It has no weight, and these keys will feel very “basic” compared to all the other keybeds. However, I use the word basic when I should really be using the word “Synthy” because, for a traditional synthesizer player, these are the exact keys you are looking for. After all, that’s how most synths are made – with non-weighted keys. To put weighted keys on a synth for some seems awkward and completely inappropriate. (It also makes the synth that much heavier). But if you are a piano player and you find yourself playing a synth, you may not like the way it feels at all – not even a little bit.
Semi-Weighted:
The “lightest touch” keybed of the bunch, it also has the smallest (shortest) keys of any of the others. The end of the keys (closest to you) has a more rounded edge to allow for easier keyboard smears (in the case of playing in an organ style like what you’d do on a Hammond B3 for example). In other words, it plays more like an organ keyboard than a piano keyboard. With that said, you can undoubtedly play expressive classical piano with the Semi-weighted option. Still, it might not be what you are used to if you are accustomed to fully-weighted keys like a traditional acoustic piano would have.
HP (Hammer Action Portable):
This one has the “heaviest touch” keybed compared to all the others. Now you might be thinking that the HP keybed would be more of a “medium feel” but that would be incorrect. For some reason, the way the HP keybeds are made, they are “very resistant” – in fact, far more resistant than the fully weighted option, in my opinion. It could be that in their attempt to be weighted yet light to carry, the end result is that, yes, they are lighter to carry, but the keys are overly resistant to play for some reason. The only way I can describe this keybed is to say it's “thick” to play versus the others. Here is a video that demonstrates the fatigue when planning fast over a long period of time using the HP versus the waterfall.
Now, if you are looking for weighted keys and your choices are between the HP and the Semi-weighted, go for the HP. And although the HP will provide "weight" while playing, most people, (if they had a choice), perfer the 88 over the HP.
88 Key Weighted Hammer Action (exclusive to the Nord Stage 3 boards):
This keybed is fully weighted and has a better feel than the HP, in almost everyone’s opinion. If you are looking for the best “feel” with fully weighted keys for the Stage 3, get the 88 version. Note that the 88 keybed does not come with the “triple sensor” action you see with the Nord Grand and the Nord Piano 5.
Grand Weighted Action with Triple Sensor (Nord Piano 5, Nord Stage 4):
This keybed is fully weighted and has a terrific feel for pianists. It also includes the “triple sensor,” which provides authentic features like repeating a note without lifting the key completely to ensure smooth repetitions and fluent transitions associated with an acoustic Grand Piano.
Kawaii Hammer Action Fully weighted with Advanced Triple Sensor (exclusive to the Nord Grand):
The best Nord has to offer. This is the only keybed as of this writing made by the famous Kawaii manufacturing company. It features a state-of-the-art keybed and is exclusive to the Nord Grand. The Nord Grand is made for pianists when it's time to imitate the feel of a real grand piano as the #1 priority.
🎹 Marc
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