When I first got my Nord, I didn't understand why anyone would want to play the uprights when they could play a Steinway or a Bosendorfer grand. But I get it now. The grands tend to sound generic while the uprights in the collection each have such a unique special character, really nice for cozy lo-fi or emotional scoring. The Amber Upright is my favorite, but the new felt sounds really nice too, similar to the Mellow Upright but with interesting percussive harmonics on certain notes. (also, Jack's playing sounds especially nice in this video!)
I use the uprights in spiritualized for that very reason - they’re too generic. They sound amazing but the uprights do have a lovely quality that suits SPDZ a little better
We need a video series on Jack and Dan Bingham, providing a breakdown on their chords thought process and how they such construct progressions, which they have played in the demo. I hope the producers are watching this for the fans
I absolutely love the collaborative team they have on this side of Andertons! Jack is definitely top tier at being accessible in their explanations yet an absolute pro that plays SO tastefully. Bravo team!
Interesting Nord and others focusing on this felt piano idea. As you say, the middle pedal on some uprights is for practicing when you want the piano to sound more quiet. Its called a Celeste pedal. I’m a qualified piano tuner and have been showing my customers this for years as they don’t know in many cases what it does and its essentially adding another sound option to an acoustic piano. Its a lovely sound for film scores and ambient music as you suggest. Keep up the great work Jack and co. X
I think they are both great for slightly different uses. The Nord seems a bit less felty but more sparkly. Not quite as emotional but probably cuts through the mix better in many cases.
I've just downloaded the Nord patch recently. It's a lot more natural to play - some of the round robin layers in the Spitfire have more of a delay than others, meaning you can't accurately play in rhythm. I appreciate that it gives a level of humanisation, but I'd rather that comes from the actual performance rather than artificially created by the software. Also the Nord has a more natural feeling velocity-to-dynamic ratio. Sound-wise, To me the Nord has a bit less in-your-face character, but with the cleaner timing and wider dynamic range it's a more immersive playing experience, which once you really get lost in it there's a lot of really beautiful subtle flavour in there. Spitfire still has a bit of a niche though for the really really slow, ambient but intimate solo stuff where the little imperfections can shine through.
Replaced my faithful Nord Piano 2 with the 5. The 2 was excellent and served my keyboarding well for around 8 trouble-free years. But the step up to the 5 was worth every penny. Been trusting Jack for years for his critiques and have not yet gone wrong. Love his playing style. Will absolutely have to download that Felt Upright. Thank you, Mr. Duxbury.
Interesting fact about the labs soft piano is that you can hear Christians finger nail hitting the key on one of the round robins (can’t remember which key but it’s somewhere up top).
Beautiful playing Jack, especially the first piece.And that tones around 10:00 - I could listen to pieces like that all day. Maltese Falcon outro also fabulous. P.S. Edits - I didn't expect three such pieces in one video, so I kept on commenting :)
So many people say a particular piano sound sounds “good” or “bad”and it’s really about perception and musical context. Right? This felt piano of course would not cut it in a pop or rock setting, as most recordings have a piano sound with a wider dynamic range and brighter tone etc. However, the felt piano sound “fits” in the musical context where a more subtle tonality is called upon. The term emotion was used. Yes emotions are solicited by the tonal and chordal qualities of a piano (in this case) sound. Yamaha, Nord, Korg, Roland, Keyscape, Ravenscroft, synth Ivory, spit fire, etc. all have access to wonderful sampling technology. Right? It’s the feel, the tactile experience, the emotion that the all these components (sound and senses) sequester that ultimately inspire creativity. Until you play these instruments and experience how they inspire, it’s hard to know which one is “the best” or the right one for you. I have a Nord piano 5, Yamaha piano sounds as far back as the S90ES to the present, Keyscape, Ravenscroft, Korg Kronos, and others. Can I say which is “best”? No. Why? Because my perception and emotions that are activated when I play and interact with these instruments can’t possibly be the same as the ones you experience. Long deep post yes. Truth? It’s my truth. 😎
Wonderful sounds and playing. I just ordered the Nord Piano 5 over the Grand for one major reason-I owned a Kawai MP7SE which uses the same RHIII action as the Nord Grand and I had many issues with the keys/keybed and apparently many users have experienced the same issues with the Nord Grand. Just don’t want to go through that again. A shame really as it’s a solid action, but the Piano 5 also has a good action. I’m excited to have access to the Nord Piano Library again. Had the Nord Piano and Nord Piano 2…but not since 2014!
This should help: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B32RvLT6mpA.html I used to have a Electro4D with waterfall keys. Awesome, really easy to take with you (even on your back in the special bag), then a Stage 2EX (I had a car by then). Multipurpose instrument, fantastic. Now I have a Yamaha CP88: best keybed I ever had, great sounds, really handson interface. Exactly the things I missed in the Nords. There’s a board for everyone. Good luck choosing!! 😃
Hey I know that Dog, you're on the Nord user group on FB haha! I went with the Grand! Absolutley love this thing! Not only is it incredible to play, and don't get me started on the sound, but its also a very high quality beautiful looking instrument. I practice now more than ever just cause I like it so much! Good luck on your decision!
Nord Piano Sold!!! i’m coming in Jack, we’re on our way to Guildford, Piano 5 please… great job on the various P5 vids you’ve done with the Falcon…. you the best!
Hey Jack #andertons, you mention a few times in your videos you have a Bluetooth midi adapter for your Nord. Which one? Have you compared a few of them?
Btw, PolMike said it had been a few years, bout time you get him back on the show. Love the clips with both the guys (Mike or Dan), and of course when you rip up the keys!!
Great news on the Grand - I really do think the Nords are the best IMO. Managed to lure Mike back in only just last week so should be some vids out soon with him. Fingers crossed I can get D Bingerz back in too 🤞 Thanks again for your support mate and hope you love the Grand my G ✊
They should concentrate on giving the Grand a piano sample that matches the velocity and mechanics of the Kawai keybed, or allow linear editing of the velocity curve.
I wish it would do what software libraries like spitfire ones do where random mechanism noises from the keys themselves come in. But it's very good all the same. Thinking to get an electro 6d for a small gigging keyboard and keep my sl88 grand for the piano vibes.
I thought the Nord sounded a little dull in this video for a minute, then saw that you're playing without the string resonance - that's like half the sound!
Nord’s “secret sauce” is apparently to be found in the company’s canteen…. All of the food is lovingly created by no other than…. The Swedish Chef from the Muppets 😉👨🍳😂
Is anyone else getting some peaking type sound on these videos lately?? I’m getting so much distortion through both my devices that I can’t enjoy the playing :(
Actually I do not like this sound. When I was a kid, came back from scool, the first thing I mostly did, was taking off all the wooden covers of my upright piano and hit it as hard as I could. All the neigbours in that Vienna condo hated me for doing so. Probably. Yeah, think so. So muted piano feels like p**ing with your pants on, no good. Not my sound.
