Nord Grand 2 - First In-Depth look at the NEW Grand 2!

The Nord Grand 2 is here and in this video I show you the new features, talk about the improved keybed action, and play you some of the amazing sounds on this digital piano! This new and improved Nord Grand 2 has some of the much loved features from the Nord Stage 4 along with a heavier Kawai RH3 keybed that is geared more towards the authentic piano feel.
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*This video is not sponsored, but through relationships I've been able to build with various companies, I am grateful to be able to have early access to the Nord Grand 2.
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Thanks for watching and comment below with any questions you have and I will answer them as soon as I can!

[@user-jv4pg8sk5j]

Thanks for the great review! I got mine NG2 some weeks ago and i love the keybed it is so great to play on, different from NG1. Thanks Clavia for a great instrument.

[@henriktran3907]

Thanks for the great review! Appreciated

[@DSoundman]

Thanks!

[@_classic_rob_]

Dang. Never knew Nord could get heavier. Love the smooth and easy playing Yamaha YC88 action

[@visebro5580]

cant wait to see more of NG2 stuff, love

[@DSoundman]

Thanks!

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

It’s a myth that grand piano actions are always heavier - the best grand pianos I’ve played (Steinway and Yamaha C7) have had light and very playable actions. If the action makes your fingers tired then that’s a huge pass for me. It really annoys me when digital piano actions are made artificially heavy.

[@aidancoutts5628]

I think the Kawai RHIII action is on the lighter side of digital piano actions - in the best way possible. The counter-weights make a big difference in the best way possible. I'm not sure if Nord adjusted it for this one, but I've played it in the Nord Grand 1, the Kawai ES920, as well as some of their cheaper cabinet digital pianos, and it's my absolute favourite digital action until you get into wooden actions that mimic the design of a proper grand. I don't find this action fatiguing at all, speaking as someone who's spent a good amount of time playing on most of the major digital actions. It's lighter than Roland's PHA-4, probably closer in weight to their PHA-50, if you've tried those at all.

[@MrTaiese]

My Kawai ND-21 Upright has a heavy action than the Kawai grand at church

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

@@aidancoutts5628 The video is certainly suggesting that the action is heavier for the Nord Grand 2, which is a mistake in my view. I find the Roland PHA-50 a little on the heavy side too - the best Roland action in my view was the PHA-3 ivory action from ten years ago. My all time favourite is that of the CP1, which is perfect for jazz and blues (whether it's good for classical I don't know). Yamaha then went down the heavy action route, along with everyone else it seems..

[@jean-baptistebolazzilookin3985]

I got the NG2 2 weeks ago to replace my NG1. Here is my feedback. (As a reference I am comparing with my Steinway, my Kawai MP11SE, my VPC1 and my Korg grandstage RH3..) As a jazz piano player, the keybed is important criteria to me. The NG1 was very easy for your fingers ( but too light!), not appropriate for practicing specially when having to switch to a real acoustic piano. The mechanics on the NG2 is more precise, slightly heavier, still very plaisant for your fingers closer to the real thing. My Steinway mechanic in comparison would still be slightly heavier. For practicing your piano technique , the Kawai VPC1 or MP11 would still be preferred option for digital piano. The Korg RH3 ( Grand stage, nautilus …) feeling is similar to the NG2 new keybed. Overall I think that Nord reached a good compromise on NG2 considering the weight of the instrument versus the Kawai MP11 and VPC1. I am happy with my decision to replace the NG1. Hope it helps….

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

@@jean-baptistebolazzilookin3985 Thanks for your feedback. I guess it's all subjective, but I've never been a fan of the RH3 action (which was always too spongey / sluggish for me) and it sounds like I'd get on better action-wise with the original Nord Grand than the new one. I guess it depends on your individual taste, but I'd always prefer a lighter piano action for jazz and blues - otherwise, it feels like you're battling the instrument, which might build finger strength over time but is much less enjoyable! I'll stick with my Yamaha CP1 for now, which is a very special instrument - just a shame it's too heavy to lug around for gigs!

[@jasonlibs]

How does it feel compared to the NG 1 ?

[@satisfiedsiemens2343]

i assume the NG2 doesn’t support pitch bend if you use a external controller with a pitch bend wheel

[@davidcarroll8735]

Thanks for taking us through the NG2. I was impressed with the clarity of the keyboard sound here on this YT, especially at camp 😉, which direct box or interface to a Mac?

[@DSoundman]

Thanks! I'm going direct out of the NG2 Outputs 1 & 2 into my Focusrite 8i6 audio interface line inputs plugged into my Windows laptop running Pro Tools.

[@davidcarroll8735]

@@DSoundman perfection! Thanks so much!

[@jimbartlett2083]

Sounds beautiful. Quick question, have you ever connected your MPC Key 37 to your Stage 4? So that the Stage 4 can use the sounds from Fabric for example? If so, could you please make a video showing how to do this? I can’t get it to work myself.

[@DSoundman]

Thanks! I have done that! Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll add that to my list!

[@EdsonNardiNardao]

I used to have a Nord grand and sold it due to the transport problems and it started getting to have some problems with rubber contacts with the key that was striking it was a terrible issue, definitely it is not for stage.

[@john26660]

Interesting. I have traveled with mine for almost 5 years with no issues.

[@zynth123]

Great non-sponsorship disclosure!

[@TheKendallmstr1]

I like this but it’s too expensive. I’ll get the Yamaha CK for the savings

[@CrazyDriverSwed]

Great instrument, but for that price I would expect a better action like the wooden action that Kawai is using in their own pianos which btw is much cheaper than Nord Grand 2. And then the never ending question, why.....only 2GB sample memory. In 2024 that is sound more and more like a joke. This is an instrument that you will probably keep for many years and more memory would make it more future proof. And what a about MIDI 2.0. No one talks about it I think the higher velocity resolution would certainly benefit an instrument like this. If NORD don't have it ready today they could a least give us the option to upgrade in the future with an expansion module. But I guess they just want to make money upgrading as little as possible from one model to another. No environment or sustainability thinking at all.

[@orebelo]

@craigbroadfoot1851 "It’s a myth that grand piano actions are always heavier", and you're right, actually they are lighter. Grand pianos don't need a complex and heavy mechanism because they already use the gravity in its best position of actuation upon the hammers. I think the digital piano keybeds are intentionally made heavier to mimic vertical pianos what for me is a big mistake. About Nord Grand, I would never buy one, for a equipment named "Grand" it should be using long key lengths like Grand Feel action used in Kawai MP11SE. If you really want to play a "Grand", there many, many better options from Roland, Kawai and Yamaha which are really intended for the professional or high level pianists

[@psychologicalprojectionist]

0:32 clear as mud. This video is not sponsored, but then talks about relationship over the years with unspecified companies and does not say he purchased the Nord Grand 2 with his own money. I'm definitely non the wiser for that. I will assumed it is sponsored.

[@moogy77]

NO NO NO! The original Grands action was SO PERFECT!! Sp you'er telling, us that what happened to the action of the Stage 3 to the Stage 4, has happened from the Grand to the Grand 2?? That really sucks! Now I'm thinking about cancelling my order.

[@TreoTra93]

Completely agree, I don't understand why they've gone in that direction, the stage 3 and grand 1 had perfect action

[@netterstyl]

Too expensive - save your money and keep looking. Action on Korg Nautilus 61-73 is extremely quiet, but feels cheap. However, piano sounds somewhat make up for it. Action on ancient Korg 01/W 61-73 is a bit thunkier, (but is alleviated by replacing the aged felt), but is the best all-around action I've played - not too much or too little of one thing. Not tiring, not too heavy. Note to Korg: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But sadly, everything _else_ on that keyboard is badly outdated (except the basic synth/pad sounds, which are still very relevant.) But no one (except classical pros) needs 88 keys, whatever the action/keybed. 73 keys (3 octaves above and below middle C) are a gracious plenty for 99% of pieces, esp. pop music. Anything more is unnecessary (and more expensive...and heavier) fluff. But not to diss on Nord, the drone feature on their keyboards has found its way into and inspired some fantastic contemporary religious songs. See "What A Beautiful Name" for example. That feature _makes_ that tune.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

It depends on what you do - for blues and jazz, it can be nice to go to the extremes for dramatic effect as part of a solo. You can definitely make do with 73 keys though, and of course it's more convenient to transport / lighter. The 73 Nord Stage 4 is tempting, but I'm concerned about the action being too heavy and haven't tried it yet. I'd be in the market for a Kurzweil Forte 7 with the 'L' lighter equivalent action, but it's sadly discontinued.

[@poerava]

You play beautifully. Nord have such horrible sounds though 🤮 Korg and Akai leading the way.

[@hakonberg8003]

I stopped the video after "....it has a heavier keybed action" 😅. No thank you very much.

[@frankweber356]

The keybed of the NG 1 was the worst i have ever played......an absolute desaster in any way. From the dry noise example here i guess the version 2 is still bad. I still cannot believe how the, for any professional player inaccebtable Keybed found its way into the NG1.