Nord Grand - Narrative Overview / Review and Comparison with Nord Piano 4

[@gruponemesis]

ive had my Nord Grand for a lil over a year now. Your closing statements are spot on. It inspires me to practice and play...the user connection is intoxicating. ive not turned on any of my 30 synths/workstations since ive owned Nord Grand!

[@jtwolfstories]

Played it about an hour ago. Bought it about fifteen minutes ago.

[@deumi2007]

And could I please ask how much did you pay for it?

[@jtwolfstories]

@@deumi2007 $2000 from Pro Audio Star. BUT if you can only afford one keyboard get the Yamaha CP88. The Nord tries to feel like a piano but stilll feels more like a toy piano, but I like it. The action on the CP88 is way better for playing a stage piano. Best Action, in my opinion vs Roland RD2000, CP88 and the Nord. I have all three and find myslef with the CP88 90 percent of the time. If you can, when all this madness is over, go play all three. Lemme know what you think.

[@JFTL81]

I was in the Nord website yesterday but hadn’t noticed the Grand. Then I see your video in my feed. This is awesome! Always love your reviews and demonstrations.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thank you! You can find the Grand Piano on the Nord website at: www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-grand

[@uumlau]

I bought one last weekend. Upgraded from a broken 1995 era Kurzweil K2500X. Your review is on the money. It beats spending $100k to $200+k on an actual grand piano.

[@uumlau]

@@paullebon323 Very well, actually. I've not tried the Kawai wood action, but I've rarely played a piano keyboard as nice as this one in my life, and that's including all sorts of real concert grands and the like. If you google about Kawai wood action and humidity, you'll find comments about how they can get stuck and so on, which has been my experience with normal acoustic pianos. The main thing I like about digital pianos is the fact that I don't have to get them tuned, that they don't slowly warp over time, and so on. I was almost about to say "and the keys don't get stuck", but they do, sometimes. The cause, however, is dirt and grime getting in there, not humidity. The key concern (see what I did there?) is how the piano plays. I really like how the Nord Grand plays, compared to all the other digital pianos/keyboards I tried that day.

[@ringodingo6945]

Hey PMC, great review mate. Love your knowledge and advice. Great Set of keys. Thank you

[@Musique.Studiogris]

I bought a Nord Grand…the inspiration took over the lessons…it’s a great thing! It’s a must have piano!

[@PianoManChuck]

Good choice!

[@visuelliot]

Thank you for a great comparison between the NP4 and the Grand, and thanks for really beautiful playing :) I've been playing Nord keyboards since the Electro 1, and today I have a Stage 2 EX but will probably save up the money for getting a Nord Grand as my main stage piano

[@paulpolzer7826]

Best Nord piano review video. So informative and wonderful. Thank you.

[@jasonluxmusic]

Hi Chuck, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for your insights. I'm looking to add another board in addition to my trusty old CP4 and have been trying to decide between CP88, NP4, and NG. I don't really care too much about sound, just action, since I use VSTs. It sounds like this one might be the best option indeed if the Kawaii action is as realistic as you say.

[@craigbroadfoot1851]

Why not get a kawai action controller for the piano action if you don’t need the sounds?

[@danielvinklar1105]

I would be curious about hearing about a comparison of Nord Grand with Kawai RHIII-N action to the Korg SV2 with Korg RH3 action...

[@nimanma9484]

Which one do you prefer

[@danielvinklar1105]

@@nimanma9484 We don't have the new SV2s yet in shops so I don't know... :)

[@lukazavisic]

Thanks for this Chuck. Just bought Nord Grand, I think as a profesional pianist it is the best choice.

[@geoffk777]

I played a Nord Grand. There's no question that the action is a big step up from the awful Fatar actions that they've been using. But it's still very light and artificial feeling. A Roland RD-2000, Yamaha CP-88 or Korg Grandstage are all as good or better, at $1000 less. Moreover, you could get a Kawai MP11SE with Kawai's best action, the full-length wooden Grandfeel action, for $1000 less than the Nord. In fact, the Nord Grand is only $500 less than a full-blown Roland Fantom workstation, with an excellent action, excellent pianos and many other features. So the only reason to consider the Nord is to get the Nord piano samples and sample library. That will be reason enough for some players, but I don't think that it's worth the premium that Nord is charging.

[@LuisFlores-xr5bu]

Just what I needed, an honest review

[@thegood9]

Rapid Single note repetition on either of these? Specifically the Grand?

[@TimE_5150]

As always Chuck thank you for the awesome review and insight. You are a tremendous resource! The Nord Grand looks very nice. The control panel looks like the size of a patch bay. I think they need to have an option for a beer holder maybe on the side? :) Have a great 4th of July.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks Tim, as always! Not a bad idea - beer holder on one side for night, coffee on the other for morning :)

[@TimE_5150]

@@PianoManChuck Ha Ha the best of both worlds!

[@DonaldWaughmusic]

I am torn between the Nord Grand and the Kawai MP11SE. This is a tough one.

[@PianoManChuck]

That is a tough one... but at least they both have Kawai action. The MP11se has top of the line Kawai Action while the Nord arguably has the best sounding pianos out there (and you're not stuck with the pianos they come with). So you're basically deciding on the best action vs the best sound.

[@DonaldWaughmusic]

@@PianoManChuck Yes, I was thinking about those two very important points. I am wondering if I can live with the sound and weight of the MP11SE or just go with the feel and sound of the Nord Grand plus all those free sounds. I also like the fact that the MP11SE has a stereo input , balanced output and four external midi channels so I can use other sound modules. I currently own a Yamaha MOXF8 and an acoustic upright piano. I prefer to practice on the acoustic piano because the MOXF8 feels very light to me. I am hoping to be able to get a stage piano I can practice quietly with a similar action to an acoustic. I drive my wife crazy when I get into working on technique. LOL

[@PixelNotesMusic]

Would you say that this is as good as a good acoustic upright piano in terms of studio quality?

[@FSelles]

hi chuck! Im looking for the heaviest keybed possible on a digital piano, not necesary the best, nor a new one, but the HEAVIEST. Do you have any recomendation? thanks buddy!

[@DesignTalNadav]

wow. great comparison. can you tell which keyboard you find has the best keys action? if i'll take out the"sound" and sample quality - which would be the perfect "piano" keyboard? assuming i can invest my money on the hardware' and as for sound quality i'll use softwares (such as pianoteq or heavy samples)... my "problem" is - i have the nord stage2, and it's awesome, exept the fact i cant put more than 2-3 full piano samples, and use only the small versions' and still dont get to play all their piano range samples (that nord offer on the website). so - eventually - maybe combine between best key-action technology and software... plus good monitors

[@peterg1239]

Like a lot of the features and where the knobs are placed. ...does the feel even compare to the ravenscroft digital?

[@rychubil]

12:21 "it is the Rolls-Royce of stage pianos" - I love it!

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

If you have a Rolls-Royce, then you go to work and drive 5 miles and you reached your destination safely, how does it compare when you go to work drive 5 miles reached your destination, using a Toyota camry?

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

@@instrumentalistjade8367 Hmm I have a feeling the Rolls-Royce is a heck of a lot more enjoyable experience than the Toyota Camry lol

[@tonalambiguity3345]

It actually isn’t though. The absolute pinnacle of stage pianos is still the mp11se

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

@@tonalambiguity3345 Pinnacle of Stage piano.. maybe in terms of Key action. If we are being honest here, the MP11se isn't the best for stage use

[@tonalambiguity3345]

ItsThatJahncke why? And don’t say weight. Weight has no relevance to stage suitability.

[@danielkinney6325]

I just love this VIDEO. Thank you so much CHUCK

[@MsDenver2]

I’ve only got an apple i-pad so could I still down load the white piano or do I need a computer?

[@electricsnut]

It was so close to perfect if only they used the GFII action. They should have just committed to the form factor and go all out. The Piano 4 was already good enough and durable for stage work.

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

Yeah that would have been nice to have the GFll action in it, but then it would add a $1000 to the price tag.

[@electricsnut]

ItsThatJahncke im ok with that to be honest if I never need to lust for another brand. I already spent 2K more on a Kawaii

[@ChristofRoeyaert]

I'm torn between the Kawai MP11SE with a Dexibell Vivo SX7 (or even a VPC1 with the SX7) or the Nord Grand. The mechanical noise on the keybeds of the MP11SE and VPC1 is near silent. The MP7SE is not as silent, but it's a whole lot better than the Piano 4 (which I couldn't live with). The Nord Grand's keybed has been customized but so far, I can't find any information about the mechanical noise it makes (and the Nord Grand is only out in October where I live). Can I ask you what your opinion is on this ? You've played both the MP7SE and the Grand : has the keybed been improved for the Nord Grand ? Thanks !

[@samcole8473]

Hi Chuck - I'm a Kawai ES8 owner and am looking for another digital piano to complement it (live work etc). Do you know if the modified Kawai RH-N action in the Nord Grand features a graded hammer action like the ES8, ES920 & MP7se? After looking at several online demos and forums etc there seems to be mixed opinion as to whether the weights and let-off simulation have been removed from the Grand (leaving the action lighter and not heavier at the lower end of the keyboard).

[@PianoManChuck]

The RH-N does not have graded keys. However, what they choose to do with it in firmware is a different story (they can make it appear that it does if that's what they wanted to do). I believe the reason for this decision is so that they have much more control (in firmware) over the many other instrument samples available in this model.

[@samcole8473]

@@PianoManChuck many thanks for that info 👍

[@danielkinney6325]

Hey Chuck. You should have a website and sell Nord Keyboards and just Nord stuff. The way you review these keyboards are pretty awesome. You give us the whole truth and nothing but the truth. And it really helps people get motivated to try them out.

[@PianoManChuck]

I do have a website, and I do sell Nord and other keyboards there. www.PianoManChuck.com

[@emmaatkinson4334]

Good review. So few piano reviews cover touch and feel. What are the travel case options for gigging? I guess hauling a 24kg piano & pedals will be somewhat clumsy.

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks Emma. Nord hasn't announced any travel case options for the Nord Grand (yet?)... but then again, the Nord Grand isn't available for sale yet.

[@tonalambiguity3345]

Honestly, people trading quality for convenience is a big problem for art. When it comes to pianos, the lighter the weight the worse quality it is. Don’t sacrifice the quality of your art to save you a little bit of effort with transport. Really, we should all be finding ways to transport acoustics and electromechanical pianos to and from gigs. Digital will never be as good.

[@tonalambiguity3345]

David Macdonald lol hipster? Hipsters are the ones that are regularly using digital keyboards. I don’t think that it’s some weird idea for artists to be more concerned with the authenticity of their sound rather than how light the instrument is.

[@joecaluda9920]

Can you get a "String Only" Patch out of this too or will the strings always accompanied by the piano?

[@PianoManChuck]

Yes - strings are part of the "sample/synth" engine, separate from the "piano" engine. Each are controlled separately.

[@dentReviews]

i got the nord grand and really love it, but would the action of the vpc1 or mp11se be worth saving price to gain better acton? or is the difference small? i play piano mostly but do love rhodes and such. and like not needing a laptop. but the kawaiis are out of stock everywhere and i can't try one... should i just keep the nord? i love their samples..

[@kenboome864]

Hi Chuck; Nicely done again and your information is very valuable. So, just sold my MP7se yesterday and I'm a little closer to the "NG"... So I am "assuming" ( not a private individual sale) this unit is a special NORD demo unit. Floating around southern California at the moment. I am hearing another 33% improvement in "dynamic resonance/responce" and pianistic control. "Just by combining Kawai's triple sensor hammer with the NG, ---- "MAGIC"... The Demonstrating NORD pianists are playing the NG like it's a piano and not just another "keyboard".... (Watch their total body) that is impressive. I'm now on Digital Piano # 20. One thing I have really learned is " ALWAYS try before you buy"... Chuck, Will this particular NG be making the "DEMO" rounds around the USA? Perhaps east to Dallas, TX.... Can you find this out please?

[@mtewner]

The NPs have damper “velocity”, right? Also, can you compare the NPs with the CP88?

[@ElektronicCricket]

I would love to see a Nord piano 4 Hp or maybe 5 Hp version, 73 or 76 keys ... Because I play most of the time pianos, EP's and easy to carry.

[@alancalvitti]

since the keyboard action is the main selling point can you do a video explaining how it compares to say np4 and yamaha cp88? describe materials, touch/dynamics, is it quiet? any issues?

[@josiahdelarosa1165]

Hey chuck ! Thanks for the review I have a few questions. 1 how close does this feel to a real acoustic piano. 2 is this a good piano for a classical pianist who I looking to play fast and accurate? 3. Do you have a clue when this piano is coming out and last question, the Kawai RHIII is a compact piano action that uses the sensors on the key bed underneath the keys. I heard someone say that the Nord grand use hammers for the sensors uptop on the keys rather then the keybed underneath the keys. How different do you think is built and how different does it feels ? Also do the keys wobble a lot ? Thanks, Josiah :D

[@dezscott46]

just go out and get the mp11se .At least you will be able to use it in 10 years time Nord just want to sell you another piano and will do away with any updates for there older machines

[@kenboome7510]

Josiah De la rosa p

[@ItsThatJahncke2]

@@dezscott46 True, but you'll have to replace the felt of which the hammers are resting on a couple times over the span of 10 years. It's not too hard to replace just one of the caveats of dealing with the Grand Feel action.

[@andersnilsson7917]

Impressive sound and even more impressive weight!

[@adrianfundescu5407]

Actually Nord Stage weights the same.

[@edunabie]

Have you reviewed the Nord monitors yet? did I miss that? I would be interested in what you have to say about them.

[@PianoManChuck]

You didn't miss it. Stay tuned!

[@DrFingers]

Hi. I've been a working pro piano player all my life using real pianos. I play real vintage boogie-woogie and so I have a very percussive style. I'm torn between this Nord or Kuwai MP11Se. Do you think I would benefit from the real wood keyboard of the Kawai? The weight doesn't bother me.

[@chenliu8854]

is the USB out type-c in nord grand?

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I should pay more attention to your channel! Aside from how expensive it is, another thing which would interfere with me making a purchase of this model is the fact that I am pretty much an auxiliary musician these days and need almost everything that I take on the job with me to be battery-operated. Otherwise, this would be such a temptation. Also, is that a collapsible stand?

[@PianoManChuck]

Casio Privia PX-S3000 is an awesome 88-key hammer action board that can run on AA batteries - check my review video on it. The stand I'm using is a T stand and yes, its collapsible ("On Stage Stands" model WS8550).

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Thank you Chuck.

[@danielkinney6325]

I think they could have raised the buttons up by 1 inch so that you are not hitting the buttons. They could have gave you a little more room on the TOP for a MacBook Pro cause APPLE just released 16" Macbook Pro.

[@j.talbert9043]

It's disappointing that the top is too small to be very useful. I would have gladly dealt with the extra weight if it meant there was enough room for a second keyboard such as a Nord Wave, Moog Grandmother or Prophet 12.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I would think it is deep enough for one of those models. It appears from the videos I’ve viewed so far that it would be good enough for my VR-09, if I got one of these.

[@j.talbert9043]

ShreadTheWeapon The Grand’s total depth is slated at roughly 15” - including the keys. That doesn’t leave much space on top. A VR-09 is 12”. The Moog Grandmother is a little over 14”.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@ushba8614]

I can't decide between this and a furniture piano with better action (Kawai CS11). With all the accessories the Nord is the same price as the CS11 where I live (in Norway).

[@LuisFlores-xr5bu]

Isn't the fact that the buttons are close to your hand a big deal? Any accidental button pressing?

[@PianoManChuck]

This was covered in the video, and the reason for the panel lock button.

[@mufelo]

Great information! Thank you! Would it be possible for you to compare NP4 to Yamaha CP88 ? I am torn between the two, as a classical pianist who lives between countries, I need something to work with when traveling - and I don't really need any of the synth stuff - I only care about the piano. I feel like the Nord Grand is probably a bit bulky but that's just aesthetics. I'll give it a shot as well if I can find a store that has it. :)

[@mojowellington]

I didn't like the feel of the keys on the Yamaha CP88, but these things are so subjective. There is no substitute for trying them out - it's just annoying that you can rarely find all the keyboards you want to audition in the same shop.

[@mufelo]

@@mojowellington Indeed. I felt the CP88 keyboard was closer to the feel I am looking for as it is much "heavier" than something like Stage 3, but I reckon that the piano 4 is a bit different. I am looking for a piano, not a keyboard feel. I do think I have located a store where they have both + the roland rd2000 so might have a chance to compare.

[@Steven-zg5bq]

great review chuck! I was going to sell my np3 for a 4. but I liked my 3 better,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,now I sold my np3 and got The Nord grand..........wont be getting till august? your so lucky to get one for this demo

[@PianoManChuck]

Congrats on the Grand - it'll be worth the wait. I just bought the NP4 literally about 3 months ago, before I even knew there was a Nord Grand was coming out... if I knew I probably would've waited and bought the Grand. Unfortunately, new releases have better protection about leaking out than some of our military top secrets!

[@diarmuidsheehan4927]

Chuck, is there a name on the piece you played at the start of the video? Or is it something you wrote yourself? It's wonderful whatever it is

[@PianoManChuck]

Its an original of mine called "Forgotten". See this link: sellfy.com/p/OxNF/

[@nathanreid2974]

I must admit i still prefer the Casio ctx's sound, its the fact that the upper and lower range notes sound consistent on the casio ctx than other keyboards

[@Piggeliggel]

Great review! I keep hitting my knobs all the time while playing on the nord piano 3. I have big anxiety of changing programs while playing live.. The Nord Grand is interesting but I wish there was more to it so I could convince myself to upgrade from the Nord piano 3. But the day it breaks I will probably get one!

[@Boris_Chang]

From a marketing perspective the Grand IS a a replacement for the Piano4. You buy one for near-piano action and you buy the other to save money and weight and accept a less-realistic action. I cannot imagine anyone-professional or hobbyist who would want both. Or perhaps I should have called it a “substitute” rather than “replacement”. It isn’t a renamed “Piano5”. It’s all semantic hair splitting though.

[@sphinx9517]

Can you combine a acoustic and electric piano in your layers?

[@uumlau]

Only if one is in the keyboard layer and the other is in the synth layer. There are only a handful of piano sounds available for the synth layer.

[@SeanRainey]

Is there a release date on the Stage Grand?

[@PianoManChuck]

I assume you mean "Nord Grand" (there is no "Stage Grand")? Not officially, but I've heard August for the USA (don't quote me).

[@SeanRainey]

@@PianoManChuck You know what I meant lol. Let's hope that's true! I'm getting tired of my Yamaha CP40

[@TorBruheim]

Good review, thank you. In my ears it even sounds better than the Yamaha CP88. The new grand piano is absolutely outstanding. With the new Kawaii keys, this must be the absolutely best in 2019, only thing close must be Spectrasonic keyscape soft piano when it comes to sound.

[@coolandmellow]

How were you able to get hold of it? It's not even available yet.👍

[@Jonboyutube]

coolandmellow probably a Nord promo loaner

[@lukazavisic]

I am a profesional pianist, gigging mainly jazz but I like to practice also classical music (Bach, Chopin Etudes...) to keep my technique. Now my question is if Nord Grand is a good instrument to practice on all that stuff? For instance, I get in a situation to play on a real grand piano a piece that I practised and learned on Nord Grand, would the feeling be much different in action? Will I have trouble playing some fast lines on a real grand piano, because it might have heavier keys?

[@PianoManChuck]

ALL piano key actions are different - even from one grand piano to another! So unless you learn to adjust to each and every action out there in a matter of seconds (or minutes) like many professional pianists can do, then yes - its going to feel very different.

[@sergiorodrigoroyo5079]

I tried a Kawai MP11se yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't try the Nord Grand. But I can tell you the MP11se feels like a damn piano. I tried everything technique wise (apart from glissandos) and it feels like a real piano, or at least as close as you can get. Without having tried both, the Kawai is a safe bet if you want to keep or train your classic pianist technique.

[@jasonvongsay2620]

Great video! I subscribed. Side note: I’m so annoyed that bought the Nord piano 4 eight months ago... 😑😭

[@Tyler_Wilson]

I sold my Piano 4 and bought this. Worth it!

[@jasonvongsay2620]

@@Tyler_Wilson Where did you sell yours? Did you get close to what you paid for the Nord Piano 4?

[@chenliu8854]

Hi! How is the key action comparing to the Roland RD-2000? Thank you :)

[@blatancyproductions8246]

slightly lighter, but more responsive and detailed, much less spring-y,

[@blatancyproductions8246]

But don’t expect it feels like a grand piano, it’s still a dp after all

[@yihan8274]

have waited for 1 month！t h x

[@yihan8274]

So，is it necessary to change my NP4 to this new nord?

[@PianoManChuck]

Only if you feel like you need to. Your NP4 already does everything the Nord Grand does. You may want to go check it out for yourself (once available) to see if you like the new Kawai action better. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't go or you'll be mercilessly tempted!

[@yihan8274]

PianoManChuck i mean, is it much different or it just change from a hand feeling from another? Just despite the cost.

[@jeffreyreid6981]

With the other big difference besides the key bed The memory is twice as much you can load a lot of big samples into it

[@Steven-zg5bq]

nor field monitors have no reverb if your using a mic son

[@yamahamusicians]

Love the sound but my god they are heavy! Well...relatively heavy given where the market is going in the direction of full hammer action without the bicep building poundage :)

[@PianoManChuck]

Hi Saul! Part of the reason for being heavy is the metal case with real wood. Nord's are built to withstand all the punishment that inadvertently comes about when touring. The rock-solid casing can also be found on Kawai's as well (except for their entry level boards). Even without the rock solid casing, compare this to any of its light-weight plastic competition and you'll find that even the knobs and switches are first rate quality. The knobs alone are solid with an immediately recognizable quality the moment you touch them. At their current weight, its still actually quite manageable!

[@tonalambiguity3345]

Ffs, art is not supposed to be convenient! Attitudes like yours are destroying art.

[@yamahamusicians]

@@tonalambiguity3345 and who appointed you the arbiter on what art should and should not be?

[@tonalambiguity3345]

yamahamusicians Nobody. But nobody remembers the artists who compromise their artistic vision for a the sake of convenience.

[@yamahamusicians]

@@tonalambiguity3345 How do you know they compromise anything? People do what they do with what they have available. There is no set of rules that says you must suffer or your art has no merit. You don't need to be a tortured and troubled person to be a great artist. Art is for everyone and people make great music with the simplest of kit as well as the most complex. If you are an artist you ARE an artist period.

[@latinx5129]

For $600 my Casio PX S1000 does the job

[@nimanma9484]

🤣

[@veerchasm1]

You mean the Nord TEN grand