Nord Piano 5 vs Studiologic Numa X Piano GT

[@ajotech]

Outstanding review and playing, thank you so much Piano Man Chuck

[@mrdavies7894]

Love this comparison, PianoManChuck! It speaks volumes that you have ordered your own Numa GT! As always, thank you for all your great videos and your enjoyable candour and personality shining through! :)

[@PianoManChuck]

@Mr Davies - Thank you for your wonderful comment.... I truly appreciate that. Happy (and safe) New Year to you!

[@MrCalifornia0]

Great video. How do these compare to the action of the Nord Grand?

[@r.carroll6899]

Chuck, I really appreciate your reviews on these keyboards. You provide some good basic information on the products. It helps me with my decision as to which keyboard may be best for my playing experience. Thanks again. Ryan

[@PianoManChuck]

I appreciate that!

[@CrazedCrittic]

I think the Nord is brighter. It may cost more but the sound sounds better to me. Surely you can just EQ the Numa to get the sound you want? Also did anyone notice that PMC was more invigorated when playing the Nord?

[@TuzXMr]

I suspect that might be because it's uncomfortable playing the numa from over the nord

[@CrazedCrittic]

@@TuzXMr that's a good point I'd not considered that.

[@kokopelli314]

Yeah the Nord should have been handicapped.

[@YesPlease1]

Great video, PMC. Could you give some recommendations about speakers to buy for great or even best sound? I know which keyboard I want to buy but I'm admittedly a bit clueless about what to connect to it

[@TheRezus35]

Great stuff as always. I would love to se the Numa and Dexibell compared..

[@englishguy9680]

The dexibell sound great but I found the action so heavy. Think its the same as Roland and I used to have an RD800 but sold it because the keybed felt so heavy and was fatiguing to play for me at least

[@noventasmusic]

❤..En mi humilde opinión, aparte de el gran realismo,en el nord si escucho la diferencia en los diferentes sonidos de piano !!, mientras que en el numa no noto diferencias significativas en los sonidos de piano,....saludos

[@untamedgorealist]

The Keybed is king with todays software you can get better sounds than Nord and SL by using high quality samples or learning how to do it yourself. I am in the market for a new board and you have sold me on the SL. Yes the Nord sounds better but I am going to be running a million plugins/custom sounds so the keybed is what matters to me. Plus on board mixer for small gigs wow!!

[@ispianist]

Yes I am on the same boat. I dont care about the internal sounds since I own many vst that sound way better than the nord. I just want the best key action in the market.

[@amanshrestha2147]

@@ispianist sl also has sl studio grand which is a lot cheaper if keybed is what your after I don't know what difference there us between tp40 wood and tp400 wood though.

[@ispianist]

@@amanshrestha2147 I actually bought it and did a review between this and the Roland fp30x check it out on my channel. It is an amazing key action. Waaaaay better than the nord.

[@amanshrestha2147]

@@ispianist well i saw your review. That was a good review on gt. What I'm confused on is should I purchase mp7se which has rh3 kawai keybed or gt with fatar tp400w Gt is quite expensive on my area almost like 400$ expensive.

[@ispianist]

@@amanshrestha2147 I have never tried that kawai. But I heard the vpc1 has greater key action than the mp7

[@caleb4772]

Interesting how different audio setups change the listener experience. From my little cellphone speakers, I thought the Numa sounded far warmer & more natural. From the other comments I sense that's not most people's experience.

[@PianoManChuck]

Yes that's true! It seems that the more expensive the speakers/monitors are, the truer the reproduction of the actual sound. If you get a chance, try listening at a friend's place who has the best speakers/monitors that you know of and see (hear) the difference!

[@123SLM123]

I love the look of Nord's products, always have, but they are very expensive and as a mediocre player I could never allow myself to afford one. I have run into some extra income lately though which does have me look at a higher segment of digital piano's and it does have Clavia Nord's products be a serious option for me. During my research I went over many options. The P525, FP90X, ES920 I then looked a segment higher to the MP11SE and the Nord Grand Stage and the Nord Piano 5. I thought I had decided on the Piano 5 when I stumbled across the Studiologic Numa X GT and I just love the look of it. The Nord is €2800,- and the Numa is €1700,- This is the choice made easy. Especially when concidering most reviews, such as this one, have it so close to the Nord. I can now use the 1100 not spend on the piano to afford the speakers with. Thanks.

[@ruudvincent6078]

Hi Chuck, thanks for your review. I think the Nord piano 5 sounds much warmer and more naturel IMO

[@mrdavies7894]

I agree. The Numa sounds good, but it has a really strong low-end presence that just sounds like misshapen EQ rather than "warmth" to me. The Nord has a much nicer, rounded sound.

[@antoinesouris835]

Thanks, I love your reviews. I love both sounds but prefer the Nord slightly, but if the Numa has better touch and is way cheaper, then the Numa is probably the better deal.

[@BradHoytMusic]

Would really like to get anyone' feedback regarding the feel of the action of the Numa X GT vs. the Nord Grand... I've had a chance to play the Nord Grand, but haven't played the Numa X GT yet.

[@ispianist]

I own the studiologic numa x piano gt and also the yamaha cp88. The studiologic has better key action. More organic and closer to a grand piano. The internal pianos aren't that great but I use Keyspace and it's the best combo I've owned so far.

[@InciensoWorship]

@@ispianistHey what velocity option do you use for your Numa X GT on the velocity settings in keyscape? I will be ordering my numa X GT this coming friday.

[@winterheat]

the Nord Piano 5 sound is near sublime

[@ToastandJam52]

The StudioLogic sounds compressed to me.

[@ispianist]

Yeah I was thinking the same. But I heard the studiologic has way better key action. I can just use a vst and have better instrument than nord.

[@InciensoWorship]

@@ispianistExactly

[@Zar_Art]

I prefer the sound of the Numa. Nord pianos sound honky in the midrange to me.

[@billsolomon1]

Now if they can just deliver the Numa GT and other models, ASAP?

[@NURREDIN]

Hey Chuck,Thank you for your excellent reviews.I have a Studiologic SL990 XP controller in my studio,and I love the way the keyboard feels.It's only drawback is that it doesn't have a USB output (I bought it in 2010) and I use an M Audio Midisport adapter to play my virtual instruments on my laptop. Since I only use piano and "real" instrument sounds and don't need the synth sounds,would you recommend an upgrade to the Numa GT? I want to keep that same feel my current Studiologic keyboard has. I was considering a Dexibell SX8 to add to my piano sounds,but the Numa GT sounds like it will solve both of my problems.

[@mrdavies7894]

Personally, I _much_ prefer the sound of the Dexibell to what I've heard of this latest Numa. I hope that either Dexibell comes out with either an S8 to match the new SX8 with the same (or similar) key action as the Numa GT or that Studiologic can really improve the piano sounds or offer some nice enhancements for download, _a la_ Dexibell and Nord. But if not, I've seriously been considering a SX7 or SX8 with the Numa GT, myself! But I do love my S7 Pro like I've never loved any other digital piano I've ever owned or played.

[@NURREDIN]

@@mrdavies7894 I agree with you.Every time I hear something new from the guys at Dexibell, I want to purchase their products. I was originally looking at the Combo J7 because I wanted one keyboard with "waterfall" key action like a regular organ.Everything I've heard from the SX8 impresses me. I may still go with the Combo J7 because I can get the same sounds the SX8 has through downloads,and I'll have a keyboard with a usb output.

[@ChemistTea]

This was helpful, thanks.

[@framelessfilms]

I've just had the Numa X Piano GT for a couple of days, and I just discovered a major positive as compared to the Nord Piano 5. That is the memory. The stock sounds in the Numa X Piano are separate and above the 2GB of storage for adding more sounds. This includes a lot of really good pianos and instruments. On the Nord, there is 2GB storage for pianos and another 512MB for other sounds. This sounds like more, but the problem is that the factory sounds are loaded into this same space. Thus you might have to delete factory sounds in order to make room form alternate sounds or the larger premium pianos. Also, because the electric pianos are completely modeled, and aspects of the acoustic pianos (such as the damper pedal resonance layer and duplex resonance) are modeled, the sounds take a little less space. At first I was thinking that the 2GB on the StudioLogic vs the 2.5GB (piano plus sampled instruments) was a point in the Nord's favor, but now that I have the StudioLogic, I realize that I'm actually further ahead with the permanently loaded and 2GB still free of the Numa X Piano. The wood keys of the GT do make it a beast to transport. But I LOVE the feel! Theoretically, it isn't perfect because of the fulcrum point being near to the back of the keys instead of further back into the piano, but with my playing technique, it isn't turning out to be an issue at all. It just feels wonderful. My solution to the weight was to order the 73 key version for playing out, and to keep the 88 note GT at home. I really do not want to move that much weight. Another thing that is way cool about the Numa X Piano is that since it functions as both a MIDI and audio interface, it is really easy to run a virtual piano like PianoTeq, Ravenscroft, or one of the excellent Keyscape sampled pianos on a laptop. The hookup is just one USB cable and the sound comes out of the Numa outputs. The built in sound on the Numa is excellent, but of course a good VST can sound even better. It also gives a bit of future proofing to this expensive purchase. You can't do that with a Nord, at least not without a bit more hardware.

[@MDZac2024]

How does the action compare between the Nord Piano 5 and Numa X GT?

[@ChemistTea]

Thanks. The weight is definitely a downside for me, but what can I do 😆

[@electedmusic7685]

Hello friend, can I ask you? you can use the numa as a midi controller connected by usb to the pc, to play vsts, but without using the audio outputs of the numa, I want to use my external dac. You can change the velocity and sensitivity curves on the Numa, and it will obey, but only using it as a midi controller, via usb? how do the sl studio and grand

[@framelessfilms]

@@electedmusic7685 You can choose to do it however you want: built in DAC, external DAC, or whatever. To me though, the beauty is being able to play VST instruments with just a single USB cable between it and your laptop.

[@electedmusic7685]

​@@framelessfilms oh, perfect, thanks my friend!!!

[@emilianoserojemerlin9290]

I have had a yamaha cp4 for many years. I would like to purchase a new stage piano for around $2,000. I saw that the numa has a wooden keyboard. But is it all wood or is it covered? Can you give me any advice on which stage piano to see that you think is worth it (numa included)? Thanks for the support and responses. Emiliano

[@Thairpiano]

Let's not forget the price difference between the two!

[@pianobis777]

Could you please compare Numa GT keys with Dexibell S10?

[@Sawtooth311]

Does the Numa X have Mono synth sounds, or only poly? Thank!

[@MDZac2024]

The Numa sounds pretty good, but all of the pianos have a CP80 electric grand sound to them, which is a bit off putting. @PianoManChuck, is that the case in person as well?

[@pbasswil]

Sheesh, the Nord's presets are relatively dry, and the Numa's are drenched in reverb - it's really hard to ignore that glaring difference and just compare the pianos. :^/

[@mikewellsmusic9742]

what about the electric pianos Rhodes and Whirly? does the Nord win with those sounds as well?

[@lucarav]

he is ordered one ;-) -- that says a lot - thanks PianoManChuck

[@TONY_FEZ]

Nord sounds better but not enough to justify the price difference. You really need to compare it to the Nord Stage given extra sounds available in the Studiologic, which would make the price gap even wider. The new Nord stage is around $7500 here in Australia which is total insanity. I just purchased a Numa X 73 for $1450, new.

[@PianoManChuck]

"Extra sounds in the Studiologic"? The Nord Piano 5 has about 400 sounds!

[@samnixon6198]

Q: Do we know which Fatar keybed is used on the NP5?

[@PianoManChuck]

TP40H

[@johnnylong2023]

tp 40 woood/ rh3 kawai/ pha 50 roland wich keybed are better?????

[@PianoManChuck]

Only YOU can make that decision, based on which feels best/natural to you, preferably without relying on the opinion of others.

[@enrique7171]

Good afternoon, first of all thank you very much for your comparison. I wanted to ask you a question and get your opinion. I have the possibility of buying a studiologic numa stage, it has recently stopped being manufactured and therefore its price has dropped. It is a stage piano that does not have built-in speakers. Its price is around kos 400 €. I'm actually new, I'm learning. What is your opinion about this model? What do you recommend. I await your response with great interest. Thank you very much.

[@PianoManChuck]

See kzbin.infoabout

[@andrewzarski3557]

Great in-depth review PianoManChuck! Just curious since I know you have played both. How would you compare the action/feel of this to the Nord Grand? I know Grand has Kawai RH3 plastic action which I'm familiar with since I currently own the Kawai ES8. I like the action of the RH3 but wanted your thoughts since I'm looking to upgrade. Is the action heavier/lighter overall? Thanks much!

[@PianoManChuck]

I really can't answer that since that Nord Grand review was pretty much the last time I played on that action, and that was nearly 3 years ago! What I can tell you is that the Studiologic uses a graded keybed whereas Nord's RH-N implementation is non-graded.

[@Suavissimo]

Wow, absolutely no comparison... The Nord makes the Studiologic sound quite synthetic. Thanks for this useful video!

[@chuckc7375]

The Nord is brighter sounding . I like the Nord much more.

[@franciscoalvarado3981]

The Numa X is more resistant to key impact and long term use.

[@PianoManChuck]

Where does this piece of information come from? What facts support that?

[@brunociclistinha1281]

Numa has better keys, Nord better sounds. How to solve this equation?

[@davetomsmusic]

Nord still sounds better. The Numa pianos all sound more like cp70 electric grands.

[@Ivkovifi]

I find in this video the Numa sounds like there's some flanger FX turned on

[@PigiAkeys]

To my ears, the Japanese samples of both machines sound like if they had chorus activated.

[@ckatheman]

The only thing that would bring me to Nord would be Nord Stage 3 (or newer higher model) features and capability with that Nord Piano keybed. Otherwise, looking seriously at that Numa. I love my Yamaha CP73 - but it has severe low velocity issues over MIDI (they provided new fine depth and offset velocity adjustments for the internal instruments that work very well, but they do not translate out MIDI, limiting my use as a controller).

[@morfopoulos]

The numa sound cheap… its way behind the nord… nord is complete different league.. thanks for your videos mister chuck you are amazing

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks for your comment. Both of these instruments were recorded per their DEFAULT sounds - no tweaking of any kind to either, other than a small amount of reverb. However, I can make the Numa sound VERY good if I were to tweak it (but then again, I can also tweak the Nord too)!

[@morfopoulos]

@@PianoManChuck yeah i believe you in that.. its just the sound of numa by default it doesnt remind me a piano… i can also make nord sound a lot better because it sounds a bit muddy.. in my opinion and to my ears it need some treble and just 1-2 db lower middle at 250-400 hz

[@jfcleanup]

I agree. Numa sounds more “plinky “ and thin (miss mid range , especially in the decay) . It is not bad , but the Nord piano’s have a Richter , more full sound. The action however is much better om the GT. I had the Dexi S9 and Tp400w is a very nice action.

[@morfopoulos]

@@jfcleanup i have a stage 3 88 ha.. and i am not very happy of the tp40 fatar keybed… im now planning for nord grand but i will wait untill june because they might release new grand 2

[@soundtreks]

@@morfopoulos nord grand is amazing

[@donkeevney]

Unfortunately the nord sounds much better.

[@PianoManChuck]

Unfortunately??

[@brandonhernandezjimenez2747]

I got the answer, buy the Numa and your favorite VST Piano

[@marcohama1]

NORD

[@jbluesb3southside]

My S90 from 05 sounds way better then numa and numa Wurli is weak compared to nord 5D I know the display on numa would fatigue my eyes nord has best display but let’s be real you get what you pay for buy a used nord

[@ispianist]

Nah I completely disagree. The nord sounds way better but there is not way the s90 sounds better. Also you can tweak the piano sound on the studiologic

[@jbluesb3southside]

@@ispianist appreciate the reply in a sense the nord actually I treat it as a tool it’s nice having a 5D on top of B3 for some salt and pepper but man I do like the studio logic but it needs a second I guess needless to say the s90 is kind of out of rig so we’ll see Thanks again

[@framelessfilms]

A few more days into this and I have this observation. Neither the Nord nor the StudioLogic sound anywhere near as good as a good VST like PianoTeq, Keyscape, or Ravenscroft 275. They sound great for live work, but they still fall short compared to the virtual instruments that you can do on a computer. With the StudioLogic Numa X Piano, it functions as both a MIDI and an audio interface with a single USB cable. The audio interface on the Numa is Core Audio compatible on a mac or iPad, and ASIO4ALL compatible on a Windows machine. It is dead easy to use the Numa X Piano as the hardware for a laptop running a top virtual piano, and with the wood keys on the GT model, that gives you the best possible sound with the best possible keybed!

[@jbluesb3southside]

@@framelessfilms I like that perspective cool

[@yaronbrecher7397]

Superb video ❤❤❤❤❤

[@yaronbrecher7397]

Where is the sound coming from on this video??

[@PianoManChuck]

What you're hearing is recorded directly from each keyboard's Line Out's.