24. April 2025

JET

Nord Piano 6: A Deep Dive with AndertonsKeyboardDept

In this irreverent and unapologetically British exploration, AndertonsKeyboardDept dive into the nitty-gritty of the Nord Piano 6, revealing its raw potential and quirky depths. Join the ride for a detailed look at this keyboard wizardry.

Meet the New Kid on the Block

Kicking off the video, AndertonsKeyboardDept introduces the Nord Piano 6 in all its splendid glory. Presented as the latest evolution for piano aficionados, the keyboard is designed for those who demand quickness, efficiency, and sensational sound. They start with an overview, highlighting the Nord’s famous sectioning scheme which includes a piano section, a sample synth section, and an effects section. Gone are the rotary dials of the previous Nord 5 – the Nord Piano 6 replaces them with faders, allowing for a more hands-on and dynamic control of sound levels.

"The take on this is I know what's new about it, but I have had no prep and we're going to find out about the new things together."

Faders & Unison: Elevate Your Sound

As typical of AndertonsKeyboardDept, they enthusiastically display the new faders in action. These allow users to seamlessly shift and blend sounds across layers, providing an intuitive method for dynamic adjustments. What once required rotary dials and meticulous tweaking can now be expertly executed with a flick of the fader. They demonstrate how to achieve breathtaking unison effects, emphasizing its evolution from previous versions which needed separate layers for detuning. With these advancements, users can experience unparalleled precision and depth, achieving sounds akin to micropitch settings on vintage Ebb and Tide devices.


Triple Pedal Triumph

"That's because it sends continuous controller messages instead of just on off now."

The discussion pivots to their new triple pedal, presenting a significant step forward from its predecessor. This iteration offers continuous controller messages instead of just on/off signals, enriching the user’s ability to create dynamic and nuanced performances. This pedal simulates the subtle nuances of an acoustic piano’s soundboard and sustain, offering half-pedal effects for more expressive playing. The Nord Piano 6’s triple pedal ensures keyboardists can engage with their music on a granular level, creating lush, layered soundscapes that react dynamically to nuanced pedal operations.

Dynamic Comp and Sonic Precision

Dynamic comp is another highlight in the Nord Piano 6, said to transform the evenness in playing without sacrificing dynamics, unlike traditional compression which can affect tone. This nifty feature listens to the pressure during play and smooths out the velocities, offering a more polished performance. It’s perfect for those who want their sound to be even without the tonal thwack regular compression introduces. For example, AndertonsKeyboardDept casually plays engaging sequences and shows how dynamic comp makes the trickiest parts sound effortlessly uniform; a beautiful marriage of technology and artistry. The dynamic comp is all about keeping things neat without killing the vibe.

"Dynamic comp, as I'm playing, kind of listening to the pressure I put in and evening out the velocities."

Sample Synth Surprises

Venturing into the sample synth section, the team at AndertonsKeyboardDept explores new additions like the Spitfire String Quintet partnership. These strings sound absolutely divine, bringing studio-quality transitions to the keyboard setup. Proudly showing off the dedicated release knob, the presenters illustrate its impact in layering sounds, allowing subtle yet effective releases which are crucial in crafting harmonious compositions. The release control separates the grain from the chaff, adding an extra layer of refinement to what can already be a chaotic soundscape. This feature provides users with the ability to tailor sound lengths, enhancing compositional flexibility without external processing.


Effects Overhaul

A major focus is placed on the all-new effects section. Inspired by the Stage Four, each layer now hosts its own effects chain while sharing a global reverb, allowing individualized processing of each sound. The spin effect, new mono and stereo options for a vintage feel, and improved EQ demonstrate Nord’s commitment to providing users with total sound sculpting control. The ping pong delay settings add diverse rhythmic capabilities, offering variations like Flam and various pass filters. These work together to enrich the player’s tone, enabling complex, professional-grade effects to be dialed in directly on the keyboard without additional gear. It’s a playground for those who love crafting sound.


Final Thoughts and Takeaways

"If they didn't do it this iteratively, we would see no progression."

Wrapping up, AndertonsKeyboardDept reflects on the Nord Piano 6’s offerings. Despite initial concerns that there was nothing new, it turns out this keyboard is packed to the brim with enhanced features, making it a prime contender for both newcomers and seasoned players. They acknowledge the iterative nature of Nord’s upgrades—while some may grumble about minimal changes, this approach ensures continual refinement and satisfaction for its users. The Nord Piano 6 operates as a gateway into expressive playing while also respecting the financial investment by maintaining a common sample library with its predecessors. For those curious, they have the keyboard available in-store for hands-on exploration.

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