Dual keyboard setup with a NS3C

[FZiegler]

Thanks for jumping in with those questions.

Initially, I didn't want to always switch programs on two boards. But you're right - I could use the extern section of the Stage 3 to switch programs with one knob.

Programming piano sounds isn't that much of an issue in my eyes - those 30 programs I use would be created in a few hours. I'll think about it: Until now, I didn't need a mixer for my keys...

But still would be interested if anyone uses a Grand 2 on stage - together with a Stage 3.

[maxpiano]

You can still avoid the mixer, both NS3 and NG2 have the monitor IN

[dansnord]

Resurrecting an old thread here... I too have been toying with a similar idea. Never satisfied in my quest for the perfect set of hardware, I was thinking about the benefits of a Nord Grand (1 would be fine, 2 would be better!) combined with a NS4C. I currently have a NS488. Previously I had the NS473. I loved that the 73 was truly portable vs. the 88--the less weight was great, but it was the more narrow width, and the lighter, smaller Nord bag meant for the Electro, that made it work. But I missed the extra keys of the 88 dearly and got a good deal on a trade up to the NS488. Now I'm thinking the ultimate would be to have the NS4C on top of a Nord Grand...

Sure, you could save lots of money getting some other 88-note keyboard. But if I get the Nord Grand, I'm massively increasing my Nord Piano and Sample memory. No more thinking about what sounds to have. I'd just be able to load up the Grand with the main pianos and one or two EPs, all in XL and use the NS4 for all the other stuff (probably with room to spare for future sounds to load.) And same with the Samples. I'd put the all the great strings and stuff like that in the Grand and use the NS4 for everything else. Lastly, it would be a huge benefit to have the great Kawai action for piano and NS4C for organ, synth, etc. Best of all worlds, albeit an expensive world!

But how well does the NS4 work with a Grand via MIDI? That's what brings this all back to the OP's question, although he's looking at the NS3C. FZiegler, what did you end up doing?

[cgrafx]

I just added a NP5 73 to my NS3 compact. It replaced my Alesis QS8.2 (88key weighted). The NP5-73 is about 15lbs lighter, which is a significant weight reduction. MIDI between the two works well, although there are limits to MIDI with respect to keybed nuances. There is definitely a difference playing the same piano patches directly on the NP5 vs controlling the NS3.

I'm partial to 88 keys as well, but I really needed to reduce weight and aside from the low D, it's not really a huge disadvantage compared to both the size and weight reduction of the 73 key layout.

[cphollis]

Resurrecting an old thread here... I too have been toying with a similar idea. Never satisfied in my quest for the perfect set of hardware, I was thinking about the benefits of a Nord Grand (1 would be fine, 2 would be better!) combined with a NS4C. I currently have a NS488. Previously I had the NS473. I loved that the 73 was truly portable vs. the 88--the less weight was great, but it was the more narrow width, and the lighter, smaller Nord bag meant for the Electro, that made it work. But I missed the extra keys of the 88 dearly and got a good deal on a trade up to the NS488. Now I'm thinking the ultimate would be to have the NS4C on top of a Nord Grand...

Sure, you could save lots of money getting some other 88-note keyboard. But if I get the Nord Grand, I'm massively increasing my Nord Piano and Sample memory. No more thinking about what sounds to have. I'd just be able to load up the Grand with the main pianos and one or two EPs, all in XL and use the NS4 for all the other stuff (probably with room to spare for future sounds to load.) And same with the Samples. I'd put the all the great strings and stuff like that in the Grand and use the NS4 for everything else. Lastly, it would be a huge benefit to have the great Kawai action for piano and NS4C for organ, synth, etc. Best of all worlds, albeit an expensive world!

But how well does the NS4 work with a Grand via MIDI? That's what brings this all back to the OP's question, although he's looking at the NS3C. FZiegler, what did you end up doing?

Like @cgrafx I play the NP5 short board as a controller for my NS4C and previously the NS3C. For live band work, it's an amazing setup. Even though the NP5 has its own sonic firepower, it's redundant with the NS4 so I don't use it. Besides, having a single control surface for everything and a single pair of outputs is great. Mixing levels using the NS4's sliders are a nice feature as well.

I never miss the missing keys vs a "real" 88 which I play frequently as well. The NP5 goes out by itself occasionally when I'm part of an acoustic duo or trio.

Is their some potential reduction in dynamics by using external midi to control the NS4's piano voices? Maybe, but I've never noticed it, so not an issue for me. I do like the NP5 action, though -- it's nicely calibrated for this use case.

[FZiegler]

I don't think my provisional solution will be very interesting for you. I postponed the problem for the moment, sold our acoustic piano and bought a Viscount Legend '70s Artist W mainly for the living room. And of course to be able to get closer to the 'real things' and learn more about creating EP sounds.

This may be a solution for concerts, too - but not for frequent gigging; I even don't have a right case. And you shouldn't buy it to get acoustic pianos out of it - most of them have inexplicable issues (even after a major update). While I like the Wurlis, Clavs, CP80 a lot - in that aspect, it's a real danger for my NS3. I'm not that much into Rhodes yet.