Piano 5 vs Grand 2

[Vicky]

The Grand 2 uses a more advanced sound engine with more detailed sampling,Slope Game especially in its acoustic piano sounds, giving it a richer, more nuanced tone compared to the Piano 5.

I highly doubt that. Why should Clavia introduce an advanced or improved sound engine in the NG2 without talking about it at all or advertising it with great fanfare? And it’s a fact that the samples are identical.
I also assume that the only technical and perhaps audible difference comes from a differently calibrated keyboard.

[ThePianist]

Then it bears the question:
Is the difference in price worth it - for a better action/keybed experience?

[FZiegler]

There is not only a difference in price - it's a difference in appearance, usability (stackability), size and weight as well: The better transportable is the Piano 5, the (much) better playable is AFAIK the Grand 2.

Unfortunately, you don't get the key action of the Grand 2 in the shape of a Piano 5. And unfortunately as well, the top of the Grand 2 will only support a small synth, it's not wide enough for an organ keyboard.

There's more to consider than money.

[cphollis]

There is not only a difference in price - it's a difference in appearance, usability (stackability), size and weight as well: The better transportable is the Piano 5, the (much) better playable is AFAIK the Grand 2.

Unfortunately, you don't get the key action of the Grand 2 in the shape of a Piano 5. And unfortunately as well, the top of the Grand 2 will only support a small synth, it's not wide enough for an organ keyboard.

There's more to consider than money.

Yes. Think of the Grand 2 as a "home digital piano" (appearance and feel more important than size and weight) and the Piano 5 as a "stage digital piano". The NP5 73 is just about ideal for gigs.

[Nordlicht]

Then it bears the question:
Is the difference in price worth it - for a better action/keybed experience?

In my experience the keybed of the Grand 2 also plays significantly quieter than the Fatar one in the Piano 5. This would also be a point to consider when using it at home.

[N8CVD]

Hello, if there is an audible difference in the sound, is it possible that there could have some technical differences in the analog components between the 2 instruments ? I mean, even with the same digital samples and the same engine, somewhere in the line there are a Digital to Analog Converter and an analog output stage, maybe there are not the same ?

[cgrafx]

Hello, if there is an audible difference in the sound, is it possible that there could have some technical differences in the analog components between the 2 instruments ? I mean, even with the same digital samples and the same engine, somewhere in the line there are a Digital to Analog Converter and an analog output stage, maybe there are not the same ?

Not that would make any significant difference.

There is night and day difference between playing the same piano samples on the NS3 and the NP5, that can 100% be attributed to the weighted keybed and difference in velocity curve handling.

NS3 compact, pianos are pretty flat and lifeless
NS3 Compact played via MIDI from the NP5, much better response
NP5 best response, tone, playability

playing the Stage from the Piano 5 is close, but still not as good as playing the Piano 5 directly. I'm sure pretty much all of the differences can be attributed to the limitations of MIDI keyboard velocity translation, which is not being done when playing directly on the NP5 (since its reading the velocity directly from the keyboard).

I'm sure with more time to play around with velocity curves, etc, that the difference between the NP5 and NS3 could be reduced or maybe even eliminated, but since I pretty much always carry both keyboards, there isn't a good reason for me to waste time trying to get them to match.

I feel very comfortable saying for all practical purposes, none of the differences can be attributed to D/A conversation or the analog output stage.

[ziozeus]

I'm sure with more time to play around with velocity curves, etc, that the difference between the NP5 and NS3 could be reduced or maybe even eliminated, but since I pretty much always carry both keyboards, there isn't a good reason for me to waste time trying to get them to match.

Which means would you use to waste your time? I would if I knew...

[maxpiano]

I'm sure with more time to play around with velocity curves, etc, that the difference between the NP5 and NS3 could be reduced or maybe even eliminated, but since I pretty much always carry both keyboards, there isn't a good reason for me to waste time trying to get them to match.

Which means would you use to waste your time? I would if I knew...

Since on Nord keyboards you cannot change the velocity curve, the only way to do it is to put the Nord in Local Off and use an external MIDI Processor (HW or app on computer/tablet, e.g. Mainstage or Camelot) connected to Nord MIDI IN+OUT (USB or DIN) to apply a different velocity curve and send the modified Note data (and all other MIDI data) back to Nord.

[ziozeus]

Yeah... But nord grand does not send triple sensor data.
I would loose more than what I gain.