If you are a fan of the Nord line of digital and stage piano instruments, then you should know that there is a new addition to their line-up! The Nord Piano 5 is a newly released digital piano from the renowned Swedish company, Nord.
The Nord Piano 5 builds upon the already impressive foundation of its predecessor, the Nord Piano 4, offering a range of new and improved features. It enhances sound quality and keyboard feel, and adds features, making it versatile for both studio and live use.”
Today we take a deep dive into everything the Nord Piano 5 has to offer to uncover all the new features and upgrades over the previous model.
Related:
The NEW Nord Stage 4 is Here! (In-Depth Review)
Nord Electro 6 Full Review: The Best Lightweight Stage-Piano?
The New Nord Piano 5 Review – An Upgraded Classic
Contents
Storage
The Nord Piano 5 boasts significantly increased memory capacity compared to its predecessor:
- Piano section: 2GB (doubled from 1GB)
- Synth section: 1GB (doubled from 512MB)
This is a common upgrade on Nord digital pianos and is always a useful one. You can now have 20 models of piano and Rhodes loaded into the Piano 5 at once.
The White Grand is just one example of the fantastic piano sounds that Nord offers, and there are numerous options to listen to and load in or swap out.
These piano and Rhodes sounds in particular take up a lot of internal memory on the Nords, especially if you want to opt for the XL-size versions, which offer the most expressiveness and control over the dynamics of the sound.
For example, the XL white grand piano sound from 2019 will run you 244 MB of space on its own. Fine-tuning your Nord the way that you want it should be an enjoyable task.
Nord Sample Editor
You can tweak the onboard sounds in the Piano 5 in the Editor Program.
This allows users to create and edit their custom piano sounds. You can delve deep here and tap into your curiosity and creativity to design unique sounds.
Piano and Sample Library
The Nord Piano 5 features high-quality piano samples, including the Studio Grand, Royal Grand 3D, and Italian Grand. These meticulously crafted sounds showcase Nord’s commitment to replicating the nuances of acoustic instruments.
Users can layer sounds, creating rich combinations like piano and strings, expanding the instrument’s versatility for various musical genres.
The Nord Piano 5 also includes the latest piano-specific Nord Sample Library 3.0, offering a wider range of piano sounds to choose from.
You will need a Nord Stage 3 or 4, Nord Piano 4 or 5, or Nord Electro 6, to take advantage of the newest Piano and sample library. This is one reason to upgrade if you use something older than a Nord Piano 4 for example.
There are many similarities across the Nord line of pianos, with the Nord Piano 5, Nord Stage 3, and Nord Grand sharing many of the same sounds and features, but the newest Nord sounds will only be for owners of one of the pianos listed above.
This might cause frustration for some, but I think it is a natural evolution of technology and digital/stage pianos, and it is certainly not as bad as what we contend with in the smartphone and laptop market.
With Nord pianos, I think you get a remarkable amount of use and longevity, and they warrant their high price tags.
Piano Section
The Studio Grand, Royal Grand 3D, and the Italian Grand are some of my personal favorites from Nord’s Piano Library.
A couple of good pianos, Rhodes electric pianos, and organs are all most pianists need, and the Nord Piano 5 has them all. Thankfully you can layer sounds on the Nord Piano as well, so a decent piano and strings patch is never far away.
Synth Section
The integrated synth section is user-friendly and offers improved sounds compared to previous versions. Its simple layout makes it accessible even to those new to synthesis, while still providing enough depth for more experienced users.
Effects Section
The Effect section has a wide selection of instantly tweakable high-quality stereo effects modeled after classic stomp boxes. An effect can be assigned freely to any layer in the Piano and Sample Synth section.
- Mod 1 – Pan, Tremolo,
- Wah-wah and Ring Modulator. All these can be controlled with a Control Pedal.
- Mod 2 – Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Vibe effect, and two selectable depths for each effect.
- Delay – Stereo delay effect with Tap Tempo button and Ping Pong mode. The Delay can be assigned globally to all four Layers.
- Equalizer – Three band EQ, with sweepable mid. The EQ can be assigned globally to all four Layers.
- Compressor/Amp – Twin, JC, Small, Compressor and a Tube Overdrive effect.
- Reverb section with five room sizes (Booth, Room, Stage, Hall, and Cathedral) for adding ambiance to your sounds. The Bright and Dark modes allow for enhanced or reduced treble.
- The new Chorale option adds a lush modulation effect.
Additional features include:
- Expression pedal input for hands-free control of volume and effects
- Monitor input for connecting external audio sources or a second Nord keyboard
- USB, MIDI, and audio outputs for versatile connectivity in various setups
Nord Sample Editor
This program allows users to create and edit custom piano sounds, encouraging experimentation and creativity. It’s a powerful tool for those who want to delve deeper into sound design and tailor the instrument to their specific needs.
Control Pedal
Connect an optional expression pedal for hands-free control of volume and effects.
Monitor Input
You can connect a second Nord keyboard or any other audio source to the rear panel Monitor Input and play along a track without worrying about an external mixer or a sound system. The signal is routed to the main outputs and the headphones output.
Keybed and Interface
In terms of playability, the Nord Piano 5 is pro-tier. It features a full-size velocity-sensitive weighted keyboard with graded hammer action, providing a dynamic and expressive playing experience.
The triple-switch detection technology under the keybed in the Nord Piano 5 adds the playability and expressiveness of the instrument, by helping to recreate the dynamics of an acoustic piano when you strike the keys.
The Nord Piano 5 also features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, with a high-resolution OLED display that is clear and easy to read. The screens on Nords are functional and allow you to navigate the sounds and control parameters in real time.
Cons
While the Nord Piano 5 excels in many areas, some users might desire a larger, color LCD display for a more visually engaging interface.
This addition would transform the instrument, giving it more of a workstation feel and enhancing its appeal to users who prefer a more graphical approach to sound editing and performance control.
I think a Nord with a large screen would be a game-changer. Unfortunately, this is something that is only found on workstation-style stage pianos such as the Korg Kronos.
For a full breakdown of the Korg Kronos Workstation, and other high-end workstations and digital pianos, check out the articles below:
Is the Korg Kronos Still the Best Workstation?
The Korg Nautilus Full Review – The Best Workstation in 2023?
Roland FP-30 vs Roland FP-30X – Best Stage Pianos? (Full Review)
Conclusion
The Nord Piano 5 is a high-quality digital piano suitable for professional musicians, students, and enthusiasts alike. Its improved sound engine, increased storage capacity, and versatile connectivity options make it a standout choice in the digital piano market.
The attention to detail in recreating authentic piano sounds, combined with the flexibility of its synth and effects sections, positions the Nord Piano 5 as a versatile and powerful instrument for a wide range of musical applications.
