Swedish musical instrument manufacturer Clavia DMI AB has just released the latest version of its excellent Piano series — The Nord Piano 5. And this generation has powerful new features.
The first Nord Piano appeared in 2010. The original design brief was to produce a proper professional digital stage piano that could effectively replace an electronic or acoustic piano. And it had to be portable.
Nord Piano Generations (launch dates)
- Nord Piano [1] (Jan-2010)
- Nord Piano 2 (Jan-2012)
- Nord Piano 3 (Jan-2016)
- Nord Piano 4 (April-2018)
- Nord Piano 5 (April-2021)
The Nord Piano is sample-based, and owners have full access to Clavia’s Nord Sound Libraries which hosts a plethora of excellent samples.
Over the years the Nord Piano has carved out an enviable reputation for its design, playability and quality of its sounds. Nord keyboards have that distinctive red casework, which really stands out on stage and on tv. You can spot a Nord instrument a mile off! And you’ll notice they are extremely popular with professional musicians.
All Nord Pianos are hand-built in Sweden by Clavia.
New features
The Nord Piano 5 is available with either an 88-note (NP5-88) or a 73-note (NP5-73) keyboard. The Nord Piano 4 was only released with 88 notes. The keyboard utilises Clavia’s Virtual Hammer Action technology with a triple sensor keybed. This is designed to deliver an authentic emulation of an acoustic piano’s action.
Nord Pianos are sample-based. They feature “Piano” and “Sample Synth” sections. However, the new Nord Piano 5 doubles the sound generation capabilities, and this represents a major enhancement to the power of the instrument. The piano now has two piano engines and two sample synth generators (and twice the onboard memory). And these sound sources can all be used simultaneously — layered or split as required.
Owners have access to Clavia’s Nord Sound Libraries which host a plethora of excellent samples. These include instrument-specific libraries, and also comprehensive Piano and Sample libraries. The latter proffers a wide range of acoustic instruments along with synth and vocal samples. Sounds from the libraries can be uploaded to the Nord, replacing the factory-installed voices.
Other new features include Soft and Bright filters, Tru-Vibrato (for modelling acoustic instruments) and Unison (for blending multiple sample voices).
More details of The Nord Piano 5’s enhancements can be found in the table below.
Clavia also produces the Nord Grand, which was released in 2019. If you are solely an acoustic pianist then this may be the better choice for you. It is somewhat more expensive than the Nord Piano, but incorporates the Kawai Hammer Action Keyboard with advanced triple sensors for truly exceptional piano-like performance.
The Nord Piano 5 will ship in Spring 2021.
Prices are yet to be finalised.
Nord Piano 5 and Nord Piano 4 Specifications
| Nord Piano 5 | Nord Piano 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Keybed | 88-key Triple Sensor Grand Weighted Hammer Action | 88-key Triple Sensor Grand Weighted Hammer Action |
| Keybed* | 73-key Triple Sensor Grand Weighted Hammer Action | N/A |
| Outputs | 2 + Headphones Out | 2 + Headphones Out |
| USB Connection | Yes | Yes |
| MIDI Connections | USB MIDI + MIDI In/Out | USB MIDI + MIDI In/Out |
| Monitor Input | Yes | Yes |
| Display Type | OLED | OLED |
| Global | ||
| Programs | 16 Banks x 25 programs (400 locations) | 16 Banks x 25 programs (400 locations) |
| Live/Auto Save Programs | 5 locations | 5 locations |
| Split Keyboard* | Yes, advanced KB Split with LED indication | Yes, selectable split point with LED indication |
| Split Point Crossfades | Yes | Yes |
| Layers/Dual Sounds* | 2 piano engines, 2 sample synths | 1 piano engine, 1 sample synth |
| Program Transpose | Yes | Yes |
| Seamless Transitions | Yes | Yes |
| Piano Section | ||
| Nord Piano Library Memory* | 2 GB | 1 GB |
| Piano Locations | 6 types x 20 models (120) | 6 types x 20 models (120) |
| Piano Polyphony | 120 voices | 120 voices |
| Piano Timbre | Yes | Yes |
| Layer Detune* | Yes, 3 amounts | N/A |
| String Resonance | Yes (Generation 2) | Yes (Generation 2) |
| Soft/Long Release | Yes, Selectable on panel | Yes, Selectable on panel |
| Pedal Noise | Yes (with included Nord Triple Pedal) | Yes (Nord Triple Pedal required) |
| Dynamic Sustain Pedal | Yes (with included Nord Triple Pedal) | Yes (Nord Triple Pedal required) |
| Sample Synth Section | ||
| Nord Sample Library Memory* | 1 GB | 512 MB |
| Sample Polyphony* | 40+ voices | 30+ voices |
| Transpose | Yes | Yes |
| Unison* | Yes, 3 amounts | N/a |
| Vibrato* | Yes, user adjustable with 3 Dly options | N/a |
| Effects Section | ||
| Effect 1 | Pan, Tremolo, Stereo Wah/Auto-wah. Control Pedal functionality for all effects. | Pan, Tremolo, Stereo Wah/Auto-wah. Control Pedal functionality for all effects. |
| Effect 2 | Stereo Phaser, Flanger and Chorus. Two depths for each effect. | Stereo Phaser, Flanger and Chorus. Two depths for each effect. |
| Delay* | Yes, Stereo Delay with Tap Tempo, Ping-Pong mode and Global option | Yes, Stereo Delay with Tap Tempo |
| Eq* | 3 band, Sweepable Mid with Global option | 3 band, Sweepable Mid |
| Amp Simulation/Compressor | Twin, Jc, Small, Tube Distortion, Stereo Compressor | Twin, Jc, Small, Tube Distortion, Stereo Compressor |
| Master Effects* | Reverb (5 sizes + Dark/Bright Mode and Chorale option) | Reverb (3 modes + Bright Mode) |
| Dimensions | Nord Piano 5 | Nord Piano 4 |
| Weight* | 88: 18,5 kg (40.1 lbs) 73: 15,5 kg (34.1 lbs) | 18,5 kg (40.1 lbs) |
| Width* | 88: 1282mm (50.4") 73: 1070mm (42,1") | 1287mm (50.7") |
| Depth | 342mm (13.4") | 342mm (13.4") |
| Height | 120mm (4.7") | 121mm (4.7") |
| * = parameter updated | ||
| all information courtesy Clavia DMI AB |
