Software update brings new features to Nord Stage 2

The OS v1.26 update brings two all-new features to the Nord Stage 2. The first is an Arpeggio Hold feature. This is activated by double-tapping the Arpeggio On button and allows you to release keys while the arpeggio keeps playing. The second feature is a System Menu option for using a sustain pedal connected to the Rotor Speed input as a Latch/Sostenuto pedal. This makes it possible to latch a held chord or note from one instrument while continuing to play (and to use the regular sustain pedal independently) on another instrument, without having a Nord Triple Pedal.

Other additions and bug fixes include major improvements of the MIDI capabilities, adjusted responses for the Reverb and Drive amounts, the Parameter Hint feature that allows you to view a setting without changing it and the Global Transpose menu setting. A more detailed description can be found on the Stage 2 Update History page.

Get the important update in the Nord Stage 2 Download section.

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Nord Stage 2 wins M.I.P.A. award for Best Stage Piano

Nord Keyboards are honoured to have been awarded the MIPA Award 2011 for the Nord Stage 2 in the category 'Best Stage Piano'.

The Musikmesse International Press Award (MIPA) was held for the 12th time and is the result of over 100 magazines from the international music press voting for the best products in their respective categories.

More information:

• www.nordstage2.com
• www.facebook.com/nordkeyboardsuk

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Nord Electro goes Hammer Action

Introducing the world’s first Nord Electro with Hammer Action, sporting a classic 73-key E-E range keybed – without sacrificing portability (only 11 kg/24,25lbs).

Naturally, the new Nord Electro 3 HP includes all of the award-winning features of the original Nord Electro 3, like the compatibility with our acclaimed Nord Piano and Nord Sample Libraries including the exclusively licensed Mellotron and Chamberlin sounds, the tonewheel and transistor modeling of the Nord C1 organ and Rotary speaker simulation.

With 4 Dynamic Curves there’s a keyboard response for every personal style, and the new selectable Long Release adds a nice touch when playing legato parts.

Due to popular demand, we’ve added a flexible new Delay Effect with tap-tempo, rate, amount and a stereo Ping-Pong mode.

The number of Live Locations has been increased from 1 to 4, giving you greater freedom to experiment with new sounds and settings on the go that are automatically saved. Program access is now much easier, requiring fewer buttons to push to find specific programs.

Where the current Electro 3 perhaps can be seen as a great organ with additional piano sounds, the new Electro 3 HP gives acoustic and electric piano lovers a brilliant new keyboard that even works great for organ playing styles.

The Nord Electro 3 HP weighs only 11 kg (24.25lbs) and includes mounts for the height-adjustable Keyboard Stand EX (optional accessory) and the Music Stand EX (optional accessory). Dimensions: 1078x121x344 mm (42.4x4.8x13.5"). Control Pedal compatibility includes: Yamaha FC7, Roland EV-5/7, Korg EXP2/XVP10 and Fatar VP-25.

The Nord Electro 3 HP is handmade in Stockholm, Sweden by Clavia DMI and is scheduled to ship in late April 2011.

For more information please visit Nord's UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd at www.facebook.com/nordkeyboardsuk

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Nord Keyboards at Musikmesse Frankfurt

Nord Keyboards will be exhibiting at Frankfurt Musikmesse. Visit Stand B90 in Hall 5.1 to try out all the latest gear.

And we've also got a surprise for you ...
http://www.facebook.com/nordkeyboardsuk

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Elbow add Nord Stage to live rig for upcoming tour

With the release this week of new album "Build A Rocket Boys!" and UK tour kicking off in Glasgow next week, Elbow have added a Nord Stage to their live rig.

Craig Potter, Elbow's keyboard player and producer says, "I'm so impressed by the Nord Stage 88 that it's made its way into our full time live set up. I have a feeling it'll be there for some time!"

The timing of the tour's rehearsal period meant it was a Nord Stage EX added to the live rig which has now been superceded by the Nord Stage 2 Series. The Nord Stage is a truly professional instrument combining stunning acoustic pianos, vintage electric pianos, organ modelling and a synthesizer section derived from the Nord Wave. Every one hand built and individually tested in Sweden, the Nord Stage features top-flight keybeds, unparalleled expandability thanks to compatibility with the Nord Sample Library and Nord Piano Library, and renowned reliability.

For Elbow album and tour details please visit

www.elbow.co.uk

For more Nord Keyboards information please contact UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000, info@soundtech.co.uk, www.nordstage2.com or connect with us in the UK on Facebook www.facebook.com/nordkeyboardsuk

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Nord Sample Editor and Nord Sound Manager updated

Nord Software tools have been updated with added support for the Nord Stage 2 and some minor changes.

You can download them here:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Downloads

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The Grammy Awards, Mumford and Sons, and a Nord Stage EX

An exceptional performance by Mumford and Sons at the Grammy Awards, and a pretty cool showcase of a Nord Stage EX!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxA7vq84kVU

Check out the new Nord Stage 2 Series at www.nordstage2.com!

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Nord Stage 2 to ship this month, sign-up for latest news at www.nordstage2.com

One of the major product announcements at NAMM 2011, the new flagship in the Nord Keyboard range is due to begin shipping this month. The Stage 2 Series is a major evolution of the famous Stage Series which has proven so popular with professional performing musicians.

Utilizing the very latest sound generation technology in the three categories of Piano, Organ and Synthesizer, combined with a thoroughly thought-out user interface, a choice of top-flight keybeds and an almost obsessive level of quality control, the Stage 2 truly sets itself apart as an instrument for professional players.

The Stage 2 main features include:

Piano section

• State-of-the art sample-based Acoustic Pianos
• Advanced Vintage Electric Pianos
• String Resonance
• Selectable Piano Release
• Dynamic Pedal Noise via optional Nord Triple Pedal
• Nord Piano Library v5 compatible

Organ section

• 3rd generation Nord B3 Organ modeling
• Faithful emulations of classic Vox® and Farfisa® organs
• Advanced rotary speaker model with slow, fast and stop modes
• "Draw buttons" and LED bar graphs allow recallable drawbar settings

Synth section

• Powerful Classic Analogue, FM and Wavetable synthesis
• Nord Sample Library compatible
• Nord Sample Editor software included
• Arpeggiator
• Master Clock (sync'able to MIDI clock)

Global

• Comprehensive Effects section
• Single-function control knobs and instant visibility of current settings External section allowing the Nord Stage 2 to serve as a master keyboard Expanded Live Mode with 5 locations
• MIDI-over-USB functionality
• Audio monitor input

For more details including the ability for UK customers to sign up for a UK shipping notification, please visit www.nordstage2.com or contact UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000.

Ends

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Nord Stage 2 named in Top 10 NAMM products

The Nord Stage 2 is named in musicradar.com's round-up of the top 10 music tech products of NAMM 2011.

"The gigging keyboard player's favourite."

"Clavia’s distinctive red Nord keyboards are to be found on stages around the world, so the arrival of the company’s second generation Stage line-up is certain to get gigging keyboard players interested. With new piano, organ and synth sounds, the Stage 2 seems likely to sound even better than its predecessor while retaining the same level of easy hands-on tweakability."

Read the full news release on the new Stage 2 that will begin shipping in February 2011.
http://www.soundtech.co.uk/nord/news/stage-2-namm

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Nord Piano named "Best Stage Piano" in musicradar.com Gear of the Year awards

Nord Keyboards are pleased to announce the Nord Piano has been named "Best Stage Piano" in the Gear of the Year 2010 awards at Future Publishing's musicradar.com website.

"Clavia has been making moves towards the stage piano market for a while with its Nord Electro series, but the Nord Piano is the real deal. It ticks all the boxes for gigging keyboard players: there’s a playable 88-note fully-weighted keyboard; a selection of great updatable sounds; fine effects; and easy editing. To top all of that off, it looks great and is just about light enough to be carried by one person."

5 / 5

Read the full Nord Piano review from Future Music magazine here

Related Links

• More Nord Piano press reviews

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Nord Keyboards wins prestigious TEC Award for Electro 3

Nord Keyboards are proud to announce the Nord Electro 3 Series has won the prestigious TEC Award for best "Musical Instrument Technology/Hardware' at the 26th Annual TEC awards announced on 14th January 2011 in Anaheim, California.

Founded in 1985, the Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards is the foremost program recognizing the achievements of audio professionals. Presented annually by the TEC Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC Awards recognizes the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games, and other media.

TEC Awards nominations are made by a panel of industry professionals and voted upon by members of various professional organizations and audio industry websites.

The Nord Electro 3 Series features a stunning modelled organ section, fantastic pianos with compatibility with the Nord Piano Library, a selection of extremely versatile effects and a feature that allows the Electro 3 to use any samples from the Nord Sample library. This is the performance keyboard that sets the highest standard based on its impressive sound quality.

It is available in a 73-note or 61-note version, both featuring superb semi-weighted "waterfall" keyboards.

For more information please contact Nord's UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd on 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/nord

Related Links

• http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Electro_3
• http://tecfoundation.com/tec/10nomineestech.html

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New Nord Stage 2 Series delivers the best of Nord

Nord Keyboards are proud to announce our new flagship instrument line: the Nord Stage 2 Series. The Nord Stage 2 represents a stunning new take on the famous Stage series, featuring our latest sound generation technology in each of the Piano, Organ and Synthesizer categories. Inside and out, the Nord Stage 2 represents our current state-of-the-art instrument design for the professional and semi-professional keyboard player.

Photo above: Nord Stage 2 88 shown with optional stand and Nord Triple Pedal.

Inside

The Stage 2 Series contains the latest piano sampling technology from the multi award-winning Nord Piano, including String Resonance, Dynamic Pedal Noise, and a completely user-replaceable sample memory (twice the size of the Stage EX) compatible with the new Nord v5 Piano library. The Stage 2’s Organ section features 3rd generation organ modelling derived from the C2 Organ together with advanced rotary speaker functionality. The Stage 2 has an all-new synthesizer section with the genes of the Nord Wave. Additional tone-generating options, a powerful arpeggiator and, critically, compatibility with the Nord Sample Library. The Stage 2 now has access to the existing library and thanks to the included Nord Sample Manager software users can create their own sample-based programs.

Outside

With a control panel and user interface designed to give immediate access to all key functions as well as instant visibility of current settings, the Nord Stage 2 is designed specifically for the professional performing musician. Single function controls, dedicated piano, organ and synthesizer sections, new Live Mode buttons, all make for exceptional ease-of-use. In addition, the Stage 2 88 and 76 note versions feature a superb new custom-designed keybed to further increase the instrument’s playability.

Additional new features include MIDI over USB functionality, monitor input, midi sync. for the global master clock and master clock sync. for LFO, arpeggiator and delay.

The three Stage 2 models, Nord Stage 2 88 (88-note fully-weighted), Nord Stage 2 76 (76-note fully-weighted) and Nord Stage Compact (73-note semi-weighted) are all handbuilt in Stockholm, Sweden, and will be available from February 2011.

Prices are to be confirmed but are likely to see an increase over outgoing Stage EX models.

For more information please contact Nord's UK distributor, Sound Technology Ltd, on 01462 480000 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/nord

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Nord Keyboards at NAMM 2011

The stage is set for NAMM 2011 which opens its doors this Thursday (13th Jan). Nord will be exhibiting on booth 6464. You might just want to check out Nord news here from 5pm (UK time) on Thursday ... ;-)

www.soundtech.co.uk/nord

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Nord adds new Grand Imperial piano to Nord Piano Library

Christmas comes early. As a gift to all our users, the Grand Imperial is now available in the Nord Piano Library. This new Grand comes in 4 sizes. The new size is the mighty XL, a fully mapped version with more zones across the keyboard than an American football field.

The Grand itself was recorded at the Swedish National Radio studio, with our proprietary methods.

What better way to get a taste for this magnificent sound, than to listen to Sebastian Örnemark performing a piece that is said to be composed specifically for this great Grand Piano, Jeux d'eau. The recording features the XL size and was made on a Nord Piano with String Resonance and Pedal Noise activated.

http://soundcloud.com/sound-technology/nord-imperial-grand

To create an ambient recording, the treble was cut by -5 dB, the bass was rolled off by -6.5 dB and the "Stage 1" reverb was added with a setting of "5", using only the Nord Piano's effect section. Dry demos are available on the Library page.

Download the piano here

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Nord adds new Choir and DX7 samples to free Nord Sample Library

Just in time to set the mood for the upcoming Christmas carols, Nord have added some beautiful Choir samples to the Nord Sample Library. And if these are too mellow for your taste, maybe the 21 new FM sounds from the legendary DX7 would shake your tree?

The Nord Sample Library is compatible with the Nord Electro 3 and Nord Wave.

The sounds and audio demos can be found in the Nord Sample Library area in the Voice and Synth categories.

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?tm=Libraries&cllibr=Nord_Sample_Library

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"Look no further": Nord Piano 88 scores 10/10 in Future Music

"For the most authentic-sounding and feeling stage piano currently available you need look no further. "

The Nord Piano 88 continues to receive rave reviews from press and owners alike. In its latest review, Future Music magazine scores it 10/10.

The review, published in the November 2010 issue of Future Music, concludes:
"To conclude, if the subtleties and nuances of acoustic piano are a huge part of your sound on stage and in the studio, you'll find the Nord Piano a dream solution. For the most authentic-sounding and feeling stage piano currently available you need look no further. The Nord Piano should be firmly at the top of your list. With Clavia's great customer support and large online library of sounds, it's an investment that should reward piano-centric players for many years to come."

The Nord Piano 88 is a professional stage piano with 88 keys, designed with the performing musician in mind without compromising quality or means of expression.

The Nord Piano comes loaded from the factory with 19 different piano and harpsichord sounds. The program memory is filled with 120 programs that showcase the possibilities you have with the selection of pianos and the Nord Piano effects.

And with unique features like String Resonance, totally replaceable sounds from the extensive Nord Piano Library and the dynamic Nord Piano Pedal, the Nord Piano delivers in every aspect.

For more information please visit www.soundtech.co.uk/nord and www.nordkeyboards.com

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Nord Sample Library expanded with more analogue classics

The Mini and the Prophet 5 are two milestones in the history of analogue synthesizers. The Nord crew has added 2 new archives to the continually expanding Nord Sample Library- These archives contain a total of 41 spectacular sounds that showcase some of the most impressive characteristics from these great classics.

The Nord Sample Library is compatible with the Nord Wave and the Nord Electro 3. The files are downloaded to the unit with the Nord Sound Manager. All files are available as free downloads, in the Library area on the Nord website.

www.nordkeyboards.com

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New Nord Keyboards Winter 2010 Catalogue published

The Winter 2010 edition of the Nord Product Catalogue is available for online viewing and download.

Download your .pdf copy here

Or view online here [http://issuu.com/soundtechnology/docs/nord_winter_2010}.

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Nord Sound Manager v5.42 Update

The Nord Sound Manager for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Mac OSX have been updated to version 5.42.

This update includes some cosmetic enhancements and a new feature: The Download Queue. This functionality allows you to add files to a download queue by either dropping them onto the partition window or by using the Sound Download Toolbar short-cut or the Menu option.

Get the new version here.

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Nord Electro 3 nominated for TEC Award

The Nord Electro 3 has been nominated for a prestigious TEC Award. The Electro 3 is acknowledged in the Musical Instrument Technology/Hardware category with a few other products that, in the opinion of the Nominating Panel, represent superior accomplishment in their respective fields.

The 26th Annual TEC Awards will be held at the international music products industry's biggest trade event, the NAMM Show, on January 14th, 2011.

Read more about, and listen to the Nord Electro 3 on the Electro 3 product pages.

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