The 5 Best Nord Pianos: Are They Any Good?
If you knew nothing going into your search for purchasing a digital piano, Nord will be one of the first and most prevalent brand names you’ll see. As such, they are also one of the more common brands you’ll see gigging players use.
This guide will cover just how good Nord digital pianos are and which ones you should consider purchasing!
Table Of Contents
What Are Nord Pianos?
The Swedish company is known for their iconic red paint finish. However, the true claim to fame are their high-end keyboards that are made with excellent components.
These keyboards are not cheap, and are absolutely more geared towards longtime players, gigging professionals, high level educators, and recording studios. There is not a model that costs under $2,000, unless you find one used, which would be rare to find below $2,000 as well.
If you are in need of a high level digital piano, and are prepared to invest in one, then purchasing a Nord will not let you down. Of course, there are peers like Roland or Yamaha who also make phenomenal keyboards, but in this guide, we will focus on Nord and seven fantastic models available today.
The Top 5 Nord Keyboards Today
1. Nord Electro 6D 73-Key Keyboard
As many of their models are, Nord’s Electro 6D is an amazingly versatile instrument. Whether you’re planning on using it more for gigging or recording, it has features that suit both uses wonderfully.
It has 73 lovely, semi-weighted waterfall keys and a sturdy body with Nord’s iconic red finish. The keys are weighted enough for a realistic feel, but also are light enough to be played very quickly. It also has 400 preset sounds and full MIDI connectivity.
Reviewers have complimented the feel of its weighted keys. One said, “I found the action to be a perfect compromise between a fully weighted hammer action and a light synth springy action – it’s enough to remind the fingers of the weight and heft of the key but quick enough to allow very fast playing.”
Key Specs
| Weighted Keys: | Semi-weighted waterfall |
| MIDI: | In/Out/USB |
| Portable Design: | No battery power, lightweight |
| Inputs: | 1 x ?” aux, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Outputs: | 2 x ?”, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Accessories: | Power supply |
| Built-in Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 42 in x 11.7 in x 3.8 in (1066.8 mm x 297.18 mm x 96.52 mm) |
| Weight: | 20.28 lb. (9.2 kg) |
2. Nord Stage 3 73-Key Keyboard
The Nord Stage 3 is similar to the previous model, having the same number of keys, as well as synth, organ and piano sound engines. It also has 400 preset sounds with 8 sound banks.
What the Stage 3 offers is 2 GB of memory compared to the Electro’s 1 GB. Additionally, you are able to incorporate external MIDI sound modules directly into the keyboard. It features two OLED screens and dozens of analog-style knobs and sliders that you can adjust in real time.
Reviewers have noted the ease of adjusting your keyboard’s sound in real time. One said, “The live controls and knobs provide everything you need to tweak during live performance and its song mode allows you to plan and adjust for any gig coming up.”
Key Specs
| Weighted Keys: | Semi-weighted waterfall |
| MIDI: | In/Out/USB |
| Portable Design: | No battery power, lightweight |
| Inputs: | 1 x ⅛” aux, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Outputs: | 4 x ¼”, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Accessories: | Power supply |
| Built-in Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 42 in x 12 in x 4 in (1066.8 mm x 297.18 mm x 96.52 mm) |
| Weight: | 22 lb. (9.98 kg) |
3. Nord Piano 5 88-Key Stage Piano
Nord’s Piano 5 is an elegant, nuanced keyboard that is designed for performance, which makes sense given that it is classified as a stage piano. Rather than semi-weighted keys, the Nord Piano 5 uses grand piano styled weighting for a hyper-realistic feel.
It is significantly larger and heavier than the previous two models, which is to be expected since the Nord 5 is the first 88-key piano on this list. There are only a handful of presets (grand, upright, electric pianos, clavinet and harpsichord).
While this keyboard’s main purpose isn’t for DAW use, it still performs excellently in that regard and will be great in any studio, home or professional.
Reviewers praised the Piano 5’s simplicity and sound capability. One reviewer said, “The sound quality of the Nord 5 is indescribable. The layering features and effects are great and easy to use. They didn’t clutter it up with too many features which is nice too.”
Key Specs
| Weighted Keys: | Grand weighted, virtual hammer action |
| MIDI: | In/Out/USB |
| Portable Design: | No battery power |
| Inputs: | 1 x ⅛” aux, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Outputs: | 2 x ¼”, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Accessories: | Power supply, Nord triple pedal (volume, sustain, control, USB cable |
| Built-in Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 50.7 in x 13.4 in x 4.7 in (1287.78 mm x 340.36 mm x 119.38 mm) |
| Weight: | 40.1 lb. (18.19 kg) |
4. Nord Electro 6 HP 73-Key Hammer Action Keyboard
The Nord Electro 6 HP is a different, slightly more expensive version of the Nord Electro 6D. Costing several hundred dollars more, the Electro 6 HP features hammer action keys, compared to the 6D’s semi-weighted keys.
This gives the piano a much more natural, realistic feel that players often prefer. It still comes with the 400 preset sounds and software capabilities as the 6D, giving you access to an impressive amount of sound capability.
One reviewer has praised its ease of use and portability, “I’m completely in love.
So light and easy to pack up and set up. One of my coolest purchases ever.”
Key Specs
| Weighted Keys: | Grand weighted, virtual hammer action |
| MIDI: | In/Out/USB |
| Portable Design: | No battery power, lightweight |
| Inputs: | 1 x ⅛” aux, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Outputs: | 2 x ¼”, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Accessories: | Power supply |
| Built-in Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 42.3 in x 13.5 in x 4.8 in (1074.42 mm x 342.9 mm x 121.92 mm) |
| Weight: | 25.13 lb. (11.4 kg) |
5. Nord Grand 88-Key Stage Keyboard
The Nord Grand is its most elegant digital piano and the most expensive keyboard on this list. It is not portable, being full-sized at 88 keys and weighing 46 pounds, but it is still a premium gigging keyboard.
It has just over a dozen presets, making it better for performance rather than recording or sound design, but its top-quality and realistic grand sound makes it more than worth it. The Nord Grand is known for its hyper-realistic Kawai hammer action keys which feel amazing. You should absolutely consider purchasing this top-tier digital keyboard.
Reviewers compliment the shocking realism in its audio samples. One review said, “If you are looking for a keyboard that does not sound like a keyboard piano, this is the one. It sounds very real, and the best sounding stage piano I have ever heard.”
Key Specs
| Weighted Keys: | Kawai hammer action, advanced triple sensors |
| MIDI: | In/Out |
| Portable Design: | No |
| Inputs: | 1 x ⅛” aux, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Outputs: | 2 x ¼”, 1 x ¼” headphones |
| Accessories: | Power supply |
| Built-in Speakers: | No |
| Dimensions: | 50.7 in x 15.2 in x 6.6 in (1287.78 mm x 386.08 mm x 167.64 mm) |
| Weight: | 46 lb. (20.87 kg) |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Nord pianos any good?
As covered in this article, Nord keyboards are outstanding for a variety of uses. Some are filled with presets and sound customization options, perfect for recording or MIDI use on your DAW.
Other keyboards are high-end stage pianos that use incredible grand piano samples and weighted keys that feel wonderful to play.
Are Nord pianos better than Roland ones?
This is a rather subjective question, as both brands offer keyboards at different price ranges. Both have keyboards that are more geared towards arranging or stage performance as well, but Roland’s price range is typically $700-2,000 whereas Nord’s range is about $2,500-4,000.
Nord’s price range and quality makes it best for advanced players and Roland’s will suit intermediate players better.
Who makes Nord pianos?
Nord pianos are designed and manufactured by Clavia Digital Musical Instruments, a Swedish instrument manufacturer that has been operating out of Stockholm since 1983.
Should I buy a Nord piano?
Nord pianos are phenomenal instruments that perform incredibly, but that doesn’t mean everybody should buy one.
If you are a beginner, or unsure if piano is an instrument you will want to play for years to come, then spending thousands of dollars on a Nord probably isn’t the best decision for you. If you are a gigging professional, or a recording artist in need of a keyboard with high-end sound and playability, then a Nord will be a worthwhile investment for you.
Can I buy a Nord used?
There is no doubt that great deals on used keyboards can be found, some that are even verified and protected as well. However, these will still cost several thousand dollars if they are in any sort of decent shape, and if you’re already making a large investment, it is better and less risky to buy new.
There is nothing inherently wrong with looking for a good used deal, but do so with caution!
