Have you tried a Nord keyboard?
I bet you liked it, didn’t you?
For years now, Nords have been a steady fixture on the world’s stages, being used by the biggest bands on the planet in an unusually wide variety of musical styles. That distinctive trademark red chassis shows up in indie bands, techno, rock, jazz, ambient, experimental, blues and all kinds of other music.
There's something undeniably great about them, and today I aim to figure out just what that might be. Care to join me?
Contents
What Models are in the Nord Range?
Why Are Nord Keyboards So Popular?
What is a Nord?
First thing’s first: what even is a Nord? Strictly speaking, it’s not a brand. Nope, Nords are all made by a Swedish keyboard brand called Clava. The Nord subbrand was initially just that: a range that fit in alongside other products. Once the red-clad keyboard started getting attention in the mid 90s, Clavia focused their time and efforts on Nords, and now the company is by far best known for them. The name comes from co-founder Hans Nordelius, and the company has called all of their keyboards ‘Nords’ since the Nord Lead was released in 1995.
But What is a Nord?
Nords are a collection of keyboard instruments that are designed mainly for performance. They have distinctive red metal liveries and are used by many of the biggest bands in the world.
Nord keyboard models cover many different aspects of the keyboard world, using digital ‘virtual analog’ technology to mimic classic key-based instruments. This isn’t a new concept by any stretch - it’s actually very normal nowadays - but Nord were one of the first brands to pioneer this technology back in the 1990s.
Nord keyboards can simulate analog synths, pianos, organs and more. Different models do different things, and many do a few of them, in individual sections within the instrument.
What Models are in the Nord Range?
The Nord keyboard range tends to offer distinct models that have ‘sequels’, if you will, when technology advances. So, for example, the first Nord that modelled synthesizers was the Nord Lead, and its successor was the Nord Lead 2. Their piano model is the Nord Piano, and so there was a subsequent Nord Piano 2, and so on. The current Nord Electro is the Electro 6, for example.
Here’s a quick reference to the general models, and what they do…
- Nord Lead: Analog synth modeling from the waveforms to the envelopes and effects. All of the benefits, none of the drawbacks.
- Nord Wave: Analog synth modeling plus sampled FM and wavetables synthesis.
- Nord Electro/Electro D: Vintage keyboard modeling, plus sampled synth and piano. ‘D’ models feature physical drawbars.
- Nord Organ: modelling of Farfisa, Hammond, Vox etc in greater detail, with dedicated controls.
- Nord Stage: flagship Nord keyboard for performance. Features piano, organ, synth and effects, with powerful layering available.
- Nord Piano: Pianos and sampled synth section, plus effects.
- Nord Grand: Captures the feel and touch of a grand piano, with Kawai keybed and a larger overall chassis.
As you can see, there is some overlap between the models, where appropriate. This only increases their versatility and gets more musicians using them!
Why Are Nord Keyboards So Popular?
So why do so many professional musicians swear by Nords? I have a few ideas, and here they are…
A Performer’s Dream: you get great access to great sounds, and you don’t have to spend a month learning how the menu systems work because there aren’t really any! Every Nord is easy to use, edit and manipulate, whether in the studio or right onstage. The control layout of each section of a Nord is so intuitive, that they were clearly designed BY musicians FOR musicians. It makes a huge difference in the heat of battle, as it were!
WYSIWYG: This is music geek chat for ‘what you see is what you get’. Some people pronounce it ‘wizzy-wig’, though that’s up to you. It means that everything you need is right there on the front panel, with a physical control for almost every function. Loads of companies have since copied this, but back in 1995, this was NOT how synths were going, and Nord sorted that right out.
Hand-Made: Each Nord is hand-made in Sweden. The premises are small and the staff are dedicated. Musicians appreciate this difference, because they can feel it in the solid build, excellent key feel, brilliant wooden pitchstick action, and a hundred other things that subtly introduce themselves to the player when they plug in and switch on. And that’s BEFORE you hear the incredible sounds!
Time-Tested: Nords have been toured and recorded with for 30 years now, so we as players can look back and see how reliable and road-worthy they are from direct proof. These are seriously stable pieces of gear.
Good Enough to Impress OG Owners: Touring organ players for country bands, Americana bands and noise rock bands alike have all told me how impressed they were with the Nord Organ models. Most of these musicians have actual Hammonds, Vox Continentals and/or Farfisas at home, and if the Nords are good enough to convince them, then they are good enough to convince me!
There’s Nothing Like a Nord
Those are just some of the reasons why Nord are the preeminent choice for performers. You can dive deep into sound design if you want, but I’d say there are other keyboards for that: Nords are wonderful instruments for writing, practising, recording and performing. In fact, they are some of the greatest keyboards in the world. From Sweden with love!
Click to View our Selection of Nord Keyboards
