Published on 13 August 2024

Nord Grand 2: The New Benchmark in Stage Pianos

In 2019, Nord released their flagship stage piano, the Nord Grand, which quickly became the gold standard for stage pianos. With its premium Kawai Hammer Action keyboard, sleek design, and top-tier piano sounds, the Nord Grand set a high bar for competitors. Fast forward to today, and Nord has introduced the Nord Grand 2, a refreshed version that includes several significant upgrades. Here's Tony's comprehensive guide to what this new model brings to the table.

Key Features and Improvements Over Nord Grand 1

The Nord Grand 2 is the second generation of Nord’s flagship stage piano. It builds upon its predecessor with several enhancements:

Sound Generators: The Nord Grand 2 features four sound generators—two piano parts and two synth parts. This allows users to layer or split up to four sounds simultaneously.
Increased Memory: The Grand 2 doubles the memory for samples, with 2 GB dedicated to the piano section and 1 GB for the sample section, allowing for a more extensive library of sounds.
Improved Keybed: Nord has collaborated with Kawai to enhance the keybed. The Grand 2 uses a modified version of the Kawai Responsive Hammer 3 keyboard action, which now includes improved damping for reduced mechanical noise and a better overall feel.
Enhanced Chassis: The chassis of the Nord Grand 2 has been modified to include better damping and stabilisers, further reducing noise and enhancing the playability.

Nord Grand 2 Acoustic Piano Sounds

The Nord Grand 2 is primarily a piano-based instrument, and it comes with a robust selection of onboard acoustic piano voices. The instrument includes eight grand and eight upright pianos sampled from prestigious brands like Steinway, Yamaha, and Blüthner.

These samples offer a diverse range of tones suitable for various playing styles and settings.

Have a listen to some of the available sounds in my video below.

Overview of the Nord Grand 2’s Panel Functions

The Nord Grand 2’s front panel is intuitively designed to provide musicians with easy access to its many functions without diving deep into menus. Here’s a breakdown:

Sound Generator Sections: Located on the left side, one section is for piano sounds, and the other is for synth sounds. Each section can produce two layers of sound, which can be independently controlled.
Split and Layer Functions: The keyboard can be split to assign different sounds to the upper and lower sections, with the option to apply crossfade for smooth transitions between layers.
Effects Section: Each layer can have up to five individual effects, including modulation, compression, EQ, delay, and reverb, allowing for a polished studio sound.
Program Storage: The Nord Grand 2 offers 432 storage locations for your sounds. About half of these are pre-loaded with factory presets, but all can be customised and overwritten with your own settings.

Sound Demonstration: Four-Layer Sound Programming

One of the most powerful features of the Nord Grand 2 is the ability to layer four sounds and apply a split with crossfade. These layers can be mixed to create rich, dynamic soundscapes perfect for live performances. Here’s a brief demonstration of what you can achieve:

Installing Additional Sounds

Nord offers a vast library of additional samples and sounds available for free download on their website. With the Nord Sound Manager software, you can easily transfer these sounds to your Grand 2 via USB, expanding your instrument’s capabilities.

Back Panel Connections

The Nord Grand 2 is equipped with various connection options:

Audio Outputs: Left and right unbalanced quarter-inch jacks.
Mini Jack Input: For connecting external devices like smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Foot Pedal Inputs: Three inputs—one for sustain, one for foot controller, and one for the triple pedal.
MIDI In/Out: Standard MIDI connectors for additional MIDI devices.
USB Port: For connecting to a computer and managing sounds with the Nord Sound Manager software.

Nord Sound & Sample Manager Software

The Nord Sound Manager software is essential for organising and backing up the memory of your Nord Grand 2. With features like drag-and-drop audio files and smart auto-mapping, you can quickly create custom samples and manage your sound library.

Recommended Accessories

To complement your Nord Grand 2, Nord offers several accessories:

Bonners Music offers various packages with these accessories to ensure you have everything you need to start playing immediately.

Shop Nord Grand 2 Bundles

Conclusion

The Nord Grand 2 sets a new standard for stage pianos. With its enhanced keybed, extensive sound library, and intuitive controls, it’s an instrument that will meet your musical needs for years to come. While it’s not the lightest stage piano, the quality and playability make it worth the weight!

Visit a Bonners store to experience the Nord Grand 2 yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for any questions or assistance in finding the right stage piano for you.

Trying the Nord Grand 2 for Yourself

There's no better way to appreciate the improvements in the Nord Grand 2 than by trying it yourself. You can visit any of Bonners Music’s three showrooms located in Eastbourne, Milton Keynes and Reigate.

All showrooms offer ample parking and the opportunity to test the Nord Grand 2 in person.

Part Exchange

If you own an older keyboard and are considering upgrading to the Nord Grand 2, Bonners Music offers a part exchange scheme allows you to trade in your old keyboard, provided it is less than 7 years old and in good working condition, making the upgrade process more seamless and cost-effective. Find out more.