Nord Piano 6 Review | News

Nord Piano 6 – first impressions, features and why it’s a brilliant upgrade

It’s been four years since Nord released the Piano 5 – a solid, no-nonsense stage piano that quickly became a favourite for musicians after quality piano sounds and a slick interface.

Now, with the arrival of the Nord Piano 6, things have definitely moved on. This isn’t just a minor update – there’s a lot going on under the bonnet that makes it a genuinely exciting upgrade for both stage and studio use.

Find out more in Tony's in-depth guide.

What’s New with the Nord Piano 6?

At first glance, you might think the Piano 6 is just a Piano 5 with a fresh badge. But look closer, and you’ll spot some really useful improvements that make playing and tweaking sounds much easier.

The panel layout has had a proper overhaul. The new slider-style volume controls (first seen on the Wave 2 synth and then on the Stage 4 series) are a game-changer. They take up less space, so you can see the volumes of all active parts at once – no more switching between layers like on the older models.
Layering is now smoother than ever. You can stack two pianos, two samples, or one of each. Technically, you could do this on the Piano 5, but the workflow here just feels easier and faster. Dedicated split and layer buttons mean you’re not diving through menus just to get your basic sound setup sorted – it’s all right there at your fingertips.
There are now handy LED indicators for split zones, so you can see at a glance what’s happening on your keyboard – especially useful on a dark stage. You can even set crossfades between split zones for smoother transitions across the keyboard.
The keybed has had a subtle but welcome tweak. It’s still a triple-sensor Fatar keybed (with 73-key HP action or 88-key Kawai Hammer Action), but Nord’s optimised it for a slightly quicker response. It’s a small change, but you do feel a bit more connected to the sound.

Sounds and Sample Power

The sound engine is similar to the Piano 5, with two slots – one for piano, one for sample synth – but it’s more immediate to use. You get access to the full Nord Piano Library and Nord Sample Library, and swapping out sounds with the free Nord Sound Manager software is a breeze. There’s 1GB for samples and 2GB for piano sounds, which is more than enough for most players.

If you’re after something really specific, don’t forget the Nord User Forum. There, you’ll find thousands of user-uploaded sounds – perfect for getting those song-specific patches for your next gig.

A big improvement in the Sample Synth section is the addition of attack, decay/release, and dynamic controls, giving you more real-time control over pads and synth layers. It’s fantastic for adding movement or subtle textures behind your piano sounds. And for string lovers, the Spitfire String Quartet Flutando voice is included – it’s honestly one of the most expressive string samples I’ve heard on a hardware keyboard.

Effects and Connectivity

The effects section is classic Nord – two independent engines, so each layer can have its own chain. You get tremolo, phaser, chorus, delay, amp sim, EQ, and a lush reverb. The panel layout is now closer to the Stage 4, and the new Spin effect adds a swirling, rhythmic motion for a more modern feel to the presets.

Round the back, you’ve got all the connections you’d expect: stereo audio outputs, monitor input (so you can play along to an external source), pedal inputs (including support for the Nord Triple Pedal 2), MIDI in and out, and USB for the Nord Sound Manager or Sample Editor. If you’re already in the Nord ecosystem, it’ll slot right in.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, the Nord Piano 6 is a refinement rather than a reinvention, but the updates Nord has made are exactly what gigging and recording musicians have been asking for. The improved panel layout, slightly faster keybed, more powerful synth controls and a smoother layering workflow all add up to a more professional-feeling instrument. If you’re still on a Piano 4 or older, this is a fantastic time to upgrade. Either way, you’re getting a rock-solid, inspiring instrument that’ll serve you well in almost any musical situation.

If you’ve got questions about the Piano 6 or want advice on choosing the right keyboard, just drop us a message or give one of our stores a call. And don’t forget to subscribe to the Bonners YouTube channel for more keyboard demos and buyer’s guides.

Thanks for reading, and happy playing!

Trying Out the Nord Piano 6

If you’re thinking of upgrading from a previous Nord – or even from another brand – Bonners offers a great part-exchange scheme. Just fill in the form on the website and we'll get back to you quickly with a quote.

Or, if you want to get hands-on, pop into one of the Bonners showrooms in Eastbourne, Reigate, Milton Keynes, or the new Newcastle store (opening summer 2025). There’s plenty of parking and all locations are easy to reach – just give us a ring before travelling to check stock.

Watch Tony's Full-Length Buyers' Guide Video

Hear and see the Nord Piano 6 in action in Tony's in-depth buyers' guide video. With plenty of playing, detailed feature guides and top tips to get the best from this exceptional digital piano.