Nord Electro 6 is a giant leap forward
At first glance, the Nord Electro 6 looks strikingly similar to Nord’s flagship range, the Nord Stage 3 series.
The Nord Electro 6 introduces a range of features popularized by the Stage 3 series, most notably the ability to create three-part multi-timbral performances using all three internal engines simultaneously!
The Electro 6 allows you to create flexible split and layered configurations, and Nord have even introduced the crossfade setting as seen on the Stage 3. This allows you to create seamless transitions through the keyboard split points that you have created.
As before, the Nord Electro 6 series comes in 3 models, The Electro 6D 61 and Electro 6D 73 – 61 and 73-key “waterfall” style keyboards with organ drawbars.
The Electro 6 HP introduces a hammer action style 73-key keyboard for the more discerned players and features digital drawbars.
The Nord Electro 6 range sees an update to the panel layout, creating much more distinct sections for each of the contained sound engines. Nord have also updated the patch browser, by introducing a new “program” and “organize” modes. These features make it easier to play, adjust and arrange your sounds.
It’s not just playability upgrades in the Electro 6…
Nord have doubled the polyphony of the Piano section in the Electro 6, giving you a maximum of 120 voices.
They have also introduced a nifty EQ section, allowing you to quickly dial in a specific tone to help your piano sound cut through the mix. The Electro 6 family now boasts double polyphony on the Sample section too, increasing the maximum voices to 30. Nord have also doubled the onboard memory for samples.
The Nord Electro 6 introduces two new “Pipe Organ” models, alongside a clever “Dual Organ” mode which allows you to quickly switch-over to a keyboard split setup using two different organ sounds. Nord have also redesigned the built-in reverb, with a new brightness control.
Nord have always pushed the boundaries for keyboard and synth players, I’m glad to see the tradition remains.
They don’t come cheap, but for professional, gigging keyboardists it’s a solid investment!
The Nord Electro 6 is expected to hit US stores in March, check out their website for more details.
Nord is distributed by Rockit Distribution in South Africa, contact them to find your nearest dealer.
