Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech: Nord Piano 6 – Six Reasons It Slaps

First up, the Nord Piano 6’s triple-sensor keybed is the sort of upgrade that makes your fingers feel like they’ve been given a licence to thrill. Michael wastes no time hammering out Chopin and throwing fast tremolos at it, and the board just eats it up. The action is heavy enough to keep classical heads happy, but quick and responsive for anyone who likes to get a bit wild.

What’s refreshing here is that this isn’t just marketing fluff – you see the keybed backing up every type of playing style, from delicate intros to full-on bunker rave. It’s not about pretending to be a grand, but about giving you the confidence to dig in without feeling like you’ll snap the thing in half. If you want to see how it handles under pressure, the video’s got you covered with some real-world playing, not just polite demo licks.

Nord’s advanced string resonance is the secret sauce that makes this board sound less like a toaster and more like a real grand. Michael points out how the overtones bloom when you hold big chords, and it’s not just hype – you can hear the movement and depth, especially if you crank the volume and let those chords ring.

It’s the kind of detail most brands skip, but here it’s front and centre. The resonance gives dreamy, washy sounds that actually move, not just static samples. If you’re the sort who cares about the difference between ‘good enough’ and ‘damn, that’s real’, this bit is for you. For the full effect, you’ll want to hear those sustained chords in the video – text can’t do justice to the shimmer.

The included Nord triple pedal isn’t just a box-ticker – it’s a proper tool. Michael’s quick to point out that it’s worth a chunk of change on its own, and it actually delivers. All three pedals do what you’d expect from a real grand, but the magic is in the programmability. You can assign them to all sorts of functions, which is rare and seriously useful.

Half-pedalling, sostenuto, and more – it’s all here, and it actually works. The demo with the middle pedal catching notes is a highlight, showing off the nuance you can get. If you’re sick of fake pedals that feel like afterthoughts, this is a breath of fresh air. The video demo is worth a watch if you want to see just how expressive it can get.

The Spitfire Audio collaboration is where things get cinematic. Nord have loaded up the Piano 6 with some of the best string samples in the game, and Michael isn’t shy about showing them off. From lush quintets to soft, expressive layers, these sounds are a serious step up from the usual digital cheese.

If you’re into orchestral textures or want to layer strings with your piano patches, this is a killer feature. Michael’s medley patch, blending Spitfire strings with piano and effects, is the kind of thing you need to hear to believe. The video’s a must-watch for the full sonic impact – trust me, your laptop speakers won’t do it justice.