Hammond Suzuki wins over Nord on organ. But Yamaha probably has them both beat on EPs. Although Nord is probably the best all around option. They make it a hard choice lol
This is nice to read. I've never had the pleasure of playing a fully functional Hammond organ because, frankly, in the UK, they were all so terribly abused in heavy smoking social and working men's clubs. Usually relegated to the back of the stage, shrouded and condemned with electrical faults. The synthesizer replaced them and hardly anyone in the UK bothered to repair them. I'm sure collectors are in possession of them and it is my dream to experience playing one. I'd probably fail because from playing lesser machines, I know how uniquely odd old organs feel in comparison to their plastic counterparts.
On the flip side, I’ve noodled around on a Nord in the local music store, and I like the keyboard feel much more than my Juno DS. The Nord costs about 5 times as much. It better have a nice keybed.
Listening to the 1.2 OS versions of the Yamaha YC, I think this video needs to be redone, I'd love to hear how the updated sound on the Yamaha YC compares to the Nord.
Nord, without a doubt. I love the fact that Yamaha is going at them and are that they are finally "getting" the idea of what a live oriiented keyboard is supposed to be like, even if it is essentially by copying an Electro.
Totally get what you're saying although, Yamaha have made great live machines for years in the top end. For me personally, the W7 was the beginning of Yamaha's best synthesizer technologies although, the low polyphony didn't exactly allow for complex layering on a grand scale. The Montage and MODX are likely the most useful synths on the market today for good all round use. This YC61 is lovely for fly by the seat of your pants blues jamming. NICE!
I bought a Nord Electro 6D 73 key model, after trying both the Nord and the Yamaha. After years of Hammond playing with a Leslie, I felt the Nord has the edge over the Yamaha. The piano sounds on the Nord also have the edge . 73 keys versus 61 finally decided my choice.
Tim Saul , Superb counsel Tim. If you could have the Electro 6D for synth stuff, which Nord stage 88 key would you recommend on the bottom tier for weighted key action? Is it possible you would even choose another brand in this area? Give me your top 3 choices. Thanks!✨
@@hlcotten6587 thanks for your reply. Depending on budget, I would look at the Nord Grand or a Kawai stage piano. The Kawai has a superb action which Nord use in the Grand, but there are lower cost Kawai stage pianos which you could connect via midi to the Nord Electro 6D if you want a hammer action. I use a Kawai CN37 at home which is excellent Hope this helps.
Don't forget that a real Hammond has 61 keys on each octave. The Kawai MP series have 88 keys, but you can't really play B3 sounds over a 7 octave range. The only real use is to split the keyboard in half and set it up as a spinet organ with two 44 noteboards. (which many of the preset "splits" already do)
Tim Saul , I tried the Nord Grand, and I admit its simply amazing, but wouldn’t a Nord stage cover more areas for the money? Which would u choose? I found out long ago, just because a new model hits the market, it doesn’t mean it’s better. Sometimes the manufacturer alters an almost perfect product just to say they have a new feature. (I also love the Kawai, and agree with the words about the action. The Kawai mp11 plays superbly. My goal is to make the process as simple, and seamless as possible, and I always end of loving the Nord sounds, and superb library of sounds they offer.✨💎🔥💎🔥✨
I came here looking for vids on the Yamaha. I haven't had any relationship with Nord, while I started on the Yamaha SY 55, and have a Montage in my studio now. I first listened to the video on my small laptop speakers and it seemed the Nord had quite an edge, seeming warmer and more "authentic" to the Hammond sound. The Yamaha sounded more like a Rompler organ. The other comments seemed to validate that. Listening now on my studio monitors though, my impression changes dramatically, and I assumed it probably would change, given a better listening environment. They are both quite authentic. On the settings near the beginning of the vid, the Yamaha sounds as if the lows are cut a few db on the EQ relative to the Nord. It seems either could be turned into the sound of the other with simple eq. I know the YC at least has a master Eq right on the front panel, so someone preferring the Nord strait out of the box should be able to approximate that pretty easily. Also, on my system it seems the Yamaha's signal may be peaking just a little, It maybe has a hotter output signal, and maybe is distorting his mixer channel. On the distortion patches, I outright prefer the Yamaha. On those patches the instruments swap personalities, the Yamaha comes across rounder and mellower, and the Nord seems actually a bit brittle relatively speaking. I would have liked it if he octave switched the Yamaha up, as it is only 61 keys, allowing us to hear the instrument in the higher registers. He was able to display the Nord up there easily, as it has more keys. Overall, I don't think someone looking for an authentic Hammond sound could go too wrong with either, they both sound good. I'd personally probably prefer the Yamaha, due to some of the modern touches like the leds, the aesthetic, and just the fact that I have a history and relationship with Yamaha.
Spud Chuffington jones They’re trash!!! Had one and the Montage is cool but the pianos are trash even if you EQ them they’re just not as good hate them too for live. The Nord is a much better move if you ask me who cares about the LED’s guarantee you will manage don’t make a mistake! Buy something you will actually use.
Spud Chuffington jones they aren’t the worst but they aren’t great either. Organamation makes the Yamaha playable but it is missing a true organ engine. I don’t have a problem with the Yamaha pianos and actually use one of the older samples (S700) on stage with the band. It cuts in the mix and doesn’t get all muddy in the mids like a warmer piano will. Not the best for solo work but awesome in a crowded mix. The free add on Bosendorfer piano is very nice if you don’t like the included CFX.
Within a band performance situation, I believe the Yamaha sounds would blend more effortlessly with the other instruments, rather than "pushing" their way through the sonic mesh with additional DB's. It's one thing to consider the solo keys demos, however, they were both designed to play in ensembles, and while the Nord is generally more full-bodied and perhaps authentic, I would love to use the onboard effects/sonic adjustments on the Yamaha to maximize it's band mix.
I sold the Nord one year ago and now I prefer the YC61. I think, that the compare based on the presets of both Instruments. But if I work with the possibility of the effects and settings, for me the YC 61 sounds better and as fat as the nord. the organ can also sound like an original. I have an old hammond A102 from 1962 with leslie. If Yamaha adjust the corssover frequenzy between Horn and Bass Rotor to about 800Hz, I will be satisfied.
Nord Electro 6D had a fuller believable professional sound. The Focused YC61 sounded a little cheap and thin plus it sounded mono compared to the Nord?
Before the YC Leslie sim update it sounded terrible.....I walked out of the shop shaking my head. But the new YC sim is to my ears every bit as good as Nord at half the price! Video needs to be done again....a re-match LOL
My opinion Nord sounds warm and bold. yamaha sounds brighter & thick. It depends on your taste. Both are nice organ. Probably Nord organ closer to Hammond’s sound than yamaha.
Nord vs Yamaha prices in UK are reverse of what they are in the US. YC61 is $200 less than the Electro 6D 61-key. And how can Nord look themselves in the eye putting synth sounds on a keyboard with no pitch-bend or modulation controls??? That is a crime against music!
I felt that the volume on the Nord was turned up a bit higher than the Yamaha , however, I actually prefer the B3 clone & Leslie sim on my Roland VR 09B to the Yamaha .!
Yup, I’ve got the Roland VR 730. I like it’s lively dynamics. An incredible variety of sounds , no menu diving and a great keyboard feel. Thanks Jack for helping me choose!
I play a lot of Yamaha keyboards and love their stuff. I hate to say it, but the organ sound on that Nord is just better. The Yamaha sounded great with some of the effects added, but still fell short. It fell really short on the clean sound. Too bright and harsh to my ears.
I really wanted the Yamaha to beat Nord like they usually do so I can justify getting it but the Nord organ sound is just better.. being an organ focused keyboard, this is actually a huge deal.
Like they usually do?! They were the top of the game back in 2010. Now they’re at the bottom of the seed! All companies have caught up to them and are giving Yamaha a beating!
@Yotam Cohen Yeah, me too. I expected to have my same old reaction of "Nord is way overpriced, with poor keybeds for piano players", blah, blah...but wow... for organs, the Nord Electro, imo, is killing the YC-61 for only a little extra $$. Color me impressed.
I just bought the Yamaha YC 73 and it came preloaded with 1.3 and this thing hands down blows Nord away IMHO...At guitar center they had 3 USED Nord Electro 6s. EVERY setting on the Yamaha sounds amazing out of the box. I must have played the Nord for an hour and tried and tried to like it. I liked the Organ sounds on the Nord. I would give the Nord 10/10 for Organ and 8/10 for everything else...Keybed 7.5/10. The Yamaha I give a 8.5/10 for H3 Organ, 9 to 9.5 / 10 for other Organs 10/10 for Piano, Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds I would give it 11/10 if I could!!! The Wurlitzers and the 73 and 78 Rhodes sounds sound like the famous recordings 100% I bought this Yamaha specifically the E pianos and everything else is like Icing on a perfect wedding cake. The Nord is OVERPRICED Not to say that the Nord is not a professional instrument but the Yamaha just looks so good and feels so good in person. Order the Yamaha YC. Trust me YOU WILL KEEP IT!
The Nord Electro has a separate "B3 Bass" you have not mentioned, (not on the Stage 3). You can play the bass notes on one hand and lead/chords with the other.
JACK DUDE YOUR RUNS ARE INSANE!!!! Im a gospel guy and I've recently started taking keyboard lessons, not sure if this is place to ask for video content but I'd love for you to do a video on your runs! I watched a previous video where you said when you stopped trying to do runs and fills with your pinky and ring fingers, everything worked great. Teach me pleaseeeeee. Lol all the best man, Thanks!
To my ears the Nord just sounds better, fuller, fatter, more pro. The Yamaha sound has a toy like fragility and thinner sound. Back to the draw(bar) board, Yamaha, if you want to compete with Nord.
Just wait for Crumar to release this summer their hammond expander (with full in-depth personalization thanks to a touch screen) and you have a killer illegal-level sounding hammond on wathever keyboard you like,plus it costs much less than both keyboards. Only downside is the lack of a waterfall keybed.
Oddly enough I prefer Yamaha's tone. It sounds more... ballsy, if that makes sense. But the Nord has far better drive & leslie sim. I hope to see someone testing the YC61 with Neo Ventilator someday.
I agree with this take. Not for all the sounds, but for some ("Jazz Lead") on the YC, it did sound punchier, like you could hear the air coming from the pipes. but if you're going for that classic rock overdriven sound (Gimme Some Lovin' comes to mind), the Nord nails it.
Maybe idk enough about organs and these engines producing them, but would it be possible to EQ the YC organs, turn up to Lows and mids, to give it a fuller body?
Nord sounds cleaner and more polished, also wider in stereo. YC sounds grittier, warmer and less wide. Overall nord sounds more "hype", YC sounds more realistic - srsly, the nord sounds bigger than life, a real hammond with a real leslie will be closer to the sound of the yc. Less high end, less width, less body.
@@officialWWM i probably like the Nord better by a tiny bit. but it's just not what a real hammond+leslie sounds like 😀which is ok by me - i'm not after perfectly cloning the original, it's ok to sound different if i feel that the difference is an _improvement_.
This is a nice comparison. Generally speaking my conclusion would be that the Nord has a slightly broader filled frequency spectrum (especially towards the lower end) and sounds a bit more compressed (8:35 is a clear example). To the individual playing the instrument that makes a lot of difference (my bias is towards the Nord personally), whereas in a recording setting the Yamaha would be much easier for the engineer to fit into the mix without big EQ adjustments AND leaving you with more room for individual taste in compression. That said, overall the Nord is a clear winner in respect to all the other features given that the difference between the settings (percussion, chorus, drive etc.) is MUCH bigger than in the YC61.
i think he favours the nord! hes more animated and more inspired by it! Yamaha are no means inferior but if you dont know how to twerk it,then your comfort zone will win!! cheers
@jrcomo35713 the yamaha sounds thinner, but it also seems slightly softer (in volume) than the nord. I'm sure he used metering to make them equal, but it sure doesn't sound it. The yamaha sounds like i just got off a plane and my ears need to 'pop'. (remember planes, lol!) Hammond's SK-1 sounds real good too. And the Rolands are competitive. Not having been able to find one to play, I confess I've been disappointed by the YC61 organ in every video online. And I love my little (Yamaha) Reface YC sound. PS- to me, (from listening to videos, again) the Yamaha FM organ model sounds warmer than the ones ye Goode Jack was using, but not consistently from low to highs. The highs sounded synthy.
The Nord organ has a better tonal quality ! I have a stage 3 compact and there is no comparison, but the YC61 is a great instrument compared to the electro, I have a Montage - Kronos which i love but no one keyboard does it all! They all have strengths and weakness but a great comparison here! I am pleased to see that Yamaha are starting to focus on performance because that's what modern keyboards need. I remember gigging with the first Juno and changing patches between songs manually, those were the days modern keyboards spoil us !!! So i welcome the focus on hands on controls again. I think the best all rounder is the stage 3 but it is getting stiff competition these days however compared to when i started playing in bands technology is amazing .
To my ears, the Nord sounds a little more real...like the speaker emulation/perc/overdrive just react in a more “HAMMOND-y fashion with each other...I’m more convinced that I’m listening to a real HAMMOND console. Each set of ears is different. It’s great that now we have such problems...I used to haul a B3/147 to gigs (band members would scatter). Now, sometimes I take my NORD 5D on top of my Kronos2 88...and if I feel energetic, I take my Viscount Legend w/the Kronos....sounds great, and feels more like a HAMMOND. All GREAT problems to have !!!
Jack GREAT!!! demo as ever. I have been following you for a while now showing us all the great features on the Nord 6D. I have been itching to get my hands on one and called up to see if I could get any J stock (Jack Stock). Unfortunately I can't have any J stock hence, I will just have to settle for a new one. I have come to Andertons for my purchase 100% because you have done such great promo work on this product. Your videos always make me smile as you are not into all that taking yourself serious and make me laugh. Jack you are a True credit to Andertons & a great player. When you are stuck for ideas on electric piano demos why not dig into Billy Preston? I'm confident you're frequently asked by the drunks at gigs to play the part of Billy Preston on the Beatles get back. Im just heading to the buy now section to get my Nord Electro 6D. Please give Jack a pay rise for all his great work LOL!!
I can't explain why, but the Yamaha sounds more detailed and scratchy to my ears, losing just body a bit, compared to the Nord. Very distinctive sound, percussion and click are fabulous. Not sure if it's actually close to the real thing, but surely is the best hammond clone YAMAHA has ever came up with. REMARKABLE. Apart from that, the keyboard is very lightweight, extremely versatile and overall super fun to play.
The organ models are both outstanding. The FM organ on the Yamaha is amazing. Clavia has that additional downloadable library. Yamaha is lacking a 73 key version which this video makes clear. Yamaha is way better at interface (just looking at the controls and understanding everything) and way better split implementation. Cool looper and delay section on the Yamaha. Considerably more expensive than the Nord but it will probably drop in price. I can't believe Nord still refuses to put at least 8 memory buttons on stage keyboards. That is so annoying. When I get to a gig I do not want to tweak anything on the board, and yes, that includes selecting a bank mid-song.
@@marvinkmooneyoz Yeah it's not surprising, these things fluctuate. I still think both of these are quite expensive. Or rather quite deep, I definitely enjoy simpler boards.
The crosstalk is much more noticeable on the Yamaha, but the Leslie sim lets it down. Mind you, I've been using Hammond B-3X by IK Multimedia lately, so the Leslie sim on both of these boards sounded pretty bad.
Noticed that the YC, though great sounding was a little thinner. If an update fixes all the better. My beef with Yamaha is the narrow key width. Why o why? My rig is a Nord E6/MX 61 which I'm happy with except for the little grace notes I'm really trying to avoid on the Yammie. Hi to Lee A from Tom Lang/ex Helicon dude!
Thinking of the YC61 and using B3x in it...perfect...except the touch. Yamaha needs an update to trigger the organ from the top trigger point not the middle one
Good work Jack. Sadly it confirms that Yamaha still aren't there as a credible clonewheel option, which is a real shame as the YC61 has so much going for it on paper. The organ to my ears is a thinner basic sound - almost a bit too jaunty like Yamaha's shite old home organs - which is then over compensated for by being too muddy, too bee-in-a-jam-jar and too gurgly when overdrive and rotary or ch/vib are applied to it. The majors all have it wrong these days: that Korg Vox Continental is questionable in the B3 sounds department too, and they palm you off by calling it CX3, same as they do on the Kronos, which is either denial, arrogance, cash-cowing or effing lazy R&D - or "e) all of the above". No, my C2D isn't going on eBay just yet, Yamaha. Thanks again.
So after a few months of playing the YC61 and hearing the nord electro live for the first time today, a few things stuck out. The nord electro has a more warmer feel to the organ which I love and the keys are wider and bigger (modeled after hammond keys) which I also love. The YC keys are a bit thinner and the organ even with the new firmware update is a little to bright for me. Also thr YC lacks a B3 bass mode which limits the ability to play effectively with pedals. Now pros with the YC outside of what I mentioned earlier * Pitch bend knobs (perfect for leslie switch emulation) * Mod Wheel * leslie background noise emulation
Right from 1 drawbar out [@1:39], the difference is stark: The Yam has extra harmonics shouldn't _be_ there. Plus, it's a thinner sound. :^/ It's a shame, because they seem to have done due diligence re. the features, and I'm sure the price is right.
Around the 14 minute mark there's a long shot where you are talking about various random features, it's impossible to tell which keyboard you are refering to. When you say things like ''I like the yellow keys on this one'' we don't know which keyboard you're pointing at.
I really wish there were more comparisons between the Vox continental and these organs. I think the Vox takes a limited approach to depth of editing which some will not like.. But regarding basic sounds.. I think the Vox may be underrated and overlooked.
Shout out to Falcon! For me, the YC61 keybed and waterfall keys push it over the top. Inspires that Hammond vibe and groove. YC61 keys are quiet and less distracting when played. Compact and lightweight. Fell in love playing it at Namm2020 Anaheim. Both would be awesome :)
Great organ comparison. To be fair , the leslie on yamaha is taking longer to achieve fast speed so you can't hear the effect in the same way, looking better in the nord in this situation. I feel the volume of the yamaha a little lower as well...
Hi Jack! great video, as always! I would like to see the Piano and Synth Areas compared, although as for the synth, they are complete different beasts...Just a quick comment on the Nord's lack of Pitch Bend wheel/Joystick. There is a workaround solution by using an External Keyboard set to control the LO part of the Nord, provided it uses a different MIDI channel from the Gobal one.
Jack!!!! do a new comparison with the 1.3 firmware on the Yamaha. The difference between the software from 3 years ago to the 1.3 firmware update Its like turning a 4 cyl Honda Civic Fit into a Acura RX fully loaded.
I think the Yamaha is more realistic in terms of overall sound and amp simulation. While the nord technically sounds "Better" it sounds more like a solid state modded b3 than a true vintage b3.
Seems like everyone likes the Nord better but I think I like the YC better. It sounds a little nasal in a good way. On the other hand, the nord can sound like it lacks character by comparison
Nord wins, but now 2023 there is a huge update in software for the Yamaha that has made the organ sounds and speaker much better. It would be nice to hear the difference now. Thanks. Always enjoyable!
In both this and the electric piano demo, the Nord sounds a bit louder and much fuller bodied. But it makes me wonder if they were recorded the same way? It almost sounds like they could just be recording the Nord a bit hotter than the Yamaha.
Jack is a Nord player (you can find other videos where he takes you through his stage rigs). So I think he probably knows a bit more about how to get get best sounds out of the Nord than the Yamaha. Certainly the YC sounds better in some other videos I've listened to. I suspect the end stage EQ might also be a factor.
Nord is more for the organ purist, Yamaha is for those who want more than just the organ. Yamaha is best value per feature and the organ is nice, and costs less; Nord is best value for the sound, but lacks the features of the YC, and costs more. I wish Nord put pitchbend and modwheel in. I have an SV1 and I hate having to plug in a second controller just to get that....
The Nord sounds much more pleasing to me. The Yamaha sounds kind of 'boxed in' and lacks both bass and clarity. The leslie sound from the Yamaha also sounded rather unrealistic vs a decent leslie emulation on the Nord.
Speaking as a Hammond Organ engineer of many years experience the Nord wins every time on organ sound. In my opinion of course!
Hammond Suzuki wins over Nord on organ. But Yamaha probably has them both beat on EPs. Although Nord is probably the best all around option. They make it a hard choice lol
This is nice to read. I've never had the pleasure of playing a fully functional Hammond organ because, frankly, in the UK, they were all so terribly abused in heavy smoking social and working men's clubs. Usually relegated to the back of the stage, shrouded and condemned with electrical faults. The synthesizer replaced them and hardly anyone in the UK bothered to repair them. I'm sure collectors are in possession of them and it is my dream to experience playing one. I'd probably fail because from playing lesser machines, I know how uniquely odd old organs feel in comparison to their plastic counterparts.
@@spazkong There are B3’s and A100’s out there that work well. Sadly I no longer have my contacts but I will have a look around.
Can't beat the Hammond Sk Pro though.
Hate 61 keys
I like the Nord better because I shelled out big bucks for it and I can't stand to think that I made a mistake. :)
I appreciate your honesty 😁
So refreshing to see honesty. Many others are leaning toward Nord not admitting the same thing
On the flip side, I’ve noodled around on a Nord in the local music store, and I like the keyboard feel much more than my Juno DS.
The Nord costs about 5 times as much. It better have a nice keybed.
Only 200 bucks diff, sooo.
Lou Di Falco not a mistake
I bought the Nord Electro 6D 73 today! I was pretty close to grabbing the YC61 but I couldn't resist the Nord
Listening to the 1.2 OS versions of the Yamaha YC, I think this video needs to be redone, I'd love to hear how the updated sound on the Yamaha YC compares to the Nord.
I installed update 1.2 tonight. The new studio rotary speaker sounds pretty great.
No doubt, the firmware update put so much more to the YC61.
100% id love to see another comparison
Count me in.
@@kh884488 Has the key response being at the bottom of the press vs. top on the Nord affected your playing at all?
If you use the EQ on the Yamaha you can dramatically change the feel, it can sound just as warm & fat as the Nord. Pretty cool feature
Nord, without a doubt. I love the fact that Yamaha is going at them and are that they are finally "getting" the idea of what a live oriiented keyboard is supposed to be like, even if it is essentially by copying an Electro.
Totally get what you're saying although, Yamaha have made great live machines for years in the top end. For me personally, the W7 was the beginning of Yamaha's best synthesizer technologies although, the low polyphony didn't exactly allow for complex layering on a grand scale. The Montage and MODX are likely the most useful synths on the market today for good all round use. This YC61 is lovely for fly by the seat of your pants blues jamming. NICE!
I bought a Nord Electro 6D 73 key model, after trying both the Nord and the Yamaha. After years of Hammond playing with a Leslie, I felt the Nord has the edge over the Yamaha. The piano sounds on the Nord also have the edge . 73 keys versus 61 finally decided my choice.
Tim Saul , Superb counsel Tim. If you could have the Electro 6D for synth stuff, which Nord stage 88 key would you recommend on the bottom tier for weighted key action? Is it possible you would even choose another brand in this area? Give me your top 3 choices. Thanks!✨
@@hlcotten6587 thanks for your reply. Depending on budget, I would look at the Nord Grand or a Kawai stage piano. The Kawai has a superb action which Nord use in the Grand, but there are lower cost Kawai stage pianos which you could connect via midi to the Nord Electro 6D if you want a hammer action. I use a Kawai CN37 at home which is excellent Hope this helps.
Yep, if the a Yamaha had 73 keys, it would be my pick.
Don't forget that a real Hammond has 61 keys on each octave. The Kawai MP series have 88 keys, but you can't really play B3 sounds over a 7 octave range. The only real use is to split the keyboard in half and set it up as a spinet organ with two 44 noteboards. (which many of the preset "splits" already do)
Tim Saul , I tried the Nord Grand, and I admit its simply amazing, but wouldn’t a Nord stage cover more areas for the money? Which would u choose? I found out long ago, just because a new model hits the market, it doesn’t mean it’s better. Sometimes the manufacturer alters an almost perfect product just to say they have a new feature. (I also love the Kawai, and agree with the words about the action. The Kawai mp11 plays superbly. My goal is to make the process as simple, and seamless as possible, and I always end of loving the Nord sounds, and superb library of sounds they offer.✨💎🔥💎🔥✨
I came here looking for vids on the Yamaha. I haven't had any relationship with Nord, while I started on the Yamaha SY 55, and have a Montage in my studio now. I first listened to the video on my small laptop speakers and it seemed the Nord had quite an edge, seeming warmer and more "authentic" to the Hammond sound. The Yamaha sounded more like a Rompler organ. The other comments seemed to validate that. Listening now on my studio monitors though, my impression changes dramatically, and I assumed it probably would change, given a better listening environment. They are both quite authentic. On the settings near the beginning of the vid, the Yamaha sounds as if the lows are cut a few db on the EQ relative to the Nord. It seems either could be turned into the sound of the other with simple eq. I know the YC at least has a master Eq right on the front panel, so someone preferring the Nord strait out of the box should be able to approximate that pretty easily. Also, on my system it seems the Yamaha's signal may be peaking just a little, It maybe has a hotter output signal, and maybe is distorting his mixer channel. On the distortion patches, I outright prefer the Yamaha. On those patches the instruments swap personalities, the Yamaha comes across rounder and mellower, and the Nord seems actually a bit brittle relatively speaking. I would have liked it if he octave switched the Yamaha up, as it is only 61 keys, allowing us to hear the instrument in the higher registers. He was able to display the Nord up there easily, as it has more keys. Overall, I don't think someone looking for an authentic Hammond sound could go too wrong with either, they both sound good. I'd personally probably prefer the Yamaha, due to some of the modern touches like the leds, the aesthetic, and just the fact that I have a history and relationship with Yamaha.
Spud Chuffington jones They’re trash!!! Had one and the Montage is cool but the pianos are trash even if you EQ them they’re just not as good hate them too for live. The Nord is a much better move if you ask me who cares about the LED’s guarantee you will manage don’t make a mistake! Buy something you will actually use.
Spud Chuffington jones they aren’t the worst but they aren’t great either. Organamation makes the Yamaha playable but it is missing a true organ engine. I don’t have a problem with the Yamaha pianos and actually use one of the older samples (S700) on stage with the band. It cuts in the mix and doesn’t get all muddy in the mids like a warmer piano will. Not the best for solo work but awesome in a crowded mix. The free add on Bosendorfer piano is very nice if you don’t like the included CFX.
Within a band performance situation, I believe the Yamaha sounds would blend more effortlessly with the other instruments, rather than "pushing" their way through the sonic mesh with additional DB's. It's one thing to consider the solo keys demos, however, they were both designed to play in ensembles, and while the Nord is generally more full-bodied and perhaps authentic, I would love to use the onboard effects/sonic adjustments on the Yamaha to maximize it's band mix.
Haha, felt your virtual modulation wheel at 17:00! We could use a Nord Hammond vs IK Multimedia B3x comparison as well!
A long-awaited and very important comparison for consumers. Thank you. Big hug.
Nord hands down!! Great tone.
have 'em both! one for each manual :D all the best jack, let's do a duo gig in the white hart one day!
Did you do a vid on the YC61 yet?!
That solves nothing. Which would you put on top? And you couldn't use Les sim on both at same time. It would sound dreadful.
I sold the Nord one year ago and now I prefer the YC61. I think, that the compare based on the presets of both Instruments. But if I work with the possibility of the effects and settings, for me the YC 61 sounds better and as fat as the nord. the organ can also sound like an original. I have an old hammond A102 from 1962 with leslie. If Yamaha adjust the corssover frequenzy between Horn and Bass Rotor to about 800Hz, I will be satisfied.
Nord Electro 6D had a fuller believable professional sound. The Focused YC61 sounded a little cheap and thin plus it sounded mono compared to the Nord?
0:04 I'm sold already! That leslie speaker sound from the Nord :)
Before the YC Leslie sim update it sounded terrible.....I walked out of the shop shaking my head. But the new YC sim is to my ears every bit as good as Nord at half the price! Video needs to be done again....a re-match LOL
SOUNDS LIKE NORD HAS EFFECTS TURN ON!
YAMAHA SOUNDS DRY / CLEAN!
No, it only has lesly turn on, without drive or anyone else
Lack of pitchbend always bums me out on my nord
I love the camera moves in with the groove! Thanks for all the great videos you're doing! 🎹
My opinion Nord sounds warm and bold. yamaha sounds brighter & thick. It depends on your taste. Both are nice organ. Probably Nord organ closer to Hammond’s sound than yamaha.
Widdler on the Roof! :D yess
Cheers Jack, another great comparison! :)
MODx 8 owner so I like Yamaha and don't know much about either of these, but the Nord for sure sounds better. Except at 16:35 the Yamaha sounds great.
The nord sounds like it has some kind of internal compression and eq at play, the Yamaha sounds like a raw instrument.
Nord vs Yamaha prices in UK are reverse of what they are in the US. YC61 is $200 less than the Electro 6D 61-key.
And how can Nord look themselves in the eye putting synth sounds on a keyboard with no pitch-bend or modulation controls??? That is a crime against music!
I felt that the volume on the Nord was turned up a bit higher than the Yamaha , however, I actually prefer the B3 clone & Leslie sim on my Roland VR 09B to the Yamaha .!
Yup, I’ve got the Roland VR 730. I like it’s lively dynamics. An incredible variety of sounds , no menu diving and a great keyboard feel. Thanks Jack for helping me choose!
I play a lot of Yamaha keyboards and love their stuff. I hate to say it, but the organ sound on that Nord is just better. The Yamaha sounded great with some of the effects added, but still fell short. It fell really short on the clean sound. Too bright and harsh to my ears.
I really wanted the Yamaha to beat Nord like they usually do so I can justify getting it but the Nord organ sound is just better.. being an organ focused keyboard, this is actually a huge deal.
Like they usually do?! They were the top of the game back in 2010. Now they’re at the bottom of the seed! All companies have caught up to them and are giving Yamaha a beating!
@Yotam Cohen Yeah, me too. I expected to have my same old reaction of "Nord is way overpriced, with poor keybeds for piano players", blah, blah...but wow... for organs, the Nord Electro, imo, is killing the YC-61 for only a little extra $$. Color me impressed.
*Like they usually do 😂 you must be new to keyboards.*
Just got a deal on a Nord 6D 61.
Thanks for the review.
I just bought the Yamaha YC 73 and it came preloaded with 1.3 and this thing hands down blows Nord away IMHO...At guitar center they had 3 USED Nord Electro 6s. EVERY setting on the Yamaha sounds amazing out of the box. I must have played the Nord for an hour and tried and tried to like it. I liked the Organ sounds on the Nord. I would give the Nord 10/10 for Organ and 8/10 for everything else...Keybed 7.5/10. The Yamaha I give a 8.5/10 for H3 Organ, 9 to 9.5 / 10 for other Organs 10/10 for Piano, Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds I would give it 11/10 if I could!!! The Wurlitzers and the 73 and 78 Rhodes sounds sound like the famous recordings 100% I bought this Yamaha specifically the E pianos and everything else is like Icing on a perfect wedding cake. The Nord is OVERPRICED Not to say that the Nord is not a professional instrument but the Yamaha just looks so good and feels so good in person. Order the Yamaha YC. Trust me YOU WILL KEEP IT!
The Nord Electro has a separate "B3 Bass" you have not mentioned, (not on the Stage 3). You can play the bass notes on one hand and lead/chords with the other.
JACK DUDE YOUR RUNS ARE INSANE!!!! Im a gospel guy and I've recently started taking keyboard lessons, not sure if this is place to ask for video content but I'd love for you to do a video on your runs! I watched a previous video where you said when you stopped trying to do runs and fills with your pinky and ring fingers, everything worked great. Teach me pleaseeeeee. Lol all the best man, Thanks!
To my ears the Nord just sounds better, fuller, fatter, more pro. The Yamaha sound has a toy like fragility and thinner sound. Back to the draw(bar) board, Yamaha, if you want to compete with Nord.
Definitely agree. The Leslie too, its nothing like the Nord...
Lmao. No way. Blind test I'd bet most you can't tell the difference
You clearly have cotton wool in your ears. You put them both in a mix and no one will tell the difference 🙄
A great comparison - so excellent - and your style of presentation is unsurpassed.
Just wait for Crumar to release this summer their hammond expander (with full in-depth personalization thanks to a touch screen) and you have a killer illegal-level sounding hammond on wathever keyboard you like,plus it costs much less than both keyboards. Only downside is the lack of a waterfall keybed.
Oddly enough I prefer Yamaha's tone. It sounds more... ballsy, if that makes sense. But the Nord has far better drive & leslie sim. I hope to see someone testing the YC61 with Neo Ventilator someday.
Im guessing there will be an update at some point, especially given that its a common complaint
I agree with this take. Not for all the sounds, but for some ("Jazz Lead") on the YC, it did sound punchier, like you could hear the air coming from the pipes. but if you're going for that classic rock overdriven sound (Gimme Some Lovin' comes to mind), the Nord nails it.
The YC61 Leslie has been fixed with an update.
Maybe idk enough about organs and these engines producing them, but would it be possible to EQ the YC organs, turn up to Lows and mids, to give it a fuller body?
Yes. There are videos showing the use of the knobs on the right, which are a 3 band EQ.
Videos, cuz it ain’t in any store. And stores ain’t open 🙁
Nord for organ Yamaha for everything else gotta have that pitch bend and modulation
Agree that it's ridiculous for Nord not to have pitch/mod but those little skinny levers on the Yamaha look like they won't hold up.
I love the puns … that’s something that adds to his presentations
Awesome job Jack. Thanks heaps. How does the pianos compare?
Nord sounds cleaner and more polished, also wider in stereo. YC sounds grittier, warmer and less wide. Overall nord sounds more "hype", YC sounds more realistic - srsly, the nord sounds bigger than life, a real hammond with a real leslie will be closer to the sound of the yc. Less high end, less width, less body.
Jan Simacek I can't tell which one you like from this comment :/
for me it sounded just the opposite through expensive meridian self powered speakers and expensive dac
@@officialWWM i probably like the Nord better by a tiny bit. but it's just not what a real hammond+leslie sounds like 😀which is ok by me - i'm not after perfectly cloning the original, it's ok to sound different if i feel that the difference is an _improvement_.
This is a nice comparison. Generally speaking my conclusion would be that the Nord has a slightly broader filled frequency spectrum (especially towards the lower end) and sounds a bit more compressed (8:35 is a clear example). To the individual playing the instrument that makes a lot of difference (my bias is towards the Nord personally), whereas in a recording setting the Yamaha would be much easier for the engineer to fit into the mix without big EQ adjustments AND leaving you with more room for individual taste in compression. That said, overall the Nord is a clear winner in respect to all the other features given that the difference between the settings (percussion, chorus, drive etc.) is MUCH bigger than in the YC61.
Hello I play raggae, which one would you advise me please? urgent
The Nord sounds better. It's that simple. From start to finish. The Yam is decent.
i think he favours the nord! hes more animated and more inspired by it! Yamaha are no means inferior but if you dont know how to twerk it,then your comfort zone will win!! cheers
@jrcomo35713 the yamaha sounds thinner, but it also seems slightly softer (in volume) than the nord. I'm sure he used metering to make them equal, but it sure doesn't sound it. The yamaha sounds like i just got off a plane and my ears need to 'pop'. (remember planes, lol!) Hammond's SK-1 sounds real good too. And the Rolands are competitive. Not having been able to find one to play, I confess I've been disappointed by the YC61 organ in every video online. And I love my little (Yamaha) Reface YC sound. PS- to me, (from listening to videos, again) the Yamaha FM organ model sounds warmer than the ones ye Goode Jack was using, but not consistently from low to highs. The highs sounded synthy.
Yep the Nord is much warmer!, but the widdling, you right about that. I’m a big widdler as well! But I have a Stage 3 so...👍😀
I noticed some reverb at the Nord while none at the Yamaha..
Nord edges it for me, sounds brighter and fresher. Yamaha still great though
Nord sounds best, on headphones....just wish I could play like that! such a shame no mods.
Jack for me the Nord is winning hands down in the shoot out? When you’ve done your demos I would buy your demo model.
The Nord organ has a better tonal quality ! I have a stage 3 compact and there is no comparison, but the YC61 is a great instrument compared to the electro, I have a Montage - Kronos which i love but no one keyboard does it all! They all have strengths and weakness but a great comparison here! I am pleased to see that Yamaha are starting to focus on performance because that's what modern keyboards need. I remember gigging with the first Juno and changing patches between songs manually, those were the days modern keyboards spoil us !!! So i welcome the focus on hands on controls again. I think the best all rounder is the stage 3 but it is getting stiff competition these days however compared to when i started playing in bands technology is amazing .
Which one has more noise from the keys? Does one have more key travel than the other? Cheers.
To my ears, the Nord sounds a little more real...like the speaker emulation/perc/overdrive just react in a more “HAMMOND-y fashion with each other...I’m more convinced that I’m listening to a real HAMMOND console. Each set of ears is different. It’s great that now we have such problems...I used to haul a B3/147 to gigs (band members would scatter). Now, sometimes I take my NORD 5D on top of my Kronos2 88...and if I feel energetic, I take my Viscount Legend w/the Kronos....sounds great, and feels more like a HAMMOND. All GREAT problems to have !!!
Jack GREAT!!! demo as ever. I have been following you for a while now showing us all the great features on the Nord 6D. I have been itching to get my hands on one and called up to see if I could get any J stock (Jack Stock). Unfortunately I can't have any J stock hence, I will just have to settle for a new one. I have come to Andertons for my purchase 100% because you have done such great promo work on this product. Your videos always make me smile as you are not into all that taking yourself serious and make me laugh. Jack you are a True credit to Andertons & a great player. When you are stuck for ideas on electric piano demos why not dig into Billy Preston? I'm confident you're frequently asked by the drunks at gigs to play the part of Billy Preston on the Beatles get back. Im just heading to the buy now section to get my Nord Electro 6D. Please give Jack a pay rise for all his great work LOL!!
I can't explain why, but the Yamaha sounds more detailed and scratchy to my ears, losing just body a bit, compared to the Nord.
Very distinctive sound, percussion and click are fabulous. Not sure if it's actually close to the real thing, but surely is the best hammond clone YAMAHA has ever came up with. REMARKABLE. Apart from that, the keyboard is very lightweight, extremely versatile and overall super fun to play.
The organ models are both outstanding. The FM organ on the Yamaha is amazing. Clavia has that additional downloadable library. Yamaha is lacking a 73 key version which this video makes clear. Yamaha is way better at interface (just looking at the controls and understanding everything) and way better split implementation. Cool looper and delay section on the Yamaha. Considerably more expensive than the Nord but it will probably drop in price. I can't believe Nord still refuses to put at least 8 memory buttons on stage keyboards. That is so annoying. When I get to a gig I do not want to tweak anything on the board, and yes, that includes selecting a bank mid-song.
Not sure what the prices were when you posted this, but now, the Nord ELectro 6d is $300 more then the YC61 on sweet water.
@@marvinkmooneyoz Yeah it's not surprising, these things fluctuate. I still think both of these are quite expensive. Or rather quite deep, I definitely enjoy simpler boards.
Why is one of the phases inverted on the YC recording? Not fair at all.
Were the overall volume levels checked before comparing? Should be within 1/2 dB of each other. Yamaha sounds much quieter which never compares well.
The crosstalk is much more noticeable on the Yamaha, but the Leslie sim lets it down. Mind you, I've been using Hammond B-3X by IK Multimedia lately, so the Leslie sim on both of these boards sounded pretty bad.
Noticed that the YC, though great sounding was a little thinner. If an update fixes all the better. My beef with Yamaha is the narrow key width. Why o why? My rig is a Nord E6/MX 61 which I'm happy with except for the little grace notes I'm really trying to avoid on the Yammie. Hi to Lee A from Tom Lang/ex Helicon dude!
The Nord sounds SICK.
It sounds like nord has reverb enabled ... listen at 2:43 ... this could explain it's warmer sound
It's hard to beat the Nord sound but I like Yamaha's key bed better. Cacaww.
"Bette Widler" over here is KILLING IT on synth leads!! And the jokes! I about died at Widdler on the Roof. So good all around!
And what box will you use today, for a keyboard riser?
Are you sure that you had the Yamaha outputs panned hard left and a hard right?
I just wish Nords came in black also. Great branding but not everybody wants a bright red keyboard!
Lol exactly!!!!
Thinking of the YC61 and using B3x in it...perfect...except the touch. Yamaha needs an update to trigger the organ from the top trigger point not the middle one
This is the comment I've been looking for. So it does affect your playing and feel then with the bottom trigger vs top, you'd say?
Good work Jack. Sadly it confirms that Yamaha still aren't there as a credible clonewheel option, which is a real shame as the YC61 has so much going for it on paper. The organ to my ears is a thinner basic sound - almost a bit too jaunty like Yamaha's shite old home organs - which is then over compensated for by being too muddy, too bee-in-a-jam-jar and too gurgly when overdrive and rotary or ch/vib are applied to it. The majors all have it wrong these days: that Korg Vox Continental is questionable in the B3 sounds department too, and they palm you off by calling it CX3, same as they do on the Kronos, which is either denial, arrogance, cash-cowing or effing lazy R&D - or "e) all of the above". No, my C2D isn't going on eBay just yet, Yamaha. Thanks again.
So after a few months of playing the YC61 and hearing the nord electro live for the first time today, a few things stuck out. The nord electro has a more warmer feel to the organ which I love and the keys are wider and bigger (modeled after hammond keys) which I also love. The YC keys are a bit thinner and the organ even with the new firmware update is a little to bright for me. Also thr YC lacks a B3 bass mode which limits the ability to play effectively with pedals.
Now pros with the YC outside of what I mentioned earlier
* Pitch bend knobs (perfect for leslie switch emulation)
* Mod Wheel
* leslie background noise emulation
The Nord has a warmer, fatter sound.
Right from 1 drawbar out [@1:39], the difference is stark: The Yam has extra harmonics shouldn't _be_ there. Plus, it's a thinner sound. :^/ It's a shame, because they seem to have done due diligence re. the features, and I'm sure the price is right.
@@pbasswil That's called leakage and is in fact also present on a real Hammond.
In Australia the YC61 costs the same as a CP88 stage piano. Very expensive $2799AUD The Roland VR09B is $1222AUD Nord electro 6d 73 $3399AUD
Ian Hellens the vr-730 is the fair comparison.
Around the 14 minute mark there's a long shot where you are talking about various random features, it's impossible to tell which keyboard you are refering to. When you say things like ''I like the yellow keys on this one'' we don't know which keyboard you're pointing at.
I really wish there were more comparisons between the Vox continental and these organs. I think the Vox takes a limited approach to depth of editing which some will not like.. But regarding basic sounds.. I think the Vox may be underrated and overlooked.
The red one!
Shout out to Falcon! For me, the YC61 keybed and waterfall keys push it over the top. Inspires that Hammond vibe and groove. YC61 keys are quiet and less distracting when played. Compact and lightweight. Fell in love playing it at Namm2020 Anaheim. Both would be awesome :)
@Spud Chuffington jones YC61 - low on space.
Great organ comparison. To be fair , the leslie on yamaha is taking longer to achieve fast speed so you can't hear the effect in the same way, looking better in the nord in this situation. I feel the volume of the yamaha a little lower as well...
Hi Jack! great video, as always! I would like to see the Piano and Synth Areas compared, although as for the synth, they are complete different beasts...Just a quick comment on the Nord's lack of Pitch Bend wheel/Joystick. There is a workaround solution by using an External Keyboard set to control the LO part of the Nord, provided it uses a different MIDI channel from the Gobal one.
The best thing to do is buy both!!
…thanks for not hiding your opinion!👍
When I first saw jack,I didn’t like him,but I was wrong,he’s a great guy.
I mean, maybe. He’s a lot of fun to watch, but he could very well be a serial killer, no? 😮🙂
@@durmdave3673 lol,
You should focus more on the differences on overdrive in the Leslie. Yamaha just can't make at pleasant drive for some reason.
Kinda wish the YC73 had a waterfall key option 😕 (and maybe a yellowed color while we're on the subject).
How about an actual Hammond? The SK series are pretty cool.
Wonder how they missed including the Roland combo vr703 in this shootout ..
Jack!!!! do a new comparison with the 1.3 firmware on the Yamaha. The difference between the software from 3 years ago to the 1.3 firmware update Its like turning a 4 cyl Honda Civic Fit into a Acura RX fully loaded.
I keep looking for someone trying to get the Vox Continental sound out of the YC and I can't find anyone doing it. Has anyone here ever seen it done?
I like yamaha but quite clearly the nord is streets ahead in the freeness and circulation on the phasing in and out
for me, Nord Electro D outshines the Yamaha YC61 for organ and rotary effects.
Nord hands down....no pun intended.. just got mine shipped to me
I think the Yamaha is more realistic in terms of overall sound and amp simulation. While the nord technically sounds "Better" it sounds more like a solid state modded b3 than a true vintage b3.
Seems like everyone likes the Nord better but I think I like the YC better. It sounds a little nasal in a good way. On the other hand, the nord can sound like it lacks character by comparison
Nord wins, but now 2023 there is a huge update in software for the Yamaha that has made the organ sounds and speaker much better. It would be nice to hear the difference now.
Thanks. Always enjoyable!
Cual de los dos comprar??
And by the way...on the organ comparison, the Nord wins by far IMO.
I prefer YC stage, but Nord sounds are better
Jack you Hammond Don......Nords a bit warmer more depth but with amplification and eq it wouldn’t make much difference in real terms.
In both this and the electric piano demo, the Nord sounds a bit louder and much fuller bodied. But it makes me wonder if they were recorded the same way? It almost sounds like they could just be recording the Nord a bit hotter than the Yamaha.
Jack is a Nord player (you can find other videos where he takes you through his stage rigs). So I think he probably knows a bit more about how to get get best sounds out of the Nord than the Yamaha. Certainly the YC sounds better in some other videos I've listened to. I suspect the end stage EQ might also be a factor.
Nord is more for the organ purist, Yamaha is for those who want more than just the organ. Yamaha is best value per feature and the organ is nice, and costs less; Nord is best value for the sound, but lacks the features of the YC, and costs more. I wish Nord put pitchbend and modwheel in. I have an SV1 and I hate having to plug in a second controller just to get that....
The Nord sounds much more pleasing to me. The Yamaha sounds kind of 'boxed in' and lacks both bass and clarity. The leslie sound from the Yamaha also sounded rather unrealistic vs a decent leslie emulation on the Nord.
The Yamaha YC sounds like it's got a cold 🥶