WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

A new Kawai keybed makes the Nord Grand 2 feel like a piano, but with advanced layering options, it can also sound like a synth – ‘A genuinely unique experience’

Ahead of the 2024 NAMM Show, being held January 25-28, 2024 in Anaheim, California, Clavia has announced the Nord Grand 2, with the latest generation premium Hammer Action keybed from Kawai.

Here’s what they say about it:

“We are happy to introduce a new generation of our acclaimed Grand series, the Nord Grand 2!

The Nord Grand 2 features the latest generation premium Hammer Action keyboard from Kawai. Combining the responsive feel of an acoustic grand piano with our world renowned Sound Libraries and a tactile user interface, the sleek and elegant Nord Grand 2 offers a genuinely unique experience”.

Clavia has so many great Nord keyboards, each of which is designed for a slightly different kind of player, that it would be hard to classify one as the definitive ‘flagship’. The Nord Grand is certainly in the mix, though, and it’s now been updated to version 2.

This is no mere software revision, either: the Nord Grand 2 has a new and improved Kawai responsive hammer keybed with triple sensors for accurate tracking of hammer movement. As such, you can expect the instrument to feel even more like an acoustic piano.

Advanced layering options have also been added: you can now stack two pianos and two sample synths (as opposed to one of each on the original Nord Grand), and you get dedicated LED faders for each layer. There are further easy-access knobs and buttons for configuring layers and splits, adding effects or transposing.

Each layer has its own dedicated effects section (there are new reverb, delay, amp sim and modulation processors), and you can set up to seven split points across the keyboard. These are indicated with LED lights, and Split Point Crossfades enable you to transition smoothly between them.

This being a Nord instrument, it almost goes without saying that the sounds will be top-notch. The grands, uprights and electric pianos come from the Nord Piano Library, also benefiting from new features such as Dynamic Compression and Unison.

The Sample Synth section has almost twice the memory of the one in the original Nord Grand, and includes a raft of new and updated sounds. You can control the attack, decay/release and dynamic velocity response, while the Soft and Bright settings give you another fast tone-shaping option.

You can expect greater realism from the wind, brass and string instruments, too, with a Tru-Vibrato feature promising to accurately model each one’s vibrato characteristics. Unison, meanwhile, can create ensemble-type sounds by blending multiple sample voices.

Given the continued absence of pitch and mod wheels, it’s clear that Clavia is still targeting the Nord Grand 2 at pianists rather than deep synthesists.

The Nord Grand 2 price around $3,699/£3,599. Find out more on the Nord Keyboards website.

Loog has introduced Loog Piano, a portable digital piano for children and grown-ups, with musician-grade sound and design.

Beginner keyboards are often black plastic affairs with little in the way of personality, so the forthcoming Loog Piano could make for a refreshing alternative.

Loog made its name with its simplified three-string mini guitars, but has diversified into making kid-friendly six-string models. The piano follows the same ethos: it has a stripped-back design and is said to be easy to play.

Stripped-back doesn’t mean dull, though – first impressions are that the Loog Piano looks gorgeous. There are three octaves of what appear to be full-sized, velocity-sensitive keys, built-in speakers and a built-in rechargeable battery. There’s a lot of wood on show, too, including the end cheeks and the volume knob.

So far so simple- Unlike the majority of home keyboards, the Loog Piano features just one sound – that’d be a piano, obviously – which is based on a combination of sampling and modelling. The photos indicate that beginners will be able to learn to play using a system of flashcards, which will indicate which notes to play and when.

Connectivity options – headphone and USB-C sockets (MIDI over USB support is unconfirmed).

The Loog Piano is launching into a well-established, highly-competitive space.

The proof of the piano pudding will be in the playing, though: The Loog Piano is set to hit Kickstarter on 26 September at an early bird price of $249. You can sign up for email notifications on the Loog website.

Rhodes inform us that it has completed manufacturing of their limited edition MK8/75AE electric piano, and it’s now shipping to customers.

Unfortunately, all 75 of the $13,495 MK8/75AE pianos – described as “a stunning accomplishment of technical craftsmanship and aesthetic design” – sold out in less than an hour.

“Each of these instruments contain the very essence of Rhodes — the legacy of our 75-year history as a brand, and the inspiring craftsmanship of our modern engineers and product designers,” commented Matt Pelling, CEO of Rhodes Music. “The MK8/75AE comprises exacting attention to detail and componentry, superior mechanical engineering and an exquisite aesthetic design. We hope these unique instruments inspire many years of music making among our customers.”


The MK8/75AE is the result of a collaboration between Rhodes Chief Product Officer Dan Goldman and industrial designer Axel Hartmann, who is responsible for some of the most iconic keyboard designs of the last 30 years.

The instrument is based on the foundation of the Rhodes MK8, but features analog effects, a special dark matte finish, and gold accented controls and encasement accents.

For more information on the MK8 or the MK8/75AE, visit the Rhodes website.