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Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby DAKeys » 14 Apr 2014, 17:38

Hello Forum, first time I'm submitting a post. I've learned a lot from everyone over the past year. Thanks.

I'm in the middle of a purchase decision and would appreciate different perspectives from the forum.

I've just sold my Electro 3 - 73. I want to upgrade to a Stage 2 76 or 88. As you know Stage 2 pricing is high. I have the opportunity to purchase an Electro 4HP and Lead 3 for less money than a Stage 2 88. I've read the various the posts regarding the HP vs HA action so I'm aware of the differences.

I play live most of the time. My primary sound is piano (60%) however i need to have solid B3 (20%) and synth sounds (20%).

1. Do I significantly compromise having the best possible piano (stage 2 has string resonance 2) going with the Electro 4 HP (string resonance 1)?
2. 4HP + NL3 (most portable) I will miss have the best piano in exchange for portability (stage 88)
3. Does the 4HP + NL3 give me significantly more flexibility plus options over a Stage 2 88?
4. What are the reasons to pay more for a stage 2 88 over the 4HP + NL3 combo?

My key decision drivers include: 1. Solid piano, 2. Portability and 3. Cost

I appreciate your input. Many thanks!
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Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2


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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby Mr_-G- » 14 Apr 2014, 19:20

Hi, Welcome to the forum.
Whichever you choose you will get a very good setup.
The memory difference is worth considering, depending on what you hope to load into it:
NS2: 500 + 380
NE4: 380 + 128
for piano + synth ram.



Edit: synth ram in NE4 is 128, not 120.
Last edited by Mr_-G- on 17 Apr 2014, 18:17, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby Six-string-man » 14 Apr 2014, 23:46

+1 on the great setup.

I find the memory on my NE4 very limiting. You could save on weight and cash if you go for the Stage 76, rather than the 88. How often are you going to use those extra keys?


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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby NightSkyStudio » 15 Apr 2014, 00:59

I'm surprised how often all 88 keys are used on my NS2, especially when I split it into three zones! :-)
Thanks,
Tom

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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby Gustavo » 17 Apr 2014, 18:06

This is what I think:

Advantages of NE4HP+NL3
  • 4 synths at once instead of maximum 2
  • Better and more flexible synth engine
  • Slightly better B3 emulation (not noticeable in my opinion)
  • Better leslie emulation
  • Portability, its easier to carry two light things than one heavy thing
  • Cost, because you said you were getting a good deal

Advantages of Nord Stage 2
  • 2 Pianos and 2 Organ layers at the same time
  • More Piano sample storage and more normal sample storage
  • Synth arpegiator (basic, but sometimes useful)
  • More effects (compressor, Vibe)
  • Morph functions (after touch, modwheel, control pedal)
  • Better audio routing (you have 4 inputs, you could carry piano on 1-2, synth on 3 and organ on 4 if you like)

As you see there are advantages of each one. It all depends on what is more important for you. Piano quality is truly the same, but the action in the HA is much better than the HP, but the HP is more portable.

Personally, if I minded a lot about piano action, I'd get the NS2 HA. If synth and weight are a bigger concercn, then NE4HP+NL3
Synths: Nord Stage 2 SW, Nord Lead 4R, Vintage Vibe 64 Active, Dave Smith Instruments Pro 2, Minimoog Voyager, Prophet 6, Korg Volcas
Stand: K&M Spider Pro and Hercules X Stands
Recording: Zoom UAC-8
Speakers: EV ELXP 112-P, Event Alp 5

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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby Six-string-man » 17 Apr 2014, 18:38

Brilliant summing up by Gustavo. Follow his advice, and I'm sure you'll be very happy.


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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby rb4u1 » 17 Apr 2014, 19:31

Yours is a good question. Basically it seems like you're asking yourself and others whether or not you want to keyboard's or one. I would think that depends on the type of work that you like to do.
I have the electro 4-73 and I believe it has more memory than the 61.
The 61 does have the drawbars. The 73 does not.
Good luck with your decision.
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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby elektromin » 18 Apr 2014, 10:13

I use a NE4HP and a NL2, so my setup is similar to one of your options. The thing I miss the most is that the 4HP is not multi timbral, in combination with that the NL2 is not capable of samples. This limits me so I can't do the following (I play in a soul/funk cover band, so these are very common needs)
- Play piano with one hand and samples strings or brass with the other.
- Layer piano and strings
- Play organ and piano at the same time

Instead I have to find creative ways around the limitations, eg program synth sounds to emulate the functions in the songs. Sometimes this works just fine, but sometimes we simply skip that song and go for something else.

On the other hand, if I would replace them with a NS2, I would get other limitations as mentioned in the other replies. So if I would change anything in my setup, I would replace the NL2 with a Nord Wave. However, those are hard to find, since they are no longer manufactured, and very rare on the used market. But I keep looking.... :-)

Good luck!
/Anders

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Re: Electro 4HP + Lead 3 vs Stage 2

Postby DAKeys » 02 May 2014, 23:43

Hello Forum! I want to provide everyone with an update and also thank those that provided their input into my decision making. The amount of time and energy that I’ve invested in this process enormous. I don’t know if you guys go through the routine when deciding what to buy. 

I purchased the Electro 4 HP. I’ve enjoyed the quality of the sounds and the portability (under 25 lbs.!). However, I’ve quickly found out that not being able to layer and split was going to be more limiting than I though. I also decided before buying the Lead 3 that I would not be able to playing key parts that required strings and brass. I found a good deal on a Kronos 61 and ended buying that as my second keyboard.

I starting to find the HP keyboard was getting to me because I wasn’t getting the piano keyboard feel that I wanted. This became even more unsatisfying and since I already had the semi-weighted keys via the Kronos. So to make a long story short…I now have a Stage 2 & Kronos and Electro 4 HP that looking for a new home. I wish I could keep the NE4.

The Stage 2 is an excellent board. Now that I have the Stage 2, I’m now questioning if the Kronos is the right board to pair it with the Stage 2. Both are deep instruments and will take time to master. Decisions, Decisions, Decision.

Thanks again for input. I appreciate this community.
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