Nord User Forum

[Nymitch1]

First, I want to tell you how happy I am that this forum exists. I am currently an unhappy owner of a Yamaha Montage 6. The keybed is very uncomfortable to me. I sold my beloved Motif XF6, which was a big mistake. I am interested in upgrading to a Nord, and I am not sure which way to go. I have heard that Electro 5D is better for playing organ (better Leslie sim, half moon switch option), but I'm concerned that the waterfall keybed will feel strange for playing piano. I may not a fully weighted kind of a player, so I don't know if this is an issue or not. In my research, I came across the Stage 2 EX Compact, and it sounded like a great option (more sample memory, full synth section), but the organ section is not up to the latest specs in the Electro.

I apologize in advance if this has been asked before. I'm a brand new member.

Best,
Mitch

[ericL]

What's your budget and priority?

The NE5D will give you great organ, piano, samples at a practical cost. The NS2EX is way more advanced, but costs more. The organ on the NE5D sounds better right out of the box, but I like my NS2EX organ through Ventilator more than the NE5D.

The main benefit of the NS2 or NS2EX is the ability to layer/split more engines simultaneously. It's not clear if that is important to you.

[jfenton]

I struggled with this choice for some time. Once I found a deal where the price point between them was about $500 USD, it pushed me into a NS2EX Compact. My personal opinion is I made the right choice. There are many things the NS2 can do that I found even after the fact the Electro 5D could not handle. The key ones were the more flexibility with layers and splits, essentially 5 simultaneous sound engine in on box. I never looked back and again, once in a while see people trip over a limitation that the Electro 5D has that is covered with the NS2EX. Don't get me wrong. I think the 5D is good too so pretty much depends on the price point between the two, the added functionality of the NS2 and of course your budget.

[Nymitch1]

Thanks ericL and jfenton! There is about $1200 difference between these two boards st Sweetwater. Keep in mind though that I am comparing against the Electro 5D 61 version. I'm not looking to do a ton of laying, piano and strings that's probably it. I have heard that some are not happy with the Leslie sim on the Electro 5 over the previous model. Do you know if the stage 2 ex has the same one? I was also wondering if either of you were happy/unhappy with the acoustic guitar voices. I use those on my Yamaha, and was hoping there some good nylon and steel strings. Again, your insight is valuable to me, and I really appreciate it. Mitch

[ericL]

The Leslie sims on the NE5 and NS2EX are different. The NE5 has a "close 122" setting that is very realistic and better than the NS2EX. There have been a few users that complained that compared to the NE4, there is a small amount of overdrive present in the Leslie sim, but to my ears, it sounds great! I can use the NE5 organ right out of the box, but my NS2 or NS2EX really benefit from the external Neo Ventilator sim.

I can't speak to the acoustic guitar question, as I have never used it for this. Yamaha has very realistic and fun acoustic guitar samples that could be replicated on the Nords via sampling, but I would give Yamaha the edge on guitar sounds.

[NoDirection]

I own the NE5D 61 - and I am happy with that keyboard for it's perfect size - just 8 kg taking to rehearsals and the excellent B3 oragan sound. But I think you should really try out the keybed before you buy, since that is your main concern on the Montage6. I did't know that there was such a huge difference on the keybed from XF6 to Montage 6 - And beware that the Montage 6 can do a lot more stuff than NE5 - Maybe that is the reason Montage 6 cost twice what the NE5D do here in Norway at least...

[Nymitch1]

I noticed in the Electro 5D instruction manual that you can actually select close 122 or standard. My question is this… If you select standard, will the Leslie perform like the electro 4D?

[Rusty Mike]

The 4D has the close 122 setting as well. I don't think there is a significant difference in the organ or rotary models between the 4 and the 5.

[cphollis]

I think the big decision you'll have to make is weighted vs. unweighted. This is a big issue.

You say you're an unweighted player. Fine, go for an unweighted board. But don't expect to rock the APs, EPs, et. al. on an unweighted board. Yes, there are some people who have learned how to do this, but I'm not one of them.

Many of us gigging types recognize the inherent differences between weighted and unweighted boards, and thus go with a two-board rig.

That being said, for me it's easier playing unweighted parts on a weighted keyboard than the other way around. I have a weighted Nord Stage 2, and I can do the unweighted parts decent enough. OK, I"m lying, I can't shred like I can on an unweighted board, but -- hey -- sometimes you need to compromise.

[thesuitelounge]

Maybe this will help you a little, I just went through a similar experience. I had owned the weighted version of the Stage (88). When I got a real piano, I sold the Stage and bought an Electro 5D, the keys are GREAT for organ, and the 5D does in fact have a very nice Leslie sim that is apparently an "upgrade" from the Stage (definitely a little dirtier sounding to my ears, harder to get a nice clean organ sound on the 5D)....BUT....

I REALLY missed the synth/effects/layering functionality of the Stage (aside from my piano this is my keyboard for "everything else").

So I sold the Electro 5D and bought a NS2EX Compact. Now I have the keys I want for organ and EP's/synths (same as Electro, plus aftertouch), plus all the benefits of the Stage. The organ sound/Leslie on the Stage 2EX is completely suitable for my needs.

I would suggest figuring out what your main needs are and go from there, if you are not a "weighted key" player then both of these options should be great. What is more important to you, having the synth or the updated Leslie sim? Price? Weight? etc....