This is the right place if your topic concerns different Nord Keyboards, you are not sure which one is the right one for you, etc.

Nord products for 2016

Postby Lee Batchelor » 09 Oct 2016, 17:14

Hi everyone,

I just joined the Nord forum. I have been a long time Yamaha user and am currently playing a Yamaha MOX8. I also own a Yamaha Tyros 5. It's time to upgrade my stage piano, but I could use some advice. For clarity, I seldom use my MOX8 and Tyros 5 at the same time. It depends on the gig. When playing with a band, the MOX8 is used. For duet gigs, the Tyros 5 is used.

Nord has always intrigued me. The last time I tried one was in 2006. A lot has changed! For my gigs, I need solid piano sounds for Jazz, Rock and Roll, Blues, and Country. Electric pianos are somewhat important. Organ sounds are a must (I know Nord has always been the best in this department). Synth sounds are of no use to me. Strings would be nice. I don't need brass. I intend on trading my MOX8. Budget is always a consideration, but I am flexible. Weighted keys are needed, however, a lot of keyboards seem to need a hefty force to get nice sounds. My P120 Yamaha from years back required a lot of force. My wrists would be shot by the end of the gig! (I know most keyboards provide velocity pressure settings.) I tired out a Yamaha CP4 back in the spring but didn't find the piano sounds to be much better than my MOX8. The CP4 felt heavy to play as well.

Here are my thoughts: Nord Stage 5 HP (73 key) or Stage 2 HA76 (also seen this as Stage 2 HP76). I wish websites would be consistent with the product names! This is a large move for me, so I want the most recent model. I really like the fact you can download extra voices for free. Everyone else charges for that AFTER you buy their expansion memory! Shhh...shouldn't say that too loud :).

My current gear: Two Bose L1 Compacts, 15 inch subwoofer designed and built by me, SoundCraft mixer, high-end cabling throughout.

Opinions? Which model should I buy? Many thanks in advance...

- Lee
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Nord products for 2016


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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby Johannes » 09 Oct 2016, 18:33

Hi Lee, and welcome to the forum!

Asking which model to buy is always tough, in the end it is really about your personal preferences.
But of course one can give one's opinion. First, about the models. There is the Nord Stage 2 which had a HA76 version (meaning 76 keys with the weighted keyboard action). The updated version Nord Stage 2 EX changed the medium size model to feature the HP action (thus NS2EX HP76), which is somewhere in the middle between a unweighted and weighted action in order to keep the weight down.
That is, the three models of the NS2 EX feature three different kinds of keyboard actions, which I for once would certainly want to try them out before buying! Depending on what exactly and how you play, it will have a great (probably the greatest?) impact on how you are able to play technically, enjoy playing, and experience any kind of pain afterwards, or not!

Sound wise, given you don't care for Synths sound, you could consider also a Nord Electro or Nord Piano. Of course, playing both Organ and Accoustic Pianos on one board will always require a compromise so see what you prefer in this trade-off. To me, a bit more on the organ/EP side, the NS2 (EX) SW73 is the best compromise, but definitively try out some more actions including from other manufacturers.

Just my 0.02$.
Cheers
Johannes

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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby Lee Batchelor » 09 Oct 2016, 20:06

Very much appreciated, Johannes!

I agree 100 percent about trying out each action. My main requirements are for superior piano and organ voices, with some decent EPs. The light key action of the original B3 (I guess modern day "synth" action) is less important because I'm not a great organ player, but okay :).

Money wise, I have a decent budget but when buying one of Yamaha's Motif, MOX, or even Montage keyboards - one is paying a lot of money for synth sounds and advanced editing I never use. Sounds as though the Electro 5 or Stage 2 EX in the desired key weighting would be perfect for me.

Thanks again!
Last edited by Lee Batchelor on 09 Oct 2016, 20:08, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby keego19 » 09 Oct 2016, 20:51

Not to muddy the waters but there is also the Hammond Sk series or the Kurzweil Forte (which has 3Gb of space for user samples and both 76 and 88 are Hammer Action). Ultimately its what is best for your playing style. I find by Stage 2 SW73 meets all my piano, organ, synth needs.

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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby Lee Batchelor » 09 Oct 2016, 22:20

Thanks Keego! The waters are perfectly clear :).

I was told (and have experienced it first hand) that selecting the perfect keyboard for the live stage and home use is quite daunting. I'm open to all suggestions. Fortunately, I have the luxury of time, although, I am 63 years old :(.
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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby jfenton » 10 Oct 2016, 01:34

As you can see by my signature. I have many models. I tend to play my NS2EX Compact 73 the most but I love them all.
Keyboards:
  • NS2 EX Compact 73
  • Hammond SK2
  • Roland VCombo VR-09
  • Roland A800-Pro
  • Behringer Motor 49
  • Alesis Q88

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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby Lee Batchelor » 10 Oct 2016, 14:35

Thanks J!

If my assessment is correct, the Nord stage 2 EX and Electro have the same sound engine and access to the same voices, but your Stage 2 EX has more editing capabilities and leans more toward the synth area?
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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby magpie85 » 10 Oct 2016, 14:42

If you have no need for synth sounds then you probably don't need the stage model. The synth is the additional component that the electro does not have. The stage will also give you much much more flexibility over splits and layers and managing your sounds.

The Electro 5 has access to the organ (with drawbars/led drawbars), EP and acoustic piano and samples (such as strings) that you mention, but has less flexibility with splits and layers.

Definitely agree with all the comments about trying out the keybed action first and also suggest you take a look at the manuals available on the Nord website.

Happy shopping!
Nord Electro 3HP... dreaming of a Stage :keyboard2:

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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby Lee Batchelor » 10 Oct 2016, 15:21

Thanks Magpie!

It looks like the Electro 5 best matches my needs. In Canada, the Stage 2 EX lists for an additional $1,500 and has many features I'll never use. That is one reason I'm likely leaving the Yamaha Motif or Montage series. They are excellent boards but I don't use 90 percent of what I'm paying for. Synth voices are totally useless to me, as are the Arps. You need to be an electronics engineer to figure out all the editing features and be willing to drill down through endless menus. Looks like Nord is almost the only company that offers a basic piano, organ, and EP machine.
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Re: Nord products for 2016

Postby jfenton » 10 Oct 2016, 21:51

If you want to use more than 2 instruments in a given patch, you will need Stage 2 EX (ie 2 pianos layered or split).

Although I don't use synth much, I still like the extra features of S2EX, please research thoroughly before you make your decision.
For me the Stage 2EX was about $400 USD more (I bought B stock S2EX). I keep tripping over features S2EX has that E5 cannot handle so I'm
really happy I spend the extra for a S2EX. Yes also if keyboard action is important, best to test it. I tested S2EX HP 88 and didn't like it
because I lean more toward organ playing and liked Semi weighted keys on the 73 model. That is largely a matter of personal preference.

Ideally Nord would put some side-to-side comparisons of different models but alas, they only put comparisons between different generations of the same line. Takes quite a bit of research to figure out all the nuances. You might want to also download and study the users manuals. Pay particular attention to what is NOT there on one that is there on the other.
Keyboards:
  • NS2 EX Compact 73
  • Hammond SK2
  • Roland VCombo VR-09
  • Roland A800-Pro
  • Behringer Motor 49
  • Alesis Q88

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