Nord User Forum

[LtSwifty]

Hi

I'm really have trouble deciding whether to upgrade from my Nord Electro 4 to a used Stage 2 or Nord Electro 5. The Electro 5 seems the best, but the pitch stick/mod wheel, synth section and multiple outputs of the Stage (So that i could put piano/organ through the PA and rhodes through a twin) are very tempting.

I have looked online but i can't seem to find nice clear demos of the organ section on the Nord Stage 2 vs the Nord Electro 4. Could someone post or link me too some demos so that i can be sure that if i go the Stage route it's not too much of a downgrade?

Thanks

[sus_4]

I've owned both. From my experience, the Hammond organs are indistinguishable, but the Leslie emulation on the Electro 4 is MUCH better... For a Nord, as close to a Ventilator as you can get.

For my latest cover band needs, I went from an E4D to a Stage 2. No regrets. I'd much rather have 88, I have no problem playing organ licks on the weighted (high trigger setting for organ) keybed, and I have all the the analog synth, brass and strings I need to cover most any tune. Not to mention, the added benefit to have all my sounds logically labeled and ordered for live gigs. All in one board... Very satisfied.

[whitenoise]

I own both NE4d and NS2 SW73. NS2 is certainly much more flexible. The organ section and physical drwabars on NE4d indeed are very nice but it's something I can live without. So if I need flexibility and capable synth section I choose NS2. If I need just a great hammond with additional premium quality pianos the NE4d is the way to go.

[Spider]

It really depends on your needs.

The Stage has more versatile splits and layers, and a real synth as opposed to plain sample playback. And mod wheel and pitch bend.
Will you ever use these capabilities? If yes, get the Stage.
If you only need basic bread-and-butter sounds (piano, EP, organ, some simple splits with pads and strings), the Electro5 is more than enough.

As for the organ/leslie emulation, the Electro5 has the latest one, but the "old" version on the stage is not bad at all.
Will you hear the difference in your rehearsal room, or through headphones? Yes.
Will an audience hear the difference in a noisy club, mixed with the rest of the band and sent through a crappy PA? I seriously doubt it.

So in my opinion, the organ shouldn't be your main criteria for choosing. Focus on the other features, and what you actually need.

[MrSitcom]

One of the things that bugs me the most in Stage 2s organ section is that the percussion doesn't cancel 1' drawbar. Electro 4Ds Leslie emulation is also way better than Stage 2s.

[whitenoise]

NS2 has less hammond tweaks including 9th drawbar cancelation features. But you can live without it.