General Discussion of the Nord Stage (EX), Nord Stage 2 (EX), Nord Stage 3, and Nord Stage 4 Synths, FAQ, Troubleshooting etc.

Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby Streef » 31 Oct 2017, 13:08

Hi, I do not want to be negative, however, I'm just not getting any fun out of my Stage 3 :-(. To me it feels that the pianos (grands/electric) sounded way better on my Stage 2 than 3 (both HA88). I'm missing depth/warmth in the Stage 3. Does anyone have the same experience?

Thx - Steven
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Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?


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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby Streef » 31 Oct 2017, 13:27

So, I guess my questions comes down to: Can anyone do a side-by-side comparison between Stage 2 and 3 and see if they experience difference in piano sounds?

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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby DJKeys » 31 Oct 2017, 17:01

I have to disagree here.

I have about 15 hours into programming my Stage 3 with my NS2 side by side, both Compacts. Same exact audio chain. It is subjective of course, but I think the Stage 3 sounds better. Cleaner, more immediate, punchier, just overall better fidelity.

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Last edited by DJKeys on 31 Oct 2017, 17:02, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby Obwanz » 31 Oct 2017, 17:22

I disagree as well
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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby DanielD71 » 31 Oct 2017, 18:44

Same here disagree as well
Have them both side by side...both HA88
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Last edited by DanielD71 on 31 Oct 2017, 18:44, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby anotherscott » 31 Oct 2017, 19:01

Streef wrote:To me it feels that the pianos (grands/electric) sounded way better on my Stage 2 than 3 (both HA88).

Any chance you're using different speakers (or the same speakers, but differently positioned or in a different location)? Or maybe you had selected a different velocity curve on your NS2? Did you try the different velocity response options on the NS3?
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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby alcools » 31 Oct 2017, 20:07

+1
I desagree !
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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby analogika » 31 Oct 2017, 21:44

I've recorded a direct comparison between the Stage 2 and Stage 3, using the exact same piano sample (Grand Imperial Bdorf 5.3 Lrg — no room for the XL on the ol' Stage 2, sorry).

Methodology:
Recorded a MIDI track into Logic X from the Stage 3, played it back on both the Stage 2 and the Stage 3 and recorded the respective via the same interface at identical settings, and then normalised the audio files in Logic.
Pedal Noise switched on (but only a "regular" pedal connected), string resonance on, soft release off. No dynamics/kbd touch, no filters, no effects, no EQ, no compressor, no reverb.

I'm attaching the full recordings as .WAV files so y'all can do whatever comparisons you'd like to do.

The difference is pretty huge IMO.

Nord Stage 2 Grand Imperial Lrg.wav
Nord Stage 2 Grand Imperial Bdorf 5.3 Lrg
(26.37 MiB) Downloaded 857 times

Nord Stage 3 Grand Imperial Lrg.wav
Nord Stage 3 Grand Imperial Bdorf 5.3 Lrg
(26.32 MiB) Downloaded 693 times


FWIW, I much prefer the Stage 3. The pianos in general have grabbed me in a way that the Nord Stage 2 never did. (The B3 sim is lacking, instead — but there is hope that they'll fix that, I guess.)
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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby DJKeys » 31 Oct 2017, 22:01

No comparison. I hear the difference in all of the sound engines. This is a great example, richer and more present.

Almost like there are different DACs in the unit-

Thanks!

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Re: Is it just me? Stage 2 sounds better than Stage 3?

Postby baekgaard » 31 Oct 2017, 23:58

That's an interesting example, @analogika. The Stage 2 sounds more like my NE3 sounds, but I guess they are also about similar generations. I was never completely fund of the NE3 Acoustic Pianos, but since I have a waterfall model, I thought it was due to the difficulty of controlling the dynamics from that keyboard, or the "lack of" adaptation between my weighted controllers (Roland or Yamaha) when using those.

But now I'm wondering whether it may (also) be due to the converters -- or maybe a faster DSP that allows for improved sample processing or something else.

Thanks for sharing!

Oh, and also like the NS3 sounds a lot. The 88HA I have also has a nice key-to-sound connection in my view.
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