Nord User Forum

[zahush76]

Trying to figure out the differences in kb feel. I want to order - but no models on display so i can't actually try them.

I did however had the stage classic compact - and the stage 2 76. But i never got the chance to compare the stage 2 76 with the stage 3 76 (i'm not sure it's the same) - and didn't get a chance to try the new HA88.

Any experience or thoughts?

[ericL]

A couple of thoughts - the NS3 actions are reported to have minor improvements over the NS2 actions so likely the NS3 will feel better in comparison. But when you compare the different TYPES of actions, there are some important nuances. I'll leave out the Compact here since you asked about the 76 vs. 88.

On the original NS2, they had a Hammer Action (HA) 76 and 88 note action, which were for all intents and purposes identical feeling with just a different quantity of keys.

On the NS2 EX, Nord used the Hammer Action Portable (HP) on the 76 and the HA for the 88. The HP action is quite a bit different than the HA and there are many long threads in this forum that discuss the pros and cons of each. In a nutshell, the HP 76 makes for a very lightweight option for the full keyboard (though the action itself does not actually feel lighter). The weight savings between the HA 88 and HP 76 is around 12 lbs, where as with the ealier HA 88 and HA 76 it was just a 5 lb difference.

On the NS3, Nord kept the same approach with the HP 76 and HA 88, so you'd see the same overall weight savings between the two, just like with the NS2 EX.

If you're trying to decide between the HP 76 and the HA 88 with no way to demo them in person, I recommend that you read the prior threads comparing the actions as they are quite a bit different. The general consensus is that the HA 88 feels the best (that's my opinion as well), but there is something to be said about the weight savings you get from the HP 76. It comes down to whether that's important to you or not.

I have all three actions (NS 2 HA88, NS2 EX HP 76, NS2 EX Compact) and I have different use cases for all three. I've become accustomed to all of them and it's really hard to decide what I should do when I get a NS3, which is inevitable. I would likely chose the NS3 Compact simply to get the drawbars, but between the other two I would probably go back to the HA 88. It is such a beautiful feeling action.

[usrockband]

Trying to figure out the differences in kb feel. I want to order - but no models on display so i can't actually try them.

I did however had the stage classic compact - and the stage 2 76. But i never got the chance to compare the stage 2 76 with the stage 3 76 (i'm not sure it's the same) - and didn't get a chance to try the new HA88.

Any experience or thoughts?

I've tried both. I own the 76, I think the action on it is both heavier and slower.

[ericL]

Trying to figure out the differences in kb feel. I want to order - but no models on display so i can't actually try them.

I did however had the stage classic compact - and the stage 2 76. But i never got the chance to compare the stage 2 76 with the stage 3 76 (i'm not sure it's the same) - and didn't get a chance to try the new HA88.

Any experience or thoughts?

I've tried both. I own the 76, I think the action on it is both heavier and slower.

I agree with this - the HP 76 is heavier and feels more sluggish than the HA 88, which is lighter and smoother feeling. Once you get used to the difference, it is not that bad and I appreciate the reduced weight of the HP package as I move gear around a lot.

Here's one example of a thread that has more info on the differences between HP and HA actions from the forum users' perspective. Though started prior to the NS3, the content is relevant as the HP and HA actions remain relatively similar between the instruments.

nord-stage-forum-f3/nord-stage-2-ha76-vs-nord-stage-2-ex-hp76-t9459.html

[Stupidmelody]

HP in NS3 - yes - it is heavier and slower than HA, and also less piano like.

[Nadroj]

The wording in the description for the HP can confuse people.

In terms of the feel of the keys themselves, the HP is heavier and more sluggish than the HA. HA has a lighter action.

In term of the KEYBOARD weight, the components that make up the HP are lighter, which results in a much lighter keyboard to carry, even though the keys themselves are heavier to play.

[zahush76]

I'm debating myself whether to go for the 76 or the Compact 73.
The 88 is out of the question - both because of price and length (no room on my desk where it would be when using as a controller in the studio).

The retailer here has two 76 units which apparently i ordered but no one claimed these.
So he's eager to sell them and willing to drop the price by $285.
On the other hand it will still be $450 more expensive than the Compact.

Going for the compact has it's advantages:
- price
- size
- weight
- physical drawbars

But the keyboard action is a compromise.

[anotherscott]

But the keyboard action is a compromise.

Every keyboard action is a compromise. You just have to decide which trade-offs you want to make.

[My Keys To Music]

I'm debating myself whether to go for the 76 or the Compact 73.

Zahush, If it helps, I just completed a very in-depth 4 part comparison series (2 months in the making) between the Nord Electro 5 73 key waterfall and the Stage 3 HP 76. Assuming the Electro 5D 73 and Stage 3 Compact 73 share the same keybeds, these videos could help you decide between the Stage 3 73 and 76. I recommend watching Part 1 and Part 1A here:

Watch on youtube.com

Watch on youtube.com

[usrockband]

I'm debating myself whether to go for the 76 or the Compact 73.

Here's my thoughts on this, for what it's worth.

I have the HP 76 NS3. I love everything about it except the action which, to be blunt, I absolutely hate. It feels sluggish to me, the keys are quite noisy and it can sometimes be tiring on the hands after long sessions. In my personal opinion the HP is useless for anything but piano. The HA board, let alone the semi-weighted compact, is far superior to the HP board in my opinion for synth and organ, as well as piano. Overall I agree with the apparently common sentiment that the 88 HA has the best action overall, with weight being it's biggest downside. I'd say the semi-weighted 73 is also quite good, being even better for organ and synth, but less so for piano (still good overall though, I'd take it over the HP for piano even). The HP in comparison to both of these boards feels like molasses to my hands.

TLDR: if I were to do it again I'd go for the 73 Semi over the 76 HP any day of the week.