Nord User Forum

[samJSD]

Hello all,

I am looking to buy my first nord keyboard but am a student and dont have a massive budget.
It seems that the Stage EX and Stage 2 both seem closest to what i might be able to afford.

I was wondering the main differences between them because, as i say i have never owned one before and could do with some advice!

Presumably the Stage 2 is better (?) but how much better?

Let me know!

Cheers,

Sam

[Falcon2e]

Not much difference...Both have 73 keys, (or 88) the NS2-73 low F thru high F. The EX-73 low E thru high E. You might find a new NS 2, but some dealers only have EX's in stock. Here is the Nord link http://www.nordkeyboards.com/ Click on products (legacy for older models) to see all the specs. The NS 3 is the newest model.

[ericL]

Big, major differences between the original Stage EX and the Stage 2. Go for the NS2 if you can.

[ajstan]

Here is a link to a NS2 to NS-EX comparison chart from the Nord website:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/l ... ison-chart

Some additional info would be helpful. What is your budget and what are you going to use it for - piano/organ/synth/samples? Do you have a preference for hammer action or semi-weighted? Depending upon your answers, an Electro or Piano may be a better fit. You could get a newer model with updated features for significantly less than a Stage.

[Falcon2e]

Not much difference...Both have 73 keys, (or 88) the NS2-73 low F thru high F. The EX-73 low E thru high E. You might find a new NS 2, but some dealers only have EX's in stock. Here is the Nord link http://www.nordkeyboards.com/ Click on products (legacy for older models) to see all the specs. The NS 3 is the newest model.

My apologies…I thought you comparing the NS2 with the NS2 EX.

[analogika]

Go for the Stage 2, by all means. The ability to play samples other than pianos is a HUGE advantage.

[samJSD]

Go for the Stage 2, by all means. The ability to play samples other than pianos is a HUGE advantage.

what do you mean by samples? i thought that the stage ex has piano/electric piano/organ/synth ??

[samJSD]

Also I am a gigging jazz musician so would mostly be using the piano and electric piano sounds but am keen to play with the other two.

Am not interested in anything that isnt full hammer action.I have thought about the nord piano but feel it is a waste of spending big on a quality keyboard not to get the stage.

My budget is the main problem, i am a student so really wanna be spending less than about 1700 which i dont think its feasible to get a ns2 for...

[ajstan]

Go for the Stage 2, by all means. The ability to play samples other than pianos is a HUGE advantage.

what do you mean by samples? i thought that the stage ex has piano/electric piano/organ/synth ??

The Synth section lets you modify waveforms (sine, sawtooth, square, etc.) generated by the keyboard, whereas samples let you start with recordings of actual instruments (strings, horns, guitars, mellotron, famous classic synths, etc.), or sounds/effects you can create on your own with the Nord Sample Editor and load into the NS2.

Check out the Nord Sample Library 2.0 and Nord Sample Library Archive off this page to see what you will be able to use with a Stage 2,but not a Stage EX.

http://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries

Have you considered a Roland FA08? It’s new, in your budget, has a hammer action keyboard, and a relatively extensive sound library. Not as hands-on as the Nord, but should fit your needs.