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

Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby swarupm » 16 Oct 2017, 18:45

Hello Friends,

I just sold my Kronos 2 and looking for a new keyboard. I play in a Fusion band that focus on Bollywood and American Pop songs. The reason I sold my Kronos 2 is because of lack of playable preset programs for my taste palate, although the Kronos is very rich in terms features and synth capabilities. Now, I have 2 options which includes Yamaha Montage and Nord Stage 3. Well I played the Montage at GC close to my home and kind of liked it but there is no way to try out a Nord Stage 3. Also, I am not a Yamaha fan and neither like the FM synthesis that much.

I know Montage is kind of a full fledged synth and I heard that Stage is more like a stage piano with some synth capabilities. My friends over here told me that Stage is limited in capabilities like Layering sounds, setting Split points, Touch screen, Set list etc. But I also know that Stage is a very popular keyboard.

So, can you please help me understanding and deciding which keyboard should I buy. And what are the benefits of Nord Stage 3 over other keyboards.

Oh .. I like RED though :)

Thanks in advance
-Swarup
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Should I buy Nord Stage 3??


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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby Duplobaustein » 16 Oct 2017, 19:48

The benefits of Nord in general is the easy user interface. Sound is subjective. Imho in recent years they fell short in any category, except the organ maybe. in terms of editing sounds, layer/splits, user samples system and Midi capabilities any workstation can do a world more than a NS.

If you didn't find suitable sounds for the Kronos, you won't find it for Montage, NS, Forte or FA08/06 either. ;)
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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby anotherscott » 16 Oct 2017, 20:21

There are few sounds you can get in a NS3 that you can't get in a Kronos. There are tons of sounds you can get in a Kronos that you can't get out of the Nord. Mostly what the Nord gives you is relative ease of use, better ergonomics/interface for building/tweaking sounds on the fly. Arguably better piano and organ sounds, though that's somewhat subjective. Lighter travel weight. If you're looking at hammer action versions, Nord's hammer action is more adaptable to organ playing than Korg's.

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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby swarupm » 16 Oct 2017, 21:17

Thank you Duplobaustein. Thank you anotherscott.

I bought a Roland FA06 shortly after selling my Kronos and surprisingly found so many nice samples in that which fits into the kind of music I play. Except that the keybed is horrible and the pianos don't sound as good as they sound on the FA08 model.

Now, I am thinking to buy the NS3 as I heard Nord's sample library is really amazing and close to the real instruments. I am planning to use the NS3 as the master keyboard where I need to play the Piano sounds and I can midi in the FA06 through the extern section for complex layered synth sounds.

Please let me know what you guys think about it.

Thanks again
-Swarup
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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby Quai34 » 17 Oct 2017, 00:33

Stage 3 HA plus FA06 will be a great two keyboards set up, for sure....
Stage 2/C2/NL2X+TC Pedals, 2XMatrix, EMU P2K, TX802, DSI P8/Tetra+H9, P12+TC HoF, D50+PG1000, XV5080,AX keytar, Streichfett, Drumbrute.Ibanez SR1200 & 2605 basses, Artstar AS153,G&L L2000,Legacy HSS,Asat Blueboys,Asat Deluxe Savanna.genelec 8040A.

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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby anotherscott » 17 Oct 2017, 01:43

swarupm wrote:I bought a Roland FA06 shortly after selling my Kronos and surprisingly found so many nice samples in that which fits into the kind of music I play. Except that the keybed is horrible and the pianos don't sound as good as they sound on the FA08 model.

The piano sounds of the FA06 and FA08 are the same... but they do play differently from the different actions.

I guess the question would be, what else do you find lacking. If the FA06 were perfect except for the action and the way the piano sound plays from that action (but not from the FA08 action), one answer could be to exchange the FA06 for an FA08. Either way, be sure to check out the downloadable add-ons for the FA, there are some great sounds there. If you're looking for strings and brass, for example, the EXP-10 Orchestra Collection is better than the stock FA strings/brass sounds or the ones in the Nord sample library.

In terms of duplicating "real" instruments, the place where Nord is strongest is in piano and organ. Other than that, I think the appeal of the Nord is more in how you use it than in what it sounds like.

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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby Fallboard » 17 Oct 2017, 09:48

I am trying to think of another performance keyboard that isn't a workstation that not only has tons of samples available (for free), but has a company that bends over backwards to encourage you to make your own sounds and load them on the instrument. That's where I think the Electro/Stage have their greatest value as a keyboard, to say nothing of the build quality, easy to use FX knobs, and killer modeling engines. I used to think Nord was pretentious bullsh-t before I sat down, played one, and then bought one and haven't looked back. Long story short, I was skeptical, but then I fell in love and became a believer. Not to say the newer stuff from Korg and Yamaha don't wow me too.
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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby swarupm » 17 Oct 2017, 16:44

anotherscott wrote:
swarupm wrote:I bought a Roland FA06 shortly after selling my Kronos and surprisingly found so many nice samples in that which fits into the kind of music I play. Except that the keybed is horrible and the pianos don't sound as good as they sound on the FA08 model.

The piano sounds of the FA06 and FA08 are the same... but they do play differently from the different actions.

I guess the question would be, what else do you find lacking. If the FA06 were perfect except for the action and the way the piano sound plays from that action (but not from the FA08 action), one answer could be to exchange the FA06 for an FA08. Either way, be sure to check out the downloadable add-ons for the FA, there are some great sounds there. If you're looking for strings and brass, for example, the EXP-10 Orchestra Collection is better than the stock FA strings/brass sounds or the ones in the Nord sample library.

In terms of duplicating "real" instruments, the place where Nord is strongest is in piano and organ. Other than that, I think the appeal of the Nord is more in how you use it than in what it sounds like.


I play all the bread and butter sounds for the Bollywood music like Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Accordion, Sitar, Harmonium, Harmonica etc. But for the American songs, I need good Pianos and Organs as well. The Roland expansions and no doubt very good. I tried to pull the best sounds of their Pianos but I am not very good at tweaking sounds myself. So, it's lacking there. That's when I started thinking about the NS3.
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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby swarupm » 17 Oct 2017, 16:49

Quai34 wrote:Stage 3 HA plus FA06 will be a great two keyboards set up, for sure....


+1. I want to give it a shot and see how that goes.
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Re: Should I buy Nord Stage 3??

Postby swarupm » 17 Oct 2017, 16:53

Fallboard wrote:I am trying to think of another performance keyboard that isn't a workstation that not only has tons of samples available (for free), but has a company that bends over backwards to encourage you to make your own sounds and load them on the instrument. That's where I think the Electro/Stage have their greatest value as a keyboard, to say nothing of the build quality, easy to use FX knobs, and killer modeling engines. I used to think Nord was pretentious bullsh-t before I sat down, played one, and then bought one and haven't looked back. Long story short, I was skeptical, but then I fell in love and became a believer. Not to say the newer stuff from Korg and Yamaha don't wow me too.


Ha ha, you are correct. The only thing that holds me back is the lack of ability to layer more than 2 synths or samples. In Indian Bollywood music, you will hear very rich Strings etc. And I am not a fan of carrying 2 keyboards. But seems like there are not much options.

I was expecting some more from the NS3. Like 4 slots for layering and a better Setlist after these many years. :)
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