Nord User Forum

Hi, new Stage 3 88 owner. Absolutely in love with the instrument. I'm going to be informally playing with a few guitar playing friends at someone's house regularly. I was planning to bring my Yamaha P121 which is super compact and has built in speakers. But the Stage 3 is so much better, I can't really imagine not using it. But then I need amplification. Nothing heavy, this will be three other folks playing acoustic guitar and singing, so volume is not an issue. I refuse to not play in stereo, so I was thinking about either a stereo amp, small studio monitors or the Nord Piano Monitors V2. Not particularly psyched about spending $900 on the Nords, but I said the same thing before buying the Stage 3: "No way I'm spending that kind of money on a keyboard...surely there is something good enough for less." Nope. The Stage 3 is worth every penny and there is nothing that compares for less! Are the Piano Monitors similarly worth it? I will also use these monitors when I bring my Stage 3 out to my summer cottage which I use all summer and once a month in the off season. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

As soon as you said stereo you increased what you're going to pay why do you think so many gigging keyboard players just go through the PA system.

The Nord monitors are nearfield monitors for practice not really designed for projecting out. Most the other stereo keyboard amps are in the same price range and up. Small studio monitors are also nearfield design. I would suggest is first decide on a budget then let your budget narrow down your options.

Keyboard gear gets expensive fast once you want gear to play out with.

I'll just throw in a first option for starting the discussion: The QSC CP8 are full range monitor speakers, but they weigh and wear in terms of size (9.5 kg each). They have plenty of power (which you say you don't need), but I'm not aware of smaller speakers that would sound clear. Neither a column system nor a smaller active monitor box (are there any with 5 or 6'' speakers?). Maybe a Bose S1 pro, but I never tested it.
If you want to pay more, you get QCS K8.2s (with double the power, but including a fan and weighing even more) or the new EV Everse 8 (which are a bit lighter and include a battery pack).

No idea if the Bose S1 pro would be good for you (6'' speaker, 6.8 kg, portable, but lacking some bass anyhow).

Centrepoint Spacestation V.3 works for me with Electro6D and Piano 5 73... compact, lightweight, has stereo-like sound and plenty of horsepower for small combos. I even use it at around half volume with big band rehearsals. And, it has a subout (mono) to go to main PA or a sub woofer. For 5 years it has never let me down.

Great suggestions. I’d never heard of the Spacestation and didn’t realize how versatile the QSC is. Looks like I probably need to part with another $1,000, realistically. And the Nords are likely not the right fit. Thank you again!


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dansnord wrote:Great suggestions. I’d never heard of the Spacestation and didn’t realize how versatile the QSC is. Looks like I probably need to part with another $1,000, realistically. And the Nords are likely not the right fit. Thank you again!

Motion Sound is a popular stereo keyboard amp that comes in a variety of sizes and prices. You might want to consider keeping the Nord as home/cottage keyboard with a couple nice studio monitors and use your old Yamaha for when you want to play out. Maybe a set of good headphones for the cottage.

docbop wrote:Motion Sound is a popular stereo keyboard amp that comes in a variety of sizes and prices. You might want to consider keeping the Nord as home/cottage keyboard with a couple nice studio monitors and use your old Yamaha for when you want to play out. Maybe a set of good headphones for the cottage.

Yes, you will want nearfield monitors for home and PA equipment for when you want others to hear you.

I just saw that the JBL 305P MKII nearfield monitors that I have are on a huge sale for only $109 each. Here is a post with a picture of them on adjustable height stands that are around $79 a pair. I highly recommend them as they are very good for dialing in sounds and reproducing piano. Don't let the 5" woofer fool you, they put out plenty of bass.

post158912.html#p158912

As for stereo amps for jam sessions, I also give high marks to the previously mentioned Bose S1 Pro, not only for sound, but for overall versatility. You can set it on the ground, put it on a pole, run off battery or AC, and use it to stream music. You can even add a microphone and use the built-in reverb. I'm pretty sure that at some point, I will buy a second to have a mini stereo rig.

I've never heard the Spacestation in-person, but it seems like cool technology and carrying only one cabinet would be nice. Here is a blog review from forum member @cphollis:
https://chucksblog.typepad.com/late_blo ... on-v3.html