Nord stage 3 v's piano 3 for piano player..

[Vigifm]

Hi, I'm trying to decide between the Nord Stage 3, the nord piano 3, and the nord stage 2EX. I'm primarily interested in having an authentic incredible piano sound, as I am a solo artist, but I need it to be portable for gigs. I've tried nord stage 2EX but I felt the keys were very light? I tried the Roland R's 2000 and no comparison ( was much better " feel"). Also hard to judge sound through store speakers/headphones. I want full length etc, but interested in the effects and synth sounds of the stage versions. My only concern is whether the keys are actually too " light" in terms of touch, and sound sustain ( I thought the sound of notes was going " dry" too quickly?). However I have not tried the stage 3 nor the piano 3, are they much better?

I'd appreciate thoughts... also is the key action the same in stage 3 and piano 3?

Thank you!

[Vigifm]

Which size 2EX did you try? The weighted keys on the 3 available sizes are different. You probably want to try the 88 model.

[cphollis]

I'm a big fan of the Nord Piano esthetic. Give me the right amplification, and I can play one all night long. It's deep yogurt.

That being said, my Nord Stage 2 does decent duty, but it's more in a modern band setting: synths, samples and whatnot. The artist in me loves the Nord Piano.

I have a Nord Piano 2 (love it), but am lusting after a NP3. Given my amplification tools, time to step up to large samples etc.

[Fedex]

Nord Piano 3 has a different action respect the Nord Stage 3. It has the triple sensor which NS3 doesn't have. This probably makes NP3 being capable of faster repetitions and more dynamic nuances than in the NS3, giving a more piano-like experience than NS3.

Given the info I've collected, NS3 88 has basically the same keybed as the NS2EX 88, so it is a medium weighted hammer action keybed, except that the structure has been improved a bit and when you bottom out a key the feedback is more pleasant. NP3 action is heavier than NS3/NS2, not by much but you can feel the difference. From the standard piano player perspective this could be a plus.

As for me, I prefer heavier actions, which resemble better my acoustic piano.

Since I own the NP3, I can confirm that its action is very responsive, allowing a nice keys-sound connection.

If NS3 would have had the same keybed as NP3, I would have waited for it and bought it. Since it has the same keybed as NS2EX I went for the NP3, cause I was looking for the best piano experience.

[Vigifm]

My answer is somewhat of a paradox: the Nord Piano 3 and Stage 2 EX feature the same keyboard; the FATAR TP-40. They are exactly the same.

That said, they feel different. If I personally was going to be playing piano all night, I'd pick the Stage 2 EX. I did not like the Piano 3. When I play it and the Stage 2 together side by side, the Piano 3 sounds like it has less character. This may be due to the finger/ear connection with the triple sensor - maybe I'm just sensitive to it. I grew up playing an acoustic upright Minipiano - I'm used to a lighter touch and a more raw sounding feel. I've played weighted Steinways and they feel too heavy/'perfect' for me. As a result, the Stage 2 EX 88 action is more satisfying than the Piano 3 for me. Use with this info what you will!

TLDR: Try before you buy. Everyone is different.

[cphollis]

Interesting feedback, Nadroj. I play a NS2 76 HA regularly, and -- well -- it doesn't really work for me when I get into the APs. Maybe it's the action, maybe it's the 76 keys, I don't know. I mean, I can get through most any gig with the NS2, but it's not AP joy for me. Still trying to put my finger on it.

[GeeDeWee]

Interesting indeed. A lot of 'piano players' seem to find the NS2 (EX) HA action a bit light. Although I never played a NP3 (I own a NS2 HA 88), the triple sensor key bed could solve that lightness.

I played a Yamaha U1 upright growing up and still love playing it. Also love my NS2, but the difference is huge. It never seems to bother me. I somehow just 'adapt' to the lighter feel.
Especially in a band situation, the NS2 HA is perfect for me. Maybe if a did a lot of solo or duo gigs, I would consider buying something with a heavier feel.

[anotherscott]

My answer is somewhat of a paradox: the Nord Piano 3 and Stage 2 EX feature the same keyboard; the FATAR TP-40. They are exactly the same.

Besides the third sensor difference you mention, another obvious difference in the 88s is the presence of aftertouch on the Stage.

[danrv]

Hi, I'm trying to decide between the Nord Stage 3, the nord piano 3, and the nord stage 2EX. I'm primarily interested in having an authentic incredible piano sound, as I am a solo artist, but I need it to be portable for gigs. I've tried nord stage 2EX but I felt the keys were very light? I tried the Roland R's 2000 and no comparison ( was much better " feel"). Also hard to judge sound through store speakers/headphones. I want full length etc, but interested in the effects and synth sounds of the stage versions. My only concern is whether the keys are actually too " light" in terms of touch, and sound sustain ( I thought the sound of notes was going " dry" too quickly?). However I have not tried the stage 3 nor the piano 3, are they much better?

I'd appreciate thoughts... also is the key action the same in stage 3 and piano 3?

Thank you!

I think you may have to compromise a little on your requirements if choosing an 88 key Nord.
Realistic piano action and full 88 key = Piano 3
88 key HA lighter hammer action and synth/layer/effects etc.. = Stage 2EX or Stage 3.

I'm a piano player and do like a realistic piano action but I tend to do more live band playing in small to large venues.
My Stage 2 HA76 is ideal for this as it's ultra compact plus I find it nice to play for solo piano and jazz gigs too.
If it was mostly solo piano work then I'd probably look at a lightweight Yamaha P series as the 88 key Nords, with the extra width are a little too heavy for me.

[Spider]

My answer is somewhat of a paradox: the Nord Piano 3 and Stage 2 EX feature the same keyboard; the FATAR TP-40. They are exactly the same.

Besides the third sensor difference you mention, another obvious difference in the 88s is the presence of aftertouch on the Stage.

Apart from the aftertouch and third sensor, the Piano3 has the "Heavy" version of FATAR TP-40 action, while the Stage has the "Medium".

When you put it all together (no aftertouch, heavier action and triple sensor) the upgrade in "piano feel" for the P3 should be substantial, and reviewers actually confirm it (never played one myself, so I can't tell).

By the way, as you mention you are interested almost exclusively in piano sounds, why are you even considering the Stage?
The Piano3 gives you full access to the Nord Piano Library (with some simple split and layering thrown in), a better keybed, same portability and almost half the price of the Stage3.
The effect section is the same of the Stage2 (not as powerful as the Stage3, but very good nonetheless) and you can load synth sounds in the sample section.

Unless you want to start doing serious synthesis, it looks like the NP3 ticks all your boxes.
And il you do want to get into synthesis, you can purchase a separate dedicated synthesizer. That will be much more powerful and flexible, and even the combo NP3+synth will cost much less than a NS3 HA88