I am considering purchasing a Nord but I am not sure which model is best for me. I have a couple of keyboards with fully weighted key action so I'm looking for something with synth action or semi-weighted action. I have some questions about the Stage 3 compact vs the Electro 6D. Also, if you think there is a model better suited for me feel free to suggest it, but from what I've seen online these two appear to be my best options.
First, does the Stage 3 compact and Electro 6D have the same sounds? I know you can access sounds from Nord and download them to the keyboards, but are all sounds available for both keyboards or do they have unique sounds?
Second, Nord seems to emphasize piano and organ sounds when marketing their keyboards, but what about other sounds? Can anyone explain how a Nord compares with Korg and Yamaha synths? What about orchestral sounds?
Third, I believe Nord refers to the semi-weighted as waterfall action. How does this compare to other semi-weighted keys?
Fourth, I'm looking to use this keyboard for live performance mostly. Can anyone explain the advantages of the Stage 3 compact over the Electro 6D for this scenario?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
11 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
NS3-88, NS3C, Casio CT-S1, Radial Key Largo, Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs, Rolls PM55P Headphone Mixer, K&M 18880 Keyboard Stand with 18881 Second Tier, Bose S1 Pro, JBL 305p MKII Monitors, Zoom Q2n-4K, Behringer XR18 Mixer
- The author ajstan was thanked by 2 members, including:
- smokymtnmaple • analogika
- ajstan
- Posts: 622
- Joined: 12 Sep 2017, 14:16
- Country:
- Has thanked: 167 times
- Been thanked: 309 times
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
The Stage 3 Compact has a much more flexible split capability than the Electro 6D. The Stage 3 Compact has a pitch bend control, while the Electro 6D does not.
I think you would find that the piano and organ sounds available for these two Nord models are very similar.
There is another thread which compares these two boards:
general-nord-forum-f29/stage-3-compact-vs-electro-6-t15138.html
user "anotherscott" includes details if you navigate to the second page of that thread.
I think you would find that the piano and organ sounds available for these two Nord models are very similar.
There is another thread which compares these two boards:
general-nord-forum-f29/stage-3-compact-vs-electro-6-t15138.html
user "anotherscott" includes details if you navigate to the second page of that thread.
-
harmonizer - Posts: 506
- Joined: 25 Dec 2012, 17:10
- Location: NJ, USA
- Country:
- Has thanked: 72 times
- Been thanked: 128 times
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Electro 3
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
smokymtnmaple wrote:First, does the Stage 3 compact and Electro 6D have the same sounds? I know you can access sounds from Nord and download them to the keyboards, but are all sounds available for both keyboards or do they have unique sounds?
I believe all the sounds of the Electro are available on the Stage, except the B3+Bass organ mode. The Stage is capable of many other sounds that are not acheivable on the Electro, because of its full synth section and additional layer functions.
smokymtnmaple wrote:Second, Nord seems to emphasize piano and organ sounds when marketing their keyboards, but what about other sounds? Can anyone explain how a Nord compares with Korg and Yamaha synths? What about orchestral sounds?
Orchestral sounds lag other brands, largely because they can't trigger different samples at different velocities.
smokymtnmaple wrote:Third, I believe Nord refers to the semi-weighted as waterfall action. How does this compare to other semi-weighted keys?
Waterfall means that the front of the keys are shaped like a waterfall (straight down, no lip, no hard edges). It facilitates some organ techniques.
smokymtnmaple wrote:Fourth, I'm looking to use this keyboard for live performance mostly. Can anyone explain the advantages of the Stage 3 compact over the Electro 6D for this scenario?
Sound advantages as mentioned above. EXT functions to split/layer additional sounds from an attached device (like a sound module or iPhone/iPad for example). Expressive synth functions via pitch bend, mod wheel, aftertouch. Arpeggiator. Song Mode for quick access to the sounds you need for a particular song (without using up more program locations with duplicates, as you would do on the Electro). 5 one-button patch recall buttons instead of 4 (which also means 25 sounds at a time available quickly in numeric entry mode instead of 16). Additional output routing options to send different sounds to different external porocessing or different amps or different channels of a mixing board. More effects controls. That's what comes to mind off-hand.
ETA: and yes, check out that thread mentioned in the previous post!
- anotherscott
- Posts: 3444
- Joined: 07 Jan 2011, 04:50
- Has thanked: 38 times
- Been thanked: 1079 times
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
Hi, Smokey
Unless the price difference is the issue, just buy the Stage 3. You will not regret it.
-dj
Unless the price difference is the issue, just buy the Stage 3. You will not regret it.
-dj
Last edited by DJKeys on 03 Sep 2020, 19:18, edited 1 time in total.
Nord Stage 3
Nord Wave 2
Yamaha U3
iMac i7 13.5.2
Studio One 5.5.2
Nektar T4
Drawmer DL 241
Focusrite ISA Two
Focusrite Clarett 8 Pre
-
DJKeys - Patch Creator
- Posts: 2028
- Joined: 11 Apr 2011, 17:11
- Location: Las Vegas
- Country:
- Has thanked: 408 times
- Been thanked: 811 times
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Wave 2
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
Hlaalu wrote:the pianos are *identical*, not "very similar", since they come from the very same sample files.
though the NS3 lets you layer two piano instances and detune them from each other, yielding some additional piano timbres you cannot acheive on the Electro.
- The author anotherscott was thanked by 3 members, including:
- dmamfmgm • harmonizer • analogika
- anotherscott
- Posts: 3444
- Joined: 07 Jan 2011, 04:50
- Has thanked: 38 times
- Been thanked: 1079 times
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
The synthesizer on the Stage 3 is FAR more capable than the sample playback engine on the Electro.
The Stage 3 synth engine does sample playback as well, but that's just one of the modes — there's FM, Wavetable, and various virtual-analog, as well as the surprisingly useful formants, also. Additionally, you get Unison layering with detune, an arpeggiator, plus full filter controls for cutoff and resonance, as well as control over dynamic response and separate envelopes for filter and volume. Plus the pitch bend and mod wheel, and aftertouch control for morphing parameters.
All of that times two, because you have one synth engine (along with one organ and one piano engine) each for both Slots A and B.
The Stage 3 synth engine does sample playback as well, but that's just one of the modes — there's FM, Wavetable, and various virtual-analog, as well as the surprisingly useful formants, also. Additionally, you get Unison layering with detune, an arpeggiator, plus full filter controls for cutoff and resonance, as well as control over dynamic response and separate envelopes for filter and volume. Plus the pitch bend and mod wheel, and aftertouch control for morphing parameters.
All of that times two, because you have one synth engine (along with one organ and one piano engine) each for both Slots A and B.
The Nord giveth; the Nord taketh away…
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
-
analogika - Posts: 3289
- Joined: 21 Nov 2013, 10:02
- Country:
- Has thanked: 1127 times
- Been thanked: 1399 times
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Electro 2
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
ajstan wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av3GxXakeaM
This video was very helpful. Thank you!
- smokymtnmaple
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 03 Sep 2020, 15:02
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 0 time
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
smokymtnmaple wrote:ajstan wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av3GxXakeaM
This video was very helpful. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful. The "My Keys to Music" channel is a great resource for Nord owners from basic to advanced topics. The three-part Stage 3 synth tutorial is a favorite of mine.
NS3-88, NS3C, Casio CT-S1, Radial Key Largo, Westone AM Pro 30 IEMs, Rolls PM55P Headphone Mixer, K&M 18880 Keyboard Stand with 18881 Second Tier, Bose S1 Pro, JBL 305p MKII Monitors, Zoom Q2n-4K, Behringer XR18 Mixer
- ajstan
- Posts: 622
- Joined: 12 Sep 2017, 14:16
- Country:
- Has thanked: 167 times
- Been thanked: 309 times
- Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 3
- Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 3
Re: Stage 3 Compact vs Electro 6D
anotherscott wrote:Hlaalu wrote:the pianos are *identical*, not "very similar", since they come from the very same sample files.
though the NS3 lets you layer two piano instances and detune them from each other, yielding some additional piano timbres you cannot acheive on the Electro.
Another difference is that the NS3 supports the triple pedal for half dampering, you cannot do half dampering on the E6, so that can be another sonic difference between pianos on the two models.
- anotherscott
- Posts: 3444
- Joined: 07 Jan 2011, 04:50
- Has thanked: 38 times
- Been thanked: 1079 times
11 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 28 guests