Help with choosing an additional synthesizer for NS4

[Alexandr74]

Hello, this is probably a silly request, what synthesizer do you think I can use to extend the capabilities of my Nord stage 4 on live performances. I'm very happy with my NS4, but I want a second analog synth as the NS4 can't do all the tasks. Did a lot of revisiting, re-listening and chose the monophonic Pro3 and Moog Sabsequent 37.Polyphonic Take 5 and Rev2 Sequential. These are the models I have enough money for. Of this list, I like the Rev2 the least.At first I only wanted the Moog, but I started looking and listening and found the pro3, which I also really liked. Which of these synthesizers do you think would be able to expand the capabilities of my NS4. It's important that they mix well with the NS4 and it's important that it's enjoyable to play at live shows, to have quick access to presets. I can't try to play these instruments as it's not possible where I live. So I turn on youtube and play the NS4 along with demonstration videos of the synthesizers. I found that Moog and Take 5 sound good in mix with NS4. For the ethno rock I'm playing now I have enough NS4 and all kinds of ethnic instruments, but I want to experiment and mix ethno with dance electronic music and ambient. And play such music in live concerts, and try not to use playbacks. Pardon my English

[TvR69]

I you want to play more than bass, effect or lead sounds, you should go for a polyphonic synth.
Which synth you choose is a matter of personal taste (sound and programmability). They will all blend well with a NS4 (I have a Sub37 and had a Rev2).

[Elias]

@TvR69 is right. Any synth will "sound good in mix with NS4", if used correctly. It all depends on what you need from that synth. I've used a Behringer Deepmind, a Lead A1, and various software solutions on a MacBook, paired with my NS3. For my use case (a pop/rock/soul/funk band), I'm getting all I need from my Stage 3 alone. And a Stage 4 would surely be just as good.

You mentioned more heavily electronic-oriented music, like techno. I've studied the surface level basics of basically all electronic music production, and you will most likely need/want more equipment than a Stage 4 and a synthesizer. Meaning for example sequencer and drum capabilities. I don't know what you have, but from your post I can't assume anything.

[Alexandr74]

@TvR69 is right. Any synth will "sound good in mix with NS4", if used correctly. It all depends on what you need from that synth. I've used a Behringer Deepmind, a Lead A1, and various software solutions on a MacBook, paired with my NS3. For my use case (a pop/rock/soul/funk band), I'm getting all I need from my Stage 3 alone. And a Stage 4 would surely be just as good.

You mentioned more heavily electronic-oriented music, like techno. I've studied the surface level basics of basically all electronic music production, and you will most likely need/want more equipment than a Stage 4 and a synthesizer. Meaning for example sequencer and drum capabilities. I don't know what you have, but from your post I can't assume anything.

Yes, I agree that two synthesizers are not enough for electronic music. I'm not sure if I'm going to do electronic dance music specifically. I just want a new sound for my ethno rock band. Add an electronic sound and ambient elements. It seems to me that analog synthesizer will help me in this. And I can't figure out what kind of synthesizer will help me with that. Of course any of these synthesizers will change my sound. I realize that there are no universal synthesizers. Then I'll ask, which of these synthesizers is the most convenient for live concerts and which of these synthesizers is the most universal. Although it's probably not quite right to discuss this on the nord forum)

[Alexandr74]

Take 5 will be the most versatile synth off your list and also the best value financially. And while the filter is not Moog, you can create very nice smooth warm sounds in that style easily. The keyboard is higher quality than the Moog's (as are the wheels,) plus you get effects, polyphony, a much deeper mod matrix, more keys, it's cheaper...
Rev2 has a very distinct sound, so I think it would be less flexible. It is nice for the extra voices though.

[Alexandr74]

Take 5 will be the most versatile synth off your list and also the best value financially. And while the filter is not Moog, you can create very nice smooth warm sounds in that style easily. The keyboard is higher quality than the Moog's (as are the wheels,) plus you get effects, polyphony, a much deeper mod matrix, more keys, it's cheaper...
Rev2 has a very distinct sound, so I think it would be less flexible. It is nice for the extra voices though.

Thank you so much for the advice. I have listened to a lot of Take 5 videos. He is really very good. I really wanted a Moog for its warm and deep sound. And even though the Take 5 is not a moog at all, I heard that warmth and softness in it

[Alexandr74]

Thank you so much for the advice. I have listened to a lot of Take 5 videos. He is really very good. I really wanted a Moog for its warm and deep sound. And even though the Take 5 is not a moog at all, I heard that warmth and softness in it

I have a Stage 4 and I owned the Take 5 for about 2 years, but sold it recently. It's correct, that the Take 5 offers very much for the money (mostly one knob per function, great keybed and wheels, overall good sound).
But I would say, that you could create most of the Take 5 sounds also with the Stage 4. The Take 5 is not THAT analog sounding, and of course it's not a Moog (regarding sound).
The Stage also is able to do very good classic "moogish" sounds.

If I would have to add another keyboard that is able to provide a) a big variety of sounds and b) possibly a completely other tonal character, I would look for a polyphonic virtual analog and/or wavetable device, like ASM Hydrasynth, Novation Peak or Summit, or for more bread and butter sounds perhaps a Yamaha MODX or Fantom 06.

[Alexandr74]

I can say I had a much easier time getting vintage-sounding analog tones from the Take5 than the Subsequent37 (have owned both.) The Moog does have that classic sound with the filter however it is also very precise. It certainly does not sound like a classic Minimoog for example. If you know how to really dive into the Mod Matrix on the T5 you can set up all sorts of subtle movement and also if you really want it to sound old school you can reset the tuning tables that are in a hidden menu and then re-tune it only enough to get the notes correct but allow them to drift a little. I did this with the Prophet 6 when I owned it and the sound was way more organic to my ears while still staying in tune well enough to play with a band.

But it is true that the Nord synth engine does a lot and sounds very good. However I had the Nord Wave 2 and Take 5 at the same time and the T5 definitely sounded more alive and analog to my ears.

My own pairing will be Nord Stage 4 and Sequential Prophet X but that is outside of your budget. Both of those 2 keyboards compliment each other perfectly, and I can cover any combination of synth and samples I need.

[Alexandr74]

Thank you so much for the advice. I have listened to a lot of Take 5 videos. He is really very good. I really wanted a Moog for its warm and deep sound. And even though the Take 5 is not a moog at all, I heard that warmth and softness in it

I have a Stage 4 and I owned the Take 5 for about 2 years, but sold it recently. It's correct, that the Take 5 offers very much for the money (mostly one knob per function, great keybed and wheels, overall good sound).
But I would say, that you could create most of the Take 5 sounds also with the Stage 4. The Take 5 is not THAT analog sounding, and of course it's not a Moog (regarding sound).
The Stage also is able to do very good classic "moogish" sounds.

If I would have to add another keyboard that is able to provide a) a big variety of sounds and b) possibly a completely other tonal character, I would look for a polyphonic virtual analog and/or wavetable device, like ASM Hydrasynth, Novation Peak or Summit, or for more bread and butter sounds perhaps a Yamaha MODX or Fantom 06.

Thank you, that's a very interesting opinion. I really need a synthesizer that can do what NS4 can't. Novation and ASM I didn't really like the sound. I have looked at them. It turns out that the sound of the synthesizers that I liked is similar to what Nord does) Maybe I don't need anything but Nord then).

[Alexandr74]

I can say I had a much easier time getting vintage-sounding analog tones from the Take5 than the Subsequent37 (have owned both.) The Moog does have that classic sound with the filter however it is also very precise. It certainly does not sound like a classic Minimoog for example. If you know how to really dive into the Mod Matrix on the T5 you can set up all sorts of subtle movement and also if you really want it to sound old school you can reset the tuning tables that are in a hidden menu and then re-tune it only enough to get the notes correct but allow them to drift a little. I did this with the Prophet 6 when I owned it and the sound was way more organic to my ears while still staying in tune well enough to play with a band.

But it is true that the Nord synth engine does a lot and sounds very good. However I had the Nord Wave 2 and Take 5 at the same time and the T5 definitely sounded more alive and analog to my ears.

My own pairing will be Nord Stage 4 and Sequential Prophet X but that is outside of your budget. Both of those 2 keyboards compliment each other perfectly, and I can cover any combination of synth and samples I need.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Prophet X is really cool, but yeah, I won't be able to buy a synth like that yet. It turns out that there is nothing for the money I can spend) Although Pro3 can probably do a lot of things that Nord can't, and I like it, but somehow not completely