Nord User Forum

[CountFosco]

Have you considered pairing an Electro with a Wave 2? You still get the organ and pianos along with the newest 4-part synth, although I think you will lose the ability to layer and split multiple pianos/organs. Those that are familiar with all three can give you a better idea of what you gain and what you lose with this option.

That's roughly what I did, E5d + NLA1. For playing live it's a great combo. I initially regretted not just buying a S3, but I find the extra real estate quite handy.

I try not to sweat over what the keyboards can't do, but I am constantly exploring to find out what they can do. Going into synthesis with preconceptions about what will be important can be a problem. Like that dude who posted the other day, basing his decision on buying a Stage 3 on whether it can make a sound only when you release the keys. Seriously? How many times do you need that? Your band might be covering Frankie goes to Hollywood this week, but hopefully you'll play one or two other songs in the keyboard's lifetime.

[DJKeys]

The Synth section of the Stage 3 is much more powerful that any of the instruments presets demonstrate. You have to know something about synthesis and get in there and go to work. There have been many, many great programs created by the members here, doing things with the synth section that are creative and sound great.

I added the A1 because that gave me 6 synths, 2 piano, 2 organ. Personally, I would never had a need for more pianos and organs, two of each is actually more than enough. For original music, the keyboard needs would be determined by the type of music that band is writing. For classic rock, R&B, Blues, etc, the NS3 alone should be fine. I played in a band for two years with that as my only board. If you are doing modern music, such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, you will probably need extra synth power.

-dj

[DanielD71]

You also have seamless program transition, so with a single song, you can change multiple programs without any interruption.
Regards
Dan

[LeftyBass68]

Playing left hand bass dictates my needs for synth considerably.If not for the external section of the Stage would have eagerly purchased a Motif!
As it is,these bass sounds,with the exception of some EP bottom octaves,are not from these Stage3's. Split points really should be totally adjustable like Yamaha.
Yamaha TX7 paired with a Boog D will do bass like it should be IMO. Layering a synth and sample are still available; by utilizing all external synths for bass.

Stage 3 gets me as close as any 'all in one' currently available.TX7 and BoogD are small.So is the Radial Key Largo.
Adding a six space rack with lots of goodies not found on Nord plus a pair of Stage3's accomplishes what a '1979 van load' would do, and more.
Trying not to spend as much time and effort 'roadie' wise,and more time enjoying playing while taking up a smaller footprint.The scaling of needs gig to gig, changes.
Having separate audio outputs is a must,I regularly use a bass amp.The external controllers saved this instrument IMO.I still prefer the external midi on the Stage 2EX.
Midi is flexible enough I can work around the 'channel' and 'panel' on the Stage3 with a 'patch change pedal'.

I do enjoy the Stage3 synth,wish there were A/B choices for each 'panel' like a shared synth/sample where all 20 voices could be allocated.Still,a good solid effort!
Many times I just need one or two more 'voices' for lead lines,and a poly/portamento four voice SEM style synth,which these Neutron/Model D/Pro One do well.
Four chained Boog D's really kick some booty! Two Stage 3's,TX7/ten mono Boogs gettin' it done!That's two for lead/bass and eight chained, for a layered pair of four voice synths.
Prefer two analog poly sounds to a hundred 'virtuals'.Let me do the patching.Larger footprint,still half the size of a true modular system though.Most fun I've ever had with synth.
I looked at DSI a few times,always love the filters,randomize,etc. for a stage 'poly'; and ended up finding the Stage 'external controller' menu a better fit for my needs.
Prophet has no patch bay,and is priced above my needs,all wants aside.Hand me those patch cables.Remember how much the CS80 weighed? Or the CP70B? I do.
Room/time permitting, the C2D and tube Leslie are there sometimes.At least twice a year a real Hammond A100 just to remind my hands and ears and eyes what a tease the C2D is.
Audio inputs on the Neutron and D allow the A100 to have FX like ring modulation and my choice of second harmonic waveform overdrive and delay.Behringer listens to their customers.
The external midi menu of the C2D is also very useful,easy to add 'Boog' bass.
Organ bass is really nice for whole notes and 'goose egg legatos' LOL, can do this with the C2D as well using the mono synths to add FX.

Stage 3 is still the best one available IMO,competition keeping them honest though,and 'lapping' Nord in the synth category IMO.
Roland and Yamaha synths are more flexible and along with Korg still occupy a large market share,regardless of Nord's efforts.And will no doubt continue to do so.
Behringer got into the Eurorack game,prices are tumbling like the NY Stock Exchange.A win for consumers,and a crushing blow to some pension funds no doubt.
Hoping the best for Nord,this world has changed forever.We really need them to survive this,someone to hold the 'big boys' accountable and service the live performance sector.

My ears led me to Nord and Behringer.Priced different for sure,and both excellent products IMO.This X32 is the result of much consolidation. So is the Nord Stage 3 IMO.

[WannitBBBad]

Speaking of "1979 Van Load"

1979 Van Load

1979 Van Load.jpg (822.33 KiB) Viewed 1933 times

[LeftyBass68]

Consolidation will never replace the real thing.Nice rig for any tour,today even.Wouldn't dream of touring it.Is that a BV?What string machine?
A local theatre or ballroom might still see something like that on occasion, for a night.Always feel bad when the FOH tech doesn't oblige,and made them work hard for 'eye candy'.
Thanks for sharing,we were in top physical condition after working two hours before and after every show.So many string machines,used a Solina/ARP and Rhodes Suitcase for my EP.
In the 80's it was the Yamaha CP70B,thank you Nord for saving what's left of my back! 'I now schlepp' an NS3HA88/NS3C/C2D! And a tidy pedalboard with 6 space rack with some speakers.
All 'in',30% of what is in your '79 van load shot.I outlived my road crew and can't possibly be the only one.I still do a single keyboard only gig just to keep it real too.And play a Yamaha C7.

My speakers are scaled down.This whole 'stack' spread out 3@15 feet with a woofer will work for me.As a 'cluster' stage amp too.
Until these revealed what my keys really sounded like 'flat' I had no idea how to sculpt my work.
Left/Center/Right and a woofer allow audio details previously unknown,most evident in overall dynamic range.
Same total weight as two NX55P.Improved sound in the crossover to horn octave between 800-1600HZ,with no phase correction needed.
Highs that breathe instead of poke.Made for twenty years,still in production.Meyer UPM-1P's.
The front load Dynaudio/Yorkville 12" woofer is all that's required 90% of the time to supplement the audio.Vocals and instruments all sound correct through this system to my ears.
A close nearfield system using 4 of 16 available outputs of the X32R ,room for a proper IEM and a complete FOH system.Idea is to keep stage speakers and mixer down in size.

When refreshing these little ultra portables,new gaskets behind the 5" speakers,and a compressed air cleaning of the tweeter gap are recommended.They sound FANTASTIC now.
These Stage 3's and C2D have never sounded better.The Electro2-61 and Stage2EX88 both love them as well! In comparison this Yamaha MOX8 has really lame pianos.And I like Yamaha!

Anyone still using the little Galaxy Audio Hot Spot 4" pair wedges for vox monitors? I will still on occasion in a dine an dash smaller show!These are from 1977.

[mahob]

Thanks again for all the comments and insights. It has been really helpful. I didn't know most of the things you are pointing out. It is also nice to see the activity level of this forum, which I didn't see in others. Believe it or not, for me this is another point to consider at the time of getting a new board.

Pairing two boards is really not an option due to space issues. I am not planning to get rid of the other boards I have, but besides bringing them up for recording particular sounds, I know I will end up using only one board for everyday. That is why I want it to cover the synth section properly.

Despite all the great suggestions and opinions, I was curious at the comment on the external section. I checked on youtube and saw we are talking about hooking up an ipad/iphone through midi, and that there is some time of dedicated controller section in the board. This could be an option. But what I was trying to understand is how complex it can get the NS3 by itself. I consider I know how to program a synth more or less properly. But I am talking about getting interesting sounds without investing half a day, but more or less "quickly"if I can say that.
Thank you.

[WannitBBBad]

...Despite all the great suggestions and opinions, I was curious at the comment on the external section. I checked on youtube and saw we are talking about hooking up an ipad/iphone through midi, and that there is some time of dedicated controller section in the board. This could be an option. But what I was trying to understand is how complex it can get the NS3 by itself. I consider I know how to program a synth more or less properly. But I am talking about getting interesting sounds without investing half a day, but more or less "quickly"if I can say that.
Thank you.

As far as the Stage 3 on its own, that's exactly how I use it. The synth is very easy to work with while also capable of some very complex sounds. As noted, this is a great Forum with a wealth of work available that folks have posted for others to enjoy and work from. Good luck to you!

[CountFosco]

Pairing two boards is really not an option due to space issues. I am not planning to get rid of the other boards I have, but besides bringing them up for recording particular sounds, I know I will end up using only one board for everyday. That is why I want it to cover the synth section properly.

If your usage is mainly recording, and there's presumably a DAW involved anyway, you could consider plugging any gaps with VSTs. There are countless amazing instruments out there, and with the right setup you can create a seamless transition between using the Stage as an audio and/or midi input to your DAW.

[anotherscott]

Pairing two boards is really not an option due to space issues...I was curious at the comment on the external section. I checked on youtube and saw we are talking about hooking up an ipad/iphone through midi, and that there is some time of dedicated controller section in the board. This could be an option.

Another solution that works with minimal space is that you can also connect small (keyboardless) external synth modules (Roland Boutiques for example).

But what I was trying to understand is how complex it can get the NS3 by itself. I consider I know how to program a synth more or less properly. But I am talking about getting interesting sounds without investing half a day, but more or less "quickly"if I can say that.

One of the best things and also the most limiting thing about the Nord synth approach is that all the controls are laid out right in front of you, there are almost no "hidden" capabilities. So you can indeed build things quickly, but there are notable limits on what you can build. Since you're already familiar with concepts of synth programming, you can get an idea of how complex you can get simply by looking at the panel (keeping in mind that you do have the ability to layer two of these panel-based sounds). To make my meaning clear, if you look at the panel, you'll see there's one LFO (well, two if you count the dedicated vibrato LFO), with the particular wave shapes you see labeled. You'll see there are two envelopes, each with three adjustable parameters. There's obviously plenty you can do with that, but there are also obviously things you cannot.