Nord User Forum

[mahob]

Hello everyone. For years I have considered the possibility of getting a NS3 73 and I always decide not to, due to the same doubt: its possibilities as a synth. Now I am hesitating again about going with it, and the same doubt comes back. This is why I would like to hear your opinions. Out of discussion that the pianos and organs sections are the best available. My view is that the NS3 is unbeatable on this. But I also enjoy using the synth and some sound creation. I first thought that the synth sections was the same as having an A1, but then I learned that there are differences. The most important seems to be that the A1 allows 4 sample layers, while the NS3, only two layers of synth sounds. When I get to this point, I usually give up and decide not to get the NS3. Am I missing something? Is this a good reason for not buying the board? Of course this is an important investment for me, and I want to make sure not to commit a mistake. For reference, today I am using a Jupiter 50, which has decent pianos, but also allows the possibility of layering up to 6 instruments, 4 of them with 3 partials each, with their own LFOs and Mod LFOs. I never use them all together, but I do use 3 or 4 of them for achieving some movement in the sounds I create. My doubt is if I will be able to achieve more or less complex sounds with the NS3, with only 2 synth sounds layered.
Thank you so much in advance for your help.

[LeftyBass68]

Thank you for your post.I also have issues with the NS3 synth.I have two Stage 3's which still; are barely adequate for my needs.
I much prefer external synths and find the Stage 3 external controller features adequate and useful.I do want pianos to sound like pianos,not digital like the Roland,Yamaha,Korg etc.
The flagship 'grand pianos' they build look great,play great,and sound no better than their 'consumer' counterparts.I still prefer the Nord.
Some like that stuff,mostly younger folks that didn't spend a half century playing acoustic pianos.
There are many 'full featured' synths available from other brands that I prefer in a studio,but the Stage is still a great live performance instrument.
Future versions of this series will no doubt include 'any key' split and layer points,two synths per panel,full featured organ menu(ALL of the C2D please).
Happy with my NS3 Compact,have a Yamaha TX7 and Behringer mono synths to supplement the synth that has 'most' but not 'all' of the A1 engine.

It seems every product Nord makes has caveats.Pared down menus on the flagship model are a reality.The Electro has the organ features of a C2D,the Stage doesn't!
Make sure you get the newer Stage 3.Retailers regularly try to throw the first version out the door at full pop, if you do get one.
Read the user guides and menus before laying down your money,NS3 is not as robust a build as this Stage2-EX88!
Many people losing instrument volume dials,rotary encoders were better on the older models.Please address this issue on your next version,Nord!

Great instrument,with a few issues.Many people just go elsewhere,always been a Yamaha fan too.Still have a Roland JX8P and PG800 along with a XV3080.
Watching the ELO 'Wembley' show,that's a Juno DS6($1500?) on 'Telephone Line' solo,good luck getting that out of a Nord! Poly/porto not their strong suit.
Just sayin,don't expect a Yamaha CS80 from it! Awaiting the arrival of a Yamaha YC61.

[mahob]

Thanks a lot for your time and reply. It is very useful. It’s evident that the NS3 does not have its greatest strong points as a synth. I still think it’s worth for the pianos and hands on controls. How do you notice if you are getting one of the “latest versions”? Is there a way to find out through serial numbers or other ways? I am still curious about other people experiences with the NS3 synths. Particularly anyone that has a a Roland Jupiter 50 or 80, or even an xp series.
Thanks again!

[LeftyBass68]

You're welcome. The user interface(control panel) is different on the latest Stage 3.The ARP buttons are moved back up top and there is a category button on pianos.
On this HA88 I don't like where the ARP buttons are placed.(Older type). On the Compact I like where they are as 'close' is more a live performance thing.(older type as well).
They were moved back because a lot of people where having 'tone bombs' during performances!If you bang away at piano like I do you want them back!If you play 'accompany' type
phrasing along with your playin' you might like the buttons close.
Category button for pianos is back to the Stage2 feature many complained was 'missing''.
I would find a brand new 'older' type Compact and bargain a deal for it.

[WannitBBBad]

... I am still curious about other people experiences with the NS3 synths. Particularly anyone that has a Roland Jupiter 50 or 80, or even an xp series...

Hello, welcome to the Forum!. My experience goes back to programming on the Sequential Circuits' Prophets and other instruments back in the 80s. I love my Stage 3 and spend most of my time on it exploring the Synth section. I find the Stage 3 to be a very powerful instrument overall, especially in a live setting. If you go to the (Unofficial) Nord User Sounds Collection and sort the sound collection by USER, you can listen to some examples of what I've put together (recording straight from Stage 3 to laptop). You can also sort to list all Stage 3 programs to listen to an even wider variety of programs created by the Users. Good luck!
https://nordusersounds.com/

[westharp]

The most important seems to be that the A1 allows 4 sample layers, while the NS3, only two layers of synth sounds.

The A1 allows zero sample layers - the A1 is "only" a VA-synth and can't use the Nord sample library at all.
The NS3 only has two layers, but because it can also use samples as a sound source, the synth section is actually quite powerful...

I almost never layer both sections for one sound: most often one synth section alone sounds fat enough (especially when using the Unison-mode).

[hernjov1]

Also know that the newer NS3's have Song Mode where you can add 5 different synth patches per song on the soft buttons....So layered you can have up to two synth's times 5 giving you up to 10 different synth's per song! Also up to ten pianos, and organs! When you own one of these beasts, and learn how to use it you'll find that it's hands down one of the best keyboards on the market! My board is the NS3C...Light! Stage saver! Free samples, and patches that the Nord Forum, and Clavia offer!

[ajstan]

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.

[anotherscott]

A1 vs NS3 synth discussed at post95442.html?hilit=a1#p95442 (though the larger pitch bend range has subsequently been added to the NS3 as well).

But also, the NS3 has the two EXT sections. So let's say you connected an iPhone or iPad, which has some excellent synths available. You would be able to create Nord programs that consisted of two layered NS3 synth sounds plus 2 more layered synth sounds from an attached iOS device.

[anotherscott]

Future versions of this series will no doubt include 'any key' split and layer points,two synths per panel,full featured organ menu

It would be nice. I would by no means include a "no doubt" though.

The Electro has the organ features of a C2D,the Stage doesn't!

The current Electro organ feature set is nearly identical to the NS3. The precious E5 had some additional options.