Nord User Forum

[Schorsch]

Stage 3 Ex/Stage 4 might imminent. Thomann are no longer selling the Stage 3 88. https://www.thomann.de/ie/clavia_nord_stage_3_88.htm

I’m pretty sure that your assumptions are correct, just wanted to point out that there are different information about availability at the moment on different shops, and obviously also on the same shop at different times of the day …

[PODGESAX]

Stage 3 Ex/Stage 4 might imminent. Thomann are no longer selling the Stage 3 88. https://www.thomann.de/ie/clavia_nord_stage_3_88.htm

I’m pretty sure that your assumptions are correct, just wanted to point out that there are different information about availability at the moment on different shops, and obviously also on the same shop at different times of the day …

Would a NS3 ex be identical to the NS3 with only more memory? What does ex mean?

[PODGESAX]

I'm still convinced a new Stage will overcome all actual memory limiations in the area of samples for Piano and Synth due to a radical change of internal architecture.

[Nordlicht]

The next Stage will surely get the features and improvements that are implemented in the NP5 (new sample format, unison, true vibrato, etc.) and 1 GB sample memory.
Then perhaps 3 GB for the pianos, hopefully a triple sensor keybed and please, please, please: an up to date organ engine.

[Schorsch]

Would a NS3 ex be identical to the NS3 with only more memory? What does ex mean?

Yes, or No nobody knows, and how should one? It’s all speculation and guessing, no facts are published by now.

Nord used to name the successors of each of the initial main Nord Stage instruments “Ex”, see the legacy instrument information here: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/legacy

You can compare the specs of the initial and the “Ex” versions of each Stage generation to see the difference, as far as I know these were memory upgrades

[analogika]

The Stage 2 EX Compact also shifted the keyboard to start at low E (Rhodes standard) instead of the F.

[Spider]

As far as I can tell, on the original Stage, the EX version really was just a cosmetic update with doubled storage for pianos.
For the Stage 2 the changes between the regular and EX models were a bit more extensive.

The Stage 2 EX Compact also shifted the keyboard to start at low E (Rhodes standard) instead of the F.

The 2EX also changed the power cable (for the better, IEC instead of that flimsy figure-8 cable) and the knobs (for the worse, plastic shafts intead of metal).
The 76-key version moved from the HA to HP keybed (much better for portability, but worse for playing feel).
Also, the knobs for the EQ and synth section gained a center detent.
Small changes for sure, and nothing involving the sound engines, but anyway it was a bit more than "just twice the piano memory".

[mariczer]

In my opinion, Nord is closing its business. The last product was made over two years ago. The company does not respond to requests sent to them on support. It no longer develops the operating systems of its products. There are no fixes for found bugs.

[maxpiano]

As far as I can tell, on the original Stage, the EX version really was just a cosmetic update with doubled storage for pianos.

Not just that, the EX also introduced String Resonance that was not supported on Classic:

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-stage-ex
A great addition - the String Resonance feature - was added as a free-of-charge OS update in 2009 exclusively for the Nord Stage EX.

(but overall it was a minor update, mostly memory yes)

[maxpiano]

As far as I can tell, on the original Stage, the EX version really was just a cosmetic update with doubled storage for pianos.

Not just that, the EX also introduced String Resonance that was not supported on Classic:

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-stage-ex
A great addition - the String Resonance feature - was added as a free-of-charge OS update in 2009 exclusively for the Nord Stage EX.

(but overall it was a minor update, mostly memory yes)

Piano Unison was also added with the EX.