Opinionated (flame warning) Nord Stage 4 vs Yamaha YC88

[dmamfmgm]

I stay away from the flamewars. Ok, breaking my own rule to share this.

Here's a side by side Nord Stage 4 and Yamaha YC88 comparison and at least the shop (Anderton's UK) is open about who they favor - I think they favor the Nord.

[Xerosnake90]

The YC 88 is a great keyboard. Piano and synth were my top priorities, and the Yamaha action is a bit too uncomfortable for me. I was between the Montage M8X and Stage 4 as well and Nord just checked all my boxes. I admit I prefer the sound of the Yamaha but the Nord sounds incredible and checked my boxes for simplicity and key feel. Plus the Nord Reverbs are absolutely incredible

[Rusty Mike]

Horses for courses. Some people like the Nord workflow, others not so much. Same with Yamaha.

I was mostly surprised with their opinion that the Yamaha pianos sounded compressed and a bit processed. I personally think this is something Roland and Korg do as well. Nord pianos tend to stay away from pre-processing. The irony is that the "natural" piano sounds is what makes them more difficult to mix. They tend to not have the artificial brightness of a processed piano sound and therefore less capability to cut through without EQ.

Price also plays a huge factor here. For half the price, the Yamaha has a lot of appeal. That said, the synth engine on the Stage is more robust, but the YC will get you through quite well. And it's that synth capability the puts it as a competitor to the Stage and not the Electro, which has no synth lead capabilities.

Thanks for posting this video. I'm not a fan of Jack's reviews but this was an interesting comparison, specially for a retailer.

[cphollis]

If there wasn't a Stage 4, I'd be looking at the YC88.

[LeftyBass68]

A retailer that favors the more expensive one.Now there's a shocker!
Maybe Nord can fix the 1' drawbar cancel on the Stage3 organ? Or build a pitchstick that lasts more than ten months?
Sorry Nord,those Crumar Organizer faders (1978 all over again) on the new Stage are because people can't remember what's on both panels? Duh.
Bring back the Stage 2 encoders please.Stage 3 has been a bumpy ride......

[analogika]

Maybe Nord can fix the 1' drawbar cancel on the Stage3 organ? Or build a pitchstick that lasts more than ten months?

Dude… lay off it already. They HAD the 1' drawbar cancel, and they dropped it. It's not a priority.

And my Stage 3's pitchstick has been working fine for six years now, and the one I had before worked fine for the three years I owned the Stage 2.

[analogika]

Sorry Nord,those Crumar Organizer faders (1978 all over again) on the new Stage are because people can't remember what's on both panels? Duh.

I know *exactly* what's on both panels. I just need access to both at the same time. The restructuring on the Stage 4 fixes a couple of very real problems I encounter on the Stage 3 all the time.

I am absolutely with you on the encoders, BTW. GIVE US BACK ROTARY LED ENCODERS!

[LeftyBass68]

Analogica didn't criticise my observation that the more expensive one was favored.He must work retail too ? Like a retailer was EVER going with the Yamaha......DUH.

Totally enjoying my Stage2EX88 with REAL encoders and version 6 pianos.The 3 is a downgrade in overall quality with few if any real improvements.More piano memory set me back lots of $.
An EQ button? FFS......AT enabled FX.....I'm sure there are others but not OBVIOUS ,and overall no longer 'pine' for the new products after the Wave2 underwhelmed me.

Then someone walks up and asks me,"Hey,do you know Mustang Sally?"....."No,never met her","Oh,you don't mean Mustache Sally?", but Soul Train Express plays that SONG the RIGHT way.

[LeftyBass68]

Analogika takes the bait EVERY time! It's too much fun. Not as fun as THe Rodeo Song,but still fun.


Edit, and still no "quotes" EVER repeated in MY posts!

[Valpurgis]

Analogika takes the bait EVERY time! It's too much fun. Not as fun as THe Rodeo Song,but still fun.

We all know that your focus on 1’ drawbar cancel is just kidding.