Nord User Forum

I've been using an Electro 3 for worship for a long time. The fact that you can layer the sounds in the Electro 5 make it a very powerful option for worship.

Dig deep into it's capabilities and you'll be amazed at what you can produce whether that is organ, piano or pad sounds. The possibilities are really endless in producing sounds with the sample synth.

Have fun!

I thought i Update this .. After two Months in I took my electro back and got the Nord Stage 3 Compact... It was worth it

Wow - I'm really interested in this cause I have the "Stage 3 or Electro 6 for worship band" question that is taunting me before I buy.
- is it worth the extra A$1500???
What swung your decision?

I was in the same position regarding the stage 3 vs electro 6-hp. what swung it for me were a number of things, 88 note, an action I'm happy with, layering up to 6 parts (3 per panel). If I had the chance to do this, I'd buy an electro 6-73 more for sound programming work than gig work, but also as a 2nd control element. If I was in this position, I'd go for the stage 3. but then you have to ask yourself these questions:

1: What do you want from your nord?
2: After comparing the specifications of a Nord Electo 6 and Stage 3, what do you feel you want or need?
3: Will this instrument choice truly benefit you?

if these questions give you the answers you're looking for, then you will arrive at your best solution.

lew

Thanks Lew.
For me I need the portability so HP 73 or 76 is the best option. They only had a Stage 3 HP 73 at my local music shop - played it and a CP88 for about 40 minutes. Even though the CP88 was a nicer action to me, I think I could learn to live with the HP action (I'm spoilt at home with a Kawai MP9500 which is just too heavy to cart to church). And after checking all my arrangements I only have one song that goes down to a low D - and for that song I could easily change the transposition of a program.

Given the cost difference I was sure I was lining up to order a E6 tomorrow. Now I'm not so sure.
One thing I'm noticing in my research is that more worship players seem to have an S3. More seem to be posting/sharing worship patches-bundles for Stage 3's than for Electros - both on here and other online forums.

What do I need.
1. I need a few excellent "go to" pianos and epianos and great pads I can layer underneath, occasional synth stuff (I might do more if I have that power), and some song setlist abilities. I need simplicity. I'd like to explore plugging my iPad with all its great soft synths I've bought into the monitor input, midi it up and maybe use them live too! I'd like to "sit at the feet of others" who are sharing their programs and bundles for specific worship songs. I need a board that's going to be upwardly compatible.
2. I don't want to find myself thinking in three months time "dang I wish now I had bought an S3"!
3. Both will be infinitely better than the piece of junk I have to use now. My thriftiness/good-stewardship upbringing says "you should be satisfied with the cheaper E6 and donate the difference to charity!

What do you think the answer is?
Oh an one question: does each program remember the volume level setting for each layer? On the S3 I notice those volume knobs are digital - does that mean that when I change songs it will recall the volume level and adjust accordingly?

stabureyesout wrote:- is it worth the extra A$1500???

Something to help making you mind up: the NS3 is more than twice the NE6: 2 organ sections, 2 piano sections and the 2 synth sections are much more powerful than the sample playing section of the NE6.
Twice the piano memory as well and external control for other synths.

One thing you should also notice when thinking of either Stage 3 73 or Stage 3 76 are the keyboard actions. They have a very different feel and one may suit you better than the other one depending on your expectations and individual playing style. Best would be to test both before buying one

stabureyesout wrote:Thanks Lew.
For me I need the portability so HP 73 or 76 is the best option. They only had a Stage 3 HP 73 at my local music shop - played it and a CP88 for about 40 minutes. Even though the CP88 was a nicer action to me, I think I could learn to live with the HP action (I'm spoilt at home with a Kawai MP9500 which is just too heavy to cart to church). And after checking all my arrangements I only have one song that goes down to a low D - and for that song I could easily change the transposition of a program.

Given the cost difference I was sure I was lining up to order a E6 tomorrow. Now I'm not so sure.
One thing I'm noticing in my research is that more worship players seem to have an S3. More seem to be posting/sharing worship patches-bundles for Stage 3's than for Electros - both on here and other online forums.

What do I need.
1. I need a few excellent "go to" pianos and epianos and great pads I can layer underneath, occasional synth stuff (I might do more if I have that power), and some song setlist abilities. I need simplicity. I'd like to explore plugging my iPad with all its great soft synths I've bought into the monitor input, midi it up and maybe use them live too! I'd like to "sit at the feet of others" who are sharing their programs and bundles for specific worship songs. I need a board that's going to be upwardly compatible.
2. I don't want to find myself thinking in three months time "dang I wish now I had bought an S3"!
3. Both will be infinitely better than the piece of junk I have to use now. My thriftiness/good-stewardship upbringing says "you should be satisfied with the cheaper E6 and donate the difference to charity!

What do you think the answer is?
Oh an one question: does each program remember the volume level setting for each layer? On the S3 I notice those volume knobs are digital - does that mean that when I change songs it will recall the volume level and adjust accordingly?

It's hard to judge for another person whether something is "worth it" or not. The Electro will give you great "go to" pianos, great pads and sampled synths. No pitch bend or modulation, though. The actions are different on each model, so try to play them before you buy.

On the S3, individual instrument volume settings are stored with each patch, but not master gain. They can also be morphed using mod wheel, aftertouch, etc. I believe the Electro stores individual instrument volume settings as well.

As Mr-G- points out, the Stage 3 is actually more than twice an Electro 6 in terms of firepower. Two of everything, including a full synth section. But you may not need all of that.

I used an Electro 4D (along with a Nord Piano) for many years across classic rock, funk, roots and gospel. It was more than enough for what I needed at the time.

The move to the Stage 3 Compact was mostly driven by playing in a wider variety of bands which included more complex sounds including lead synth parts. Add a weighted controller, and I'm ready for most any gig you can imagine. Song mode is brilliant for keeping set lists organized, right now I have about 250 songs in there across three bands.

If you're concerned about buyer's regret after a while, then I'd say take the plunge on a S3. Buying and then selling keyboards can get expensive. You may regret spending all that money, but you won't regret what you bought.

Conversely, if you see yourself mostly staying with worship music, I think the Electro 6 is more than enough.

Or get the Electro and add a polysynth of your choice on top. When you have a full palette of sounds at your fingertips, your fingertips will appreciate the extra real estate.

[/quote]

On the S3, individual instrument volume settings are stored with each patch, but not master gain. They can also be morphed using mod wheel, aftertouch, etc. I believe the Electro stores individual instrument volume settings as well.
As Mr-G- points out, the Stage 3 is actually more than twice an Electro 6 in terms of firepower. Two of everything, including a full synth section. ...
Song mode is brilliant for keeping set lists organized, right now I have about 250 songs in there across three bands....
If you're concerned about buyer's regret after a while, then I'd say take the plunge on a S3. Buying and then selling keyboards can get expensive. You may regret spending all that money, but you won't regret what you bought...[/quote]

The more I see these pertinent statements - the more I think S3.
I might not need all this at once - in fact I'm sure I won't initially.
But in time I can see instances where I'm really going to want these features - and the buy/sell/trade market where I live is so small, trading up will be a royal pain in the neck!

I am so grateful for all your rapid feedback. Bless u guys