Nord User Forum

Hello All,

First post so please be nice !

Some background about me so you’ll better understand what I am seeking:
Have played piano my entire life it seems. I have a beautiful Yamaha NU1X that I use to play classical. Then in my “man cave” I currently have a Korg Kronos and a Prophet XL. Although they are both magnificent boards, I probably understand/use 10% of their capabilities. I am solely an “at home” Musician and use them as a home studio.
I am in the process of learning DAW but currently use the sequencer in the Korg to compose. My purpose other than having fun is to compose.

I am thinking of buying 2 Nords: The Wave 2, which I am thinking will scratch my synth “itch” but be easier to learn than the Kronos or Prophet. The other keyboard I am thinking of is the Stage 3 or the Nord 4, they’d have to be 88 keys.

I like that the Stage 3 has more sounds than the Nord 4 but am not sure if that would be necessary if I also purchase the Wave 2.

To summarize, I am seeking ease of use in regards to one keyboard and in addition to that I am seeking a synth with less menu diving. In either case I’d like to have many sounds to choose from and/ or download.

Thanks everyone!

JFish

By "Nord 4" I assume you're talking about the Nord PIANO 4.

The Wave 2 should more than cover the synth capabilities of the Stage 3, while the Piano well covers the piano section.

What you're missing entirely in the combination you're thinking of is the organ. If that's not important to what you're doing, then you're looking good.

The only consideration then (beyond price, of course) would be the advantage of having a single does-it-all keyboard for portability, rather than needing two to cover the basics.

I would say, coming as a stage 3 and grand owner, If you want a close to true piano action, I'd advise the Nord Grand and the Wave 2. I use my stage 3-88 and Grand here at the studio, but the stage 3 also hits the road, so the grand stays put.

What I'd like to know is, what do you need from said nords? if you just want pianos, etc then I'd advise the Grand any day, if you need more of a performance instrument to cater synthesis, organs and external hardware control then I'd advise the stage 3.. I'd tease you in to doing all 3, Grand as the master piano, stage 3 as a combi instrument and Wave 2 for all the interesting stuff. Either way, you're in for an amazing sonic time

By the way, welcome to the NUF.... lol

lew

You have a lot of synth already. I reckon if you start to scratch the surface on the Prophet, you'll find you have all you need. Any new synth has a learning curve (including Wave or Stage), you just have to invest the time. And if you expand your DAW and VST skills, it will also be fine as a controller for soft synths. And if the Kronos isn't doing it for you, a Stage or an Electro would seem like a good option to plug the gaps.

Welcome! There is a very good channel on YouTube called “My Keys to Music” with a great introduction and tutorial to the Stage 3 synth engine. If you want more than the Stage 3 has to offer, then you can take a deeper look at the Wave 2. He also has videos about synth programming in general, which may help you get more out of your current boards.

Thanks everyone for the welcome and great advice!

ajstan: during my obsessive keyboard research, I did come across the My Keys to a Music videos and am definitely going to be watching those. It’s exactly what I needed

CountFosco: yours is the voice of reason and you are correct in that I should take the time to learn the Kronos and the Prophet. I figured if I can learn how to use the Kronos sequencer, I can learn other stuff as well. But it’s the emotional part of me that wants to replace them, if that makes any sense at all.

LewTheKeysGuy: I think the Stage 3 covers more of what I am seeking to do. I am looking for a tool to compose with that has a variety of sounds and instruments but is has a shorter learning curve than my Kronos. Of course I am going to have to play them both before I make a decision (I know it will be a month or two until a Wave 2 is available in the US)

analogically: thanks for your advice. I like that the Stage 3 can be my “go to” instrument. I am sure the Piano 4 sounds amazing, but I am seeking more sounds etc

jfish930 wrote:Thanks everyone for the welcome and great advice!

ajstan: during my obsessive keyboard research, I did come across the My Keys to a Music videos and am definitely going to be watching those. It’s exactly what I needed

CountFosco: yours is the voice of reason and you are correct in that I should take the time to learn the Kronos and the Prophet. I figured if I can learn how to use the Kronos sequencer, I can learn other stuff as well. But it’s the emotional part of me that wants to replace them, if that makes any sense at all.

LewTheKeysGuy: I think the Stage 3 covers more of what I am seeking to do. I am looking for a tool to compose with that has a variety of sounds and instruments but is has a shorter learning curve than my Kronos. Of course I am going to have to play them both before I make a decision (I know it will be a month or two until a Wave 2 is available in the US)

analogically: thanks for your advice. I like that the Stage 3 can be my “go to” instrument. I am sure the Piano 4 sounds amazing, but I am seeking more sounds etc

I would say that you've answered your question here. Go for the stage 3 as your main instrument and consider the Wave 2 as your secondary if you're keen to stick with the Nord range. I would say to have a look maybe for a Lead 4 / Lead A1 for synthesis outside of sampling as the Wave 2 seems to be cut back in a number of areas and with that, if you need synthesis but want to stick to nord, hunt down a lead A1 or Lead 4. I was a rather proud owner of both, besides the rack versions and older models.

lew

jfish930 wrote:CountFosco: yours is the voice of reason and you are correct in that I should take the time to learn the Kronos and the Prophet. I figured if I can learn how to use the Kronos sequencer, I can learn other stuff as well. But it’s the emotional part of me that wants to replace them, if that makes any sense at all.

I've never worked with the Prophet, but after a year programming the Kronos I can tell you that I can work it, but if the job leaves me the option, I'll opt for a Nord Stage and a Mac running MainStage for what the Nord can't do.

If it's a project where the setup is built and programmed once and then packed up for a multi-year run, then the Kronos is a mighty fine option.