I've been thinking of upgrading from my Nord Stage Compact to a Stage 3. Which model would you suggest buying?
The 88 key is bulkier than I'd like - I like to be portable (and I love the physical drawbars on the Stage 3 Compact). However, would you help with something I can't work out, does the Compact strangle sound?
I ask because I've been running comparisons between my old Stage Compact and a friend's Stage 88 (both from the original Stage series). Using the exact same piano samples, I've noticed the 88 key breathes and has an organic sound - the Compact, by comparison, is choked and almost plastic sounding.
Is this possibly just something from the original series? Is this not so noticeable on later models? Could this be the weighting of the keys - weighted v waterfall?
It may also be that my old Stage Compact is dying - I've been having other strange problems with it (doesn't like loading, gets stuck restarting some times). Hence, considering spending a large amount of money on a replacement.
Other than uncertainty about sound strangling, in deciding which model to buy:
- I'm not fussed between waterfall and weighted keys. I've liked having waterfall on my Compact, but weighted is fine by me.
- I don't play live anymore, mostly home studio use, so portability isn't essentially, but still valued.
- In part, the upgrade is because I want to get at the Nord Sample Libraries, and to buy Fairlight/Chamberlin/Melletron/DX7 VSTs almost, not quite but almost, justifies buying a new Nord.
Would be grateful for any advice,
Benjamin
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
Hi,
I've bought a NS3C and am happy with it. But of course, I'm lugging 2 keyboards to a gig: The NS3C and a weighted 88-keyboard - I can't control piano sounds on that keybed in an appropriate way, it's more than a challenge.
I'm quite sure the sound is the same and you get more controls with an NS3C (drawbars, halfmoon switch, live organ mode), but the keybed is a crucial point. I will only play piano with it in emergency cases.
Which should be perfectly fine for you as you can easily buy a Compact + a 88-key MIDI controller for your studio at the price of an HA88.
I've bought a NS3C and am happy with it. But of course, I'm lugging 2 keyboards to a gig: The NS3C and a weighted 88-keyboard - I can't control piano sounds on that keybed in an appropriate way, it's more than a challenge.
I'm quite sure the sound is the same and you get more controls with an NS3C (drawbars, halfmoon switch, live organ mode), but the keybed is a crucial point. I will only play piano with it in emergency cases.
Which should be perfectly fine for you as you can easily buy a Compact + a 88-key MIDI controller for your studio at the price of an HA88.
Stage 3 Compact (Rev.B 2.1 - OS 2.60) - Kawai VPC1 / Yamaha CP33 - Hall of Fame & NeoVent2 - Behringer Flow-8 - K&M stands 18820+18811 / 18953+18952 - Samsung tablet with MobileSheetsPro & AirTurn Duo200 - QSC K8.2s / Fischer InEars
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
I'm here to confirm that Compacts do not "strangle sound" - there will always be a different feeling based on the keyboard action though I can confirm that I had all three actions of the NS2/NS2 EX and the sounds were identical across boards. I've used both the NS3 88 and Compact with the same result. I'll always prefer playing piano from a hammer action keyboard, though I get the same sounds on a waterfall keyboard and have actually become very used to playing piano from the waterfall action. I think the Compact is the way to go, based on the comments above. I love the drawbars and portable form factor. So much that I have two of them!
Nords: NE2, NS2 88, NS3 Compact x 2
Live rig: NS3, Vent, Radial KL-8, Shure PSM-900 IEM Rig, UE18 & UE7 IEMs.
Studio: Hammond A-101 & Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Yamaha S90, NS2, DSI Prophet-6, Vent II, Roland JX-8P.
Live rig: NS3, Vent, Radial KL-8, Shure PSM-900 IEM Rig, UE18 & UE7 IEMs.
Studio: Hammond A-101 & Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Yamaha S90, NS2, DSI Prophet-6, Vent II, Roland JX-8P.
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
I have both.88 and Compact.Both V1.2 builds with the older panels.Got a deal on the 88 when the new panel hit the showroom floors.Try and find an older Compact and bargain!
Yes,there are more than one version of the Stage 3 's out there,not just the three different 'models'.Does Nord show both on their website? No! Even in the manual it is glossed over.
Yes,there are more than one version of the Stage 3 's out there,not just the three different 'models'.Does Nord show both on their website? No! Even in the manual it is glossed over.
NS3C NS2EX88 C2D Yamaha MOX8 Behringer Model D (5) Behringer Neutron (5) Roland Lucina AX9 12 Hammonds/Leslies.(BV/BCV/B2/3 A100's/M3/M102 etc.
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
The hardware revisions of the Stage 3 relate to front panel differences, not differences in sound.
Some functionality that was added after the first units shipped (Dyno e-piano filters) were silkscreened onto later revisions, and I believe one knob was repositioned.
There are no internal differences to the revisions, to my knowledge.
In addition, the different models (88, 76, Compact) have identical internals, though they may of course respond slightly differently to your playing due to the variations in keyboard action.
Some functionality that was added after the first units shipped (Dyno e-piano filters) were silkscreened onto later revisions, and I believe one knob was repositioned.
There are no internal differences to the revisions, to my knowledge.
In addition, the different models (88, 76, Compact) have identical internals, though they may of course respond slightly differently to your playing due to the variations in keyboard action.
Last edited by analogika on 14 Sep 2020, 22:03, edited 1 time in total.
The Nord giveth; the Nord taketh away…
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The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
"The Angels of Libra are in the European vanguard of the [retro soul] movement“ (Bill Buckley, Soul and Jazz and Funk)
The Drawbars — off jazz organ trio
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
Right, I have one of the original NS3 Compact versions and one of the newer ones where they moved a few functions on the panel. All the Programs and sound capabilities are the same across versions. This was also a thing on NS2 where Nord made a few panel changes after the first year or two. I cannot remember if/when any updates were added to the manuals though the changes are pretty small.
Nords: NE2, NS2 88, NS3 Compact x 2
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
Solution: Construct yourself a hybrid 2-in-1 stage like I did , see in my recent post:https://www.norduserforum.com/nord-stage-forum-f3/diy-2nd-manual-for-my-nord-stage-2-sw-self-made-v-2-0-t20045.html.
Besides that, I always had the same problem. I am not a classic piano player, so my hands get tired quite easily on a weighted keybed. And I don't feel comfortable playing synth or organ parts on a heavy piano key. However, there is some unparalleled feeling when playing on a proper keyboard for Piano (acoustic, Rhodes, "ballad"). So I decided to make my own
If I needed to chose, I'd have always gone for the Compact. Right now, I'm not sure any more.
Besides that, I always had the same problem. I am not a classic piano player, so my hands get tired quite easily on a weighted keybed. And I don't feel comfortable playing synth or organ parts on a heavy piano key. However, there is some unparalleled feeling when playing on a proper keyboard for Piano (acoustic, Rhodes, "ballad"). So I decided to make my own
If I needed to chose, I'd have always gone for the Compact. Right now, I'm not sure any more.
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
Most likely a psychological effect of playing weighted keys versus waterfall keys.
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
stringtapper wrote:Most likely a psychological effect of playing weighted keys versus waterfall keys.
What do you mean by psychological?
I'm not able to control piano velocity with my NS3C in a satisfactory way. I'd say: It's not psychological, but it's a matter of my fingers meeting an unaccustomed mechanical resistance. That's a psychological effect in a veeeery wide sense.
I'm a piano player for a long time and still play acoustic pianos of different brands. What I would call psychological is that I don't like playing acoustic grands - I'm more comfortable with uprights. Grands make me nervous.
Last edited by FZiegler on 16 Sep 2020, 09:50, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Which Stage 3 to buy? Do Compacts strangle sound?
Same here, that's why I use both BS3 Compact and NS3 88 in my setup
Regards Schorsch
Want to convert programs between NS2 and NS3?
Check this awesome website to visually view NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, NS3 88, KeyLargo, Vent II ..
Want to convert programs between NS2 and NS3?
Check this awesome website to visually view NS2/3 programs and re-create them on the other instrument!
Gear: NS3C, NS3 88, KeyLargo, Vent II ..
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