Nord User Forum

Hi,
sorry if you have already discussed about this topic previously.
The simple question is this: does it make sense at the end of 2021 to buy a Nord Stage 3 or is it better to wait for an EX / 4 later version?
Playing for me is not a job but just a hobby.
Thanks

Luca

Hi, yes this has been discussed many many times... as for any other brand and model, companies do not disclose new products on public unofficial forums (as NUF is).

If NS3 is OK for you right now just get it, no one can tell if/what/when will be next... of course if instead you are not in a hurry, you may wait till NAMM 2022 or other events, but again expect to find no assurance or reliable anticipation of what may (or may not) be announced then here.

Another consideration is the ongoing supply chain debacle, which is making it hard for some units to even be available, depending on where you live.

We just purchased an Electro 6D from Sam Ash here in the US, and it was literally one of two units left in any of their inventories in the US, and they had no indication as to when or if they would ever get more.

So in many ways now is the time to buy *anything* tech related because there’s no guarantee of availability in the short term.

If it makes you feel any better, there are more than a few people here like myself who bought one early on, and have just recently purchased another. Even though we all know it won't be long before there is something newer and incrementally better.

We find plenty to like in the current version

Remember that the EX version (that I expect will be the next release) is often just a memory upgrade. I have still lots of fun with my 6 years old Nord Stage 2, so buy the Stage 3 now if you want it.

This has been discussed a lot in other threads and folks expecting that this is a Nord forum where a Nord representative will answer such questions. The closest we ever had to a Nord rep here was Pablo M, who was a service rep of Nord's US operations until a few years ago. To my knowledge, if Pablo had a successor, they never joined the forum and I've never seen any other similar connections on the forum. Regardless, Pablo never had inside info and if he did, he wouldn't share it here.

Zooming further out, even if there is a new instrument in the works to update the NS3 (such as a NS3 EX) or a NS4, such a product will take time to produce and get to market, work out the bugs, etc. even if it was announced today. My thoughts on how to make your decision to buy now vs. wait...

If it's a NS3 EX in the works, it would be the same instrument with incremental updates, such as more memory for pianos and synths, possibly some other very minor things. The current NS3 is very capable and this would be a really small upgrade not really worth waiting.

If it's a NS4 in the works, this type of instrument will be probably revolutionary with a lot of new things...it will take a long time for such a thing to be globally available, particularly with the global supply issues. Once it is available, I would expect a pretty lengthy 6-12 month "break in" of the bugs and lots of OS updates needed, if it follows the NS3 pattern. The NS3 had a LOT of issues in its earliest renditions that were mostly ironed out within the first year or two. I was a happy NS2 user when the NS3 came out and I simply waited until it was a more stable platform. I was perfectly content playing my NS2 during this time, and the fundamental sounds are similar enough that I can happily still use my NS2 when I want.

For me, if a NS4 comes out, I'll happily play my NS3 (and NS2) for quite some time until the next generation is stabilized and also readily available.

Don’t think there ever will be a NS3EX as the current memory capacity is not restricting as much as for previous generations. My hope for the NS4 is an enhanced sample player engine and higher quality new sample libraries. The second hand value for Nord stuff is good, don’t worry to buy a NS3 now.

I bought one of the latest NS3 available in stores. thank you all.
Luca