Nord User Forum

Trying to decide whether to get a Piano 2 HA or Stage 2 HA...my reason for getting the Piano would be that I don't need the extra (organ) features of the Stage.
However: I can't seem to get used to the touch of the Piano. I am a seasoned piano player. Love Yamaha 88 keyboards usually. Love the Nord sounds better though.
Strangely my technique hampers on the Nord Piano, it feels a mushy keyboard...when I try the same things on the Stage it feels like the Stage has a more direct keyboard feel, more solid, or heavier?
Runs and scales go with more ease and more evenness than on the Piano.
I read both Nords use the same Fatar keybed. Is there anyone who knows why the Piano then feels worse, ie. the Stage feels better?

There's a 'dynamics' control which may have been set differently on the two instruments - that could make a difference?

No, I'm referring to the feel of the keys, not the velocity curve.

Hej Dazz!

I'm not 100% shure ... by the NS2 has AT ... and the NP2 has not? Can that make a minor but noticable difference? (Not exactly the same Fatar keybed.)

/Amicalement
Michael in Scania

hi Marlowes,

maybe...but that would mean you feel something different on the bed of the keys, the bottom only. The difference is already noticeable in the travel of the key downwards.

yes the action is the same, but the Stage has aftertouch, while the Piano has not. It is an additional sensor strip under the keybed, so it affects the bottoming-out of the keys. That's the only physical difference between the two, and I read reports that it can be perceived by an experienced pianist.
"Better" or "worse" is of course subjective, but for sure there IS a difference, even if small.

I own the Stage but unfortunately I never played the Nord Piano, so I cannot give you a first-hand report on this.

EDIT: it may also be that the two action are calibrated differently.
Clavia sources its action from FATAR, but then calibrates them under their own specifications. So it MAY BE that the same action plays different in different models...but I'm just guessing, I have no info on this.

Also, consider that all actions will "age", becoming a bit softer the more they are played.
So if the two keyboards have been in the shop for different times, it may be that one is still relatively new and the other has been played more (you may inquire with the store owner about this)

the matter has already been discussed several times:

http://www.norduserforum.com/post49213.html
http://www.norduserforum.com/post41474.html
http://www.norduserforum.com/post22590.html

Hi dazzdazz

I had a similar impression like you as I tested the NP2 HA and the NS2 HA. The NP2 HA feels like you have to lift off the “hammer of the piano” first before the tone is following. NS2 HA hasn’t that so distinctly.

It’s like as explained here http://www.norduserforum.com/post22590.html from Hanon_CTS with the “ES” option.

So I would say the keybed action of:
- NP2 HA is similar to the action of my “Blüthner” upright at home.
- NS2 HA is similar to the “Bechstein” piano I play at my teacher.

Merlimau

I have a Nord Piano 2 as well as a Stage 2 76 with weighted keys. I like the feel of the Piano 2 -- all things considered, like weight.

The Stage 2 feel is a small step down in piano feel, but not necessarily annoying to me. I've played far worse

Mention was made of the Fatar TP40 keybed. I have the NP2 HA88 which has the TP40/M, or medium action. I also have a Kurz PC3X which has the TP40/L, or light action.

Both of theses keybeds are very similar in feel but when doing very fast blues riffs and such, the "L" action takes less effort and does indeed respond more quickly. I very much like both, but playing style should be considered when making a large investment.

I have no idea which TP40 keybed is in the Stage.