Nord User Forum

Thanks for the clarifications Steve, now everything is so much clearer.

Given your needs, then I think the Stage2EX76 is really your best bet.
The only real competitor from Kurzweil would be the Forte, but
- the TP-40 Forte8 and Forte7 both weigh more than the Stage HA88
- the TP-100 Forte SE weighs the same as the Stage HA88 (and substantially more than the HP76), but offers cut-down capabilities compared to the other Forte models, which actually put it at a disadvantage to the Stage2EX, especially when it comes to what interests you the most, user-rewritable sample memory (only 188 Mb, half that of the Stage2)

And I second what Pablo said, it's true that Nord's samples are single layer so quite "static", but on the Stage you can process them with the synth controls (filter, envelopes, unison etc) giving them much more "life" than on the Electro and Nord Piano lines.

So your best bet is probably to get a Stage2EX76, try it out with your custom samples and see if it suits your needs. If not, you can resell it (good thing about Nords is they keep a pretty decent resale value), or return it to the retailer, losing only the money of shipping it back.

Good luck with your choice!

pablomastodon wrote:I will mostly agree with Spider's comments with one small detail. He states:

"not able to support timbre changes with dynamics"

Compared to multi-layer samples, this may be somewhat true, but it is possible to use velocity/dynamics to vary filter frequency...

bless, pablo

Thanks Pablo.

I don't know how successful I could be with the sampling, since it's not really my thing. I'd like to think that I could do anything that I try, and I'm always willing to try new stuff.
I saw the video of the Nord Sample Editor and how to create your own samples. The video certainly makes it seem simple, and in theory it probably is,
but in practice it probably makes for some "head banging against the wall" moments. I really wouldn't know how to manipulate the raw samples enough to fine tune any sound
that I wanted to get, although I am willing to try it.

I do think my Kurzweil keyboards are great. My PC361 has 1500 sounds in there so if I were to need something that is not in my regular gig banks, it will probably be there already.
Different situation with the Nord, but the Nord brings some other unique qualities into the equation.
Maybe because I know I have these other keyboards, that I'm not looking for one keyboard to be THE ONE. I don't think THE ONE exists, but I like what Nord brings to my table.

Spider wrote:Thanks for the clarifications Steve, now everything is so much clearer.

Given your needs, then I think the Stage2EX76 is really your best bet............

Good luck with your choice!

Thanks for taking the time to give me your insight. Much appreciated.

Steve

Having first experienced sampling processes in 1985 on a Prophet 2002, I have to say that the sampling process using Nord Sample Editor makes it AMAZINGLY easy to produce decent quality results. Reports from noobs who have never had anything to do with this seem to report similar opinions.

If/when you first attempt to venture into that realm, feel free to consult 1) this forum, and 2) me. I am your tech support rep and happy to help when and where I can.

Bless, Pablo
Nord Tech Support Canada/USA
pablo.mastodon@americanmusicandsound.com
800-994-4984 x3030

maestrosteve wrote: Thanks for taking the time to give me your insight. Much appreciated.

Steve

No trouble at all, you're welcome!


And while we're at it, don't worry too much about converting your samples to Nord format.
Of course you have to record them at the appropriate velocity layer and convert them into high quality wav files, I think that will be the most tedious part.
Then if you're into sound design you can tweak your .wav files as much as you want, but once you load them into the Nord Sample Editor, the procedure really is just as easy as shown in the tutorial video.

And anyway you will find lots of info and troubleshooting here on the forum.
Have fun, in the end that's what it's all about, isn't it!

If you decide to buy a Stage, my advice would be to take your time trying out the analog synth as well. It's quite amazing what sounds you can produce with it.
There were a few times that I was searching for a specific sample, but achieved a super result with the analog synth instead. Took a bit of getting used to though, but it was time well spent IMO.

Returning to the keyboard action question, a few people have mentioned that the HA action is faster than the HP action, and I agree, having had both.

I believe you stated that you thought the HA action was too sluggish. If that's the case, you're not likely to find the HP action suitable for your needs, and the SW action would probably be a better bet for you regardless of which Nord model you might choose.

I was never able to try any of the 3 keybeds which is why I asked about the HA. I still don't know if it would work for me, but at the moment, I have a Stage 2 ex 73 on order, will be here this coming Thursday. I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever I get. I'm used to playing lots of different keyboards, plus with some of the keyboards that I do own, I didn't like their action at first, but eventually got used to it and now love them. The piano player in me wanted a little more weight than a semi-weighted keybed, but the synth player in me can't stand the way a fully weighted keybed feels playing synth parts. I played a Kurzweil PC3K8 the other night that was rented for me, it has the Fatar TP40 action, same as the 88 note Stage. Piano and Rhodes felt great to play, everything else kind of sucked. I hear that the HA is somewhere in the middle, it might have worked for me, but I went with the lighter feel, and lighter weight keyboard.
Thanks for responding.

Steve

Steve,
I'm thinking that you'll love the Stage 2 ex 73. Good luck with it!

michael_C1 wrote:Steve,
I'm thinking that you'll love the Stage 2 ex 73. Good luck with it!

Thanks. Can't wait for it to arrive.