Nord Stage 4!?

[mitya]

Hi guys - first time poster here. Currently considering getting the lovely Stage 3 but l one thing that holds me back is that, given the release schedule of the Stage models over the years, it's seems conceivable that a Stage 4 may not be too far away.

Now, obviously Nord aren't going to confirm this - I'm not stupid - even if one was due, they still want to maximise sales of the 3.

But would anyone agree that a new one is at least a reasonable possibility? Especially with NAMM coming up?

My dream is basically the Stage 3 but with more synth power. What a machine that would be...

Thanks for indulging my speculation!

[RichardG]

But would anyone agree that a new one is at least a reasonable possibility? Especially with NAMM coming up?

There used to be a time-line in the product folder but it's not there anymore.
If This Page is anything to go by I'd say a Stage 4 isn't in the cards yet.
It seems that the next generation is every 6 years, with an EX version around 4 years after introduction of the new generation.

I'd say go for it !

[mitya]

Thanks for the info! I may do just that...

Currently trying to decide between the 3 and Yammy's new MODX 88. Completely different beast, of course, but half the price and more synth capability.

Think is I'm primarily a pianist (but one who wants to get into synth) so key action is all important and I would assume that would be better on the 3. I've tried both and concluded that, despite a lifetime of piano playing, I now doubt myself capable of judging the best key action Just something I've never given much thought to as I've had the same piano (Yammy P200) for 20 years. I've tried both and both are nice, though the 3 (88) definitely felt a lighter action. Less fatigue with those Beethoven sonatas

[anotherscott]

given the release schedule of the Stage models over the years, it's seems conceivable that a Stage 4 may not be too far away.

I don't see it. At least in the U.S., the NS3's been available for under a year. It's practically still a brand new release (with numerous typical new-release major software updates).

Stage: 2005
minor upgrade Stage EX 2008

Stage 2: 2011
minor upgrade Stage 2 EX: 2015

Stage 3: 2017.

Stage 4...if you're projecting based on past release schedules, it looks more like 2023 to me!

[baekgaard]

The NS3 hit the shelves a little more than a year ago. As @RichardG says above, it's more like 6 years between major revisions. Maybe you can wait a couple of years and get a model with a bit more memory, or you can wait another 5 years for the NS4 In the meantime, the rest of us will enjoy playing our boards... Or as you indicate above, maybe you should not wait for the NS4 if you want to replace your board now anyway.

As for the actions: I think the older Yamaha actions are getting quite long in the tooth now, compared to most other newer boards. The NS3 is lighter, yes, and also quite easy to play for a long time. And in my experience, you quickly adjust to playing your board, and I think only few have difficulties adjusting to new feel.

If you want a little heavier action, the NP4 would be an option, but then you don't have the Synth capabilities.

As for the NS3 Synth: If you are primarily a piano player, I think it will be more than sufficient to what you may want -- it is quite "organic" and easy to tweak in a musical direction.

[analogika]

„More synth Power“?

The Stage 3 synth is pretty darn versatile.

[dmamfmgm]

Well I’d wait at least for the 5, but being afraid the 6 could be even better...

[mitya]

I hadn't realised that the 3 had been out so little time in the US. I had somehow got the impression that it had been out longer here in the UK. If not, my original question is void.

I appreciate the synth is versatile - I just meant in comparison to something like the MODX or Kronos, which will always win out in a purely synth comparison since that's they're main focus.

I never suggested waiting 5 years to buy the 3 - my question was whether it was about to be replaced, so do be friendly, maxpiano.

Thank you, others.

[dmamfmgm]

Well I’d wait at least for the 5, but being afraid the 6 could be even better...

I am thinking about the NS7EX here...

[anotherscott]

Currently trying to decide between the 3 and Yammy's new MODX 88. Completely different beast, of course, but half the price and more synth capability.
...I appreciate the synth is versatile - I just meant in comparison to something like the MODX or Kronos, which will always win out in a purely synth comparison since that's they're main focus.

Well, pretty different, really. But it also depends what you mean by "synth." Assuming you're talking about "traditional" synthesizers...

...Nord Stage 3 has a VA (virtual analog) synth (which generates its tones electronically, not from samples), with plenty of direct dedicated knob manipulation. It also lets you process sampled sounds through its VA synth section, and also has some FM synth capabilities (which produces different kinds of sounds than analog synthesis).

...MODX does not have a VA synth at all, though it does allow you to perform analog-synth-like functions on its samples (though through touchscreen/menu system rather than direct knob manipulation), plus it has probably the most capable FM synthesis in any board (including compatibility with classic DX7 patches).

...Kronos is kind of in the middle. It has the most full featured VA synthesis, but operated through a combination of touchscreen and user-definable knobs/sliders rather than dedicated hard controls, and it has DX7-compatible FM synthesis, though not all the FM functionality of the Yamaha.

If you want something that "feels" like a traditional (analog) synth in operation (with dedicated knobs for filters, envelopes, etc.) and uses truly "synthesized" rather than sampled sounds, NS3 comes out on top. For FM synthesis, MODX. Kronos kind of splits the difference.

But some people also put "rompler" style functionality in the "synth" category... those aren't synthesizers in the most classic sense, instead you're talking about playback of samples of other instruments. And if that's what you're talking about, yes, that's where the NS3 will lag a MODX or a Kronos. For example, if you're talking about strings, brass, winds, guitars, etc., MODX and Kronos have a lot more to offer than Nord, with multi-velocity samples and other more sophisticated processing. So yes, if you were including "non-synth" stuff like sampled orchestral instruments, then a MODX is more "synth" at half the price (and same if you're talking abou FM synthesis)... but if you're talking about traditional VA synth, NS3 beats MODX.

You never get it all in one board, which is why so many of us have more than one (along with preferring different actions for piano vs. organ). Lately, I've been gigging mostly with a NS3 and a MOXF, and I will be replacing the latter with a MODX. NS3 gives me better pianos, drawbar organ, and knobby VA synth with aftertouch. I don't know which piano sounds I will prefer once I change to a MODX... NS3 has a much bigger variety of pianos, but I don't use so many, we'll see...