Nord Piano 4/5 vs Nord Stage 3

[SamuelR]

I've been looking into a nord keyboard for a while but am not sure which one i want to get if i were to decide on one. Atm im mostly intested in the nord piano 4/5 since i don't really feel the need of the organ or synthesizer. Although that might change in a couple of years in the future and if it does i don't want to feel disepointed that i made the wrong decision.

The main reason between the models are the price, Stage 3 is a lot more pricey than the Piano 4 and like i said earlier i don't think i have the need of the organ or synthesizer at the moment so saving some money by getting the piano 4 instead of stage 3 would be pretty good. If someone could give me some of the biggest diffrences between the three (Piano 4, Piano 5, Stage 3) that would be very helpful to help me make a decision.

Also i was wondering, if i were to get a Piano 4 or Piano 5. Would it be practical to get Lead A1/Wave 2 in the future if i feel the need for a synth and using that to create the sounds that i like and then using software to import them to the piano 4/5 and use them on the sample synth. Or would i just be better of saving up some more money and getting the stage 3 instead?

[SamuelR]

Hi and welcome to the Forum!

I'd say it depends on what songs / styles you want to cover
For me, as I am and always have been a live player, needing many different sounds simultaneously, the Stage series was the obvious choice

The wonderful thing about the Stage is that it does (almost) everything you want it to do, with every parameter at your fingertips

Piano 4 - € 2.435,- (probably a lot cheaper in a few weeks)
1 Piano... 1 Nord Piano Sample
1 Sample Synth ... 1 Sample

Piano 5 - € 2.999,-
2 Pianos... 2 Nord Piano Samples (great for layering a Digital/Electric/DX Piano with an Acoustic, i.e.)
2 Sample Synths ... 2 Samples

Stage 3 - € 3.490,-
2 Separate “Panels” of a set of the 3 engines, resulting in
2 Organs ... 2 Models and/or 2 Drawbar settings
2 Pianos ... 2 Nord Piano Samples
2 Full Synths or Samples ... either a Synth engine or Sample, each can be tweaked with a filter, mod env, LFO,...


Edit after reading DJ's reply:
I totally agree, the Stage 3 could be the best fit, because you won't miss out on the features it has to offer,
just considering Synth, Organ, Morphing capabilities, using the Filter on the Synth(Pads)...
Always remembering, what you might really need...

Sidenote: If you already have a decently equipped MacBook/Laptop + Audio Interface, you can always get a nice B3 plugin, some nice free Synth Plugins (Dexed for DX7, OB-Xd, etc.)
You'll lose the hands-on experience, though - except you get a MIDI controller, program all faders etc etc.

[SamuelR]

Hi-

It would be far more expensive to get both a Piano 4 and an A1/Wave 2 then the Stage 3 (not sure what kind of keybed you are looking for, though). Also, there have been many posts on the forum from Piano 4 users who wish it had organ sounds after they bought it:

nord-piano-grand-forum-f10/hammond-rhod ... ilit=organ

Also, the sample synth feature of the P4 is just basically playback. On the Stage, you can actually create sounds. I would recommend getting the Stage 3 as it has all of the same piano sounds as the P4, and gives you organ and synth as well. You can search this forum for the many threads from Piano 4 owners wishing they had features that are not in the Piano 4-

-dj

[SamuelR]

Hi Samuel,

in my perception, we see you reflecting your thoughts, but not explaining your needs. So how should we be able to help?

I'd say: Don't buy what you don't need only for the case you could need it in the future.

You say that you've been wanting a Nord for a while - but for what reason? Sound, user interface, colour, reputation?

For the moment, we don't know much about the Piano 5. Nobody has seen in live or even played it, and there isn't a manual out yet.

You say you don't need a synth, and then you are talking about creating your own sound... That's not very clear.

A Piano 4 is a Piano 4, the Piano 5 will exist in two different sizes, and the Stage 3 exists in 3 different flavours concerning the key action. What about your interests concerning key action? Only the Pianos seem to have exactly the same action - only them with 3-sensor keybed. But no aftertouch, no pitch stick or modwheel. But with triple pedal included (available extra for Stage, too).

Quite different machines.

[SamuelR]

Hi Samuel,

you really want to be sure to buy the right instrument. I know this feeling. But right for today doesn‘t necessarily have to be the same as right in 4 or 5 years time.

What kind of music do you play today? Do you play alone or in band(s)? Mostly live or at home? Do you have experience with real piano keys?

We‘re here to help you find the right thoughts.

Cheers

[SamuelR]

Hi Samuel,

you really want to be sure to buy the right instrument. I know this feeling. But right for today doesn‘t necessarily have to be the same as right in 4 or 5 years time.

What kind of music do you play today? Do you play alone or in band(s)? Mostly live or at home? Do you have experience with real piano keys?

We‘re here to help you find the right thoughts.

Cheers

I play as a hobby and i mostly play classical and pop alone at home, and i wouldn't say that i have experience with real piano keys. I've played on the grands they have at the store sometimes but thats pretty much it.

[DJKeys]

Sam-

Based on your last response, my recommendation would be the Stage 3 Compact. Gives you everything you will need for years to come. Plus, the resale value is excellent. I bought my Stage 2 Compact in 2012 for $3200 and sold it 5 years later for $2200 when I bought the Stage 3.

-dj

[SamuelR]

Hi Samuel,

in my perception, we see you reflecting your thoughts, but not explaining your needs. So how should we be able to help?

I'd say: Don't buy what you don't need only for the case you could need it in the future.

You say that you've been wanting a Nord for a while - but for what reason? Sound, user interface, colour, reputation?

For the moment, we don't know much about the Piano 5. Nobody has seen in live or even played it, and there isn't a manual out yet.

You say you don't need a synth, and then you are talking about creating your own sound... That's not very clear.

A Piano 4 is a Piano 4, the Piano 5 will exist in two different sizes, and the Stage 3 exists in 3 different flavours concerning the key action. What about your interests concerning key action? Only the Pianos seem to have exactly the same action - only them with 3-sensor keybed. But no aftertouch, no pitch stick or modwheel. But with triple pedal included (available extra for Stage, too).

Quite different machines.

The reason im looking into a nord is for pretty much all the reasons you said (Sound, user interface, colour, reputation) but mostly i would say its for the sound and reputation because i've heard and seen a lot of good reviews of all the nord keyboard. The only other keyboard i've really considered is Roland RD2000 but it feels a bit too big and clunky in my opinion if that makes sense and not as appealing compared to nord.

When i said i don't need a synth, i mean't right now i don't feel any need for one. Sure i would like to layer some sounds to the piano to make it sound nicer but i don't feel the need to be able to tweak the sound in an instant, correct me if im wrong but isn't that the diffrence between the sampler and the synth? So when i said the idea of getting piano 4 first and then lead a1 or wave 2. What i mean't was getting the piano 4 now and then in a couple of years if i feel like i needed a synth to get the sounds that i want i could get the lead a1 or wave 2. But now thinking about it, there is probably a lot better and cheaper ways of doing this.

[SamuelR]

Sam-

Based on your last response, my recommendation would be the Stage 3 Compact. Gives you everything you will need for years to come. Plus, the resale value is excellent. I bought my Stage 2 Compact in 2012 for $3200 and sold it 5 years later for $2200 when I bought the Stage 3.

-dj

I was thinking that at the beginning but i really need 88 keys for the classicals :/
but don't you think P4 have a good/decent resell value too? i mean maybe i could get P4 first and then move to Stage 3 (maybe stage 4 if it has come out by then) later if i need it?

[SamuelR]

Very good infos, thanks, Samuel,

if I were you I‘d start with a nord Piano 4. It gives you all you need today, it‘ll guarantee you a good resale value once you feel to „grow“, or it will always be a good base to add a second keyboard to in the near or far future. My personal view.

Cheers, good luck.