NS2 & NS2C(ex) for rehearsals

[andrev]

Hi Everyone,

I am stuck in my decision for obtaining either NS2exC or NS3C under the following assumptions.

As an amateur playing in two bands I am loving my NS2 ha 88.
Thought I will never replace it - piano sample are good enough for me as they are. The touch is exactly what I want it to be.
But traveling & stairs in my new place are getting an issue - I will get the compact version. Two options here:

- get the NS2(ex)C for 1750 €, replicate sounds etc between the two boards
- get the NS3C for 3k €, convert all the NS2 stuff (additional efforts in replicating forth & back) and probaply start liking the new features implementing the wish for a NS3 88.

Anyone gone through the same?
Thx for your help!

[Spider]

I was in the same situation (NS2 HA88 as my rehearsal-gigging board, with LOTS of driving and stairs).
I didn't even consider the HP76: I hate that action.
The Compact was perfect for me, I pondered the NS3 but in the end I got the NS2EX.
Surely the NS3 is more powerful, but in the end the NS2 still does everything I need, with the added bonus of not having to reprogram hundreds of patches.
And I even gaind 350€ in the HA-Compact exchange, which didn't hurt.

[andrev]

Hi andrev,

I can imagine that the weight of the NS2-88 is difficult to deal with when you have to schlep it from location to location and stairs up and down, and the lower weight of a NS2C or NS3C seems to be more attractive. Buying the NS2C would be the most easiest choice in terms of transferring the existing programs from your NS2-88 since you can copy them directly. If you decide to go for the NS3C you would have to recreate all program manually since they cannot be transferred from the NS2, so that's probably a lot of work depending on the numer and complexity of your programs.

Something that makes me doubt if the NS2exC or the NS3C is the right solution is what you mentioned above: Thought I will never replace it - piano sample are good enough for me as they are. The touch is exactly what I want it to be

If that refers to the touch of the 88-key HA keybed you will probably be disappointed by the NS2C or NS3C since these are equipped with waterfall keybed instead of the fully-weighted hammer action of the NS288. The waterfall keybeds will give you a totally different feel when playing it, I would therefore recommend you to go and play one at a music shop to test if it suits your needs.

[Spider]

I have lived this same thing for many years and will share my journey. Hopefully it is helpful additional perspective.

I started using the NS2 HA88 exclusively in 2011 and built hundreds of programs around the setlists of a few bands in which I perform. I loved playing this keyboard and feel like it is Nord's best action (aside from perhaps some of the newer offerings in the Nord Grand, NP5, etc.). Like you, I grew tired of moving this larger and heavier keyboard around to rehearsals, up and down stairs, etc. I ended up getting a NS2 EX Compact around 2016 and then replicated programs across both keyboards. I used the Compact mostly for rehearsals and this made life so much easier. I eventually became really comfortable with the action on the Compact to the point that I would use it on gigs - I play as much organ, synth, and clav as I do piano, so the waterfall action just needed time for me to get used to playing piano sounds with it. For about a year in there, I also had a NS2 EX HP76 and it was easier to transport than the 88, though I really grew tired of the action and sold it.

Fast forward another year or two and I eventually got the NS3 Compact and slowly went about the process of recreating all of those NS2 programs on the NS3. I had a period of time when I was still gigging with the NS2 and starting to bring the NS3 into the mix gradually. Now I'm fully on the NS3 for the last 2+ years and I really like it a lot - I own two NS3 Compacts, partly for redundancy/backup and also to support the fact that I play in multiple bands and I usually have my "gig rig" parked in my gear closet with flight cases and it's convenient to have a "rehearsal rig" where I have one of the NS3 Compacts in a Nord soft bag that is easy to grab and go for anything.

I kept my NS2 HA88 and it lives in my home music room, sitting above my Hammond A-101. I still love the NS2 feel and honestly the sounds between NS2 and NS3 are not significantly different. NS3 has some more bells and whistles in the synth section and I'm addicted now to seamless transition, plus Song mode is really helpful on gigs. There are things the NS2 had that didn't make it over to the NS3, such as pending load and more flexible MIDI things. If I was ever pressed to need another keyboard for gigs or rehearsals, I could easily put my NS2 back into tour duty.

As for what you want to do, I think it depends on how much time and money you want to invest now. The most simple move would be getting a NS2 Compact and just replicate the programs you already have.

Regards,
Eric

[andrev]

Tough choice. We all understand the dilemna !

One thing to take into consideration is that nsmp3 are getting more and more present, and most of the time, you won't have the nsmp equivalent.
Money wise, if you can make the step towards the 3, I would do that.

I have both NS3-88 and NS2EX-C : the main difference is the organ engines which sound very different. I don't use pure synthesis, so the extra power of the synth engine in the 3 is not something important for me.
Smooth transition and Song Mode are indeed a real plus. They do compliment each other I would say !

Fred

[andrev]

Hi andrev,

I can imagine that the weight of the NS2-88 is difficult to deal with when you have to schlep it from location to location and stairs up and down, and the lower weight of a NS2C or NS3C seems to be more attractive. Buying the NS2C would be the most easiest choice in terms of transferring the existing programs from your NS2-88 since you can copy them directly. If you decide to go for the NS3C you would have to recreate all program manually since they cannot be transferred from the NS2, so that's probably a lot of work depending on the numer and complexity of your programs.

Something that makes me doubt if the NS2exC or the NS3C is the right solution is what you mentioned above: Thought I will never replace it - piano sample are good enough for me as they are. The touch is exactly what I want it to be

If that refers to the touch of the 88-key HA keybed you will probably be disappointed by the NS2C or NS3C since these are equipped with waterfall keybed instead of the fully-weighted hammer action of the NS288. The waterfall keybeds will give you a totally different feel when playing it, I would therefore recommend you to go and play one at a music shop to test if it suits your needs.

Hi Schorsch,
thank you - fearing that, is why I planned to keep the NS2 88 and still use it whenever I want to afford the schlepp to have the maximum joy.
That options seems to drain away when switching to the NS3 :-/

[andrev]

Thx @ everyone for the great input!
I feel that I would like to aim for the NS2exC - however, the offer is already gone, seems they really seldom pop-up and are as quickly gone...

[MartinJ2EX]

I'm currently at a similar crossroads...
I've used my beloved Nord Stage 2 EX 88 for 6 years now.

The Stage 2 EX 88 was my main rig from 2015-2018; when I started to play with another band I added a 61 waterfall keys MIDI controller.
the 88 is still my only keyboard when I play solo gigs.

Now, all these band projects are in the past and I've started in a new Hard Rock / Metal project, where I feel a strong need for more synth layers and a lighter board in general. 25-30 or more kg for the 88 + bag + accessories are too heavy for the long run...
Still not decided how I'll upgrade my setup and save weight at the same time...

[ericL]

I'm currently at a similar crossroads...
I've used my beloved Nord Stage 2 EX 88 for 6 years now.

The Stage 2 EX 88 was my main rig from 2015-2018; when I started to play with another band I added a 61 waterfall keys MIDI controller.
the 88 is still my only keyboard when I play solo gigs.

Now, all these band projects are in the past and I've started in a new Hard Rock / Metal project, where I feel a strong need for more synth layers and a lighter board in general. 25-30 or more kg for the 88 + bag + accessories are too heavy for the long run...
Still not decided how I'll upgrade my setup and save weight at the same time...

NS3 Compact is the right answer here.

[Rusty Mike]

Too bad you missed out on the NS2EX Compact. They are extremely rare here in the US.