NORD STAGE 4 officially announced for February 16th 2023

[Winds]

AND...it's the White Grand. Sigh. Too bad they wasted time and resources sampling the Pearl if they don't have a new Grand to pair with this next-generation Stage.

I suppose they could be keeping one under wraps - like the still-hidden sample updates for the Wurly. Looks like we are sticking with the A11-44 preset scheme too. Double Sigh.

>- it won't be cheap, at least at the outset< Yeah, I'm getting the feeling that the 88 is going to be higher than my predicted $5399. All those pretty lights...

Just need to wait a few more hours then hopefully we'll get some answers bro.

[JVSalazar]

To be honest there doesn't seem enough here in my use cases to warrant this over a NS3 if the NS3 ends up being substantially cheaper. Will have to wait and see the full rundown tomorrow. One thing that could possibly bring me over though is if the upper and lower drawbars have separate MIDI controller numbers or at least that we could manipulate them independently on separate channels without having to press the Edit Lower Manual button. They used to have this implemented on the Nord Electro 4 - don't know why Nord took the step backwards after that. I've been meaning to get an dual manual organ clone for a while now, but was also trying to figure out what I would do if I needed a few other tones on organ centric gigs. If the drawbars MIDI implementation is sufficient, my problem is solved by hooking up a NS4C to a GSi DMC-122. I would also be able to use the NS4C as a top board over my MODX8+ for other gigs as well, so a lot of bases are covered with minimal extra gear needed, and some money is saved with the DMC-122 vs a dedicated clonewheel organ. I could be singing a different tune though, depending on how much the NS4 ends up costing. Curious to see w hat a Nord Electro 7 would look like as well.

[WannitBBBad]

Found on Facebook with other pictures - this is what I'm really interested in.

NS4 Synth Section.jpg (93.78 KiB) Viewed 2344 times

[Hlaalu]

At least someone fixed the drawbar colors.

This means they're reading this thread!

By the way the other leaked pictures have the first two drawbars coloured black, whereas the official countdown picture has them brown, as they should be. I hope the actual keyboard is going to have them right.

By the way, I also see the disappearance of the drive controls of the synth in the front panel. I guess there's going to be a bit more menu diving this time...

[Spider]

There seems to be new pedals for the Stage 4, just seen at Sweetwater.
Not cheap at all but obviously (and finally) a single pedal enabling pedal noise.

[neomad]

Same here, till now (no official announcement yet), I do not see any interest on 'upgrade' from NS3 to NS4, I might say. Honestly. This seems to be a NS3ex rather than a NS4, but some synth-trolls kept asking for a NS4 so... Nord listened...

1 more synth slot is welcome, 1 more organ sound is welcome... but what happened with the on hand controls for the synth section? still not ADSR? still no proper modulation matrix? will wait a few more hours, and I am hopefully wrong, but my next stage keyboard will not be red

Frankly dissapointed

[axryp]

Italian speakers FWIW: https://www.algameko.com/it/tag/nord-st ... co-evolute

[axryp]

Some Images FWIW

[axryp]

Some of the Text run through DeepL FWIW

The Nord Stage 4 line uses Nord's most advanced proprietary technology already successfully tested in the most recent instruments such as Nord Piano 5 and Nord Wave 2, where sound quality aspects and instrument management functions are admirably blended, always aimed at making operation immediate and intuitive even in the most complex live situations. Nord Stage 4 includes 3 independent and complementary sound generation sections in the operational aspect, Organ to Physical Modeling, Piano and Sample Synt, what has been greatly implemented are the operational and expressive possibilities of these sound generators. The entire instrument operates with proprietary SEAMLESS TRANSITION technology, which enables seamless transition between sound resources, thus enabling smooth and homogeneous performances.

Advanced Layering of Nord Stage 4

Each sound section on Nord Stage 4 allows the superimposition (layering) of multiple sounds: two for Organ and Piano, and even three for the Sample/Synth section this allows you to obtain sounds of great impact and sound density by simply adding different timbres of the same type, for example, superimposing an acoustic grand piano with a digital one, or an electric piano with a clavinet, or simulating in the Organ section a two-keyboard instrument, etc. to easily build our own personal sound. Also of great help are the Volume Sliders with dedicated LED Bars each section, a brilliant solution borrowed from the Nord Wave 2 Performance Synthesizer.

Each sound section on Nord Stage 4 allows overlapping (layering) of multiple sounds, two for Organ and Piano, and even 3 for the Sample/Synth section

In a simple and intuitive way, the dedicated ON/OFF button activates, selects, or deactivates the Layer; pressing the two buttons simultaneously causes the selected timbres to play together; the LED bar displays the level while the slider allows for adjustment. The ON/OFF button at the top acts to activate or deactivate the entire section.

The Piano section is of course configurable to the musician's artistic needs thanks to compatibility with free software resources: NORD Piano Library and NORD SOund Manager that allow configuration of the memory dedicated to this area (about 2GB), with the most suitable acoustic or electric piano timbres.

The Organ Section and Drawbars of Nord Stage 4

All 3 three versions of Nord Stage 4 now have physical Drawbars, a solution that will please fans of organ sounds who will have full control of the timbre as on traditional instruments, to this di adds however another brilliant solution and that is the presence for each Drawbar of a dedicated LED Strip that indicates exactly the value set for each harmonic; this helps to understand by recalling a memory the type of sonority programmed. The Organ section as per Nord tradition operates completely by physical modeling by making available 6 different organ models: the famous B3 tonewheel, B3 Bass i.e. simulation of the pedal sounds of this instrument, VOX and FARFISA transistor, and two classic pipe organ registers: PIPE1/2. Characteristic parameters such as VIBRATO/CHORUS and percussion with their controls are of course available. As we have already mentioned the possibility of Layering between two timbres makes it possible to emulate a two-keyboard instrument with different registers for each part, or to generate organ sounds creatively by mixing different types of instruments together: a Tonewheel with a Wox, a Pipe with a Farfisa, etc. Another important innovative aspect is the fact that the Rotary Speaker with the characteristic Preamplifier on which the DRIVE up to distortion can be adjusted is position within the Section and is independent of the effects section proper. As a Nord tradition, moreover, this section has an independent SWELL pedal that faithfully simulates the behavior of this control on the original instruments.

The physical drawbars found in every version of Nord Stage 4 allow the same tactile control on this section as on the original instruments

The Synth section of Nord Stage 4

Consists largely with the powerful multi-synthesis generator already successfully employed on the Nord Wave 2 Performing Sythesizer; on this section it is possible to use as many as three Layers each with its own trigger button, Volume Slider and LED Bar, and a complete synthesis channel, synthesis that can range from emulation of traditional analog waveforms obtained by physical analog modeling, to Wave Shaping to Multi and Super waveforms that reproduce timbres obtained from stacks of many oscillators, to FM, to noise generation of various types, to the use of Sample with a large area of non-volatile memory, configurable as needed with free software Tools: NORD Sample Library and Sample Editor.

In addition to the Oscillators, the synthesis chain has a powerful multimode filter: LOW Pass 12/24db Oct., LP Ladder, LOW Pass+HIGH Pass, with Tracking and Drive control, Modulable via Keyboard Velocity, LFO, ADR Dedicated Envelope or via MORPHING from Aftertouch, Modulation wheel or Pedal.

Other synthesis resources are also available such as. ADR envelope on the amplitudes, LFO (Low frequency oscillator), addressable to Pitch, Filter, or Oscillator Control, Unison Mode, Voice mode to obtain monophonic sounds even with Legato articulation and GLIDE (portamento) with adjustable tempo. Integrated in the section we find an articulate Gate Arpeggiator, polyphonic capable of generating a wide variety of rhythmic melodic patterns also user definable of effective realtime musical support to Live performances.

Nord Stage 4's Effects

The powerful physics-modeled effects section puts all the controls at your fingertips to intervene directly on the available parameters, immediately and intuitively. Routing of the various layers of the sections is possible to access the MOD 1 modulators with Ring Modulation, Tremolo, Auto PAN, Auto WAH, WAH with pedal control and the new PUMP effect also controllable by pedal, a VARIATION is available for each effect. MOD 2 with Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Vibe, Ensemble, and the new SPIN also with VARIATION capability.

Also available is a physically modeled AMP/SIMULATOR/EQ section also combining a 3-Band EQUALIZER with Preamp/Speaker simulator capable of properly coloring many Vintage sounds such as Electric Pianos or Clavinets, but of course applicable to any timbre. This section also includes an effective LOW PASS or HIGH PASS +/- 24db Oct filter with resonance.

The Delay section with the delay time can also be synchronized to the instrument's Master Clock, or with the TAP TEMPO control for on-the-fly insertion of the delay value; other typical parameters available Feedback, Ping Pong mode that assigns delays alternately in the stereo L&R channels; as well as to feed the feedback loop some modulation effects can be selected with their variation: Chorus, Vibe, Ensemble, Flam, Space. The ratio of direct signal to effect can of course be adjusted while the Global button selects delay parameters for all sections uniformly.

A dynamics compressor is also available: COMP of the single knob type i.e. with only one adjustment parameter i.e. the amount of compression applied, also in this effect it is possible to select the Global mode, i.e. have it act on all sections simultaneously.

Closing the DSP signal processing chain is the reverb: REVERB in which all available algorithms have undergone a low-level makeover returning an even more defined and realistic sound quality for each simulated environment. 6 different types available: Room, Stage, Booth, Hall, Spring, Cathedral, all with selectable Bright/Dark character, Variation/Chorale and adjustable amount of Dry/wet effect.

A complete freely assignable DSP section with modulation effects, Amp/Eq simulations, room delay with studio quality

Handling Nord Stage 4

Nord's focus has always been not only on the timbral and dynamic effectiveness of its sounds but also on the simplicity and immediacy of use of its instruments; provabialmente Nord keyboards are associated with these basic concepts for all musicians or artists who often have neither time nor knowledge to delve into overly complicated instruments. One of the most important elements from this point of view is the control panel, from the completely redesigned Layout oriented to maximum clarity and intuitiveness; each knob or switch controls only one parameter with a few selected exceptions, in full Analog Style a type of man-machine interface that still remains one of the most appreciated among musicians.

All the sections of Nord Stage 4 as well as in Layer can be arranged in SPLIT, that is, on various zones on the keyboard, 4 to be precise, with 3 Split points assignable for each section L (Low)-M (Middle)-HI (high), each zone being indicated appropriately by an LED located above the keyboard. The transition between the various split points can be immediate or occur gradually with Crossfade (x-FADE) adjustable in a Range of +/- 12 semitones.

Another important novelty in the management of Nord Stage 4 is the introduction of the PRESET LIBRARY, given the greater complexity in the structure of the sounds it is possible to create separately for each section: ORGAN, PIANO, SYNTH of PRESETS containing your favorite settings, so that their recall can be speeded up by programming the keyboard or even during a performance.

Also with a view to making the instrument more versatile in Live use on Nord Stage 4, another very useful function LAYER SCENE II has been introduced, which practically allows you to define two independent Layer settings by switching immediately from one to the other by simply pressing a key. For example: I can set on Piano an Acoustic Grand Coda with a String Layer on Synth, and on the next scene an Electric Piano plus a Digital summed with a SynthBrass, the two configurations can be selected by simply pressing the Layer Scene II button, obviously in Seamless Transition mode without interruption.

As is also customary with Nord all the combinations used of the sound sections with their respective Layers/ABs, effects and their parameters can be stored in memories called PROGRAMS with which to build our personal library to be quickly recalled and used during concerts; we have 512 Program Locations available of which many have already been programmed appropriately by the parent company; various Program selection modes are available including Live Mode with which to store and select 4 favorite Programs on the fly, ideal for accompanying out-of-programs during a concert. Finally, with Nord stage 4, refined Master MIDI control over External Devices is possible, or driving Section Layers via an external MIDI keyboard. Parameter navigation, lor visualization, and Program selection are assisted by a bright dedicated OLED display that allows you to always have your operating condition under control even in the most critical lighting situations, such as on a stage or in a club.

The used combinations of sound sections with their respective Layers/ABs, effects and their parameters are storable in PROGRAMs with which to build our personal library

STAGE 4 COMPACT
Professional Stage Keyboard, semi weighted 73 keys waterfall triple sensor keyboard, physical Aftertouch and Drawbar with LED. 3 Independent sections for effects as well: Piano with 2 Layers, Organ 2 Layers, Sample/Synth 3 Layers. Advanced Arpeggiator, non-stop sound change, revamped effects section, morphing, stone wheel, pitch stick, pedals.

STAGE 4 73
Professional Stage Keyboard with 73-key triple-sensor weighted keyboard, Aftertouch and physical Drawbar with LED. 3 Independent sections for effects as well: Piano with 2 Layers, Organ 2 Layers, Sample/Synth 3 Layers. Advanced Arpeggiator, non-stop sound change, revamped effects section, morphing, stone wheel, pitch stick, pedals.

STAGE 4 88
Professional Stage Keyboard with 88-key triple-sensor weighted keyboard, Aftertouch and physical Drawbar with LED. 3 Independent sections for effects as well: Piano with 2 Layers, Organ 2 Layers, Sample/Synth 3 Layers. Advanced Arpeggiator, non-stop sound change, revamped effects section, morphing, stone wheel, pitch stick, pedals.

[Nordlicht]

It’s online: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/products/nord-stage-4