NORD STAGE 4 officially announced for February 16th 2023

[Mr_-G-]

By reading it, I understand that it is like the NS2 Organ "preset II" which provides an extra set of settings stored in the same program location. I also suppose that in the NS4 it extends to the whole setting, same as the MODX "8 scenes".
And this also makes me wonder... is this effectively doubling the number of programs stored or is there a restriction of what can be changed in the scenes?

[Nord33]

...Is the "Layer Scene II" button:

A - a push-button morph
B - a push-button morph with additional capabilities for parameters/switches that aren't morph-able
C - a switch between two independent programs

It's not C, however as we no longer are restricted to the number of instruments in a panel, working with 7 programmed instruments (2 Organ, 2 Piano, and 3 Synth) either Layer Scene can use up to the 7 set up. For example, Layer Scene 1 could use 2 organs, 1 piano, and 2 synths, and Layer Scene 2 could drop an organ, switch to the other piano, take out a synth and add the other for doing a solo (with a seamless transition moving between the two scenes). Depending on what you are working on, with one program you might be able to cover what it currently takes two to cover with the Stage 3.

I think that Layer Scene switch is like you had 2 panels before (A&B) but you can only use one at a time. So you basically get 7 instruments per program but possibility of 2 completely different setups.

I assume you can use all of the 7 engines on one layer, and on another layer scene you could either turn off some of them, or changes volume, some parameters (basically anything).

Outcome would be like if you had two different programs and switched between them, but you rather have 2 "programs" in one, yet you can't use them at the same time.

[FZiegler]

How long will Nord want us to reflect on this? Hopefully, it's the next step of revelations...

I for one don't believe you can set different split points or other per-program settings for Layer Scene 2. No idea about switching the content of single engines. But I severely hope it's not only switching engines on and off, but also changing settings within engines and effects.

[florence]

they are working actively on the code right now, reading all our inputs

[superbender]

means a program saves two scenes, each scene is a combinaison of any organ/piano/synth presets?

I don't believe so. In a program you can have 7 instruments selected with setpoints defined, and each scene can make use of any of those 7.

For me two options are possible:

1) Using all 7 sections (2 x piano, 2 x organ, 3 x synth) once within the two Layers. This means it would be at the end the same like the A/B combination from the Nord Stage 3. The advantage would be that we can combine the sounds more flexible.

2) Using 2 x 7 sections. This means it would be technically like two programs, but with one important difference. If you tweak some parameters during your performance and switch back to the other layer, you will not loose those changes. That was for me an annoying thing with the Song Mode.

I believe that 2) is right as a program change is also instantly possible without any limitation. The layering would from the IT implementation then somehow a copy of the program functionality with an add-on of storing the parameters of the "second" program during a performance. This seems to me logical as an IT guy.

In addition I think we have to take into account that over all concept ist different with the new presets. Fo every section you can define your own presets with own FXs. AS I used the NS3 I did this - to my understanding- within programs as one part. So a programm is now a pointer on 7 presets, which also is a huge benefit for us.

What do you think?

P.S.: I am sorry for my English. It for sure has a German touch.

[WannitBBBad]

...I believe that 2) is right as a program change is also instantly possible without any limitation. The layering would from the IT implementation then somehow a copy of the program functionality with an add-on of storing the parameters of the "second" program during a performance. This seems to me logical as an IT guy.)

Yes, that does sound logical to me from an IT perspective. It will be great if my first impression is wrong in that we have to work with "just" the programmed 7 instruments/presets. The Nord site states, "the Layer Scene lets you seamlessly switch between two different sound setups at the touch of a button", so it could go either way. Having two Layer Scenes that could be independently set up with any combination of 7 instruments (different presets for all) would be an incredible plus. Excellent if it can, but not complaining if it cannot.

[bonefixer]

I decided against a Stage 3 as my main keyboard, instead I went for a 3 board set up (Yamaha CP88, YC61, and a Wave2 synth). I definitely won’t be changing this for a Stage 4.

It’s a great instrument, no doubt, but for me the compromise in terms of having just one type of keyboard, and a restricted set of controls, is not made up for by it being ‘all in one’. Personal preference, and I’m sure with the appropriate investment in set up time this board would get you through any gig. But I’ll stick with what I have (which in total cost about the same as the S4)

[superbender]

I decided against a Stage 3 as my main keyboard, instead I went for a 3 board set up (Yamaha CP88, YC61, and a Wave2 synth). I definitely won’t be changing this for a Stage 4.

It’s a great instrument, no doubt, but for me the compromise in terms of having just one type of keyboard, and a restricted set of controls, is not made up for by it being ‘all in one’. Personal preference, and I’m sure with the appropriate investment in set up time this board would get you through any gig. But I’ll stick with what I have (which in total cost about the same as the S4)

Cool setup and for sure a lot of fun.
For me it would be to heavy. I started with two keyboards RD-2000 and a MODX7. I then switched to a VST set up, where I used the MODX7 as one keybed and a native instrument S88 MK2 (to reduce the general weight). Especially in the last setup the sounds are really incredible. But for rehearsals I am carrying so many things, it is time consuming and as a hobbiest it reduces the fun. Also searching for sounds costs much time and is a pain for me. One month ago I did the first gig only with a Nord Stage 3 Compact and it was the best set up which I had. Only playing, instantly changing parameters and a really light weighted set up. As I could return the NS3C I will go for the NS4C as only keyboard. I think it will give me addiontal options compared to the NS3C.

[bonefixer]

I decided against a Stage 3 as my main keyboard, instead I went for a 3 board set up (Yamaha CP88, YC61, and a Wave2 synth). I definitely won’t be changing this for a Stage 4.

It’s a great instrument, no doubt, but for me the compromise in terms of having just one type of keyboard, and a restricted set of controls, is not made up for by it being ‘all in one’. Personal preference, and I’m sure with the appropriate investment in set up time this board would get you through any gig. But I’ll stick with what I have (which in total cost about the same as the S4)

Cool setup and for sure a lot of fun.
For me it would be to heavy. I started with two keyboards RD-2000 and a MODX7. I then switched to a VST set up, where I used the MODX7 as one keybed and a native instrument S88 MK2 (to reduce the general weight). Especially in the last setup the sounds are really incredible. But for rehearsals I am carrying so many things, it is time consuming and as a hobbiest it reduces the fun. Also searching for sounds costs much time and is a pain for me. One month ago I did the first gig only with a Nord Stage 3 Compact and it was the best set up which I had. Only playing, instantly changing parameters and a really light weighted set up. As I could return the NS3C I will go for the NS4C as only keyboard. I think it will give me addiontal options compared to the NS3C.

I only use my ‘big rig’ for bigger gigs, and I’m lucky enough that I rehearse at home. For most gigs I play I use a generic £300 stage piano as a controller for Mainstage - 10 minute set up and tear down, and can carry it all to the car in 2 trips. And the places I play I wouldn’t want to take a £4000 keyboard for some drunk to spill a pint on.

[analogika]

I was trying to understand how the synth section must work: I guess that the buttons with a red contour are "soft" buttons: they don't do anything per se, but open up the relative page on the screen, from where you edit the pertinent parameters with the 3 multi-function knobs.

If this is the case and we can count 3 knobs for every "red button", there are actually more controls in the tiny NS4 synth than in the whole Wave 2 panel!

I think the grey fields in the synth panel give you the soft knobs.