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FZiegler wrote:I do have the NS3 Compact which has the SW keybed. It's a spring type, no hammer action. And I really use it to play organ, clavinet or synth sounds. No piano at all -- even if it's possible to play EP sounds to some extent. It's hard work to make an AP sound with that action, though -- nothing you would want to do if not forced to. Buying a NS4 73HA or 73SW is not a question of saving money -- it's a matter of size, weight and use.
Besides, the NS4 73SW does not include the new sustain pedal whereas the NS4 73HA does.
Oh! I didn't know that about the sustain pedal! The website just lists 'User Manual, Power cord and USB cord'.
Yeah, I don't really want to compromise when playing piano but I was just wondering/hoping that the SW keybed in the NS4 is something new/different. I guess I'll be best waiting to try them out in-store.
This isn't new - it's been more or less the same with the Stage 3 (sustain triple pedal for the HA, single pedal for the HP, no pedal for the SW). The new triple pedal isn't included with any new version, though (as far as I know).
Thanks to Hlaalu for the correction.
Last edited by FZiegler on 25 Feb 2023, 21:22, edited 2 times in total.
Now, I totally understand that the NS series has to accommodate both piano and organ playing, and so considering that, this is a smart compromise from Nord....
This is what I'm hoping to find when I get mine. I know many are hoping the action will be heavier and more piano-like but I'm looking for something that can work across many different sounds / styles. I currently have an old yamaha p80. Lovely weighty piano action but after doing a 2.5hr rehearsal where I'm also bashing out funky clav licks, organ glisses and other bits, my hands and fingers are knackered!
So does the NS4 feel lighter to you? Less effort?
Correct, NS4 feels slightly lighter than the NP4. But definitely way more heavier than the NW2.
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FZiegler wrote:This isn't new - it's been more or less the same with the Stage 3 (triple pedal for the HA, single pedal for the HP, no pedal for the SW). The new triple pedal isn't included with any new version, though (as far as I know).
I confirm my NS4 came with no pedal. Only the manual, some Nord stickers, the power cable and the USB cable.
FZiegler wrote:This isn't new - it's been more or less the same with the Stage 3 (triple pedal for the HA, single pedal for the HP, no pedal for the SW). The new triple pedal isn't included with any new version, though (as far as I know).
I confirm my NS4 came with no pedal. Only the manual, some Nord stickers, the power cable and the USB cable.
In Germany the NS488 and NS473 will be delivered with a sustain pedal, whereas the NS4C will delivered without.
Schorsch wrote:Hey, thanks for sharing this - how did you manage to buy and get delivered a NS4 already now??
Actually I received an email from WoodBrass on Thursday last week, at the time of the official announcement, with a link to a preorder page, while the product was not already listed on the global page (I verified), and yeah, just placed the order, and I received it on last Tuesday... I guess I got one of the very few initial stock items...
You lucky thing. I've been given an estimated stock date of the end of April
Wow you made a purchase on the Stage 4 before actually checking it out to see many reviews, and videos on it! I think I would have waited to see if was a dud or if it was the bomb before a 6 grand purchase! I've never been one to make a impulsive buy beforehand! Best wishes though....
Nord Stage 3 Compact, Roland AX-7 keyboard guitar. Past keyboards and modules. Roland A-70 Controller, Kurzweil K25OORS Sampler, Roland D-50, Korg NSR5 module, Juno 60, Roland 106, Korg Poly 6, Yamaha DX-7, Hammond B-3 with 122 Leslie...
FZiegler wrote:This isn't new - it's been more or less the same with the Stage 3 (triple pedal for the HA, single pedal for the HP, no pedal for the SW). The new triple pedal isn't included with any new version, though (as far as I know).
I confirm my NS4 came with no pedal. Only the manual, some Nord stickers, the power cable and the USB cable.
In Germany the NS488 and NS473 will be delivered with a sustain pedal, whereas the NS4C will delivered without.
Which model do you have? When was it delivered? What are your first impressions compared to the Nord Stage 3?
I have the NS4 88. It was delivered last Tuesday. It cannot compare it to the NS3, as it is my first keyboard of the stage series.
Regarding the pedal, indeed I can see that Thomann includes a sustain pedal, even for France. That being said, I forgot to mention that I paid 4 599,00€ (instead of 4 899,00€ which is apparently the price today)... so that's ok to me
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After reading the manual, Nord has changed the DUAL KB mode to AUX KB mode and if this functions the way I think it will, this feature alone will be enough for me to upgrade my NS3 to a NS4.
I run my NS3 Compact almost exclusively in DUAL KB mode with an 88 note controller on the bottom for either dual organ, or piano/rhodes/synth sounds on the bottom keyboard and organ/synth sound on the NS3 on the top. The limitations of DUAL KB when running in PANEL MODE is it allows for a maximum of 3 sounds (Organ/Piano/Synth) on both top and bottom and the morph function only works on Panel A (top keyboard) so you need to have 2 sustain pedals (or create a custom cable with two 1/4" jacks as I have done) to sustain both Panel A and B at the same time.
The new AUX KB mode appears to make all sound engines available to both keyboards both individually and simultaneously. There is no mention of any morph or pedal limitation so hopefully all pedals will be assignable to all sound engine and morphs for both the local and AUX KB, which for me will be game changing! Can anyone confirm the morph/pedal functionality for AUX KB mode?
NS4 Manual P54
AUX KB (AUXILLIARY KEYBOARD) With this function it is possible to use an external keyboard for playing any combination of Layers on the Nord Stage 4. Aux KB settings are stored per program which makes it an ideal feature for live usage.
LAYER MIDI CONTROL
A second option for controlling parts of the Stage 4 from a external device would be to use its per-Layer MIDI capabilities, allowing for addressing any Layer on a different MIDI channel. All Layers can still be controlled “locally” from the Nord Stage 4 keyboard if desired.
GLOBAL MIDI
The third option for controlling the Nord Stage 4 via MIDI is by using the Global MIDI functionality. If the transmitting MIDI channel of an external device is the same as the Nord Stage 4 Global MIDI channel, playing the external unit will be very similar to playing the Nord Stage 4 from its own keyboard.
GLOBAL MIDI
The third option for controlling the Nord Stage 4 via MIDI is by using the Global MIDI functionality. If the transmitting MIDI channel of an external device is the same as the Nord Stage 4 Global MIDI channel, playing the external unit will be very similar to playing the Nord Stage 4 from its own keyboard.
Last edited by SuperStage on 25 Feb 2023, 19:00, edited 1 time in total.
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SuperStage wrote:The new AUX KB mode is game changing!
After reading the manual, Nord has changed the DUAL KB mode to AUX KB mode and if this functions the way I think it will, this feature alone will be enough for me to upgrade my NS3 to a NS4.
I run my NS3 Compact almost exclusively in DUAL KB mode with an 88 note controller on the bottom for either dual organ, or piano/rhodes/synth sounds on the bottom keyboard and organ/synth sound on the NS3 on the top. The limitations of DUAL KB when running in PANEL MODE is it allows for a maximum of 3 sounds (Organ/Piano/Synth) on both top and bottom and the morph function only works on Panel A (top keyboard) so you need to have 2 sustain pedals (or create a custom cable with two 1/4" jacks as I have done) to sustain both Panel A and B at the same time.
+1. Use the same kind setup and have exactly the same experience and hope. Also hope NS4 will respond to tripple sensor midi from the controller to utilize retriggering of the key from the middle sensor. Allows quick repeats and smoother playing from a triple sensor controller.
Last edited by Valpurgis on 25 Feb 2023, 19:27, edited 1 time in total.
Valpurgis wrote:
+1. Use the same kind setup and have exactly the same experience and hope. Also hope NS4 will respond to tripple sensor midi from the controller to utilize retriggering of the key from the middle sensor. Allows quick repeats and smoother playing from a triple sensor controller.
There is no such thing as Triple sensor MIDI. Triple sensor on a keybed refers the the method by which a key has been determined to be pressed. That sensor information is used to generate MIDI messages "Note On" "Note Off" "Velocity" "Note Value". MIDI has no knowledge of how that message was generated.
The NS4 specifically does use the middle sensor for re-triggering as that was demonstrated in one of the demo videos (but that has nothing to do with MIDI).
Current Gear: NS3C, NP5-88, NP5-73, Alesis QS7.1 & QS8.2, Hammond B3 with Leslie 122, Yamaha CP70, Yamaha C3 6' Grand, Roland D-05
