Nord Stage 2 vs Stage 3. Is the 3 worth it?

[Skuta Attila]

I agree the SYNTH is indeed way better, yet the Samples, for some reason, do not sound as real (imo). They are much more “synthy”sounding and less realistic. The A1 is indeed a better synth, but the real sample quality seems to be not as natural OR it is greatly effected by the synth parameters thus (imo) it takes a lot more time to get a sample to become a usable REAL instrument. Perhaps I am the only one that feels/hears this way and my ignorance is hanging out. I apologize as I certainly do not wish to offend. Ultimately I just want my NS3 88 to sound incredible. As I know it can. [emoji1360]


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Honestly... THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL OPINION. BUT MIND THIS, I have both NS2 and NS3 compact SIDE BY SIDE and spent a lot of time comparing them !
If you like synth. Buy a Dave Smith or something. The "A1 synth" on NS3 sound very thin and digital, I much prefer the NS2 Synth SOUNDING (very limited indeed but sounds way better)
If you like pianos (rhodes, acoustic, etc...) don't buy NS3 keep the NS2 or 2ex. Pianos on NS2 sounds more Deep, Real, Dynamic, Expressive, Harmonic and 3D imaged.
If you like organ, keep NS2 too.. the "upgrade" don't worth it... And I personally prefer the NS2. Just me I guess.
If you like samples, don't go to NS3, they will sound hollow and mid and bodyless.
NS3 reverbs has no bright, it's dark.
EQ on NS3 just give you MID. Low mid, mid mid, high mid.
The morph on NS3 Compact is bad assembled FOREVER... At least until you open it and glue it (!!) (Yes with hot glue or something) it will won't work properly.

Again this is just my opinion... UNTIL NOW...

I think, aureliopenna has right in all points. And Ns2 is 6x multitimbral vs Ns3 only 2x. Plus NS2 has the ability change the intensity of vibrato aftertouch and save it in programs separate (for me it is very important).
I have installed the new White Grand and EP9 Stockholm (all XL) and the NS2 sounds more Real as NS3. (sorry for my poor English).

[analogika]

The Nord Stage 3 has exactly the same multitimbrality as the Nord Stage 2: Two panels with Organ, Piano, and Synth each.

How do you change the intensity of the aftertouch vibrato on the Stage 2???

As for the “morph” — I assume he meant the mod wheel assembly, which had an issue in the first batch where the plug would come loose. The fix is not to “glue” it, but to clip off the plug and solder the wires to the posts directly. A ten-minute fix covered under warranty, and hasn’t been an issue for more than five years now.

[maxpiano]

The Nord Stage 3 has exactly the same multitimbrality as the Nord Stage 2: Two panels with Organ, Piano, and Synth each.

I guess they mean that on NS2 you can address each single section on a dedicated MIDI Channel, while on NS3 you can't (you can address a whole Panel or one Section at a time)

The AT Vibrato thing is unknown to me as well (and I had a NS2 looong time), it is a Global Setting on both NS2 and 3.

[LeftyBass68]

Glad I kept the Stage2EX88,still worth more than I paid.Sat waiting to be played since 2017 and now getting it's turn.Still like new.
Enough room for two XL grands,and two XL uprights,two XL EP's.Still room for two more of each in Medium size.

Midi 'per program', handles both internal and external more to my liking.OLED screens, just another layer of info on Stage3 and yet only one extra external output not two,can be utilized.
Stage 2 will output stereo pianos,mono synth,mono organ.Four outputs to three destinations.Just like the first Stage and EX series.
Stage 3 will output stereo pianos,and stereo organ or synth,but not three separate out destinations.WTF? And still the 1' drawbar cancel on percussion not implemented on the 'flagship'?

Nord dropped the ball two series ago,what Nord considers an upgrade is no longer such in my world.To the point where the Stage3 88 is getting replaced soon.
Keeping the 3 Compact and going Roland RD2000 or whatever they build next for an 'all in one' stage piano.

The Electro2 organs still have more character and mojo than any Stage3 I have played.This one is twenty now and still like new!Held back and 'on to' on purpose,glad I did.
The Stage2 organ sounds as good or better than the Stage3.Stage 2 can also have stereo pianos,synth bass out to an SVT,organs out to a Leslie.
Sorry Stage 3,it can't do that.Not interested in the Stage4 and after a 15 minute audition.....it still has the 1' drawbar not cancelled on percussion.WTF?