NS 4: 73 or 88 keys choice regret?

[AlbergKeys]

Hi everybody,

I am struggling to choose between the 73 and the 88 model of NS4.

You people that went for the 73 HA version, did you regret and wish you went for the 88?
And what about the other way around?

I am a long time Nord Stage user, first NS2 88, then NS2 EX 88, then NS2 EX compact.

What I like with the 88 version is the much more headroom you get keywise when setting up splits for a song.
To be able to set up three different sounds on the same keybed without needing to change patch, was a gamechanger for me when playing live concerts with my band.

Because your scale could vary and the split points are in fixed intervals, the 88 keys got full use, even with just two split zones.
Especially if you are jazzing and improvising during songs, you need that freedom of movement.

BUT... the increased portability with minus 3 kg and minus 8 inch, is it worth it?
I want some feedback of someone who has had the same struggle as me here!

Live gigging and needing split zones.... 73 or 88? What did you choose, and did you regret it?

Regards,
Snorre

[vojtech-h]

What to choose NS4 73 and with a some 61 keys on the second tier?

Even a split of 88 keys may not be enough, take organ music as an example.

[tsss27]

What are you more comfortable with? If you use a lot of splits live and want that extra space, you'll regret passing on the 88. If the weight is more important than the splits, then the 73.
Not the Stage, but same scenario. Someone I know recently got a Piano5 73. Now he wishes he got the 88 just to have the extra keys even though in normal playing they don't get used. But for splits or extended solo playing they can be helpful.

[MrLeoMadrid]

What to choose NS4 73 and with a some 61 keys on the second tier?

Even a split of 88 keys may not be enough, take organ music as an example.

That’s what works for me best. I also use my upper 61 keys Yamaha CK61 for organ swells because it’s faster and it doesn’t hurt my hands as much as the weighted 73 hammer form the Nord.

[spradders]

I just gig with the 73 now. Occasionally it's a struggle with 3 splits yes... but 95% of the time it's fine and I just love how small and light it is... that was a gamechanger for me, being able to carry it in one hand easily. I live with the occasional frustration of not having enough keys, I make it work, no-one else cares!

[docbop]

I got the small keyboard and wish I had bought the 88. At the time I was called to do live stuff and wanted something that would be easier to fit in my car. The gig fell through and now I wish I had the 88 key.

[NoDirection]

In practice the weight difference to gig/rehearsal is much bigger.
If you buy the NS4-73 you can use the Nord Soft Bag originally developed for Nord Electro HP73 - very light bag! - 3,2 kg (I use it all the time) - But NS4 88 require a much heavier bag, 8,6 kg...

[dansnord]

Yes, I was just going to post about the lighter bag. So it's not just that keyboard itself is lighter. With the much lighter bag, the whole package is *significantly* lighter. And the reduced length is also really significant. That said, I do miss the extra keys every now and then, not for splits but for straight up piano playing. I especially miss them at the lower end of the keyboard. All that said, if I could do it over again...I'd be back-and-forth about it like you are! But I think I'd stick with the 73. When I do have to move it, it's so much easier than my Stage 3 88.

[Spider]

I am a long time Nord Stage user, first NS2 88, then NS2 EX 88, then NS2 EX compact.

I had exactly the same evolution as you. When I finally moved to the Compact, I just couldn't believe how small and light it was. Literally every time I take it out of the room (2-3 times per week) I think "How could I be such an idiot to lug around for years the 88 in that HUMONGOUS Nord bag?!?"

I don't do classical piano so 88 keys were totally useless to me, I agree that having extra room for splits was a bonus, but it's a really small tradeoff for gaining such a huge reduction in weight and size.

In my transition phase, when I was totally fed up with moving the 88 but still wasn't sure about the 73, one big improvement was ditching that awful Nord bag for a Gator G-PG88 Slim. MUCH MUCH smaller and lighter, same thickness of padding, waterproof, more resistant lining and zippers, more and better pockets, and shoulder straps instead of those useless wheels!
It was a huge improvement and it prolonged my life with the 88 for at least a couple of years, but in the end I moved to the 73 and now I wish I'd done it much earlier!

[StuartR]

I am a long time Nord Stage user, first NS2 88, then NS2 EX 88, then NS2 EX compact.

I had exactly the same evolution as you. When I finally moved to the Compact, I just couldn't believe how small and light it was. Literally every time I take it out of the room (2-3 times per week) I think "How could I be such an idiot to lug around for years the 88 in that HUMONGOUS Nord bag?!?"

I don't do classical piano so 88 keys were totally useless to me, I agree that having extra room for splits was a bonus, but it's a really small tradeoff for gaining such a huge reduction in weight and size.

In my transition phase, when I was totally fed up with moving the 88 but still wasn't sure about the 73, one big improvement was ditching that awful Nord bag for a Gator G-PG88 Slim. MUCH MUCH smaller and lighter, same thickness of padding, waterproof, more resistant lining and zippers, more and better pockets, and shoulder straps instead of those useless wheels!
It was a huge improvement and it prolonged my life with the 88 for at least a couple of years, but in the end I moved to the 73 and now I wish I'd done it much earlier!

Completely agree. I sold several other (heavy) keyboards from Yamaha and moved to the Nord Stage compact. I can easily carry it in the Nord bag with one hand. All that marvelous sound in an easily portable package.