What is happening with NS4 Updates?

[SuperStage]

Does anyone know what is happening with the NS4 OS updates? The last update was V1.46 (2024-10-31) and the progress do not seem to be following the typical Nord Stage update cycle. The NS3 was released in June, 2017 and there were 20 updates from V.96 to V2.2 in the first 24 months. https://www.nordkeyboards.com/update-hi ... e-history/.
The NS4 was released in January 2023 and we haven't seen an update for over 6 months?https://www.nordkeyboards.com/update-hi ... e-history/

This is my third Nord keyboard and I I am generally very happy with the upgrade from the NS3, but there are still lots of improvements needed, especially with MIDI implementation, 1' cancel, song model etc which are well documented on the issues/bugs list. Plus it would be great to have the new Leslie sim from the Organ 3!

Could it be that Nord has cut development due to slow sales or other product priorities, or is Nord working on the early launch of a NS5?

[M_a_c]

Hm... It makes me wonder, what you´re especially expecting, when your asking for an update... I mean, you´re right - there are always some nice little functions to be added, but as long as there is no major issue that needs to be fixed, I´m happy with the gear that I simply can trust... IF there would an issue, I would surely ask for an resolution... But for the moment, I´m okay with the NS4... And from a marketing standpoint I´m subjective not expecting a NS5 before 2027 - even later... The NS4 ist still an uptodate and sell-able product

[Mr. Marko]

apparently I am the only NS3 user that finds the missed implementation of Digital Wave Modulation and major shortchange of synth features on the NS4.

if song mode is so hard to implement after the fact that you can't make the synth section work properly then maybe I have been drinking the kool aid too long?

it is late June 2025...right? and EU goes on vacation for a few weeks every summer...

[Ecaroh]

They could show us some love and fix some of the little things that users of this forum have reported. And maybe fix the MIDI issues that make it harder to use the Stage 4 as a master keyboard.

Maybe a few extra wavetables and some morphable wavetable control options?

To be honest I'm very happy with the NS4 as it is. But is always nice to see continuous improvement and investment in a product from the manufacturer.

[M_a_c]

I see... "Showing some love for the product"... I know what you mean, remembering my feelings when - to me fully unexpected - the Sampler polyphony has been increased with an update last year (from 48 to 56)... Such an improvement - and just by an update... What an achievement...

Okay - so I understand you don´t ask for more miracles like that, but for a smart cleanup with visable user wishes.

But - well - how often should the do this?
I would be already satisfied with once a year - what would be October relating to the last Update "2024-10"
(aaand this would be shortly before the NAMM, giving the NS4-sales a further push)

So I guess, NORD will wait and hopefully collect more small ideas for the (surely upcomming) update
and maybe with another miracle (in this case for "Mr. Marko" and the so often requested Song-Mode) again...

[M_a_c]

The Wave 2 has only had two updates since October 2020-

-dj

[Melies59]

apparently I am the only NS3 user that finds the missed implementation of Digital Wave Modulation and major shortchange of synth features on the NS4.

No, you're not the only one, but it seems we are not that many. I miss that Digital Wave Modulation a lot from the NS3, but that's also why I kept my Nord Lead A1 (will probably also keep my NS3 Compact). But it's really too bad also that the excellent dual osc configurations of the A1/NS3 (as well as the formant waves) were not kept for the Wave 2 and NS4.

As for the other updates, there are some priorities to be addressed, like the position of the reverb vs the Leslie (something you can choose now on the Nord Organ 3, so that should be possible to implement), the song mode, the midi implementation are among things that could be proposed in a v2.0

[Ecaroh]

Just (a thousandth) reminder that we've been waiting for Aux kb MODE to work (Exp ped., wheel, AT etc.) for two years. Very basic stuff that has always been there in Stage line. Nord has admitted that this a crucial issue and they are "working to fix it". Well... nothing so far.

[analogika]

I‘d assume that the developers are tied up finishing the Nord Organ 3.

Also, since it was mentioned: don’t expect features from the Organ 3 to be reverse-implemented into the Stage 4.

The Stage has always been a „best of“ compilation of the most important features of the individual lines — Lead, Organ, Piano — into one box. It’s never had the full options or feature set of any of them.

Decisions regarding allocation of hardware resources and options were made before the Stage shipped, and barring crass code optimisations (like with the upped synth polyphony), it’s unrealistic to expect anything to happen beyond fixes of stuff that’s already there.

[SuperStage]

Just (a thousandth) reminder that we've been waiting for Aux kb MODE to work (Exp ped., wheel, AT etc.) for two years. Very basic stuff that has always been there in Stage line. Nord has admitted that this a crucial issue and they are "working to fix it". Well... nothing so far.

I am using my NS4C exclusively in Aux KB Mode using a Korg D1 as an 88 note weighted bottom controller and have no issues with the pedals which are all plugged into the NS4 as well as wheel, pitch and AT.

In my setup all sounds are coming from the NS4 with the D1 as a controller only which may be different than your setup.

I have the following pedals connected as well as wheel, PB, AT etc. for morphs and they can be assigned to any of the 7 sounds on both layers

Nord Triple Pedal -> TP
Yamaha FC4A -> Sustain
Boss FS5U -> Rotor
Boss FS5U -> Footswitch
Boss FV500 -> Swell
Boss FV500 -> Control

I also have assigned the global organ output to 3 and route the organ through a Neo Vent II and HOF reverb and then back into the AUX input via stereo jack so the organ comes out 1/2. If I switch to the internal Leslie, it comes out 1/2 as well so I can switch between internal and external Leslie sim.