Stage EX, add an unweighted controller? Electro 3?

[jazzystu]

Hello folks.

I have a recent EX88 which is great. I made the jump to "modern kit" after a period of time off (playing straight piano) following selling my classic gear, Suitcase piano, D6 Clav, C3 organ, Minimoog and I've got to say, it's bloody brilliant. Apart from the action of the Clavinet, I don't miss any of it.

I've read about the Stage 2 and I'm not sure it's worth an extra £1000 over the EX88. There are a few glitches which have made me think about other ways of improving my setup.

1. The Stage cannot be all things to all men and the Clavinet really needs to be externally controlled. Can I plug in an unweighted controller and use the clav sound? (Bear in mind I can rebuild a rhodes in the dark, but know nothing about midi)

2. Leslie Speaker, following hearing this, I am getting one, fo shizzle.

3. Nord Sample Library. I like the mellotrons and I like the Harmoniums, I also fancy some filthy electric pianos. I don't need all of them and the synth on the EX88 is good enough for me. I'm half erring towards getting an Electro 3, but it's a few quid.

How much better is the C2 organ? I haven't been able to compare them.

How do you rate the action of the Electro 3?

Discuss (sorry to be flaky and nebulous)

[anotherscott]

If you like the Nord Sample LIbrary, the E3 is the cheapest way to get it.

Although I don't see any reason why you couldn't trigger the Stage's clav sound with an E3, there wouldn't be much reason to, since the E3 also has the clav sound built in. But if you forego the sample library idea and go with some other unweighted board, sure, you can drive the Stage's clav from it.

Before you necessarily buy a Leslie, check into the Neo Ventilator. Less expensive and a lot more portable.

I think the E3 organ sounds much better than the E2 organ; which is as close as I can get to answering your question about how much better the C2 organ is than the one in your Stage EX.

I think the action of the E3 is fine (albeit not spectacular) for organ and most other sounds... but not piano.

[kagamul]

The Doepfer d3m uses the same Fatar waterfall keybed the Electro has.
It might just do the trick as a contoller for organ and clavinet sounds.

[Hanon_CTS]

For what it's worth:
The NE3 keyboard feels pretty close to the way a Hammond B3 does.
I'm using the NE3 as a waterfall keyboard for B3 leads and Clav parts.
Plus I get the added benefit of a smaller instrument to take to rehearsals.