Nord Stage 2 revision B

[cleito]

Johannes said it before:
"I heard from a fellow member that Nord might release a Rev B Nord Stage 2 which features using the Nord Triple Pedal for other purposes.

This message was sent from a local Nord dealer:

"The Nord Stage 2 was introduced at this year’s NAMM show in January and is
already a great success, awarded the MIPA Award 2011 for ‘Best Stage Piano’
at the MusikMesse Frankfurt last week.
After the production start we have added some useful features for Nord
Stage 2 used together with the Nord Triple Pedal. The new features enable
the player to use the middle pedal of the Nord Triple Pedal for advanced
latch and sustain techniques when using multiple layers of sound. The added
functionality is located in the Organ, Piano and Synth sections, under the
‘Octave Shift’ buttons. Also, the Arpeggiator has an added ‘Hold’ button.
We have decided to implement these new features as soon as possible and
they will be available in the Nord Stage 2 ‘Revision B’.
These new features are not found on the Nord Stage 2 Rev A currently
shipping and can not be implemented with a software update as the
circuitboard design and the physical panel of the keyboard has been changed
to accomodate these new features."

And I found some other things about it, and a picture too:

Nord Stage 2 SW73 'Rev B'- 2011th Manufactured in April
HA76 Nord Stage 2: 'Rev B' 2011th beginning of May
HA88 Nord Stage 2: 'Rev B' 2011th In June

ns2revb.jpg (40.89 KiB) Viewed 14201 times

[Johannes]

Thanks Cleito!
Since I had not yet the pleasure to play a NS2, I had no clue about the panel changes. But looking at the "original" NS2 Synth Panel it seems indeed changed.

SynthSect_lg.jpg (144.58 KiB) Viewed 14196 times

Still don't understand 100% of what they supposedly added
"latch and sustain techniques when using multiple layers of sounds" and a hold button for the ARP.
Curious about the manufacturing dates, since the Compact was delayed until June and now it is the first on the list. Anyhow we will see.

[cleito]

And here is the proof that it is real:
Look at the buttons in the synth part and those leds (look the pictures before this post)
You can see it better at 1:57 min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV5IqIe_Kgs

Under the name of Nord Stage 2, is something printed, it says "Semi Weighted Waterfall SW73" (at 4:38 min)

[Patschi]

Does this really mean they bring out a revision B before revision A is even shipping across the whole country ?
That would be an imposition to all who have preordered the NS2.
This video clip could also show a pre-production model.
Implementing new features doesn't necessarily require different hardware. Like adding string resonance in the NS EX was achieved by using the Clav EQ buttons.

[janka]

I will try to get a hold of Tomas Johansson of Nord tomorrow to sort things out. Like many others I have also preordered a NS2...

/Anders

[bertpeeters]

Seems to me Clavia's been reading this forum and decided to give us some more information ;)
The website now says:

The upcoming OS 1.20 update for the Nord Stage 2 adds a HOLD-mode for the Arpeggiator and offers extended control over pedals when layering multiple parts or sections. The OS update also contains several bugfixes and is recommended for all Nord Stage 2 units.

So it's most of all a software update, available to all Stage users. So the functionality of the Rev B Stage 2 will be in the Rev A as well, but probably hidden in a menu or behind an existing button, whereas the Rev B will have dedicated buttons for Arp Hold and pedal functions.
That's good enough for me and my beloved, one-month old Stage 2.

[djtomy.d1]

I really hope so!
I'm feeling pretty frustrated, because just after one week with my Stage 2 (and not even available everywhere) that hardware update is on the way. This is bad move from Clavia and I lost lot of my trusting in them. Stage 2(a) still is excellent instrument, but my opinion is that any serious manufacture should good think over and test any new products. This for sure was not the case in Stage 2 department. Even the build it self is worse than Stage EX.

[Johannes]

2011-04-26 The upcoming OS 1.20 update for the Nord Stage 2 adds a HOLD-mode for the Arpeggiator and offers extended control over pedals when layering multiple parts or sections. The OS update also contains several bugfixes and is recommended for all Nord Stage 2 units.

(from nordkeyboards.com)

Maybe the new features(HOLD & nes pedal functionality) are after all becoming available through a new OS, even for "RevA" models??

[Siriosys]

Certainly seems credible. My sources haven't confirmed that just yet, but it undoubtedly doesn't seem to be outside of the realms of possibility...... although it seems to contradict the last piece of info you have there.

oh well, time will tell....................

[Nordfan]

Here again a demo movie at the Frankfurter Musik Messe.
If you look closely at around 1:21 you can see the added buttons.



PS.
Great video by the way with some very cool sounds in it and a demo of the arpeggiator.