Nord Stage 2 SW73 or 76?

[jdebrincat]

Hi all,

I just sold my Fantom X8, and I am ready to purchase my first Nord. I am torn between the SW73 and the 76. Weight is a factor (the Fantom was about 85lbs with the case), as I do have to take it out several times a month. I primarily am using the Piano and B3 - probably the piano a bit more. Just wondering if the three extra keys and the weighted keybed is worth an extra $500.

Thanks in advance.

[mjbrands]

Maybe you should look at the weight: 9.7 kg for the SW73 and 16.5 kg for the HA76.

If you don't expect to layer sounds, the Electro 4 HP might be interesting too. 76-key weighted keybed (different action than the HA76, lighter too) and 11 kg. It has the newer B3 emulation of the C2D, while the Stage 2 has the slightly older version of the C2. I have no idea how much of a difference you hear though.

The Stage 2 is a much more capable keyboard than the Electro series though; the Stage has two piano, two organ and two synth sections and you can use them all at the same time. The synth section is also more capable, there are more effects and the Stage 2 has quite a bit more memory for pianos, etc. With the Electro you'll have two choose between using the organ, piano or synth section - you cannot use them at the same time.

The price difference between the Electro 4 SW73 and the Stage 2 SW73 on the one hand and the Electro 4 HP and the Stage 2 HA76 seems to be about 1000 euro in both cases. Still, if at some point you discover you do want to be able to layer sounds, you might find yourself wishing you'd gotten the Stage 2 instead of the Electro 4. There's no denying the hammer action portable version of the Electro is quite a bit lighter than the Stage 2 version (33% lighter), but with the semi-weighted SW73 versions there's not much difference in weight (maybe 5%).

Btw. I don't think the Electro's have aftertouch, but I'm not sure either.

[anotherscott]

I primarily am using the Piano and B3 - probably the piano a bit more. Just wondering if the three extra keys and the weighted keybed is worth an extra $500.

If it wasn't for the possible issue of the extra carrying weight, if you're only going to have a single board, I would say, absolutely yes. If you're playing piano and organ, of course no single action is perfect, but I think it is easier to play organ on the 76 than it is to play piano on the 73... and especially if you play more piano than organ, that would make it pretty much a no-brainer for me.

As for the extra keys, I think that comes more into play if you do any splits where you play LH bass... in which case the extra low E on the 76 makes a huge difference. Otherwise, it may not be so crucial.

But I would seriously look at an alternate scenario: Get the 73 for its low weight and organ action, and get something like a Yamaha P-35 or a Casio PX-350 to trigger its pianos from an 88-key weighted board. Then you have good piano AND organ actions; your total travel weight is still very reasonable (and much easier to handle in two lighter pieces than a single heavier one); your total cash outlay is not too different; you have a full 88 for piano; and if you ever have a board failure at a gig, you have a backup to get through the rest of the night. (As reliable as these things are, they do fail, and accidents do happen... things get dropped, stands get knocked over, people spill drinks onto things... it's rare, but it's nice to be prepared.) That would be how'd I do it. I'd only get the weighted Nord if I had some other unweighted board I didn't want to lose the use of, that I was going to pair with whatever Nord I got.

[jdebrincat]

Thanks to you both for your replies. I do want/need the multi-timbral capabilities of the Stage 2, although I did initially start looking at the Electro's. The two board idea is an interesting one. I will have to check into that a bit more.

[jdebrincat]

I was in the same situation a year ago, tried both (or rather, both actions) at the store, and went for the SW73 in the end. At home, I use a weighted controller keyboard for all piano and most EP stuff. At rehearsals and gigs, the NS2 is my only keyboard.

Getting used to the semi-weighted action took some time. The main issue is controlling dynamics. Quiet and slow piano parts need to be played somewhat differently than on a weighted keyboard. It's also difficult to reach the maximum velocity while playing, even though it seems easy when you just hit a single note. Also, I found that both of my little fingers were too weak initially.

Some additional aspects:
* For the semi-weighted variant, there is a gigbag with backpack straps (though unfortunately, that bag is not very durable).
* If you go for a two-keyboard solution, it's nice to have the NS2 on top, to be able to access its knobs and buttons more easily.
* The semi-weighted action makes very "plasticky" noises, especially when releasing keys. At home, this can get annoying.

[jdebrincat]

I was in the same situation a year ago, tried both (or rather, both actions) at the store, and went for the SW73 in the end. At home, I use a weighted controller keyboard for all piano and most EP stuff. At rehearsals and gigs, the NS2 is my only keyboard.

Getting used to the semi-weighted action took some time. The main issue is controlling dynamics. Quiet and slow piano parts need to be played somewhat differently than on a weighted keyboard.

I'm on the same boat as FunKey (BTW nice user name, and love your town Karlsruhe, been there last summer ).

I was torn between the 76 and 73. At first I regretted not getting a HA but still having my NS88 classic I hook that up via MIDI to the NS2 SW and its like I'm playing only the NS88. Barely any difference in playability. But for portability I never regret my decision. Every weekend I have rehearsals and taking the NS2 SW as my only keyboard. But transporting it is a whole adventure on itself:
First to get it to the car I have to go down 1 floor (and its a very high floor) and then walk around 100m, then I get off, its another 100 m and a set of normal height stairs. Doing that with the NS88 was worth my week's exercise! With the NS2 SW its more like a heavy walk.

The good and bad part of the SW gig bag are the shoulder straps... the bad part is the absence of wheels. On a gig I had to walk nearly 1km to get to the place (it was in the middle of a huge park) with my NS2 SW on my back. Needless to say I had to stop for a break since I was also carrying cables and the stand. But those straps do come in hand when facing stairs!!

Hope my testimony is of any help,
Gustavo

[jdebrincat]

Alright, I think I have a plan then. I am going to buy the SW73, and look into buying the Yamaha P-35 to MIDI in when I need the weighted keys. Thanks all!

[Michael Wright]

Just wondering if the three extra keys and the weighted keybed is worth an extra $500.

For me the weighted keys are worth the extra $. Since I have a C2 I do not need another organ type keybed. The 88 is nice, but not necessary for the material I am covering right now. The addition of a NS2 76, would par me down to 2 keyboard on one stand and no rack, so the weight factor point is moot. I also might be able to get away with it as the only keyboard on occasion. I have been thinking about it!

[mikula7]

Hello all

First of all I would like to apologize for my english, its not very good and I hope we understand each other I am new at this forum, and I already read all previous posts. I dont have a nord stage2 yet, but I am going to buy it. But I have a problem (I see that I am not the only one:)) Today I tried both of my choices (SW73 and HA76) and I still don't know which to buy Both of them have good keys (each for its own purpose) maybe SW keys are a little bit too plastic from my point of view (but stil not bad:)) I planned to have a double keyboard setup with MIDI controller....(I think you know what I mean:)) Today I also tried a different midi controllers, and the most preferred are key from STUDIOLOGIC VMK. I was surprised at the quality and good keys (are also quite expensive and heavy for MIDI controlers, but anyway)...
So I thinking in that way:

1.) Nord Stage 2 SW73 at the top for organs.....and below Studiologic VMK-176 Plus ( http://www.studiologic-music.com/vmk-176-plus-2.html ) for pianos, clavs......(there is a good control of knobs and drawbars on nord on top...

2.) Nord Stage 2 HA76 below, and Studiologic VMK-161 Organ ( http://www.studiologic-music.com/vmk-16 ... tions.html ) at the top for organs....

Which proposal will you recommend??...or maybe any other MIDI controller ?? (I dont replace NS2 :))

Thanks in advance.

[mikula7]

Hi mikula, and welcome to the forum!
As for your question, it is really a matter of taste.
Three things I would consider :
1) Do you think at some occasions you would need to play with only one board? Then you prefer to have a more piano or organ/synth type of action? If the latter, I would put for the SW version and add the weighted controller. And vice versa.
2. Might weight be an issue? The SW is significantly lighter and you can even carry it in public transport etc.
3. Do you need 88 keys on your weighted board? In this case the SW would be better as it allows this.
4. Go after your feeling when you play either board! Since it is the more expensive of your two board setup you should be really happy with it

I went the SW plus weighted 88 keys controller way mainly since I don't always lg both boards around, e.g. For rehearsals so I appreciate the weight.

Good luck & have a nice weekend!

Cheers, Johannes