Will I be disappointed w/synth patch selection?

[TerryW]

I play in a cover band, and use a Roland Fantom FA76, which debuted about 1999. It has 1024 patches to choose from, and I'm amazed that I can almost always find a patch that sounds amazingly close to the ones used on the "records." (Sorry, I'm an old guy)

I figure that it's time to upgrade before the display burns out, or the internal battery that holds presets fails (are they legit concerns on an old machine?). I have 2 of them so I can keep one where we practice and don't have to lug it back & forth. I actually take both of them to gigs as a back up, and *really* hate lugging 2 of them. (Sorry, I'm a wimp)

The NS3 Compact looks fantastic as a replacement (especially the 22 pounds part), and I won't need 2 of them. I'm sure the piano and organ patches will sound as good and probably *much* better than the ones I'm using, but I'm wondering if getting good synth sounds to match the records will be a problem and/or require all kinds of tweaking or begging from others? (Sorry, I'm lazy)

Some examples:

- My old Fantom has a great soprano sax patch that I've used for the beginning of "What's Goin' On" and the sax solo in "Caribbean Queen." I get compliments from the other band guys on how real it sounds. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but I don't even find a soprano sax in the Nord library?

- I see in this forum that somebody is requesting help how to tweak to get the synth sound for "Final Countdown," while my Fantom has a patch that sounds exactly like the record. (Maybe they used Roland?)

My Fantom has a wood block type patch that lets me sound exactly like the sounds on Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" and Sia's "Cheap Thrills."

I use one "general purpose" horn patch (which sounds great and nicely cuts thru the @#$% blasting guitar) for songs like Ides of March "Vehicle," "Walking on Sunshine," "Soul Man," etc. I'm hoping the NS3 Compact will have something similar?

I was really psyched to upgrade, but now I'm wondering if it's not the best choice for me

[analogika]

Are you ready to start again from scratch ?

[Gigikjarr]

I think, from my experience, you' ll need a second keyboard if you' ll need to recreate the sounds you used in your gigs.
The Nord Stage has the Best electric piano, hammond and acoustic piano sounds, but you can only create 2 layer of synth sounds.
Very good for Strings sounds or lead synths ( but the best will be keep a second keyboard and play Nord Stage synth sound in midi mode ).
If you need a more complicated scenario of synth sounds, like a workstation could create easyly, I think you' ll need a real workstation together the Stage.

[LudovicVDP]

You can also sample your old keyboard sounds and import them in the Nord.
If the sounds are too complex and evolving, it won't work that good of course. But for the rest, that's an option to consider so you can still have your "old" sounds without having to move your old keyboard around.

[Rusty Mike]

Be aware that Nord Keyboards don't sound like the major Japanese brands. The samples are pretty acoustic sounding, and don't have the electronic articulations that Roland, Korg and Yamaha have built into their instruments. I strongly suggest you play different instruments to hear what appeals to you the most. You do not have to wait for a Stage 3 to show up at the dealer to hear how a Nord sounds - you can play the current Stage 2EX line to get a good idea.

Just my opinion - I'm not a fan of the highly processed emulations of the Roland, Korg and Yamaha products. I personally much prefer the more organic sounding Nord samples. But, I also understand that a lot of ears disagree with me.

The Nord architecture is also unlike the other brands. Some understand it and love it, others not so much. This is not intended as an insult in any way. I personally struggle with the workflow on many Yamaha instruments. They simply make no sense to me.

If you like the Roland sound, UI and workflow, you should look at the FA series, as it might be the most familiar ground to you. Yamaha's Motif and Montage lines and Korg's Kronos and Krome products would be considered competitive. I also suggest you look at Kurzweil's Artis and Forte products. The Artis 7 may give you everything you need/want in a relatively light package.

You obviously hang onto your equipment a very long time. Do some extensive research before you pull the trigger on your next purchase. In addition to You Tube videos, forum opinions and playing them live, I suggest you download and read through the user manuals for the instruments you are considering. It will give you a good idea of how to work with each instrument.

Best of luck in your search.

[TerryW]

I think, from my experience, you' ll need a second keyboard if you' ll need to recreate the sounds you used in your gigs.
The Nord Stage has the Best electric piano, hammond and acoustic piano sounds, but you can only create 2 layer of synth sounds.
Very good for Strings sounds or lead synths ( but the best will be keep a second keyboard and play Nord Stage synth sound in midi mode ).
If you need a more complicated scenario of synth sounds, like a workstation could create easyly, I think you' ll need a real workstation together the Stage.

I've really resisted using more than one keyboard to perform, mostly for the extra transporting, setting up, etc.

It's a running joke with our lead singer that two KB players we know from other bands keep asking why I don't use 2 KBs. My answer is that I think they're jealous that I can do gigs with just one.

That's why the Compact is (was?) so appealing to me, with so much power in a little package. Also the great splitting capability, since my Fantom is a real pain to split the keyboard, and I've only done it once for the 2 diff organ sounds in Dire Straits "Walk of Life."

[dhbp-nord]

If you don't do your due diligence and try a Nord in detail before you purchase, your chances of being disappointed will be much higher for sure.

DH

[TerryW]

You can also sample your old keyboard sounds and import them in the Nord.
If the sounds are too complex and evolving, it won't work that good of course. But for the rest, that's an option to consider so you can still have your "old" sounds without having to move your old keyboard around.

Now *that* would be great, except . . . I know nothing about how to sample, what equipment I need to do sampling, etc.

But I will read up on it if there's a good overview online, thanks for this option.

[Gigikjarr]

Sure! You have to make your choice according your gig' s needs. I have different bands. In one band I hold with me only the NS2 and it was very useful. In other band, where I play Fabrizio de Andrè with PFM songs, I have to keep with me 3 keyboards. In my case I play with another midi keyboard the nord synth sounds.

[TerryW]

Rusty Mike and dhbp, I think you're both right. I really should look into other brands and check out the NS2 compact before I jump in.

I've been avoiding that, since I don't want to go to a local music store, take up their time and play with their demo's, then buy from another place online for a better price, if they can't meet it. I also thought that the NS3 Compact seems to be ideal in features and sounds, but the synth section may be the deal-breaker.

All you guys on here are great to give me all this advice within minutes of my first post here, thanks so much.