Nord Stage 2 vs Stage 3. Is the 3 worth it?

[cphollis]

I agree the SYNTH is indeed way better, yet the Samples, for some reason, do not sound as real (imo). They are much more “synthy”sounding and less realistic. The A1 is indeed a better synth, but the real sample quality seems to be not as natural OR it is greatly effected by the synth parameters thus (imo) it takes a lot more time to get a sample to become a usable REAL instrument. Perhaps I am the only one that feels/hears this way and my ignorance is hanging out. I apologize as I certainly do not wish to offend. Ultimately I just want my NS3 88 to sound incredible. As I know it can. [emoji1360]


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I think what you might be hearing on the samples is the incredible clarity of the new hardware. I had to dial in some "dirt" to make them sound less pristine, especially the horns, accordions, mellotrons, etc. That, and a whole bunch of embedded setting that you have to disable to hear the real sample: filtering, unison, etc. Turn all that crap off, you'll know what you're hearing.

[aureliopenna]

I agree the SYNTH is indeed way better, yet the Samples, for some reason, do not sound as real (imo). They are much more “synthy”sounding and less realistic. The A1 is indeed a better synth, but the real sample quality seems to be not as natural OR it is greatly effected by the synth parameters thus (imo) it takes a lot more time to get a sample to become a usable REAL instrument. Perhaps I am the only one that feels/hears this way and my ignorance is hanging out. I apologize as I certainly do not wish to offend. Ultimately I just want my NS3 88 to sound incredible. As I know it can. [emoji1360]


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Honestly... THIS IS ONLY MY PERSONAL OPINION. BUT MIND THIS, I have both NS2 and NS3 compact SIDE BY SIDE and spent a lot of time comparing them !
If you like synth. Buy a Dave Smith or something. The "A1 synth" on NS3 sound very thin and digital, I much prefer the NS2 Synth SOUNDING (very limited indeed but sounds way better)
If you like pianos (rhodes, acoustic, etc...) don't buy NS3 keep the NS2 or 2ex. Pianos on NS2 sounds more Deep, Real, Dynamic, Expressive, Harmonic and 3D imaged.
If you like organ, keep NS2 too.. the "upgrade" don't worth it... And I personally prefer the NS2. Just me I guess.
If you like samples, don't go to NS3, they will sound hollow and mid and bodyless.
NS3 reverbs has no bright, it's dark.
EQ on NS3 just give you MID. Low mid, mid mid, high mid.
The morph on NS3 Compact is bad assembled FOREVER... At least until you open it and glue it (!!) (Yes with hot glue or something) it will won't work properly.

Again this is just my opinion... UNTIL NOW...

[analogika]

And mine, having had the Stage 2 and the Stage 3 side by side for two months as i was transferring programs, is the complete opposite.

Literally every single thing you criticise, my preference is exactly the opposite. (Except for the mod wheel hardware issue — that was annoying, but it hasn’t happened again since I fixed it.)

[ericL]

I have agonized over this very decision and accept that it is only a matter of time before I have a NS3 in my arsenal. However, I've been patient and will keep waiting as I don't really "need" the NS3. I have a stable of no less than three (!) NS2 variants that have served me extremely well. Each has its place for me between the 88, 76, and 73. I could honestly get by with two. I've been using the NS2 since it was first released (I had the first NS2 to hit the US), so I have many years of programs and feel extremely comfortable with it. As such, it's less interesting for me to invest time in the upgrade at this point. I think the NS3 is awesome and will ultimately outshine my NS2, but I'm enjoying the heck out of my NS2s that meet my gigging needs.

[analogika]

I changed my NS2 Compact for a NS3 Compact.
No regrets ever.
I´m in love with this keyboard.

[solmaster]

The Stage 3 88 is my first Nord, so I can't compare it to a Stage 2 (apart from borrowing a mate's one) I have had Roland, Yamaha and Kurzweil stuff over a long period, performing in pub and function bands, playing solo piano, accompanying vocalists and MD'ing musicals. As a live performance instrument, for me the Stage 3 is simply wonderful in every way. I cannot fault it. The sounds are accurate and clear, the interface easy to use, song mode and seamless transitions just fab! The up/down program pedal shifts so useful for medleys. the list goes on.....
There has been a lot of discussion over numerous threads about the Stage 3, mainly very positive, but also negative (Mainly from the same few people it has to be said) but of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
In answer to your thread question, if you're happy with your Stage 2 and it's doing what you need it to do, then keep it and don't trade it for a Stage 3. I for one think it's the cat's pyjamas!!

[Copia]

There is a lot of threads talking about these differences, Stage 3 worth it or not etc....That convinces me to keep both...That's why I will continue to save to buy the Stage 3...Let's say a Stage 3 Compact on top of a Stage 2 HA 88 seems also to be a killer rig, right? And I won't have to redo all my programs on the Stage....Or will it be too much "Red"?

As said above, never too much red. Right now I play a NS3 Compact below and a Nord Lead A1 above (the extra four synth osc's are so tempting), so it's all about the red rigs!

I will say looking back that I would be perfectly happy to have kept my NS2 76, which I loved, and added the NS3 Compact above it in my rig. With the NS2 rhodes and piano and NS3 synth and organs, oh dear... You've got me loving that rig idea.

I sold the NS2 and really haven't missed it much, because the NS3 keys and organ and synth functionality are so nice, both 88 and Compact.

[aureliopenna]

I really would like to think like you guys, but playing in one and another I just can't find the NS3 piano better.
I sent my unit to the seller so if he can see if has something wrong with my unit. With a little bit of lucky I maybe can receive another brand new one. So I discard the possibility of an unlucky bad unit.

[cookie]

I'm using extensively the sample section and what is not mentioned here, nor in Marc's great video ( is that many of the new samples are only nsmp3, therefore not NS2 compatible. Frustrating as there is an option to generate nsmp (instead of nsmp3) on the NSE and NSM will convert on the fly.

I own both 3 and 2.
Main differences that counts for me are : nsmp3 compatibility, organ engine sound, seamless transition, MIDI implementation on the 2, separate reverb and compression on panels, synth engine.

Fred

[Hlaalu]

No such thing as too much Red. Two Nords, a Stay stand in matching colors. If they had red cables, I'd buy them.

You know it's me when all you can see is Nord Red.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/cordial_cti6p ... 9&reload=1

Not by Clavia but the hue is the same!

Also, I'd change your jumper if I were you!