Nord User Forum

So as someone that has owned an electro, a stage, and a moog, the ultimate combo is the stage and the moog. However, if you are just looking to play lead lines and effects on the synth, go with the electro/moog combo. The stage gets by for a sort of poly synth (many voices sharing the same filter) but because the whole thing is digital, it sounds terrible on effects. You can't push the resonance on the filter to self-oscillation without blowing out your eardrums, and the stage synth is just too limiting for uses as a synth. But it does make nice pads. If you want pads, you can always add something into the electro 5 sample slot and use that.

I too am a jazz guy, and nothing will compete with a moog for single line solos. I use mine for whatever tune gets called, and if someone calls something like Donna Lee or Got A Match? Then it's great to blast the trumpet player for a change.

I don't know about in Deutschland, but in the states little phatty's price have gone up to a couple hundred less than a sub 37. In which case I would buy the sub 37 for its knob per function, and second LFO. Oh, and paraphony. That's pretty big too.

Hey Eric, thanks again for your reply, I did a bit of research and i understand now that the dimensions are different on the different electro models. Such a shame that Nord ceased to manufacture the backpack-style case! I don't understand why they would stop making something that is a good product in my mind, but I guess they thought the case couldn't hold the extra weight of the keys or something. They advertise the HP models as being very portable but to have to carry it around in the other case they make kind of ruins that in my mind. I'm going to probably buy a 'fusion' bag, they seem quite good.


ebowen4221, thanks for your contribution, that's sort of what I was worried about with the stage, that I could get away with pads and some leads but it wouldn't quite cut the mustard as a synth part. I came across this video of a guy (check out his other stuff, he's really good) soundchecking with a Rhodes + Moog (little phatty II?) and it's killing, i'd love to be able to replicate that sort of synth sound on a stage 2. I haven't spent a great deal of time checking out the Synth engine on the keyboard whenever i've played one, so I guess a lot of other players out there can make those sorts of sounds.

I also get what you mean about chucking a wailing synth lead onto a jazz standard, I guess if you were at a jazz jam/gig then you would have only brought your stage and not the Moog too?

At my local music store (biggest in Europe!) the Sub 37 retails for 1,599 Euros, not cheap by any means! .....oh if money wasn't an object....

It also begs that big question of when the Stage 3 might be released and what they might do with the synth section! Out of interest, i'm wondering how much the Stage 2 was when it was first released? Would be foolish to buy the Stage 2ExHP at the price it is now or wait till they might release a Stage 3?...

My guess is that the Stage 3 wouldn't be out for a few years, and the synth section will be similar - great for pads, but not as great for leads. And nothing beats the shape of the Little Phatty on stage. The sound and appearance makes people dig it more than some lead line on my Stage.

Also about the cost of the synths, I don't know what a LP is in Germany, but where I live in the Pacific Northwest, a LP (used, since you can't buy them new) costs 1100-1200, while a Sub 37 is 1500.

If you go the route of 2 keyboards, and being in Europe, I'd also look and see if you could get a MFB Dominion. They are very similar to the Sub 37, with more CV options. If that's your thing.

Contrary to most people's opinion, I am a Nord Stage kind of guy. I've had several keyboards and nothing beats the portability and easy of use of a Nord Stage. Sure, the moog sounds better. But if portability is a main concern, going the Electro+Moog line might mean a bigger stand, more cables, and another keyboard. With the Nord Stage, you keep the amount of extras and the weight to a minimum.

Personally, I do loke the Nord Stage's synth section. It is limited, but those limitations make it easy to use and you can create new patches very fast on the fly.

I am also a jazz guy, and for me, nothing beats a Nord Stage for portability. That is the reason I have a Nord Stage 2 SW.