Why (Or When?) you don't need (Or need) a Stage 3

[DJKeys]

I love my Stage 2, but I already pre ordered the Stage 3! I have had the Stage 2 since 2012, and love the new features.

-dj

[Quai34]

Having to program again 6 years from the Stage 2 to the Stage 3 is a big deal for a lot of people...I'm in the same league...For the next 3 years, even next 10, I'm pretty sure there still be more programs proposed on this website for Stage 2/2EX than Stage 3....Someone mentionned a converter? I don't know if it's doable but it will be a big help to upgrade....

[ericL]

I agree that it is a bit nauseating to think about recreating 6 years of pain-staking NS2 Program creation (I have a few hundred sounds over that time period). However, I also think it is an exciting way to learn a new instrument. If/when I get the NS3, I'd keep it at home alongside my NS2 and prioritize new NS3 Program creation based on my most-frequently used NS2 sounds, starting with some of the basics like A/B piano/organ, layered CP70/piano, split templates, etc. Then the basics can be used as starting blocks for new Programs. It will be time-consuming, but a great way to dig way under the hood of the NS3 vs. just plug and play.

[LudovicVDP]

I must say that I bought the 2ex because if you always wait, expecting the new model, you end up buying nothing at all... and I kind of regret it now.

I think it all comes to what you need.
I was using a computer, an awful cheap 88 keys midi controller and the FCB1010 from Behringer. In the beginning, I was even taking the NL2ex with me.
This was two keyboards, the heavy K&M Spider stand, the huge pedal board and a Windows computer with the computer stand to move 1 or twice a week. Sometimes (according to the playlist of the day) for a few notes/sounds here and there.

I wanted a "do-it-all" because, with my poor playing skills, having this set up was a mix between masturbation (2 keyboards for this? Really?) and back pain ("home-car-rehearsal-car-home-car-gig-car-home). That plus relying on a computer... and on Windows (!!). Even with a "music only" computer, I was never fully confident.

I hesitated a lot because I could have 10 synth at the same time with Ableton. Changing without cut with a foot pedal. Perfect for my need.

The NS3 ticks those boxes where the 2ex doesn't (I found work-arounds of course. But still...)

I see you discussing on 2 pages about the Leslie 122 close or not close being a deal breaker. Or the keybed not being good enough. I must admit I don't even know what's the difference between 122 and 122 close. I guess if it would matter I would buy a C2D or the Electro. And for learning piano, I have one at home. I'm not an organ player.I'm not a piano player. And I don't play in a group that needs one. What I want/need is to have my pads not being cut, my foot being able to change programs so my hands can try to do their stuff, to have beautiful piano and synth sounds and to rock some organ sounds which I love (distorted as hell) with "I-don't-care-which-one-as-long-as-it-sounds-good" Leslie. The keybed is already 200x better than my 250 bucks midi controller.

Don't get me wrong. There is no agressivity in my post. Maybe some frustration not to be at the same level as you where those details count.
Simply sayin' here that the NS3 was exactly what I was looking for. It's (almost) what I had with a lots of gears and a computer, in one keyboard.
(I'm only talking about the cover band I'm in. For compositions, I'll stick to the computer and the NL2ex as what I like is more synth centered)

I'll start saving. Hoping the 2EX don't lose too much value so I can sell it in July.

[anotherscott]

Having to program again 6 years from the Stage 2 to the Stage 3 is a big deal for a lot of people...I'm in the same league...For the next 3 years, even next 10, I'm pretty sure there still be more programs proposed on this website for Stage 2/2EX than Stage 3....Someone mentionned a converter? I don't know if it's doable but it will be a big help to upgrade....

I would think that a program converter should easily be able to include...
...all the Slot/Engine/Split info (i.e. Slot 1 has Piano from key X to Y, and so forth)
...all the MIDI EXT functions
...all the organ drawbar/percussion/CV settings (even though they may sound slightly different on the newer organ engine)
...all the piano settings (which piano was used, whether long release was on, etc.)
and effects on the above to the extent that the boards share common effects.

For the synth part of a program, with the synth architecture being so different, that could be a good deal of work if you wanted reasonably precise equivalents, but maybe not to at least get you a good starting point. i.e. it shouldn't be too difficult to bring over things like which sample or which waveform was used (to the extent that the same waveform is available in the NS3), and perhaps at least some basic filter and envelope starting points.

I guess what I'm saying is, I think a converter is very do-able, but with the caveats that some elements can come over exactly, some as rough starting points, and some possibly not at all.

[Quai34]

@anotherscott.
Wel, you seem to be very knowledgeable about how to do a converter, I'm not capable to do it on my own....But even if I have to pay for it, it will be a strong argument for me to upgrade to the NS3...

[anotherscott]

Although I used to do some programming, I wouldn't say I would know how to do the converter, which would probably require some proprietary info that only Nord knows. I'm really just looking at it from a logical perspective... what things are identical or clearly have equivalents between the two boards, versus where there are differences.

[bgaeta]

My Stage 2 also ticks the boxes. I use it with an iPad and OnSong with MIDI add-on which provides me with set lists, ability to play backing tracks, send program changes not just to the NS2 but also to the other machines in my setup (Voicelive and Novation X-station) and display chord charts and lyrics in case I forget them! I use the X-station mainly as a second keyboard playing the NS 2 so that I have access to both the weighted Stage keybed and a lighter action for organ and synth. I use its synth engine only on a few synth-heavy songs.

I have a little bit of GAS for the NS3 especially regarding the extra piano memory and the nice display but it still does not address my biggest annoyances with the NS 2, namely the set pitch bend range, the availability of only 2 synth slots and the limited modulation capabilities of the synth engine. I'd rather spend the money that I would use to upgrade on a replacement for the X-station that would allow multi-timbral use and keyboard splits, and some limited sequencing.

[offrhodes]

I see you discussing on 2 pages about the Leslie 122 close or not close being a deal breaker.

That might have been me. I bought Nord for organ sounds and weight.
Everything else, my ancient Kurzweil 2661 with 2x ROM wins over Nord (IMHO and for my needs - they have programmed much smaller samples to perfection).
If you're not too interested in organ, the closed-mic thing simply doesn't matter to you. Period, stop thinking about it. It matters to me, so much that I own an actual "rotary" unit (and use it too rarely because of transportation and space).
But have a look on the web if interested - miking a "rotary" cabinet is a science and art of its own. There is no single solution that fits all needs, and having two choices is obviously a vast improvement.

Regarding the stage 3, it would essentially double the amount of money I carry around and sometimes must leave unattended when nature calls... For that, the E5 makes more sense, plus it's slightly smaller.

[gibmini]

I guess it depends a lot on your music style. For me, the drawbars are a real turn off. I have a stage 2ex compact and an electro 5d, but I dislike the electro as I don't like not knowing where the drawbars are set when I switch sounds (the tiny screen doesn't give good info on it and it's hidden by other info I need. Not sure I need the a1 sounds for my music, although I am sure they would be nice.

Would have to buy the mid sized stage 3 to get the led drawbars. So for me, probably best to wait for the stage 4, although that could be 5+ years if they release a stage 3ex. Hmmm will revisit in a year or two.