Is it worth buying NS3 now that NS4 is released?

[nriccar]

As far as I know, the main things on NS4 are new effects, having drawbars in all models, triple sensor on the keybend (although is the same one), poly arpeggios, new sound engine organization, presets (and lack of song list). Am I missing something? What do you think?

The NS3 and NS4 differences are discussed in detail in the huge "NORD STAGE 4 officially announced for February 16th 2023" thread. Different people will find different NS4 features compelling, while others may still prefer NS3. For my own use, the things that might sway me to the NS4 would be the preset library (which, in conjunction with the additional effects capabilities, should make it much easier to re-use your customized sounds in different combinations), the 3rd synth engine (meaning you can now do LH bass and still have two other sounds to work with that aren't a piano or organ), the return of 8 program buttons (instead of 5), what looks like a more flexible MIDI implementation, and I think a nicer implementation of some basic synth parameters, specifically the vibrato and envelope options. And just the general operational ergonomics seems like it might work better for me. But other people may find other differences more important. Or not care much about any of them. NS3 is still a great board.

Yes.. It seems the main selling points are effects and 3 synth layers, plus the option of the 73 HA keys.

I wouldn’t prioritize the triple sensor too much, I think that if you have an expressive touch two sensors would feel enough.

I’ll test NS4 on a local store tomorrow. We’l see!

[cphollis]

I remind people that the NS3 was generally regarded as the best performance-oriented board right up to the day of the NS4 announcement. They didn't get any worse that day.

As soon as distribution starts to flow on the NS4 (generally a few months for a new product to become widely available), you'll see all sorts of better deals on NS3s, new and used. Are the differences worth the increased cost? That's for you to say.

It's different if you already own a NS3, because while you may appreciate the many thoughtful improvements with the NS4, what you're already playing is pretty darn good as well The NS2 owners felt the same way about the NS3 for a while, and so on.

My NS3s are Compacts, I've never warmed to the previous Stage weighted actions, preferring instead a Nord Piano of some type. The keybed on the shorter NP5 is quite nice for me, and if it's the same on the NS4 that will be a very sweet board indeed.

[EricBarker]

the 3rd synth engine (meaning you can now do LH bass and still have two other sounds to work with that aren't a piano or organ)

This isn't relevant for all occasions, but when I'm playing keyboard bass in a band, I always use a dedicated bass synth like a Moog or BassStation (in my case, a PolyD). I realized a while back that my brain just separates functions better when I split off to a dedicated board. I mount the board differently, which further aids independence, and because it's small, it doesn't really take up any more stage space. I know this won't be true for some people, but at least for me it makes additional synth bass on a Nord kind of a non-issue. I'm new to the NS3C, bought one the day the NS4 was announced, this made it a bit of an awkward decision that I anticipated a certain amount of envy and hesitation. However, the more I look at the NS4C, the more I think I made absolutely the right decision. Maybe if I was getting a HA the physical drawbars would have tipped the balance, but I'm really not feeling a lot of strong feelings toward the Stage4. And that kind of concerns me. At the 6 year mark, it should have been quite an upgrade. But the advancements are very evolutionary at best, and some of the decisions (lack of Song Mode), seem downright regressive.

Apologies for veering OT a bit, but I would add my voice to the growing chorus of people that think the NS3 is absolutely still a contender. Frankly, if it didn't have a number in front of it, and I was told to pick one based on its features, the lack of Song Mode points me right back to the NS3.

[Ivan Jochner]

I would get Stage 3 +Wave 2. Having had this combination and best of the 2 world's. Imho.

Pros:
2 rows of keyboards.
1.5 gig memory instead of 1
Wave2+ A1 synth architecture
4 synth layers in total instead of 3 (Stage 4)

Stage 3 Compact+ Wave 2 used = NS4 price.

[DanielD71]

I would get Stage 3 +Wave 2. Having had this combination and best of the 2 world's. Imho.

Pros:
2 rows of keyboards.
1.5 gig memory instead of 1
Wave2+ A1 synth architecture
4 synth layers in total instead of 3 (Stage 4)

Stage 3 Compact+ Wave 2 used = NS4 price.

I thought about the same thing but the sustain pedal affect all wave 2 layers, they are not sustain independent.
So I’ll get the NS4 but I want to keep my NS3. So it will take may be 2 years to get the NS4, but worth it

To have the combination of different synth type will be great (lead a1 and wave 2).

[DanielD71]

It's hard not to consider an "open-box" NS3 Compact for $3,100 or NS3 88 for $3,700 (US) given the prices of the NS4. As my NS3 covers all my needs, I think my step to a NS4 will be driven by the adventure of working with something new more than anything. With the exception of those who love programming and enjoy digging into a synth's full capabilities, I think anyone else looking at buying their first Stage model might do well to wait on the NS4 and get the NS3 now with the hundreds of free programs and samples available to them, not to mention the expertise of this forum. I think this is especially true for anyone considering an Electro but think they might like having more than just samples to work with. Bottom line, given the price difference to the NS4, I think the NS3 will retain a strong resale value for some time, so the decision to start (and maybe end) there isn't a bad one - it's a great keyboard.

[anotherscott]

the 3rd synth engine (meaning you can now do LH bass and still have two other sounds to work with that aren't a piano or organ)

This isn't relevant for all occasions

Yeah, these things never are.

but when I'm playing keyboard bass in a band, I always use a dedicated bass synth

That's certainly another good option. So many people want everything in the one board though. Whether its for how much stuff they need to cart around, how much setup time they need, how much stage space they need, an aesthetic, whatever. Personally, I'm in a different camp, I pretty much always use two boards, so a "dedicated bass board" would be a third! But again, the need for this even in this situation depends on what someone's choice of "second board" is. If you're adding, say, a Kawai ES110 to your NS3 Compact, largely to have a hammer action to play pianos from, that doesn't help you with moving your LH bass needs out of your Nord. But a different pairing might give you a different solution.

On the NS3, another solution to doing LH bass with two non-piano/non-organ sounds would be to use an EXTERN section to grab a bass sound from something like an iPhone/iPad.

So yeah, there are numerous ways to go. But I still see where having it all self-contained would be an advantage for some.

At the 6 year mark, it should have been quite an upgrade. But the advancements are very evolutionary at best, and some of the decisions (lack of Song Mode), seem downright regressive.

That's pretty much always how it goes, though. NS2-->NS3, E5--<E6, etc., evolutionary, with some steps forward but some steps back. And that's by no means unique to Nord.

[EricBarker]

The problem I’ve faced is I feel a bit stifled by a 2-tier setup. Maybe it’s because for years I used the “Great Wall of Spider Pro”, and found myself always having to peak out to see band mates and audience members. As a front man, it’s sort of a performance killer. I might feel differently if I used a lower-impact 2-tier Zstand or X. But finally my brain said “Enough! Back to 1tier!” So now I typically only play on a single main board and then a small synth to the side.

I’m also a bass player, and I mentally see bass as a different instrument, even if it uses keys instead of strings. I also like to run it through a bass amp instead of PA/monitor, so having it on a completely different rig just feels more natural to me. In bands where I don’t play bass, I just don’t bring it, and that part of my brain turns off.

As for keybed, it’s been an interesting journey. I started on piano, which is still my meat & potatoes. I played on a TP/100LR for years (Arturia Keylab). When I got my Crumar Mojo (TP-80 Waterfall), I found it instantly playable for Rhodes parts, in fact, better than my weighted TP100! I found myself gravitating toward it during gigs. So I made piece with springs. When I was in the market for a Nord, I realized that the Compact would actually do fine for Piano, and I have yet to be disappointed. I know it’s weird, but I just adjust. I also play a bit more sloppy, but in a good way for rock, jazz, and blues. I agree I wouldn’t want to play and Chopin on it, but that’s not really what I’m doing these days.

[anotherscott]

Yes, when I do LH bass, I usually route it separately to a bass amp, it does seem to add authenticity.

As for a 2-board stack, I keep the boards very close together. The front of the top keyboard usually actually rests directly on the rear of the bottom keyboard.

[harmonizer]

..... NS3 is still a great board.

I couldn't agree more!