NORD STAGE 4 officially announced for February 16th 2023

[SuperStage]

nord stage 4

A new generation of our iconic flagship series.
With an intuitive new panel design, a premium triple sensor keybed, complete effect sections for each layer and massive enhancements to our award-winning technologies, the Nord Stage 4 sets a new standard.

THE NEW EXPERIENCE
The Nord Stage 4 features a brand new panel design with dedicated LED faders for each Layer, providing exceptional overview and flexibility when creating sounds and performing live. The new Preset Library is packed with inspiring ready-to-use Piano, Synth and Organ sounds for quick and smooth patch creation.

The Layer Scene lets you seamlessly switch between two different sound setups at the touch of a button. Adding a powerful new Effect section coupled with versatile pedal options and a premium Triple Sensor keybed, the Nord Stage 4 offers a new level of musical expression.

THE PIANO
The Nord Stage 4 comes with a new enhanced collection of Grands, Uprights and Electric Pianos from our exclusive Nord Piano Library combined with new features such as Dynamic compression and Unison.

• Enhanced collection of Uprights, Grands, EPs and more
• Dynamic Compression
• Unison feature
• Creative Timbre presets

THE SYNTH
The Synth section with its three independent Layers is based on the powerful Nord Wave 2 Synth Engine, including Virtual Analog synthesis, Samples, FM and Digital Waves. An extensive new collection of samples from the Nord Sample Library offers a broad sonic palette of Strings, Bass, Choirs, Guitars and much more. The advanced Arpeggiator features new Polyphonic, Gate and Pattern modes and can be used for a huge variety of rhythmic applications with customizable patterns.

• Nord Wave 2 Synth Engine
• 3 independent Synth Layers
• Doubled sample memory
• Enhanced samples with Tru-Vibrato, Unison and Round Robin
• Extensive real time controls
• Advanced Arpeggiator with Polyphonic, Gate and Pattern modes
• Extern mode for advanced MIDI control

THE ORGAN
The Organ section features our award-winning simulations of 83 Tonewheel, 83 Bass, classic Vox and Farfisa as well as two Pipe Organ models. All Stage 4 models are equipped with our new Physical drawbars with LED indicators for optimal hands-on experience and overview.

• Award-winning organ simulations of B3, Vox/Farfisa and Pipe Organ models
• Physical drawbars with LED indicators
• New B3 Bass mode
• Drawbar Live mode
• Model 122 Vintage Rotary Speaker with normal or close mic positions

THE EFFECTS
The Nord Stage 4 has a powerful new Effect section offering a complete setup of Effects for each Layer. The extensive range of Effects includes a new Pump effect for tempo synced or pedal controlled side chain modulation, a new Spin effect and brand new variations of Reverb, Delay, Amps and Modulation effects.

• Dedicated Effect section per Layer
• New Variations for Modulation, Amp, Delay and Reverb Effects
• New Spring, Booth and Cathedral Reverb
• New Pump effect
• New Spin effect
• New Flam and Space Delay

THE MODELS
The Nord Stage 4 comes in three models:

Nord Stage 4 88 with a fully weighted Triple Sensor keybed (A-CJ with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators.

Nord Stage 4 73 with a fully weighted Triple Sensor keybed (E-E) with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators.

Nord Stage 4 Compact with a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall Triple Sensor keybed (E-E) with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators.

THE PEDALS
Our new range of premium pedals are equipped with continuous sensors for optimal dynamic control. The left and middle pedals of the Nord Triple Pedal 2 can be assigned to control the Pump effect, Layer Scenes, Program Changes, Rotor Speed and more. Both pedals give you access to the Pedal Noise and Half Damping features of the Piano section.

Nord Triple Pedal 2
• Continuous sensors for maximum control
• Pedal Noise and Half Damping
• Can be assigned to control Layer Scene 11, Pump, Tap Tempo, Synth Vibrato,
• Program Up/Dn and Rotor Speed

Nord Sustain Pedal 2
• Continuous sensor for maximum control
• Pedal Noise and Half Damping
• Can be assigned to control Rotor Speed or used as a Morph source

[MaxCapruz]

Song mode?
Rotary to organ, only?

[Spider]

There are already about 4-5 threads discussing every detail about this, was it really necessary to open a new one?

[NoDirection]

Prices Sweetwater
NS4 HA88: 5699 USD
NS4 HA73: 5399 USD
NS4 Compact : 4899 USD

I really hope for better prices after a while. Normally prices here in Norway are lower than the US

[SuperStage]

Nice. But for me the organ section is the most important, so I expected much more...

Agreed, the organ sections look relatively unchanged with the exception of the new B3 Bass mode, Drawbar LED indicators and separate volume sliders. Looks like I'm keeping my vent. I do like that they got rid of the panels and now provide separate a/b selection for organ/piano/synth sections with individual volume sliders. The synth and effects look like a big improvement.

[Spider]

The piano and organ sections are essentially the same, I can see no mention of really meaningful differences except the new pedals for better piano expressivity. There's an interesting "Angle" option for the Leslie, probably to adjust the angle of the mics directly from the front panel. Not a huge thing, but nice to have.

Unfortunately the connectivity appears to be the same too: "only" 4 outs (no dedicated out per instrument), no audio over USB and/or USB-Audio interface, no proper Audio In (1/4" or XLR, possibly stereo), no XLR outs etc.
Given that we now have 3 Extern zones with full controls, I was even half-hoping for 3 separate MIDI outs. That would've made the NS4 one incredible controller and centerpiece for a studio or live setup. And with more MIDI ports one could've been used for a bass pedalboard to go with the new "B3 Bass" option... Well, better luck next time.
And unless it's been moved to the menus, it looks like we lost the Song Mode: it only lasted for one iteration of the Electro and Stage, who knows why Clavia hated it so much? To me it was a huge improvement in managing a set list...

The big improvements are concentrated in the synth and effect sections, which are totally new and MUCH more powerful: we have 150% more synths (3 layers instead of 2) and 300% more effects (6 sections instead of 2)!

And finally we have new keybeds: no more compromising with the infamous HP action!
I wonder if the 73 will cannibalize the 88: having exactly the same high-quality action (and if the Nord Piano 5 is any indication, almost exactly the same price), how many will be willing to lug around the bigger and heavier 88?

[kiolbo]

They mentioned Round Robin as a new feature for the synth sections ; it may means this feature will be available for the NW2 as well as I understand the synth engines are the same, with less control on the NS4

[emergingstates]

Nord always give and always take

[Patozzi]

It is disappointing to me that the organ seciton has not been improved in any significant way. The synth section looks great, of course. But the organ is important to me. So overall a bit of a disappointment for me.

[mircolord]

I want to try it out!