Stage 3 Rivals?

[Deleted User 31551]

Hello,

What would you point as Stage 3 rivals? And, is there any comparison chart avaialble?

All I'm getting is workstations as the montage but I think they are serving different purposes.



Thanks!

[anotherscott]

Hammond SK Pro 61, 73

Yamaha YC61, YC73, YC88

Roland Fantom 6, 7, 8

[analogika]

The YC’s are closer to the Electro than to the Stage.

If you’re going there, there is also the Vox Continental.

[Nord33]

Roland Fantom 6, 7, 8

I think that Fantom is not even close to Nord Stage 3. Fantom is closer to the workstation type keyboard. So those two are not comparable (I mean, there are some similarities, and Roland can do almost all things Nord can do - and even more, but achieving it in completely different way)

As of Yamaha YC --> NS3 can easily eat her for the breakfast

[anotherscott]

The YC’s are closer to the Electro than to the Stage.

If you’re going there, there is also the Vox Continental.

People can draw the lines in different places. I'd say the Vox is probably farther from the Stage than even the VR09 is.

But here are NS3 features that the YCs have that the Electro lacks (while being a comparably "hands-on" board):
* pitch and modulation controls
* monophonic synth mode with portamento
* filter sweep
* the ability to split/layer sounds without one of the sounds having to be a piano or organ
* control over external MIDI zones
* availability of an 88 key version
* endless encoders with LED rings for the section volume controls (to indicate their current positions and prevent jumps when adjusting)

I think that's enough to say it is somewhat a Stage competitor, especially since some of those are significant reasons why some people choose to buy the NS3 over the Electro.

It also does some things that, not just the Electro, but even the Stage 3 can't do...
* multisampled non-piano instruments
* completely adjustable split point
* 4 MIDI zones instead of 2
* simultaneous drawbars and LED indicators (each Nord has either one or the other, never both)
* endless encoders with LED rings for effects (and some other functions), to indicate their current positions and prevent jumps when adjusting (the Stage had those for effects on the 2/2EX, but lost them in the transition to the 3)

Though sure, it is also missing some NS3 features... most notably:
* the complete VA synth
* aftertouch
* custom sample loading
* more flexible output routing

There are obviously no one-to-one perfect equivalents among any of these boards. But based on the above, I would say that someone looking at an NS3 could well also consider a YC, depending on what key features are drawing them to the NS3 over the Electro in the first place.

[anotherscott]

I think that Fantom is not even close to Nord Stage 3.

I added Fantom because, with the recent update, it has become one of the very few boards that give you simulatenous access to a full set of clonewheel organ controls AND a substantial set of dedicated VA synth controls. In fact, when it comes to polyphonic synth, I think it is the ONLY current board other than the NS3 that offers this (though the SK Pro has it for mono synth). But I have not yet had the opportunity to work with the Fantom myself.

As of Yamaha YC --> NS3 can easily eat her for the breakfast

see my previous post.

[st2ex]

I think Korg Kronos to be a real competitive keyboard.

[Valpurgis]

Though sure, it is also missing some NS3 features... most notably:
* the complete VA synth
* aftertouch
* custom sample loading
* more flexible output routing

You forget that the NS3 has two panels, 6 vs 3 sections for the YC. Also think the morphing functions on the NS3 is way more flexible. The restriction to only two audio outputs on the YC also makes it irrelevant as an NS3 rival for someone like me often using a real Leslie with the NS3.

[analogika]

I think Korg Kronos to be a real competitive keyboard.

Having used a Kronos for a year, I don't consider them "competitors", per se — they're different categories in my view, sort of like a 7.5-ton truck is not a "competitor" to a pickup.

There is certainly some overlap, but the things either of them are best at really aren't the targets the other is aimed at.

[maxpiano]

Maybe we could mention also the recently introduced Viscount Legend70's family as a NS competitor, at least as far as hammer action models are concerned, though the Legend 70's is a different concept, with its modular design and at the moment it is still lacking an organ clone module, but Viscount has it in its Legend organs so they may add also to the 70's or better just get a Legend Exp(ander) and put it on top of the 70's (so you get the drawbars too)