Nord User Forum

I recently had the opportunity to play on a Nord Stage 4 88, but found that the keybed didn't feel quite as high-quality as my Nord Piano 5.
The feel of the keybed is also different than on the NP5, probably also because of the aftertouch function. (keyword: pressure point)

At least there's hope that the NS 4 isn't as prone to errors as it is this one from the predecessor..., keyword: rickety keys. (At least that's what I heard from my music dealer...)

Just to expand the information content of this posting or what I just found, there was already a similar posting here in the past:


Keys on stage 4 88 vs piano 5 88 :

https://www.norduserforum.com/post16998 ... 0h#p169988

Piano 5 and Stage 4 use the same keybed but have different weight to them. High quality also does not equal preference in feel. Out of the Yamaha and Korg digital pianos I've played the Stage 4 is easily my favorite. Yamaha for me was too heavy and felt sluggish, while the Korg Sv 2 I owned felt great with a bit more weight than the Stage 4. Stage 4 is perfect for me

Xerosnake90 wrote:Piano 5 and Stage 4 use the same keybed but have different weight to them. High quality also does not equal preference in feel. Out of the Yamaha and Korg digital pianos I've played the Stage 4 is easily my favorite. Yamaha for me was too heavy and felt sluggish, while the Korg Sv 2 I owned felt great with a bit more weight than the Stage 4. Stage 4 is perfect for me

Basically the NP5 and the NS4 are using the same keybed, but with different weight, but also in my in opinion the pressure point is different, which makes a different play experience.

About the Korg SV2, which I also played for a while: You can hardly compare the Korg SV2 keybed (RH-3) with the Nord (Fatar) Keybed TB-40. They are quite different keybeds. The Korg RH-3 keybed is for example for me more cumbersome.

Wolfgang T wrote:Basically the NP5 and the NS4 are using the same keybed, but with different weight, but also in my in opinion the pressure point is different, which makes a different play experience.

One need to keep in mind that the NP5 is a Piano, and the keyed is weighted and customized for this purpose.
The NS4 is a compromise between piano, synth and organ - trying to give all engines a fair (enough) touch.
Therefore you can't compare the two instruments -> it's like comparing apple with grapes.

catosim wrote:
Therefore you can't compare the two instruments

The comparison was made because I might be considering switching from my NP5 to an NS4 and whether I would be happy with the keybed for also good piano playing...

Wolfgang T wrote:The comparison was made because I might be considering switching from my NP5 to an NS4 and whether I would be happy with the keybed for also good piano playing...

Sure, completely understood. I've gone through the same process myself.
I had to decide what was more important; the weighting of the keys or the flexibility of having all the three engines at hand (with no need of any additional keyboard).
The response of the NS4 is quite different than the NP5, for piano. But every acoustic pianos/grands have different key-response as well, though.
In my experience, the NS4 keys are well suited for dynamic and expressive piano-playing. Just need some time to adapt the playing, but this is honestly needed with every new instrument.
the BIG advantage with the NS4 is the total sonic possibilities.

catosim wrote:
In my experience, the NS4 keys are well suited for dynamic and expressive piano-playing. Just need some time to adapt the playing...

Definitely a helpful and useful report/review....

Wolfgang T wrote:

catosim wrote:
Therefore you can't compare the two instruments

The comparison was made because I might be considering switching from my NP5 to an NS4 and whether I would be happy with the keybed for also good piano playing...

As already said above, the NP5 is tailored to piano playing with heavier keys, but the NS4 is a pretty good compromise in my view - I personally like the touch of the NS4 better than the previous NS generations. Works well for me.

I switch between them regularly, and if I only do acoustic piano playing, I may bring the NP5. But for flexibility the NS4 is hard to beat, and it wasn't difficult for me to adjust as you would also do if you change from one real acoustic grand or upright to another. And I don't mind doing a gig with mainly pianos on the NS4.

For EP playing I'm not entirely sure what I prefer...

I think you would be able to adapt pretty quickly if you're an experienced player and have played many different boards over time

Sent from my phone in brevity

baekgaard wrote:
I switch between them regularly...

If you have a selection of different keyboards/stage pianos, that's always the best.

However, you have to be able to afford it (space, financially etc.)

A keyboard for every musical requirement will always be a certain compromise.