Nord piano 5 + synth vs Nord stage 4

[rullgardin]

Hi! Im wondering what you would choose: a Nord piano 5 + a dedicated synth (for example a Roland System 8 or a Sequential Prophet rev 2) or the Nord Stage 4? Btw, I don't really need the organ section on the Nord stage 4.

[cphollis]

If you truly don't need the organ section of the NS4, nor the piano sounds via the NP5 -- well, yeah, I'd consider a dedicated synth, one of the ones you mention, or perhaps a Wave 2. It all depends on what type of material you're covering.

Another setup to consider (mine) would be to use the NS4 as a primary board with an external controller. One of the advantages of that setup is you've got a single control surface for everything, including mixing and FX. Even if you're not an organ player, I find organ tones very useful as a pad behind piano, synth, horns, etc.

The faders and FX section alone on the NS4 have proven to be very useful to me. Since I cover 60s-90s, having access to organ tones is something I need.

[rullgardin]

Thank you for your quick reply! I won't be using the organ section on the NS4 very much, but i will definitely use the piano sounds on the NP5.

Your solution is sounds like a good idea, i have midi controller which i can use to play the sounds from the NS4 synth engine. But i'm wondering if the built in synth section on the NS4 sounds as good as a system 8 or porphet rev 2, or maybe a udo super 6 (which is on sale in my country right now)

[rullgardin]

But i'm wondering if the built in synth section on the NS4 sounds as good as a system 8 or porphet rev 2, or maybe a udo super 6 (which is on sale in my country right now)

You are comparing Virtual Analogs (NS4 and System 8) and Real Analogs (Prophet REV2 and UDO Super 6) which are of course different and besides that each one has its own sound and features (last not least polyphony).

The "sounds as good" or "better" or "worse" is highly subjective, only you can tell which of the would you prefer (luckily there are plenty of demos on the YT to get an idea of how each of them sound)

It all depends on what type of material you're covering.

This is key, the choice of a synth depends mainly on the expected usage and genre(s) played.
For example: are you planning to use samples/realistic sounds? Then only NS4 synth allows that (of the 4 you mentioned).
Are you instead into Electronic music and synthesis/sound programming? Then maybe the N4 synth is not the most ideal of those 4 as it is a relatively simplified/limited one (etc...)

[rullgardin]

But i'm wondering if the built in synth section on the NS4 sounds as good as a system 8 or porphet rev 2, or maybe a udo super 6 (which is on sale in my country right now)

You are comparing Virtual Analogs (NS4 and System 8) and Real Analogs (Prophet REV2 and UDO Super 6) which are of course different and besides that each one has its own sound and features (last not least polyphony).

The "sounds as good" or "better" or "worse" is highly subjective, only you can tell which of the would you prefer (luckily there are plenty of demos on the YT to get an idea of how each of them sound)

It all depends on what type of material you're covering.

This is key, the choice of a synth depends mainly on the expected usage and genre(s) played.
For example: are you planning to use samples/realistic sounds? Then only NS4 synth allows that (of the 4 you mentioned).
Are you instead into Electronic music and synthesis/sound programming? Then maybe the N4 synth is not the most ideal of those 4 as it is a relatively simplified/limited one (etc...)

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'm mostly into electronic music and synthesis/sound programming and not so much samples/realistic sounds (maybe some mellotron sounds). I've watched a lot of YT videos of the synths i mention, but i haven't found many good videos that cover the synth section on the NS4. Most of the videos mainly focus on organ, piano and maybe some pads/strings to layer with the piano section.

[cphollis]

The synth section on the NS4 is derived from the Wave 2, and there's plenty of videos on that one. You can get a feel for its capabilities, although the two are not identical.

[rullgardin]

The synth section on the NS4 is derived from the Wave 2, and there's plenty of videos on that one. You can get a feel for its capabilities, although the two are not identical.

Ok, thanks for the info! I will check out some Wave 2 videos Also, you're saying they are not identical, what are the main differences?

[rullgardin]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'm mostly into electronic music and synthesis/sound programming and not so much samples/realistic sounds (maybe some mellotron sounds). I've watched a lot of YT videos of the synths i mention, but i haven't found many good videos that cover the synth section on the NS4. Most of the videos mainly focus on organ, piano and maybe some pads/strings to layer with the piano section.

If that‘s your intention why don‘t you just look for a Wave 2? If 5 octaves is enough then I would guess this instrument can make it all.

Cheers from Germany

[rullgardin]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'm mostly into electronic music and synthesis/sound programming and not so much samples/realistic sounds (maybe some mellotron sounds). I've watched a lot of YT videos of the synths i mention, but i haven't found many good videos that cover the synth section on the NS4. Most of the videos mainly focus on organ, piano and maybe some pads/strings to layer with the piano section.

If that‘s your intention why don‘t you just look for a Wave 2? If 5 octaves is enough then I would guess this instrument can make it all.

Cheers from Germany

I still want pianos and electric pianos, but other realistic sounds like strings, brass, guitars and so on are not important.

[rullgardin]

Ah I see. Then I‘d go with the Piano 5 plus a versatile synth like the Prophet - if money doesn‘t matter - or perhaps a Behringer Deep Mind which saves a lot.

Good luck, curious to follow your way.