Nord User Forum

I currently own a Stage 4 73 HA and would like to add a second Nord with Waterfall keys. I like the more affordable option of adding an Electro 6D, but NS4 options such as aftertouch, morphing and sliders vs knobs for the volume controls, etc are some of the items that are steering me to a second NS4. I am already familiar with navigating the Stage 4. Am I crazy for considering two Stage 4s at an additional 2k?

No, not crazy -- I played with two NS3s for a while, it was fun. I, as well as others, prefer the dual setup with unweighted keybed on top and weighted keybed below.

However, most of us start with the NS4C (unweighted) on top vs the weighted NS4 73 HA. It's not hard to find a good weighted controller to complement the NS4C -- mine is a short NP5 that does double-duty for trio gigs.

Going the other way, it's going to be harder to find an unweighted B3-style controller for your NS4 73 HA. You'll have to map all the controls to your NS4, as well as "drive" from the bottom board, and not the top one which is much more visible.

So, if it were me, I'd swap the NS4 73 HA for a NS4C and then add the weighted controller below of your choice -- Studiologic Casio, et. al.

FYI I've been playing with my dual controller rig for a few years -- it suits me perfectly and I have no desire to change it. That's worth something right there

Thank you for your feedback.
Yes, agreed – weighted on the bottom (NS4 73 HA) and unweighted on top. I'd like to keep that board.
I'm just wondering if I can get used to the limited controls on the Electro 6D for the top board.

martypy wrote: ↑10 Jun 2025, 14:21 I currently own a Stage 4 73 HA and would like to add a second Nord with Waterfall keys. I like the more affordable option of adding an Electro 6D, but NS4 options such as aftertouch, morphing and sliders vs knobs for the volume controls, etc are some of the items that are steering me to a second NS4.

You could also consider a used compact model of Nord Stage 3 (or even an older Stage). And those volume knobs are actually better than the NS4 sliders, because they are endless rotary controls (still with LED indicators), so they always adjust perfectly smoothly from their current position.

martypy wrote: ↑10 Jun 2025, 15:31 Thank you for your feedback.
Yes, agreed – weighted on the bottom (NS4 73 HA) and unweighted on top. I'd like to keep that board.
I'm just wondering if I can get used to the limited controls on the Electro 6D for the top board.

That setup wouldn't work for me at all.

First, I've gotten used to controlling everything from a single top board, which helps a lot if you're in a band and have to dash from song to song -- you just advance one program and you're set vs. adjusting two boards which would have to have coordinated programs

The second drawback is that I use mod wheel, pitch bend for synth stuff, and all that would be on my bottom board, not my top one. Also, trying to use aftertouch on a weighted keybed was a no go for me -- I kept inadvertently firing it off -- much more controllable on the unweighted actions.

I had exactly this combination: NS4_73HA and NE6D_61... The (brandnew) Electro was not able to satisfy me - even that I had a NE5_73compact before (and was happy with it)... On the NE6D61 only Organ Playing was fine, but the Keybed is to "strange" for Piano-Playing (compared to the Stage4HA below) and it has no aftertouch, Mod-Wheel or Pitch-Bend for Synths... So I sold it again as fast as I could... Now I take a FANTOM-06 or even my old MX49 above the NS4... The MX49 appeares as swiss-pocket-tool, as it gives me everything I probably miss on the NS4...

... but to be honest - a combi NS4_73HA and NS4_73compact above would be a dream...