Nord Stage 4 OS update

[Matt-new]

https://www.nordkeyboards.com/update-hi ... e-history/

OS v1.52 (2025-08-21)
Introduced “Control” option for Left and Middle pedal of Nord Triple Pedal 2
- This setting is found under “Triple Pedal Function” in the Pedal menu, for the Left and Middle pedals respectively
-When active, this feature allows for mirroring the control pedal morph functionality using the Left and/or the Middle pedal of the Triple Pedal 2
Settings for Nord Triple Pedal 1 (TP-1) and Nord Triple Pedal 2 (TP-2) are now separate. TP-1 settings are made on the Sustain Pedal menu page (with Type set to TP-1) and TP-2 settings are made on the Triple Pedal menu page.
Updates to Vox organ model, with more authentic reproduction of treble range for certain registers
Improved key onset character for Vox and Farf organ models
Implemented KB Zone setting for Extern, where an Extern Layer is not assigned to the internal keyboard. This is indicated by only the left- and rightmost KB Zone LEDs being lit
Introduced List functionality for Analog waveforms
The “User Assigned” setting in Pedal menu was renamed to “Panel Assigned”
It is now possible to set the Aux KB and Extern MIDI channels to the same channel number. This enables using both features in conjunction, with a single external unit.
Flanger effect could be non-functional for Piano B on Program Load. Fixed
Synth Layers with missing sample, i.e. “sample not found” would still produce sound, using a previously selected sample instead. The layer is now silent when in this state
Half Moon Switch setting was present (but non-functional) on 88 and 73 models. This is now only present for Compact model
Changing Rotary speed using the Half Moon Switch, on Compact model, would not always produce the correct panel/LED state in correspondence with the selected speed. Fixed

[ESFlash]

Quick Question regarding:

Half Moon Switch setting was present (but non-functional) on 88 and 73 models. This is now only present for Compact model

I have a S4 HA 73 with a half moon -- with 1.46 firmware.

My half moon currently gives me: left slow -- middle fast and right fast -- (no middle stop)

If I "upgrade" to 1.52, does the above statement mean I lose my existing half moon functionality?

==== Thanks

[WannitBBBad]

Quick Question regarding:

Half Moon Switch setting was present (but non-functional) on 88 and 73 models. This is now only present for Compact model

I have a S4 HA 73 with a half moon -- with 1.46 firmware.

My half moon currently gives me: left slow -- middle fast and right fast -- (no middle stop)

If I "upgrade" to 1.52, does the above statement mean I lose my existing half moon functionality?

==== Thanks

It doesn't mention the middle stop, but the previous OS can be loaded if the new one doesn't meet your expectations.

[glombi]

I don’t think I need any of these „updates“. Some sound very confusing. Non of the functionalty that I hoped for. Very disapointing. After waiting one year, I was hoping for something substential…

[SuperStage]

Can someone explain the "Implemented KB Zone setting for Extern, where an Extern Layer is not assigned to the internal keyboard. This is indicated by only the left- and rightmost KB Zone LEDs being lit"?

[anotherscott]

Can someone explain the "Implemented KB Zone setting for Extern, where an Extern Layer is not assigned to the internal keyboard. This is indicated by only the left- and rightmost KB Zone LEDs being lit"?

It sounds like it restores a nice NS3 functionality: A Nord Program could send a Program Change to an external device without also requiring that some Nord keys be assigned to trigger that device (e.g. in the event that you'll only be playing a second board from its own keys, but want it to be set to the sound you need for that song, without having to do an additional patch recall procedure on that second board... calling up the patch you need for that song on the Nord would simultaneously give you the Nord sounds you want *and* set your other board for the sound you need there as well).

[SuperStage]

It sounds like it restores a nice NS3 functionality: A Nord Program could send a Program Change to an external device without also requiring that some Nord keys be assigned to trigger that device (e.g. in the event that you'll only be playing a second board from its own keys, but want it to be set to the sound you need for that song, without having to do an additional patch recall procedure on that second board... calling up the patch you need for that song on the Nord would simultaneously give you the Nord sounds you want *and* set your other board for the sound you need there as well).

sending program change set in extern menu did already work with previous OS’s, which kept the synth sounds active without switching to extern.
This new setting only adds the possibility to send CCs with the screen encoders, while Extern is active.

My first guess was that they “fixed” the extern mode to be separately usable while playing synth sounds… but no, this is not the case..

[ESFlash]

Over the years, I've learned, the hard way, that doing a SW or FirmWare upgrade, just because it was released is often a road to be avoided; especially if I have no serious issues with the present state of functionality & operation ..... at least for me. YMMV

There's nothing on the 1.52 upgrade list of fixes that rattles my cage

-- the main thing I wanted to see was full functionality Slow/STOP/Fast for the optional half moon toggle; instead of Slow/Fast/Fast. And now it looks like they removed all half moon functionality should someone want to add it to their HA S4.

BTW I installed my toggle using double sided mounting tape rated at 60 lbs /sq-inch shear strength; never had any issues with that method and the switch coming loose.

Annyway, perhaps someone with a HA S4, that has a half moon, can confirm what happens when 1.52 is installed.

[SuperStage]

Over the years, I've learned, the hard way, that doing a SW or FirmWare upgrade, just because it was released is often a road to be avoided; especially if I have no serious issues with the present state of functionality & operation ..... at least for me. YMMV

There's nothing on the 1.52 upgrade list of fixes that rattles my cage

-- the main thing I wanted to see was full functionality Slow/STOP/Fast for the optional half moon toggle; instead of Slow/Fast/Fast. And now it looks like they removed all half moon functionality should someone want to add it to their HA S4.

BTW I installed my toggle using double sided mounting tape rated at 60 lbs /sq-inch shear strength; never had any issues with that method and the switch coming loose.

Annyway, perhaps someone with a HA S4, that has a half moon, can confirm what happens when 1.52 is installed.

Nothing has actually changed with regards to Half Moon support on HA NS4s (i.e. "no support" as the option was already "non functional" on previous OS), what you currently see is already the behavior where the HM is acting just as a single switch when used on a NS4 HA73/88 (i.e. just like any on/off pedal), they just removed the visibility of the Half Moon option from the System menu of HA models in order to avoid any confusion.

The other improvements/fixes are probably worth the upgrade, but otoh you may as well decide to wait until this new OS is well tested (by other users)

[ESFlash]

Thanks MaxPiano .... good info