Nord User Forum

I'm looking for a keyboard for a new situation I'm in. I currently own a Yamaha Motif ES7 that has served me okay for some of the rock and pop music I play but I now involved in Jazz Quartet and am severely struggling without a weighted keyboard. The sounds I need are primary piano, Rhodes, Jazz organ and vintage syth lead sounds. I've been going through various forums looking at opinions on the Roland RD and Yamaha CP line. Every once in a while comparisons come up with Nord but there always seem to be a lot of hesitancy and bashing of the Nord weighted action although there is a lot of praise for the sound.

I know this crowd has a bias like everyone else but I would like some feedback on the current 88 action and perhaps some speculation on the new Nord 2 new keyboard. Also I've been looking at the RD700NX and Yamaha CP5 which is around US $2500 the Nord II will fall over $4,000. Is there significant justification for that cost when it comes to the basic functionality I'm seeking? One last goofy question, has anyone been questioned or had funny looks from a lounge manager when they see a "red" keyboard, specially if in a solo jazz situation?

Thank you for your time.

Well... first I am not truly a gigging musician. But whenever friends come over to make recordings they all go like "coool man, you got a red keyboard!", most people tend to like them so far in my experience.

About the sound, the expense is justified only if you want some of the best sounds out there. There is really little competition for the excelent Organ, Rhodes sounds and the immediacy of the synth section. The Pianos are far better than anything from korg and much more real than anything from roland, altough Roland´s pianos do sound good to me, but not REAL.

The keybed is a Fatar keybed, who also make Kurzweil´s, Novation´s and have their own line of controllers. If you´ve played any of those you´d realize they are very good quality. The feel is not exactly a Piano, but that´s better since those that are closer to the piano feel are much heavier, its a compromise you make for portability, specially good if there are no roadies! another thing is that the 76 key version is also weighted so that you if you do not need the 88 keys, its a nice compromise both for reducing its cost and improving portability.

While the Nord Stage is definitely full of compromises, its a superb sounding, lightweight and cool looking keyboard. Arguing its bad for lack of features is like saying a Moog is a bad synth. Sometimes being limited helps.

If I were you, I´d choose between

grabbing one of the used Nord Stages people are selling, most of which are in great conditions, that should go around $2000 to $2500 USD.

OR buying a Nord Stage 2. Do NOT go for a NSEX new. If you can afford it, go for the NS2, it´s got a superior Organ (same as Nord C2) plus has the ability to play samples, having available the whole chamberlin and mellotron library.

I would only go for a used NS if you cannot truly justify the cost and do not need samples. No need for samples = 2000 USD less :P

TBH there´s stuff that can be good alternatives, so if the lack of features and bell and whistle sounds turn you off, I´d go the Korg KRONO´s way. I have tried the RH3 keybed action, and IMO its way better than the NS but also much heavier. Anything else in the market is just not worth it IMO

Gustavo wrote:Well... first I am not truly a gigging musician. But whenever friends come over to make recordings they all go like "coool man, you got a red keyboard!", most people tend to like them so far in my experience.

About the sound, the expense is justified only if you want some of the best sounds out there. There is really little competition for the excelent Organ, Rhodes sounds and the immediacy of the synth section. The Pianos are far better than anything from korg and much more real than anything from roland, altough Roland´s pianos do sound good to me, but not REAL.

The keybed is a Fatar keybed, who also make Kurzweil´s, Novation´s and have their own line of controllers. If you´ve played any of those you´d realize they are very good quality. The feel is not exactly a Piano, but that´s better since those that are closer to the piano feel are much heavier, its a compromise you make for portability, specially good if there are no roadies! another thing is that the 76 key version is also weighted so that you if you do not need the 88 keys, its a nice compromise both for reducing its cost and improving portability.

While the Nord Stage is definitely full of compromises, its a superb sounding, lightweight and cool looking keyboard. Arguing its bad for lack of features is like saying a Moog is a bad synth. Sometimes being limited helps.

If I were you, I´d choose between

grabbing one of the used Nord Stages people are selling, most of which are in great conditions, that should go around $2000 to $2500 USD.

OR buying a Nord Stage 2. Do NOT go for a NSEX new. If you can afford it, go for the NS2, it´s got a superior Organ (same as Nord C2) plus has the ability to play samples, having available the whole chamberlin and mellotron library.

I would only go for a used NS if you cannot truly justify the cost and do not need samples. No need for samples = 2000 USD less :P

TBH there´s stuff that can be good alternatives, so if the lack of features and bell and whistle sounds turn you off, I´d go the Korg KRONO´s way. I have tried the RH3 keybed action, and IMO its way better than the NS but also much heavier. Anything else in the market is just not worth it IMO

Thank you for the reply it was really helpful. I think my plan at this point is to keep my eye open for a real supper deal on a used NS8, if not I will wait for the reviews to come in on NS2 and make my decision then.

rickshapiro wrote: Thank you for the reply it was really helpful. I think my plan at this point is to keep my eye open for a real supper deal on a used NS8, if not I will wait for the reviews to come in on NS2 and make my decision then.

Glad to help :D