Which keybeds are shared between the different models?

[Syne Cosyne Dan]

I'm in the market for a Nord Stage 2 so I went over to my local Sam Ash to try some out some of the Nords. They didn't have a stage 2 but I knew they had a few other Nords I could compare it to. Now I know the Nords have all the functions I want but one of the biggest selling points for me is the keyboard action. No matter how good a keyboard is, if the keys don't feel right beneath my fingers, it's usually out the door in a matter of weeks.

I tried out the Electro 3, Electro 4 Hp, and the Nord Piano it became a case of Goldilocks. My impressions are that I found the Electro 3 keys very clacky and a little stouter and rounder than regular keys. I definitely prefer the synth action on my Roland's than I do on the Electros. The action felt a bit unnatural on the press and release. The action on the Electro 4 Hp was a bit nicer but just ok for me. The Nord Piano felt amazing though! It was just right.

With the info I have now in deciding which Nord Stage to get, I have a few questions.

-Is the semiweighted action and key shape of the Nord Stage 2 SW 73 compact similar to that the Electro 3 or are there any improvements between generations?

-Does the action on the Stage 2 76 and 88 have the same action as the Nord Piano?

[Mr_-G-]

Well you need to do a bit of reading. From the Nord site:
The Stage 2 comes in three models: The Stage 2 HA88 and Stage 2 HA76 feature our new top-of-the-line fully weighted Hammer Action keyboard. The Stage 2 SW73 features a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard. Apart from the keyboard type and the number of accessories available, all three models have identical features.
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?t ... rd_Stage_2

[Syne Cosyne Dan]

One difference is that the actions in the Stage have aftertouch, which probably slightly affects how the action feels in general.

I had tried an Electro 3 in the store and bought the Stage 2 SW73. I couldn't tell a difference in the action, and there is definitely no specific improvement. (It was OK for me though, except that I would sometimes prefer it to be a bit lighter.)

I've found a thread about the Nord Piano vs. Stage 2 actions: http://www.norduserforum.com/general-no ... t1913.html. It doesn't have a definite answer, though.

[mjbrands]

If Sam Ash had the 88-key Kurzweil PC3 K8, you could see how the keys feel on that and compare it to the Nord Piano 2. The Nord Stage 2 and that specific Kurzweil use the same keybed and this should allow you to get an idea of the difference between the Stage 2 (with aftertouch) and the Piano 2 (without). As mentioned, the way the keys bottom out on a keybed with aftertouch feels different (a bit more mushy/non-piano like).

[anotherscott]

If Sam Ash had the 88-key Kurzweil PC3 K8, you could see how the keys feel on that and compare it to the Nord Piano 2. The Nord Stage 2 and that specific Kurzweil use the same keybed

I don't think that's true. I think the Kurz uses the TP40L while the NS2 uses the slightly heavier TP40M.

[Syne Cosyne Dan]

I had no idea there were so many different models of Fatar keybed! I was accustomed to hearing about several models using fatars and assumed there was only one kind of fatar keybed. After flipping through the Nord site a bit longer and rereading the specs, I realize now that I don't need all the bells and whistles of the Stage 2 and the Nord Piano itself covers everything I want. My top priority was the keybed but the only features I cared about were splits, layers, and access to the Nord Sample library. The Nord Piano 2 seems to cover all of that with none of the extras. I also didn't realize that aftertouch made the action more mushy meaning that no afterouch is actually a plus for me. I can worry about aftertouch on my dedicated synth but not so much for my stage piano.

This is starting to become unrelated to the Nord Stage subforum but I've just got one more question. Does the Nord Piano 2 have the same exact keybed components of the Nord Piano 1? If so, I think I've got my go to keyboard.

[mjbrands]

If Sam Ash had the 88-key Kurzweil PC3 K8, you could see how the keys feel on that and compare it to the Nord Piano 2. The Nord Stage 2 and that specific Kurzweil use the same keybed

I don't think that's true. I think the Kurz uses the TP40L while the NS2 uses the slightly heavier TP40M.

Yup, but mechanically they're the same, so bottoming out on the aftertouch strip will feel pretty much the same on both.

[mjbrands]

This is starting to become unrelated to the Nord Stage subforum but I've just got one more question. Does the Nord Piano 2 have the same exact keybed components of the Nord Piano 1? If so, I think I've got my go to keyboard.

Only Clavia can say for certain, but it appears they do. I'm convinced they do, but that's my opinion; I can think of several reasons why they'd use the same keybed on both.

[maxpiano]

If Sam Ash had the 88-key Kurzweil PC3 K8, you could see how the keys feel on that and compare it to the Nord Piano 2. The Nord Stage 2 and that specific Kurzweil use the same keybed

I don't think that's true. I think the Kurz uses the TP40L while the NS2 uses the slightly heavier TP40M.

Yup, but mechanically they're the same, so bottoming out on the aftertouch strip will feel pretty much the same on both.

Not exactly, Kurzweil claims on their site (PC3K8 specs) that they have added a "quick release spring" which Nord doesn't have (and is not part of the original design of the Fatar TP40).

This to me makes the Pc3K keybed a "hybrid" i.e. not a "pure piano action" and when I tried the PC3K I could immediately feel the difference; personally I am not a fan of that hybrid solution, but we know that keybeds are indeed a matter of personal taste..

[mjbrands]

Ah, so that's the part that didn't work on some black keys of my PC3K8 :-p