Nord User Forum

I have the electro 3, and I'm thinking of buying a nord stage 2 Ha76 instead. Is the pianosound better in the stage 2 or is ot pretty much the same? I think the piano in the electro is a little thin.

The sound engine/piano_library are the same. The kybd action is not. You can use the triple pedal in the NS2.
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp?t ... rd_Stage_2
I do not think that the pianos are thin. Maybe you need to play with the parametric equaliser a bit.

Piano sounds are slightly better in the NS2 than in the E3. The string resonance implementation is more sophisticated, and they implemented the "long release" feature. Also, you can load the largest (XL) versions of the samples into the NS2.

(Also, the piano plays more expressively from a weighted action... though that much you can get on your E3 as well by using a MIDI cable to play it from another board that has a weighted action.)

Ok thanks. If I upgrade it's not just because pianosound. It's most because I want weighted keys and be able to split and layer.
Why do you think it's worth payin' so much more for a nord stage 2 instead of a Roland RD700nx or so. Is the stage so much better?

david_ka wrote: Why do you think it's worth payin' so much more for a nord stage 2 instead of a Roland RD700nx or so. Is the stage so much better?

Not necessarily, I"m sure there are people who think the Roland is better. Depends on needs and personal preferences.

Off-hand, some ways that the NS2 is clearly superior to the Roland would be:

* much better organ engine... better sounding, and more complete panel controls
* much wider range of different piano sounds (you can load in different piano samples)
* it has a VA synth engine, with knobs for better real-time sound creation/manipulation
* unique vintage keyboard sounds in the sample library
* the ability to load your own samples
* aftertouch

Another advantage of the NS2 is (88 version) 18.5 kg vs 25 kg of the Roland. I still think that the NS2-88 is a heavy thing to carry around, though.

As anotherscott says it is personal preference. Go to some store and try them out.

Good point. And the OP is looking at the 76 so the weight difference is even more dramatic. Roland doesn't make a 76.

I think that the NS2 is definitly worth its higher price. I've tested and played with all the higher end keyboards available in the market (those costing from $2,000 USD upward) and I think that the NS2 is the one that inspires me the most, mainly due to its ease of setup even though it may be somewhat limiting. Also, as mentioned its one of the lightest which is a big plus in my book.

That said, I feel obliged to suggest the Casio Privia PX-5S (which I am anxious to try out), its got the lightest 88 key action and many consider it one of the best. Its one of those forum favorites. Here is a review: http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/casi ... iew/152591

Ok, i need to check it out then.

A Rhodes Suitcase 88 is a heavy keyboard. A NS2 88 is not.