Nord Stage- Good electric piano? and how is the synth?

Lbsword · Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Massachusetts

Okay all you forum people.

I own a Nord lead 2x myself, and its suitable for right now.
( bought it for 400$ new, great deal)

My family is looking for a high quality electric piano.
Money is not a problem.

However, I really like Nord/clavia synth technology, and im becoming better with their synth layouts, and programming.

Is the Nord Stage a good electric paino AND synthesizer?
are the piano and organ sounds of really really good quality?
and are there as many synth options as the nord lead 2x?

Wout Blommers

seraph · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:18 am Post subject:

I recently got a Nord Stage 88. It's a great instrument, it really makes you willing to play it.
It has lots of real time controllers, pianos and organs are just perfect and, as Wout said, the synth is like the icing on the cake (simple, essential but powerful), the user interface is logical.
Should I say more?
Very Happy

of course it is not an "experimental" instrument. it's kind of "retro". I have actually started liking the Hammond sound that I have always shunned. Amazing Cool

seraph · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:23 am Post subject:

this is a short example of the Nord Stage playing an Hammond sound I programmed. rotor speed is modulated thru a sustain pedal.

Live performance, no editing Exclamation

I know it's June but who cares if I play a Christmas song Question

O tannenbaum (arrangement inspired by Vince Guaraldi)

o_tannenbaum_103.mp3

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o_tannenbaum_103.mp3

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Ruud · Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Rotterdam

To be honest I find the sound of the Yamaha P-80 much better.
When you play chords you'll here the difference.
I use it a few years now and still I find the pianosound perfect.
Also the instrument itself is solid as a tank and the key's have a good feel.

I use the Nordwave for the electric part like Wurlitzers and Rhodessounds
and afcouse the synthsection.
I think the Nordfamily is more brilliant in the electric and synth parts.

BUT

It's a matter of what you like and taste. Razz

Tuba Four · Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Southern California

I love my NS88. Love the piano, EP's and Organs. I use them all the time in the studio and live. The Piano must be run in stereo otherwise it really is not useable. This could be a problem in a live setting. The synth is good. I use it for pads and the occasional bass or lead sound. I tend to use other synths for triggering the Organ sounds from the Stage.

I also have an NL2x and NL3 which I love (especially the latter).

If you want to check out some of the NS88 sounds, you can check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNinPFXrwzU

It's a video of one of my band's songs using EP and Organs and some airy synth pads. There are others on Youtube as well.

Good luck with the Stage, it's a wonderful instrument.

aL

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

Tuba Four

Tuba Four · Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Southern California

Ruud · Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Rotterdam

Hi Lbsword,

Already made a choice?
Here is a example (First number) of the pianosound of the Yamaha P80 in combination with a Nord Wave Wink

http://www.myspace.com/ruudvincent

Tuba Four · Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Southern California

Lbsword,

FYI, Clavia just released a new operating system (last week) for the Stage, as well as a new piano sample that is excellent. It's a Yamaha C7, closely mic'd. The sample size itself is not very large (about 40 mb) which is great because it leaves more room for the other instruments. Clavia also implemented what is now called a "mono mode" for all its piano samples including the uprights. I like it a lot. I even like the new sample which is recorded in stereo in mono more so than I do in stereo.

The EP's and Organs are unchanged. The Synth receives a few upgrades as well including new digital waveforms and increase to 300 the program library.

aL

Ruud · Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 28 Location: Rotterdam

Lbsword thanks for the reply Confused

blinkie · Joined: Mar 15, 2009 Posts: 2 Location: london

hi guys, just got my stage 88EX.... not updated to new OS yet... how do i use this Mono piano mode???... the manual doesnt explain that well Smile

Yikes · Joined: Mar 18, 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Southern California

Tuba Four · Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Southern California

gearaholic · Joined: Mar 07, 2009 Posts: 29 Location: f-town

Daniel · Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Denmark

Send me a PM if you should decide to sell your Nord Lead 2x. I would be happy to buy it!