locture

I've played NS4-88 at my local GC. I'd rank the keybed more on the stiff side for organ/synth but too light for advanced AP playing. The keybed on NS4 feels more like a compromised version sitting in between and is not my favorite, but I could definitely see it useful for those who bring only a single keyboard to gigs.

This is a widely known bug. Update to the latest OS and firmware version fixes it.

Consider your user case, I'd suggest looking for a used Fantom-6 (NOT 06!). Not too heavy, the best synthesis power, a lot of real-time controls, quick workflow and good keybed.

I own a Nautilus 88 and have played the other two. From my own experience: Key action: Nautilus >= Fantom-0 > MODX IMO Nautilus has (arguably) the best hammer action amongst the three but ultimately the key action is a subjective thing. Someone prefer the PHA-4 on the Fantom-0 while the others prefer the RH3 on the Nautilus. Both are good enough for almost anything. MODX has GHS and it's usually considered subpar for pianists. Sound: Nautilus > MODX > Fantom-0 An easy win for Nautilus here. The best AP/EP/organ and has the best synthesis capability. MODX has the best FM engine among the three and some nice plucked/woodwind patches but doesn't do well on analog/organ/ep. Roland Fantom-0 has solid VA synth but can't do FM so you need to live with the sample based DX7 patches, and the ap/ep aren't very good. But you'd probably not notice the difference if you play in a band anyway. Functionality: Nautilus > Fantom-0 > MODX Nautilus has everything you need as a workstation, including sampler capability and a linear sequencer. Fantom-0 has sampler and a pattern-based sequencer (easier to use than Nautilus but quite a few limitations) and a sampler. MODX has neither (it has a so-called sequencer but only playback). Nautilus is the only one which has aftertouch model (with extra cost though). Physical control: Fantom-0 > MODX > Nautilus Fantom-0 has the best on-board physical controls which can probably cover all your user cases (except for the 9th drawbar for serious organ player). MODX has less physical control but is still considered enough. Nautilus has the least (no physical drawbar) and you need to do everything on the touchscreen. I use it with an external controller when needed. Other things: The Nautilus is built like a tank with metal but VERY HEAVY. You'd probably want Fantom-0 or MODX if you bring it out frequently. The Nautilus takes more than 2min to boot. The other two below 1min. The 61/73 key model of Nautilus has a special shape design and is harder to be kept stable on the stand. Not an issue with the 88 key model though.

I have the Total Studio bundle and use a lot of IK products: B3X, MODO bass and drum, Amplitube and a lot of T-Racks plugins. But I ended up removing SampleTank because I already have a lot of samples and samplers and am running out of SSD space. I think it's a good add-on for beginners and there are a few hidden gems. If you don't have a lot of virtual instruments already, $1 is definitely a steal.

Check boards using Yamaha's Balanced Hammer or things with Fatar TP40 "L" (the light version of TP40).

CP is necessarily a stage piano. Has all the nice piano features (except for VRM string resonance) needed for acoustic piano and good quality Rhodes as well as nice keybed. But doesn't have drawbar so no Hammond play. No dedicated synth engine either. Only 73/88 key versions and the 73 key is also not very lightweight, so I think it works best as a 88 key bottom board. CK has drawbars but I don't think the organ sound is on-par. 61/88 key models available but I hate the GHS keybed on the 88. Likely a cheap usable option for 61 key top board. YC is like the do-it-all option, direct competitor with Nord Stage. Same keybed option like CP on 73/88 key versions and the same ap/ep sounds. Dedicated organ engine plus 9 drawbars. Dedicated synth engine. Has lightweight 61 key option and the 61 key is actually waterfall keybed rather than typical semi-weight keys so great organ board. If you have the budget, I'd suggest just go for the YC.

PHA-4 on the Juno? Who need the Fantom-0 then.

No. The board itself is excellent but it's such an omission not to include sympathetic string resonance. Nord has a completely different tone - a bit too punchy to my taste. I think both can cut thru a dense mix fairly well but yamaha is more crisp while Nord more of a full sound.

As far as I can recall, the FX on YC is actually damper resonance, not the sympathetic string resonance. It's only triggered when you have pedal down. The sympathetic string resonance happens, say, when you strike a key while holding another chord, and you only hear the resonance from the chord keys' corresponding overtones. It's called VRM and you can find it in Yamaha's digital pianos, but it does not present in the YC/CP series.

I've tried them both. The piano tones are the same. I mean, subtle difference if tested with similar effects. Very crisp, up-tuned but thin so every piano model sounds like a Yamaha, but not very detailed (no sympathetic string resonance). Clearly targeting stage performance to cut thru the mix rather than being a real acoustic piano for a player. I didn't play with the EPs on the YC a lot. IMHO the ones on Montage M sound generally better. I might be biased though because that one is $5000. The organs on Montage M are sampled. YC gets an individual organ engine and nine drawbars. So there is no comparison.

No such thing. Just go with the latest version.

My Nautilus and Yamaha U1 upright. Both are doing great job, although I occasionally miss the PHA-50 keybed on the Roland Fantom when I play my Nautilus.

For one thing which I don't really understand: Yamaha's real EPs are sample-based, Korg mostly modelded EP-1, but I have never fully got the idea of how Roland does their EP. The supernatural thing sounds almost like a mystery. But I don't like the Roland EP presets anyway. They all feel a bit too harsh. Maybe savable by some clever EQ but by default they just don't get my beloved warm sound from actual Fender Rhodes.

I think it's because Nord keyboards generally are made with very rich and punchy tones so they can cut thru the mix really well and can still sound huge in PA. I think Nord takes a lot of their samples from Sampletekk. I have a couple of their piano VIs and they do have the same character. As a classical trained person I don't really like that tone a lot. My Nautilus has more authentic Steinway sound. But I can definitely see Nord's use in pop songs or bands.