Nord Stage 88, my impressions

[Dave Horne]

I just got back from a week in Berlin (Germany, not New Jersey ) and visited two keyboard stores. (I have to thank someone else in another thread for the addresses to those stores.) Also, I didn't see the Nord thread in the first two pages here so I decided to start this. If this is bad etiquette, please forgive me. I also have not read very much of the long Nord thread so if what I'm reporting is old news, just ignore this post.

 

I spent about 30 minutes on a beautiful red Nord Stage which is not long enough for a valid opinion I know. I was really impressed with the B3 set up. I didn't have a manual but figured most of the stuff out by myself. I thought the B3 section was well thought out and the lights showing the speed of the Leslie rotor was a nice touch. (I grew up with a B3 and liked this recreation.)

 

My primary use for a 'stage piano' is basically piano. I was also impressed with the two (?) basic grand piano patches. I did come across an anomaly, but it may just have been the action on this particular demo keyboard. The lowest G# (a major 7th above the lowest note on the keyboard) responded very loud on one of the two grand piano patches. Since I know each note is not sampled, I figured it's a problem with the keyboard itself and not built into the sampled note. It would be interesting if this 'glitch' existed on all models.

 

I was less than thrilled with the keyboard action but if someone gave me the Nord Stage 88, I'd think twice about selling my P250 since the Nord would fit the bill for me ... and it would be easier to cart around. The action on my P250 is quite nice and the Nord was less to my liking. It wasn't horrible, but it was less than the better Yamaha or Roland actions. I'm sure some guys would be very happy with it.

 

I did not spend very much time in the synth section so any comments I would have would be worthless.

 

I was impressed with the grand piano sound (I forget which specific one) and I could easily play an entire job with it. It really sounded very good to me. The proof, of course, is in a real live combo setting, but through headphones it sounded first rate.

 

I get the feeling this Nord was designed with a younger player in mind what with all the lights and buttons. This old guy liked it too. If I played in a cover band, this would be very high on my list of keyboards. This one keyboard could cover most of the parts. (I didn't check out if there were any strings sounds, but for me, the B3 and piano were more than enough.) The European price I was quoted was 3000 Euros.

[franky silva]

Hi Dave Horne

Thanks for your report. In Portugal it cost 2600,00

Franky

[Markyboard]

Thanks Dave. Did you get to play with the transpose function? Is it easy to get to? I assume this would be most important so as not to waste time learning all those odd ball key signatures when one will suffice.

[Markyboard]

[Dave Horne]

Originally posted by Markyboard:

Thanks Dave. Did you get to play with the transpose function? Is it easy to get to? I assume this would be most important so as not to waste time learning all those odd ball key signatures when one will suffice.

Since there are only 12 major keys at any keyboard, it's really not a feature.

[Dave Horne]

I got back tonight from a week in Berlin and now just saw the Keyboard magazine with the review of the Nord. Perfect timing.

[Jazz+]

Thanks for your review, Dave. How did you like the Rhodes compared to your P250? Was the Stage action, by Fatar, just too light for your playing or did you think that the dynamic response was inferior to your Yamaha P250?

[BOPBEEPER]

Dave, You didnt play the Rhodes MarkX ?????

 

Did the Red tend towards orange or pink?

 

And did you find the legs volumptuous?

[Nicky]

When will this keybd be in the states?

[Dave Horne]

Originally posted by Jazz+:

Thanks for your review, Dave. How did you like the Rhodes compared to your P250? Was the Stage action, by Fatar, just too light for your playing or did you think that the dynamic response was inferior to your Yamaha P250?

I really just played the grand piano sounds and the B3. I've played worse actions - it might have been a Fatar action and if it was, it was a better Fatar action. I certainly would not want that action to be my every day practice action, but for jobs, it is more than acceptable. (I still wonder if that anomaly I wrote about was just that one demo keyboard or if it affects all of them. Anyone here have access to the Nord Stage 88?)

 

To change the subject, the latest issue of Keyboard also has a review of the Yamaha S90 ES and it's supposed to have even a better grand piano than the P250. This should stir things up. I played that keyboard while I was in Berlin but only for a few minutes. I'll have to see if I can locate one in my neighborhood. I wish I would have seen this issue of Keyboard before my trip as I had both the Nord and the S90 ES in the same store.

[gangsu]

Originally posted by Dave Horne:

I've played worse actions - it might have been a Fatar action and if it was, it was a better Fatar action.

Hey buddy, slow down!

I certainly would not want that action to be my every day practice action,

certainly not.

 

but for jobs,it is more than acceptable.

Glad to hear it!

 

Dave, I think a red stage piano with voluptuous legs might be just what the doctor ordered. Go for it.

[Dave Horne]

Dave, I think a red stage piano with voluptuous legs might be just what the doctor ordered. Go for it.

I look at equipment as an investment - how many jobs do I have to work for this piece of equipment. The Nord over here costs 3000 Euros. That's a lot of jobs considering I just bought my P250 slightly less than a year ago.

 

If Nord improves their action (or finds a different supplier), I will certainly buy one in the future though first I have to get my money's worth from my current investment.

 

Anyone care to report on that low G# and the piano note that really sticks out?

[Dave Horne]

Originally posted by BOPBEEPER:

Dave, You didnt play the Rhodes MarkX ?????

 

Did the Red tend towards orange or pink?

 

And did you find the legs volumptuous?

1. Nope, sorry.

 

2. Red, just red, plain and ... red.

 

3. When it comes to pianos I'm not a leg man.

[jimmymio]

Originally posted by Dave Horne:

[QB] I was less than thrilled with the keyboard action but if someone gave me the Nord Stage 88, I'd think twice about selling my P250 since the Nord would fit the bill for me ... and it would be easier to cart around. The action on my P250 is quite nice and the Nord was less to my liking. It wasn't horrible, but it was less than the better Yamaha or Roland actions. I'm sure some guys would be very happy with it.

 

As someone who is seriously interested in purchasing this instrument, I find the above very disconcerting. At this price point, for something that has ac piano as an emphasis, I don't think skimping on the action is acceptable.

I sure wish i could locate one to demo. Hell. I can't even find a KB mag to read the review.

JP

[gaganuga]

Hi all,

 

here a link from the Frankfurt Messe 2005. The only place I could here a litle bit of Nord Stage 88.

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shonews.cfm?newsid=2124

 

Regards Claude

[gaganuga]

Sorry, here thr right one.

 

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=2124

[Jazz+]

Audio demos of the Nord Stage pianos can be heard at PurgatoryCreek.com - "Digital Piano Shootout" - "New Entries" page

 

http://www.purgatorycreek.com/

[franky silva]

Originally posted by jimmymio:

I sure wish i could locate one to demo. Hell.

http://www.purgatorycreek.com/documents/49.html

 

I can't even find a KB mag to read the review.

I´m also look for this review.

Franky

[Dave Horne]

Franky and Jimmy, when I'm interested in a piece of equipment I always ask if I can rent it for a week. I was looking at 'jam' boxes a while ago and couldn't get the local store to rent one to me just for the weekend. I was planning on renting one after the store closed Saturday and returning it when they opened on Monday - they still wouldn't rent it to me. I would rather spend a few bucks and try something and return it than buy something and then not be 100 percent happy.

 

Don't let my views on the keyboard action stop you from pursuing the Nord. It was fun to play and I really liked the B3 section. The piano sound was first rate and for jobs would be right up there with the P250.

 

Wouldn't it be great if we could order the specific keyboard action and the specific modules within one keyboard. I will no longer buy more than one keyboard for a job ... and I have no plans on bringing a laptop to a job.

[franky silva]

Originally posted by Dave Horne:

Franky and Jimmy, when I'm interested in a piece of equipment I always ask if I can rent it for a week.

Hi Dave

I have no chance of renting any equipment in my area. I don´t know why Clavia doesn´t put some demos on the web. The best way to buy an equipment is, to experiment it yourself, but sometimes, is not possible.

Franky

[jimmymio]

Originally posted by Dave Horne:

[QB] Franky and Jimmy, when I'm interested in a piece of equipment I always ask if I can rent it for a week....I would rather spend a few bucks and try something and return it than buy something and then not be 100 percent happy.

 

Don't let my views on the keyboard action stop you from pursuing the Nord. It was fun to play and I really liked the B3 section. The piano sound was first rate and for jobs would be right up there with the P250.

 

Obviously good advice to rent first however I don't imagine a Stage Grand will be available for rental anytime soon. You can't even buy one here (San Francisco).

I know Guitar Center used to offer a 30 day "no questions asked" return policy which was another great option. Haven't heard of it so i imagine they discontinued it.

 

And thanks for that clarification about the action. That's encouraging.

JP

[jimmymio]

Originally posted by Dave Horne:

I will no longer buy more than one keyboard for a job ... and I have no plans on bringing a laptop to a job.

I'm with you here. I'm always amazed when i see people posting about their elaborate setups and i wonder how often they play out. I work 3-4 nights a week and ease of load in, setup, tear down, weighs heavily.

As for the laptops, I won't rule them out but for my needs they seem to be a few years away.

JP

[gangsu]

JP, you've been around this forum longer than I have. Recognize that Dave has to be careful not to back himself into a corner regarding digital actions. Give him some room. Thanks.

[wolferl]

Hello to the Keyboard Corner members!

 

I got the Nord Stage since three weeks and for me it's very interesting what people say about this instrument although never played one. I'm shure not everyone is a Nord Stage "compatible" player because of the special design and features - different to the classic keyboards from Yamaha, Roland, ...but if you are compatible it is a dream!

For me as a player in a soul/blues/pop-band it is ideal. Good pianos, very good epianos, very good B3 (I will never need this farfisa stuff), good synth, good fx and very good handling.

 

The keyboard action is not as bad as some people guess. Compared to my Roland RD-700 it is a bit more light and different. But after a view hours of playing I'm getting used too and in the meantime I really like the action.

 

Last weekend I've played the first gig with my NS88 and I was very very happy! The sounds cut through and my band members and the technicians were impressed too. This is really a live machine and with some different piano samples to download from clavia this piece would be perfect.

 

Dave, I hope you've enjoyed Berlin. As a guy from southern germany I was several times in Berlin (first time 1987 before the wall was down) and this city is something very special for me and for many germans because of it's history.

 

Regards

[Dave Horne]

Originally posted by wolferl:

Dave, I hope you've enjoyed Berlin. As a guy from southern germany I was several times in Berlin (first time 1987 before the wall was down) and this city is something very special for me and for many germans because of it's history.

 

Regards

Wolferl, first, welcome to the forum, I see that was your first post.

 

We loved Berlin! We always 'do' cities by bike and Berlin was very bike friendly. There was so much to see and we did a lot of the typical tourist things. The architecture was simply amazing - incredible modern buildings as well as the imposing structures one expects from a city so large. A great city. I could go on and on but this is a keyboard forum. If you're ever over my way, please stop by. You can easily contact me by looking at my 'profile' information.