Nicky Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I recently purchased a Nord Stage. I've had it a few days and have decided to return it. The acoustic pianos just don't cut it for me....really thin and plunky in the upper register, sort of unbalanced volume wise in the different ranges. I agree with the review in "Keyboard".....it seems like the source piano for the sampling sessions was maybe not the most pristine instrument. You get the feeling you're playing an old, not very well maintained grand piano. I actually like the action....much easier to play than my S90......but the whole midi velocity issue (not transmitting the full range) makes this keyboard useless in it's current software version as a controller. It seems like this would be a complicated issue to fix too because all of the internal sounds are programmed according to the limited velocity range of the keybd.....so if they fix the velocity range, all of the programming of the internal sounds would seem to have to be re-done. The rhodes, clavs, and organs sound great. The synth section is very uninspiring... For $3300 this keybd needed to blow me away.....it did not. I might want to revisit this keybd again abouit a year from now to see if they would update the acoustic piano and fix all the bugs. But for now it's going back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted November 23, 2005 Author Share Posted November 23, 2005 Just wanted to mention that I was checking out the Nord Stage with the latest samples, software(1.14), and programs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Glad to hear I'm not the only one who was disappointed. T Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 One workaround, which I'm not suggesting anyone should have to do for their money, is make whatever velocity scaling settings your external modules have more sensitive - say, an exponential curve so that at the top end it gets to 127 fairly quickly. The Rhodeses in the thing just slay me. Hands down the closest to actually playing the real thing, both in sound and response, I've ever felt from any electronic instrument. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Originally posted by Stephen Fortner: The Rhodeses in the thing just slay me. Hands down the closest to actually playing the real thing, both in sound and response, I've ever felt from any electronic instrument. Couldn't agree more with this. And I serviced probably 1000 Rhodes during my tenure as a tech at Dyno-My-Piano. But I have to agree with the chorus of naysayers here. I had every intention of buying a Stage Grand when I walked into Gelb Music but it just didn't seem to offer enough for me. I went home slightly disenchanted and ordered a "way less sexy" Yamaha S90ES but I feel increasingly good about this decision. When I replenish my funds I may add an Electro. JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Thanks for confirming my opinion, Nicky. Harry Likas was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and also helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 350 of Harry's jazz piano arrangements of standards, for educational purposes, and tutoring at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konaboy Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Same here! I must admit I only auditioned it in a store for an hour, but I thought it was rubbish for the money they are asking for it. hang out with me at woody piano shack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gangsu Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Oh man! Put a lid on it. At least until Music*aL has a chance to have a little unspoiled fun of his own. He's been waiting since September! I'm with ya, aL! "........! Try to make It..REAL! compared to what? ! ! ! " - BOPBEEPER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I hear you Sue... I am boning up on my store's return policy just in case... I will say that when I played it, although I didn't much like the velocity mapping, I thought the piano sounds were very authentic. aL Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 The rest of the sounds are simply fantastic, btw... But, as one would expect, the piano sound is what this board will be judged on, right or wrong. aL Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burningbusch Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I walked in and demoed the Stage, half thinking I wasn't going to like it. I really did dig it. I like the action and felt nicely connected to the sounds. I agree with others that there's something peculiar about the ac piano sounds. Did they add release samples to the sounds? That's what it hits me as. Release samples can help improve Rhodes and Clav emulations, but on piano they should be applied very subtley, if at all, IMHO. I was reminded of a clav or CP70 sound when playing the Stage acoustic pianos, and I think it is the release samples or something happening in the release of the note that's responsible for this. Anyhow, I did like a lot of things about the Stage, the layout and all. I was thinking my Fantom XR would be the perfect companion, as really everything the XR does well, the Stage doesn't do and vice versa. Busch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Originally posted by burningbusch: Anyhow, I did like a lot of things about the Stage, the layout and all. I was thinking my Fantom XR would be the perfect companion, as really everything the XR does well, the Stage doesn't do and vice versa. Yeah! That's my point. It does need a companion KB and for my needs would not cut it solo, as i was hoping. For others it might work fine alone. I think I would be OK with the piano sounds and Ken Hughes, in his KB review, loved 'em. We all have different criteria. Don't give up hope Music*al 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted November 23, 2005 Author Share Posted November 23, 2005 My Fantom XR would complement the Nord Stage too....except the velocity issue of the Nord would make triggering the Fantom a less than musical experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Right, but to be fair Nord claimsthey will release a fix for this by the end of the year. Even though their release dates have not been timely, I'm sure this matter will be solved soon. JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted November 23, 2005 Author Share Posted November 23, 2005 I hear ya.......except that by then my ability to return it for a refund will have expired....so if the fix is delayed or they don't get it right.....but anyway how do they release a keybd for $3300 not realizing it's not sending out full velocity? I got the feeling in playing this keybd for a few days that it wasn't quite ready for release......it still could be an awesome keybd though about a year from now with a new piano and all the bugs worked out....and it really should be about $1000 cheaper at the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 My Fatar weighted controller and my P120 had similar problems sending a full velocity range out. Harry Likas was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and also helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 350 of Harry's jazz piano arrangements of standards, for educational purposes, and tutoring at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Originally posted by Jazz+: Thanks for confirming my opinion, Nicky. Hey Jazz+, is your opinion based on actually playing the STAGE or just on what you've read online? I know you have very strong opinions (in this case, I believe it is a negative opinion), but was not sure if you had grounded your opinion by playing the STAGE? Regards, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Originally posted by jimmymio: Don't give up hope Music*al Thanks for the encouragement!! I am not giving up yet. I am going to like my Stage 88. I am almost sure!! aL Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 I think the only way to really evaluate a keyboard is to use it in the venue that you will be using it the most- live, studio, whatever. I'm in love with my S90ES but there are times when it just doesn't cut thru the band when I'm playing in a loud setting, yet it sounds spectacular at home. On the other hand, my Electro, with the cheesy mono Steinway sound that everyone hates and sounds like crap playing in the living room, cuts like a hot knife thru butter in a loud setting. I haven't played a Stage, but my impression is that the pianos there would fall more into the Electro category, where they cut well in a live environment. After all, the instrument is called a Stage and is meant for live use. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Good point. I'm sure we've all had the experience of falling in love w/ some piece of gear and after a week we really regret buying it. A music store is often a terrible environment for auditioning instruments. But sometimes its the only shot you get. Since I just ordered one, I'm disappointed to hear about your S90es eval. Have you tried EQing it? What kind of ampligication are you using? JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 JP, let me say that I'm totally happy with the S90ES. There are just certain times where I find the piano sound doesn't cut with the full frequency range when the band is really loud. And I mean, loud! I've done some EQing on the patch, and I have the sliders programed for EQ so I can adjust it as needed. I'm using a Barbetta 41C for an amp- one thing I'm going to try tonight is to play w/ the EQ on that- I pretty much run it flat. Someone else had mentioned on their 31C they put all the EQ controls 3/4 the way up and it really helped the sound so I'll give that a try. It's definitely not a deal breaker, just a small issue that as I've done more gigs, the issue has lessened as I get used to the board and do some tweaks. I never expect any keyboard to sound 100% the way I like it right out of the box, I think thats impossible if you are in any kind of live setting. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWW Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I just got the NS88 2 weeks ago. I've been a loyal NE2 player since they came out. Generally I use a CX3 or an XK3 for my organ since they just feel better (more Jimmy McGriff for my taste than the NE2). Amp is either Leslie 21 system, or KBR3d. As for the NS88, I am on the fence and need to spend more time with it. First, it is quite different from the NE2. Patch organization, layers, splits and morphs. I guess b/c it does more, the increased complexity is a necessary corollary. Biggest problem is with the Accoustic Pianos. This is why I got it. But they seem thin, and harsh in the mid and upper registers. I can't compare them to any known reference. For example, we all know Roland is big and warm. Yamaha is more crystalline and subtle. But these samples on the NE88 are simply perplexing. I am ok with the weighted action. yes, it is way too light, but it is still 'hammer' action. I think it is a fine answer for a board that plays clav, rhodes, wurly, B3, synth, and accoustic piano.... I think the synth section is just great. no more or less than you need if synth is not a big part of your sound--but don't kid yourself, it is a strong section with deep possibilities. So, if anyone has any thoughts on the accoustic piano issues with the NS88, pls feel free to share your stream of consciousness. -------------------- Hammond C3, Leslie 122, Steinway B, Wurlitzer 200A, Rhodes 73, D6 Clav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Originally posted by DanL: JI'm using a Barbetta 41C for an amp- one thing I'm going to try tonight is to play w/ the EQ on that- I pretty much run it flat. Flat is always a good starting point. The thing i would be wary of is EQing the amp to sound good for one patch at the expense of all the others you will use in a night. (Obviously a moot point if you play only piano the entire night.) JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymio Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Originally posted by DanL: JI'm using a Barbetta 41C for an amp- one thing I'm going to try tonight is to play w/ the EQ on that- I pretty much run it flat. Flat is always a good starting point. The thing i would be wary of is EQing the amp to sound good for one patch at the expense of all the others you will use in a night. (Obviously a moot point if you play only piano the entire night.) JP 1935 Mason & Hamlin Model A Korg Kronos 2 73 Nord Electro 6D 61 Yam S90ES Rhodes Stage 73 (1972) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I did the EQ adjustment last weekend and it definitely helped. I didn't boost the bass as much, maybe had that around 1 oclock, mid around 2 and highs around 3. It helped all the sounds cut better. Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.