Is The Nord Stage 3 Still Worth It In 2024?

[@fdwyersd]

The NS3 sounds 90% as good as the NS4 but the NS4's control interface is "smarter" (only way I can describe it) you can tell professionals helped enhance it

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Agreed! And of course that new synth engine is way better

[@fdwyersd]

@@ZacBarnesMusic the 88 key big boy is a tank... almost 50 lbs.

[@tuneunleashed]

Not gonna lie I prefer the A1 engine on the NS3 than the Wave 2 engine on the NS4. Sound wise the sound of the A1 is more rich than the 4. When it comes to playability I like the synth engine on 3 as well just because it’s more of a knob per function approach. For example I don’t need to click a button to get access to the ADSR when I want to change something’s on the fly that’s my biggest issue with the Stage 4. Tbh if you’re literally trying to get the new board just save a bit and trade it with yours or sell it because Nords have huge value now it’s almost 5 grand for a used one where I live.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Interesting! I had a wave 2 and loved it but I didn’t do a side by side comparison of that and the a1. Would be interesting to test!

[@timallen6025]

I love your nuanced response based on all that time on the board..

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@joslinnick]

Thanks for the info! BTW, what pull-out piano desk are you using?

[@giacomorml]

Telling that NS4 synth is better is just a point of view. I tried both, I own a NS3 and I will keep it, as A1 synth has some special blending options that NS4 simply doesn’t offer. NS4 has more options in terms of FX, but depends on the use you do of your stage keyboard. I believe NS3 is more immediate, a bit less options but the right ones.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Yes, just a point of view and I showed it would depend on your use case. I still have and use my ns3. As long as the gear helps you get the results you desire, it’s good!

[@jazzygiraffe8589]

Still trying to figure out wether to get a Nord stage 3, 4 or a piano 4 or 5. They all seem to be quite similar. Mainly wanna get one for practicing classical piano (am studying jazz with sax as my major and piano as a minor). At any rate I gotta you say you have great chops! Gotta pay the dues

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Only go with the stage if you need synth. If not, get the piano 4. Same sounds. Of course the piano 5 is better but if you just want a nice piano sound get the piano 4.

[@itsmaistro]

Actually considering getting a stage 3 compact again. Recently tried out the stage 4 compact. The wave 2 synth engine is good but it takes alot more to get the sounds that ive already made with the stage 3. Not to mention they removed alot of organ features in the stage 4 (low key click, leslie option, and rotor/horn balance). Not including song mode is gone as well on the 4

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I’m still rocking my stage 3! No regrets!

[@itsmaistro]

@@ZacBarnesMusic yeah I'll probably save my money and grab another stage 3 compact

[@Qagan]

The A1 engine sounds sweeter to me and its tad more flexible modulation wise, plus the two external section makes it a very powerful master key.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Oh? So you prefer the stage 3 over the 4?

[@BYCWELL]

Owning a Stage 3 and seeing the 4 come out a few months after was a bit of a shock but I don't regret getting the 3. I think the A1 is no slouch simply because it was a classic and won a lot of awards. I get that the Wave 2 is more modern and a beast too but I Feel the Stage 4 are for those who push the Stage 3 to the limit and are making the money to purchase the 4. Overall if I had to do it again I would still pick the 3 (aside from cost) as you said it is a very very capable board and I think it will be for years to come.@@ZacBarnesMusic

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

I have the Nord Lead A1.....it is a powerhouse virtual analogue. How cut back and limited is the A1 based synth in the stage 3? Does it still have the same effects and filters/wheel morphing etc as the A1? Really want to get the Stage 3 76. Great playing by the way 🙂

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I love the A1 as well. It’s two layers instead of four in the Nord stage 3. It’s a bit limited as if you want to add pad to the piano you are already only down to one layer of synth. I find the Nord stage 3 does well to pair with a synth. Of course you can get by with just the stage 3 but if you can have the stage 3 be your bottom board and the lead a1 be your top board, that would be ideal.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

@@ZacBarnesMusic Most of my custom sounds in the A1 are only actually 2 individual sounds and on the Stage 3 l could add another sound from organ or piano. I think the Stage 3 is 3 layers just like my Yamaha YC-73. I just wish the A1 had a screen and more importantly a nice quality keybed.

[@WillywonkaHC]

Noticed a key got stuck around minute 3. Does that happen often, or is it a fault with your piano specifically?

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

@@WillywonkaHC It was a fault with this original keybed. I have the first round of Nord Stage 3s. They have since (a few years ago) made the stage 3 with a newer and better keybed. One day I will get mine replaced haha

[@fml169]

I am looking for a Nord for a while to make a comb with my Kronos. I think the big issue from Nord is the price... i don´t think it worth what it costs... definitely has so much quality in what they propose, but the price is too high. Now with the Stage 4, Stage 3 start to drop the price here in Brazil, where the Keyboards are almost a price of a car... I hope i can add a Stage 3 in the next months to my set... it is the most different keyboard that i can add now to my set... maybe after that some specific synth... but nord stage 3 + Kronos will give me more 10 years os sound explore...LOL

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Yea Nords are expensive for sure. I bought mine used. And even in the US still the price of cars. I paid mine over 2-3 years.

[@fml169]

@@ZacBarnesMusic i dont´know if i am happy or sad to read that in US it also cost a price of a car too, at least i am not alone... LoL.... i am looking for a used NS3, sometimes i found some good offers here, but i don´t have the money yet :(

[@ajotech]

Would a Nord five compare at all to a montage M6 and what would be the benefits between either one

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Apples and oranges. Montage m6 is a full fledged synth while the Nord piano 5 is really just stage piano. Yamaha ck or yo series would be a better comparison

[@ajotech]

I wish they made these in black my goodness

[@eoinschnell]

well... then it wouldn't really be a Nord, would it ;)

[@dubasciver3234]

I love the Charlie Puth phrase.

[@TheCarLovingSwede]

What is the reason not more people are using virtual instruments? I'm sure this Nord stage 3 can compare to for example Pianoteq but I'd rather buy a cheaper keyboard and use a VST to get the same or better sound.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

That's a great question! I'm actually going to make a video about that. But on of the biggest reasons is usability, hardware feel, workflow and "connection". I love my software synth but there is something special about having a board that just works and feels good on it's own. And hardware offers it's own unique set of tools that I don't get from software. That's why I have both!

[@TheCarLovingSwede]

@@ZacBarnesMusic that's a great answer as well. I know that feeling. Sometimes I just start up my mediocre keyboard and play directly though its speakers, because it's easier than starting the computer. But I saved a lot of money 😅

[@TheCarLovingSwede]

@@ZacBarnesMusic I'm looking forward to that video!

[@mariusvandenboogaart9671]

Also reliability is a big thing. I play much with vsts live but had a few times that I ran into some issues and had no sound which was horrible. This is the main reason im saving up for a ns4. I still can use my vst's but will probably use it way less. For me goiing controller only ( arturia keylab 88 with keyscape and mainstage ) was good enough for a few years but I think its nog time for an upgrade😊

[@TheCarLovingSwede]

@@mariusvandenboogaart9671 thanks. Very good reason.

[@alanonsr3942]

tbh, I don't really like the Nord. My 2 cents because no one asked but for those interested in a different perspective... I recently had to play a gig where this keyboard is being used as backline. No other option available. I don't own one because of the cost so I decided to rent one to learn it and program it thinking you could set programs up and save the settings to a flash drive then simply fly in to the gig, load the program settings and go. No, that is not possible with this keyboard. It took a lot of research to find out you had to have a laptop, and a couple of software bundles to do this. That's an issue for quick turn around on a gig. Second issue: splits and layers are not fully programmable. You have to set splits at preset points on the keyboard determined by Nord. Third issue: if you need something like a pad on one part of a keyboard, strings further up, or some other sound from the same "zone" (or whatever it's called), that's not possible either. EDIT: meaning a split using the same "zone" bank of sounds; I couldn't find where you could do that. And last: you can't call tech support for any on-the-fly "gig's-on-the-line" help. For the high price point on this board, it is not as user-friendly as other boards that I've played. My favorite is the Roland RD2000. I have multiple programs that have layers and splits with as many as 8 sounds spread across the program, with each sound easily adjustable on the fly in a live scenario. And the keybed is amazing on it. Then you can pop in aflash drive, save the programs, and pop it in a backline board and you're up in running in 60 seconds flat. For those who are not planning on traveling for gigs and only use this board all the time, I can see the value in it (albeit overpriced). For those that prefer a MIDI VST connection; I've done that too in the past. I've found I've had issues with MIDI hangs and drops, and even a crash of the laptop. So after some experience, I've found the more you complicate with computers, the more you're risking a failure somewhere in the chain. For home studios, a VST is an excellent option. But live is just a bit riskier than I'd like to experience.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I agree except for the travel part. I always say this is a great main or bottom board. In all my videos I always say if you need tons of layer and synth and midi flexibility, this isn't it. Korg, yamaha and roland are much better suited for that for the exact reasons you stated above. The more complex the presets, the less the nord suits it. Thanks for chiming in!

[@ajotech]

Beautifully soulfully played wow! In your humble opinion, would you be able to advise on which would be better, the Nord five or the Yamaha CP 88 and why?

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I wish I had the answer. It largly depends on budget and sound preference. Yamaha makes great gear and I had quite a few of their keyboards. I went with the nord ultimately because of the sound quality difference. But that's also subjective. The CP has a great keybed and they both have great user interfaces. I give the edge to nord in terms of sound quality but Yamaha has it's own signature sound as well. I would choose based sound quality and budget as they are pretty much even in terms of ease of use. (althugh yamaha will probably have a few more features. It's been a while since I sat with that board. Hope that helps!

[@ajotech]

The Nord definitely sounds incredibly out of this world amazing and thank you so much for your speedy awesome reply.