Nord Stage 3 - Two Year Review - Still Worth the Price?

I've had the Nord Stage 3 for over 2 years now and figured it was time to share my two year review! Is it still worth the investment or is it overpriced?
I use the Nord Stage 3 at church all the time and in my studio every week. If you have watched any of the videos on my channel, you'll know I love this keyboard! The Nord Stage 3 is an amazing synth for live use as most of the features can be accessed without diving into menus.
In this video I talk through my review of the Nord Stage 3 now that I've had it long term and have used it in a lot of different settings. Hopefully this helps you if you're looking at buying the Nord Stage 3!
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Thanks for watching and comment below with any questions you have and I will answer them as soon as I can!

[@1881Gordon]

I agree with Johel above me. I think that the Stage 3 is good enough from a an Acoustic/Electric Piano and Organ point of view to remain current for years to come. I'm very tempted to get one myself despite some of the minor, (and a small number of major) gripes. Great Video!

[@mattbook]

Thanks for all the content, Douglas. It's been very helpful. I've played this at my church a few times and this weekend will be the first time gigging out with it with my band... pending weather, covid, etc.

[@DSoundman]

That’s Matt! Best of luck this weekend! Hope the weather and Covid stays away!!

[@itsmaistro]

I recently just bought a Nord Stage 3 compact. I used to think that Nords were over hyped. I got it to replace my YC61 because I needed more keys and didn't like the YC73 and I have to say, that this is the best keyboard I've ever owned. I don't have a need for another keyboard ever again not even an 88 key.

[@planetdog1641]

Did you get the waterfall keys version? Was is easy getting used to the action?

[@itsmaistro]

@planetdog1641 yes I got the waterfall keys. The action is pretty good. Portability plays a huge factor at only about 20IBs which is amazing

[@NoahWonder]

I totally agree. I've been using the NS3 at church every week for the last three years and I still love the keyboard. Great video man!

[@DSoundman]

Thanks!

[@tuneunleashed]

With the price increase of Nords good luck. The new ones will cost about 10 Grand.

[@socasack]

Great video! I am deciding between a Montage, Chronos, Fantom and Stage 3 Compact. I am leaning towards the Stage 3.

[@jsnadrian]

thanks for the video -- struggling to justify the price for my use case, but I want one so badly. and whatever church you're going to, they're lucky to have your music.

[@scrappy19]

I’m debating myself whether or not to buy a Nord stage 3 88 but the only thing that’s keeping me from buying it is that it’s almost a 5 year old keyboard and most likely a new one should be around the corner within 6-12 months ( hopefully ). Not sure what to do yet good thing is that I’m not in a hurry Great video thanks

[@Zarkai_09]

Well you can still sell it when the NS4 comes!

[@SkikyroStudios]

The 4 is out now but it’s nearly 2 grand more expensive so the 3 is still a very viable option for people that aren’t rich.

[@mtarosky]

I replaced some of the default pianos with the smaller versions to get that XL White Grand. Also my favorite by far!

[@DSoundman]

Nice!

[@mathekuchenpiano3729]

I love the Black Upright Piano on the Nord Stage 3.

[@DSoundman]

Yeah, that’s a good one!

[@jamesmabugu7899]

Any rumors on the stage 4 or 3EX? Great follow up vid by the way.

[@DSoundman]

I haven’t heard anything yet! Thanks!

[@cflatminor594]

not ideal for weighted keys... which keyboard is? if Piano feeling is the first priority?

[@SseruyangeDavidNkuyege]

THANKS

[@topazsuperwashwash3718]

So I don't know how to play yet but I wanted to learn an I like the effects it does do u think I can learn to play with it I don't know how to play a piano at all n I want something like something what u think

[@federicoselles5649]

2:28 nice F#

[@anman366]

I like your improvisational style!!

[@jonathanfernandez2991]

Hey for the 73 are the keys shorter vertically?

[@anman366]

In your opinion, how do the pianos of the Nord piano library rate in terms of having a wide dynamic range? I have heard many videos of people playing the different piano samples and they always sound nice but I haven't really seen anybody underscoring or outlining the ability to have really sweet soft delicate passages but then still have some bite when you dig into it. In my very limited experience with a nord piano 4 a couple of years ago I thought that the piano patches were lacking in dynamics altogether, but am curious to hear what your thoughts/feelings are on this. Thanks!

[@unitedmogulmediagroup]

I feel the same way and that is because I have the Montage, Fantom, and Nord stage 3 88. I still like it because its different and of the three, I feel in my opinion it's the best for live performance of the three if you are into sound design live. The Montage sounds the best followed by the Fantom and then the Nord. I got rid of my Kurz and Korg and now these are my big 3 and will cover any scenario. These are just my opinions not facts so please don't attack me Kurz and Korg fans. Thanks....... I do love this board for the things i like it for that it does better than the others......... In terms of sound, My opinion is Montage Fantom then Nord ......

[@crazywisdom2]

Looking for a keyboard, 73/88 keys. 1000-1500 with a great Grand sound, to start with. And maybe a few thrills. thoughts ?

[@gabrielmoore6099]

Hello, I’m looking to put together a stage rig for worship! I was looking for a keyboard to use, I’ve been having a little bit of a rough time. Would you recommend still buying the stage 3 or would you possibly recommend another keyboard?

[@slavenkaralic1293]

I just bought a Stage 3 Compact and I love it - BUT - the way the Keys are doing when you press it down is very short on my Compact - this iritates me. And the second BUT ist, the pressure the keys are pressing back when I hold a Chord a while seems more than I am used from other Keyboards. When I'm playing it a while espacialy long chrods, my hand starts to hurt. All the time I have to press it down, otherwise they would get back and the tone quits playing. Especialy the my pinky seems to be to weak for this. I wondered if you got the same problems with your Compact?? I own a Nord Electro 6D and a Roland VR-700 - both with waterfall keys and non of those two makes me such problems as the compact. I bought it used but in a very good condition and now I'm a bit worried if with the keybed everything is ok. (sorry for my bad english...) Greetings from Switzerland

[@DopamineOverload]

Had a Stage 3 76HP.... when I saw that Nord destroyed the multitimbral thing, from the Stage 2 EX to the Stage 3 (6-part multitimbral to.... 2-part bi-timbral)? That sealed the deal for me. Sold it. Haven't bought another Nord since. I love their Piano Library but the fact they cripped a 6-part studio powerhouse and reduced it to an "A-B" thing is utterly ridiculous, ESPECIALLY for that four-thousand dollar price tag.

[@eugeneprystupa5075]

Chris, I am genuinely curious how this one new architecture approach in Stage 3(2 parts, 3-timbral) has so negatively affected your workflow or live performance that you had no choice but to sell the keyboard. I frequently play 5-6 parts at the same time on NS3 with as much control of each as I need. Volume pedal for organ part, wheel for synth pads control, and utilizing both piano engines simultaneously for an 80s sound EP layer.

[@DopamineOverload]

@@eugeneprystupa5075 how? It is bi-timbral, only.

[@eugeneprystupa5075]

@@DopamineOverload Here is a link to my quickly-recorded video response. I hope it makes sense and addresses the question in full. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnyVeoOmhd17iLM

[@DopamineOverload]

@@eugeneprystupa5075 Watched the video. That is great, and I see how you're able to blend the sounds. But still, it is bi-timbral. Because Nord won't allow for the sounds to be on different midi channels. When I had my Stage 3 76HP, I wanted to be able to use the three engines all at once, to some live jams with step-sequencing (step-sequencing two of the synth engine sounds, on two different midi channels), step-sequencing an electric piano chord sequence (there's three sounds on three different midi channels), and playing the Stage 3 keybed itself live (for piano, with reverb/delay)... that's four different sounds on four different midi channels... and then, having a midi keyboard connected to the Stage 3 (semi-weighted/organ-style keys) for live organ playing... that's 5 sounds on 5 different midi channels... and lastly, a small midi controller for live low ambient stuff (organ engine)... 6 sounds on 6 different midi channels. The Stage 2 EX could do this. The Stage 3 can't.

[@eugeneprystupa5075]

@@DopamineOverload I suspected that you were trying to use multiple MIDI channels for some sort of external control. I believe I have come across this topic in some forum a while ago. You may want to contact Nord support and make your voice count in making this a feature in their next generation of synths. I contacted them a little while ago proposing to use Ensoniq's Sound Search idea where each white key is assigned a letter/number to make naming/searching for sounds super easy and fast.

[@BirdseyeVu]

Tell me me more about the external velocity issue? I have wanted to use my Vivo S9 to control the NS3 piano sounds, but it just doesn’t seem to translate well. Was this taken care of in a recent firmware update?

[@DSoundman]

I put together a couple videos on the issue that you can find here! It was fixed in the latest OS update: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5i5mZR5aaxsY80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoimXqmIbpyhpqc

[@BirdseyeVu]

@@DSoundman thanks for your help, brother!

[@AisakeKunanitu-ut1su]

Price please?

[@satisfiedsiemens2343]

it kind of disappointing that you never tried Sunday keys for Mainstage and Ableton live

[@DSoundman]

We actually use some of the Sunday Sounds with MainStage at my church and they sound great. I’m usually playing the Nord Stage 3 and someone else is on the MainStage rig though. Someday I hope to be able to spend more time with it!

[@jayko945]

I will say, Sunday Sounds has TERRIBLE pianos

[@DSoundman]

Good to know! If I remember right we use one of their worship pad packs and they sound good…at least the few we use regularly, but I’ve never tried the pianos.

[@satisfiedsiemens2343]

@@DSoundman on the nord stage do you play piano parts while someone on the SK plays the pads and the ambient pad player plays in the background

[@DSoundman]

Yes, that is correct. I’m usually playing piano or organ on the Nord while the synth player plays pads. They don’t use the ambient layer all the time…only in certain situations. It can add a really nice effect if used right.

[@padalavenkatesh2604]

Original price is how much brother

[@DSoundman]

I paid $3600 USD back in December 2019.

[@jemkeystv5717]

I have to disagree that it's the best board for live play, you can't define your own split points on programs, it doesn't have any sounds that far cheaper boards can't make, 2 pianos, 2 organs, 2 synths, what if I want 10 synth sounds on a program? Can't do that on a Nord stage without a lot of effort, how about a numerical keypad to get the programs quickly, just simple keyboard 101, and don't get me started on the price, I could buy two great sounding workstations from other brands for the price of one Nord.

[@tuneunleashed]

Yeah I understand the amount of limitations you get for the price but man…once you get one you will understand. I was just like you and I had the Yamaha Montage 8 by the way which is the more featured board but there is something about the Nord that draws you IN. I haven’t regretted trading my Montage for the Nord and ever since I had it longer than I had the Montage.

[@kylemedeiros9306]

What keyboard would you recommend for studio use?

[@jemkeystv5717]

The Nord is great for a studio if you don’t mind the price, it’s live where I find the limitations, don’t let me discourage you from getting one, also the Yamaha modx, or a Korg kronos and a kurzweil pc4

[@kylemedeiros9306]

@@jemkeystv5717 what’s your opinion on the Fantom 8? Was looking at that versus the Montage 8 but I’m leaning heavily on the Fantom 8.

[@jemkeystv5717]

@@kylemedeiros9306 I couldn't help you with that one, not a big fan of Roland boards, the montage is similar to the the Yamaha modx which I do have, and love, but for gigs I use a kurzweil pc3k6 and a Korg Kronos. A lot of people don't realize the programming ability of the kurzweil, it's to intricate to explain here, you'll have to check it out for yourself, and the Kronos with it's 9 defined synth engines you can easily find pre programmed or create your own sounds.