Nord Stage 3 vs. Yamaha CP88

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Many people have called the Yamaha CP88 "The Black Nord", and constantly compare it to Nord's revered line of keyboards. In this video, I find out how the CP88 compares to the Nord Stage 3, and discuss the pros, cons, and similarities of both instruments.

[@ThePianoforever]

If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to! kzbin.info/door/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w

[@tosinoparinde9563]

I love the Nord

[@realmbeatz744]

i play on a korg sp300 , i enjoy the hammer action on the korg then i ever have enjoyed on the stage 2 or 3. my next keyboard with eithor be a newer korg or a yamaha cp88. can you do a demo on the korg sp300???

[@RosssRoyce]

The Nord issues are absolutely unacceptable for the monstrous price! Thank you for this review!

[@elsephi]

that loud note is a glitch on cheap boards

[@dorvangerven574]

What a shame , the Nord is such a beauty You should expect quality from a world brand like Nord. I thought they provided good material but its not, judging by the many problems posted on the internet ( at my personal opinion ) its rubbish insn't it? I whas seriously planning to buy a new stage 3 88 but after seeing the many quality problems on internet, I better look out for something else. A shame because the sound of the Nord Stage is fantastic but tecnnically unreliable.

[@F0nkyNinja]

Nord is overrated

[@luisfloresgonzalez2337]

@@F0nkyNinja facts

[@elmehdioubouhouch]

@@dorvangerven574 same here very sad

[@JoeNaeem]

I’m so glad Theon Greyjoy managed to somehow get his life back together and is now demoing keyboards.

[@reginaldopadua8258]

Same

[@tosinoparinde9563]

Same

[@phillippearl647]

Hilarious

[@Native_love]

Made me laugh! Thanks!

[@aciaroch]

I think I know what's going on with the Nord action. Most modern keyboards use a system of two mechanical 'plungers' (call them Pa and Pb) to calculate key velocity. When you press a note on the keyboard, Pa gets actuated first, followed by Pb. The time delta between the Pa 'event' and the Pb 'event' (call it Td) determines how loud the note plays: If Td is very small, you must have pressed the key very fast/hard, so the note plays 'loud' (or a loud sample). If Td is relatively large, you must have pressed the key slow/soft so the note plays more quietly. Sometimes a plunger will get stuck in the up or down position due to mechanical failure or dirt in the system. This results in a situation where you get a Pa event with no corresponding Pb event, or vice versa. The software design determines how these anomalies are handled. From my experience, if you get an isolated Pa event with no Pb event, the note will not play at all. This makes sense, because you may not have pressed the key all the way down. If you get an isolated Pb event, however, the note plays REALLY F'ing LOUD! Louder than you could ever play it (perhaps because Td = zero?). This is what happened with my Nord, due to some dust getting in the Pa plunger. My tech cleaned the keyboard, and everything was fine. My suspicion: When two notes are played in rapid succession, as you do in the video, the key does not have time to return to its full 'up' position. Occasionally this will result in Pb getting released, but Pa is still held down, so you get the isolated Pb situation on the second hit. This is partly a mechanical design issue, but the software needs to handle this situation (other keyboards do). They can't make the note silent or the action will seem sluggish. Real pianos with crappy actions can produce a similar effect, though for obviously different reasons. However, making it max volume is really annoying, although most will never notice it because they never play like that. Personally, I would suggest they match the velocity of the previous key event. That may not mirror a real piano, but the current situation certainly doesn't either, and it would be far less annoying.

[@tonirazz5565]

They actually use a third plunger here to let you strike another note before the key is completely lifted. The stranger it seems that this happens bc it would mean that 2/3 are broken?

[@SianaGearz]

It stands to reason that a specific fraction of the time between B release and B being retriggered can be used as an indication of key velocity if A is not released, to software handle fast play. I watched Linus Akesson transform an old organ into the Chipophone a while back, and since then, every time i see a broken keyboard, a thought keeps popping up in my head that i might want to get it, take its keybed and try to build my own electronics underneath it (even augment it with a second hit spot for velocity), but i've never taken up on the challenge since... i really have a lot of unfinished projects already, and it's probably not the most practical thing to do since well MIDI is around, but should i get around to it, i'll keep the insight in mind, thank you very much. I'm slowly procrastinating on designing something based on an arcade Yamaha OPN2 soundchip similar to the one used in SEGA MegaDrive/Genesis, but obviously i haven't done much yet :D Like i want to get approximate sound figured out before i start figuring out the controls i need with it.

[@LouisManofMusic]

You made my brain mush

[@philburns5656]

The day will come that we see a third "plunger" in each key. It might be placed right in the middle of A and B or be a little closer to B. It will minimize the problem with keys not being up-again completely before pressed down. Furthermore, it will measure information about the way you press the key. Anyone experienced in playing on an acoustic piano knows that it isn't only the average A-to-B velocity that shapes the tone. A third plunger would be a big step towards modelling these differences. Of course, it's also a matter of cost.

[@michaelryden3569]

Great video. You are excellent at detailing your experience. I was already looking at the CP88; this just makes me get it sooner.

[@pascalhibon7928]

I never touched a Nord but I was always amazed by the beautiful sound it produces. I am surprised to hear about the build quality and issues you experienced. But a great an honest review as always.

[@oriolesandravens]

I always appreciate your reviews and demonstrations, but I absolutely love listening to you play. And, YES, I want to purchase your Treble Test Piece as my ring tone. The intro for texts and the melody for calls. Your style and interpretation is so soothing and relaxing.

[@shedroids]

That was an---> EXCELLENT review by you! A complete pleasure to learn about the 2 digital pianos. Thank you :)

[@redmusichouse]

Thanks for the detailed, honest review!

[@davidschwartz2670]

James, thank you thank you thank you for all the reviews you posted (I just recently discovered your channel here). It's wonderful to find an independent, knowledgable voice, without an axe to grind, talking about these instruments. Also, cool jacket.

[@jacashi]

One of the best comparisons i have ever seen. Nice & honest.

[@BillVincent]

Thank you for the great and honest review!

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Thanks, James, you tell it like it is. You playing is lovely

[@bsdguy]

Great review young man!

[@musicbinderpro8903]

Many thanks for this great review!

[@JamSmoothie]

The random volume change is weird. I do appreciate the review. I came to some of the same conclusions about the action. Yamaha doesn't seem to have the same options with the synth as you mention. and the layering and the keyboard splits make it a tough decision. I love them both actually. Thanks for the review. It's only money. :0)

[@rexy83]

Yamahas have never let me down in build quality I still have a p250 that is 20+ years old and it still plays like the day I bought it... Thanks for the review on the Nord I was interested in it but was curious about the action it just looked light watching artists play it.

[@designersnestm569]

Love the honesty... hope Nord responded to the issue

[@bmajortheproducer7561]

I really love the way nord pianos sound. I’ve been looking at them and now you make me want to reconsider 😬

[@arnoldhendrick7224]

Thanks for a frank and useful comparative review!

[@michaelyarbrough967]

I appreciate the comparison. I literally feel the same way. I cannot justify the Nord price. I think I’m going with the Roland RD 2000; great price, great sound and massive library plus the 2 wheels and the awesome mod wheel. If it only had a ribbon controller built in.

[@Zanthxs]

Magnificent vid for comparison but what choice of masterpieces to play! Omg . . . sublime. Thank You!

[@Fitzrovialitter]

Thanks for this honest review.

[@rio197]

Yeah, whenever I tried the Nord I'm always disappointed with the key action. The Yamaha key action, on the other hand, always feels solid even though I don't really enjoy their piano sound.

[@Alan_Chapman]

Have owned several Yamaha keyboards. Never any issues aside from keys on the Montage. Yamaha Montage has been solid aside from a few keys becoming stiff when played with any slight lateral force from the right side such as a glissando. Also, there was a situation where the OS would freeze and the screen would be locked on an edit page, but they fixed that in a firmware update way back in 2016 or 2017. I just like the “character” some of the Nord piano sounds have. Never liked their action, but like most keyboards you get used to it after playing for about 20 minutes. Nord is overpriced generally in my opinion.

[@RobertKennedyPersonal]

For some reason the review doesn't mention (and none of the comments seem to mention) that this discussion of "the piano sound" on the Stage 3 is kind of broken at the outset: It's great if you like "the piano sound" on the Stage 3, but if you don't, you need to realize there's actually a large library of piano sounds, with many of them already preloaded in the Stage 3 as it comes from the factory. It's perhaps not surprising that the bass on the Stage 3 sounds like a 7-foot piano because the Nord piano library actually includes samples of several 7-footers. There are also big pianos sampled in their library, so it would be worth a review that goes into more depth to explore at least more than one of Nord's grand piano sounds. Maybe the Yamaha also has multiple piano samples available? Does it also have a large and growing library of samples you can download and install on the keyboard in case you don't like the factory sounds so much? I don't know. Regarding the Stage 3 again, what I'm saying is actually true of "the Rhodes sound" as well. There are multiple Rhodes samples in the unit as shipped, and this review looked at only one of them, I think.

[@andreafox7267]

So glad I bought a Yamaha and not a Nord. I’ve got a Montage 8 and I’m considering a CP88 for gigging as the Montage in it’s case is 45kg! Thank you for this review and demo. Really enjoy your channel.

[@BassKlef1]

Thanks for the revealing review. I wonder if you used the Bosendorfer on the CP88 that the sound would be better comparison to the N3?

[@danielronnqvist3192]

You are the best. One of the few that talks about what actually matters.

[@failsus4065]

I have a Korg Karma with those issues. I took it apart. Plastic keys and chicklet sensors. It's probably the same part. There are two sensors per key. It tries to detect "pressure" by using the two sensors to calculate the speed at which the keys are hit. That's where the glitch comes in. If you hit a key twice in rapid succession, it throws off the little IC chips that measure the delay, making it a negative number. It probably uses the same sensor boards as well. The whole plastic keyboard with the attached sensor boards is probably a unit you can order from China to build your own keyboard.

[@armstronglance]

I’m 66, none of my Yamaha keyboards, drum machines, sound modules or midi accessories have ever failed. They still play like the day I bought them. (My Rolands on the other hand, while great sounding keyboards, slowly over time developed issues)

[@docprince]

Yamaha has better build quality than Roland.

[@rylieriley]

This review and comparison is excellent and extremely helpful. Thank you for putting the time and effort into doing it.

[@mjt11860]

great & informative review. thanks!

[@shookmusic]

thank you, great review and comparison video!

[@ThePianoforever]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chucky36]

I just played a Nord Stage 2 88 for a 90 minute concert with different dynamics. The keybed is TRASH!!!! The sounds are awesome. I’m a Yamaha guy. CP88 is the way to go!

[@alexanderav1780]

Wow, good election, the Gnossiene no. 1 by Erik Satie is a beautiful piece

[@peaceofkake1085]

Outstanding! Yamaha has always been the brand I completely trust. I probably will never buy a different brand of electronic keyboard. I also love the fact that Yamaha owns Bosendorfer. When the time comes for me to buy a piano that's over a thousand dollars, hopefully I'll find a Yamaha with a Bosendorfer sampling. As to the Nord, I know you're disappointed but remember one thing- anything you buy has the potential to be a lemon, which is why the warranty is so important. Even when companies manufacture cars, they expect a certain percentage of them to not work perfectly. My gut tells me that even if the store or Nord its self were to offer to replace it with a properly working one, you'd still wouldn't want it.

[@maxvandesandebakhuyzen6627]

The Yamaha CP88 has a Bosendorfer sample!

[@danieljung2810]

Also as a pianist the action is very, very important and how it interacts with the sound. Thank you for this.

[@cliffjhun_music]

I had the same sudden loud note at fast repetition issue with my NP4, but no one believed me! This proves I wasn't crazy.

[@zennabella1676]

NO, YOU ARE NOT CRAZY. MY KORG SP280 STARTED GETTING VERY LOUD NOTES WHICH BY THE WAY ARE BLACK KEYS AND NOT WHITE ONES. AND NOW I THINK I HAVE 4 OR 5 VERY LOUD KEYS. MY PLAYING SOUNDS AWFUL NOW THE NOTES ARE LIKE THIS. ONE DAY WHEN I DONT FEEL TOO TIRED AND LAZY I MIGHT TRY TO FIX MY KEYBOARD PIANO. YOU CAN WATCH HOW TO FIX A KEYBOARD ON KZbin. THERE ARE SO MANY SCREWS IN SOME KEYBOARDS THOUGH. IF YOU LIVE IN A MAIN TOWN OR CITY IT WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER FOR YOU TO PAY SOMEONE TO FIX YOUR KEYBOARD. I LIVE A LONG WAY FROM A MAIN TOWN SO ID HAVE TO FIX MY OWN KEYBOARD PIANO.

We have a winner - honestly, I didn't expect that.

[@bram6070]

This is my first video of you I watched. You seem like a very nice and knowledgable guy.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you for the visit and hope to see you again.

[@erestube]

I had an on/off switch issue on the original nord electro. Brings back memories. Looks like they've got production issues.

[@aaronbarber6238]

That round robin glitch happens to me a lot. It always gives me a good jump when it barks like that. It also triggers Micro Midi notes sometimes too, I sometimes have to go back and clean up the Midi data. It definitely is a buzz kill, the sounds are very nice though.

[@cameron357]

Beautiful playing bro

[@ChazSeamus28]

great review

[@heidermusic9189]

Had more Nord for several weeks now, I have had ZERO issues with it at all.Super solid keyboard, hand downs.

[@MarcTelesha]

Nord fans are similar to Apple fans :)

[@nodfactor8808]

@@MarcTelesha Haha!

[@walrusgumboot]

Heider Music I have the Nord Stage 2, have had it for years (6 or 7 years), still going strong. Played it a ton, gigged with it and never had any issues.

[@joechristopher5803]

Marc Telesha fans of any brand stick to the brand usually, it’s not particular to one brand dummy

[@risuku2002]

You tested very carefully, thank you!

[@movingparticle3835]

Regarding the loudness issue you mention: I was facing similar problems with the Pro2 but only related to some single keys. And it was definitely a problem of age although I want to point out that I've got a DP by Denon which still works fine after 30 years now. DPs principally don't need to be that durable due to the fast technological change but stage-pianos absolutely need to be robust.

[@brandonmckoy8680]

Does the key bed glitch still occur if you midi the Nord to another board?

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

Thanks for your great content man - learn a lot from your channel. Sad, but Bro the Nord is in a few respects a dud (excepting the sound which is really pretty) - some major flaws there as you have shown ! love the way you alternate the tune on both keyboards - sick! Debussy and I am in heaven.... man the last tune on the Nord was totally dope (dude i loved it)!

[@christinacary]

I just sold my SV-1, ten yrs old, never any issues with the keybed and I play hard a lot. It was used for studio not gigging. I did have an issue with weak 1/4” jack main out. Other Main issue was I kept accidentally hitting the presets buttons whilst playing, switching to a diff sound like an organ, it gave me a heart attack every time ! Shopping for replacement now :)

[@selftrue670]

I agree that the Nord has a fuller, more acoustic piano-like sound than did the Yamaha, though not a glaring difference.. Sometimes, that's an EQ or other setting peculiarity that can be worked out. Build quality and durability is a major issue for me, as is touch. I own an RD800 Roland--it is a beast, and I love love love the action. However, I have never cared for the piano tones through monitors, and I have never found setting to correct it.

[@musikone1780]

Just get Keyscape from Spectrasonics and NOIRE from Native Instruments and you'll be good.

[@Jonathan-ex3sl]

You cant load any additional sounds or samples onto the yamaha.. I don't understand why. It doesn't make sense to compare the sounds in such detail when you can just swap out the nord sounds with whatever you want.

[@eelcotrietsch8113]

In firmware update v2.60 (2021-09-23) it states as one of the improvement "Improved handling of high-velocity strokes during quick key repetitions". Does this update solve the sudden volume increase 'bug'? Could you confirm this? I'm considering buying a Nord Stage 3, but this bug could be a deal breaker...

[@Elohim7777]

Was about to pull the trigger for nord stage 3 until i got to feel its keybed... went for cp88 instead, i may however still buy the compact ver if i see a cheaper price.

[@mijaatin]

There’s certain functionality with Nord’s lighter action: it’s not just piano, it’s also organ and fully featured synth. So you can play those fastest synth lines easily. Nord’s are very reliable. Built like tanks. You clearly have faulty unit. Otherwise Nord beats Yamaha CP88 hands down: CP88 does not have synth, only samples and organ is afterthought.

[@ThePianoforever]

I agree and disagree. While synths do have nonweighted keys, it is not difficult to play quickly on a heavier piano style action. Classical pianists do it all the time. The only downside to a heavier action would be that doing glissandos wouldn't be as easy, which is an important aspect in some styles of organ playing. The overall build quality of the Nord's frame seemed alright, although it was geared more towards being as light as possible. And while I agree that the Nord has more features than the Yamaha, I'd say the CP-88 has higher quality control. I had no problems with it, and haven't heard of any from other sources.

[@drmedwuast]

ThePianoforever The point is that the Nord’s keys are not meant to be optimized for piano sounds alone. I find the action to be a perfect compromise between playability for rhodes, organ, synth and piano sounds.

[@TheEchelon]

The Nord is also twice the price..

[@jim538]

Very Helpful!! I thought Nord was market leader... especially at the price!! I had tried the action and it felt more spring like and less piano like and therefore thought the higher price wasn't worth it.

[@shaneliffin6116]

Your knowledge of digital and acoustic pianos amazes me!

[@wgmfl]

Great work as usual James. I want to ask what is the name of the hypnotic song you played after your usual song you typically play. It sure was mesmorizing.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Erik Satie, Gnossienne 1

[@erik1997]

Erik Satie - Gnossienne no 1

[@moldenburg909]

It’s really pity that Nord didn’t put more time in the quality because the sound is good but the cp88 wins. In this case I mean because I still love the Roland 2000 that you reviewed. Thank you for sharing.

[@Marion0142]

what about the nord piano 4?

[@MarioLpd1]

Congratulations for the video, for now I keep my CP88 with the Modx7 ......

[@kananello3624]

Although I've been using Yamaha for a very long time yet I do love sound of the Nord stage 3, only if Nord technicians can sort out its issues, I might consider it

[@777Witness]

Please do a comparison to Korg SV2!

[@MB23ytch]

Great review! Did you try the cp73 action?

[@JavierRuizGonzalez]

I had a Roland entry level digital piano, model PF-30, that suffered exactly from the same issue in the middle C# and D# keys. Although it was serviced and solved, I ended up selling it before the disease spread to other notes. Really frustrating...

[@olandlucyharries7437]

I have the same loud issue note on my yamaha too......... its apparently a worn sensor/rubber??

[@Josh-lm7qq]

Hey there. On the Yamaha CP88 you can control the leslie using the modwheel/modtoggle

[@rechebounald]

I do wonder what is the best set-up for speakers for playing at home?

[@anonymous_friend]

great review. Have you tested the SL88 controllers? Curious if those have a nice action compared yamahas.

[@zamora_5312]

I bought a Yamaha YC 88 and im really happy with my purchase. Pianos & EP Pianos are great, CFX, S700, U1 & the C7 sound really good. Rhodes sound great too with a little EQ to your taste and your good to go. In the other hand the YC has an FM engine and im amazed they imported some FM pianos from the montage like the FM Piano DA from montage & some others. I hope that via a firmware update they add some TX/DX presets too. Keybed action is really good. Compared to my old Yamaha P105 Graded Hammer Standard this had Natural Wood Triple Sensor and its a premium high quality keybed.

[@cjhepburn7406]

After this I'd go 4 the CP88 (like I know what I'm talking about. Lol.

[@armstronglance]

I like the CP300. I know it’s an older keyboard, but the piano & built in speakers sounds fantastic! (Excellent chops by the way!)

[@dooitzeyidejong]

I used to own the CP300. What an excellent stagepiano!

[@kojtaaa]

Piano sound od CP300 is still very good and run great via PAs, it has sharp sound well cutting through the band. Compared to Nord’s pianos it is not so natural sounding, but works great on stage. Rhodes and hammonds on CP300 are farely not so good though… CP300s speakers are cool for stereo monitoring on stage.

[@labradog05]

Does anyone knows what keyboard stand he using for stacking two keyboards?

[@toth-music]

Hi James, thank you so much for your honesty and diligently and carefully testing of the pianos.These are such helpful informations! By the way: I like the piano sound of the Yamaha Stage Piano much more, specially when you say, the Nord Stage 3 is more mellow: yes it is, but it doesn't really sound like a piano, more like a bass guitar.... a lot of punch, but no way, this is not a grand piano sound. The Yamaha is much more realistic, allthough sometimes a bit sharp, specially in the high notes. But this sharpness gives the important quality of clearness in classic interpretations. Funny and inbelievable the problem with repetition... I just couldn't trust my ears when I heard the single tone springing out....! no way....! Anyway I was interested specially in touch and differenciation of touch and sound for playing classical music as professional, to get the possibility to practice during the holydays... keep up with your channel, your engagement is like a bright star and gives clear orientations...

[@jeffreyreid6981]

Can you review the Nord grand

Thank you for this! Has anybody told you before you look like Robert Martin? Not that that has anything to do with it, of course. Had to ask, sorry :-) Again, thanks for this video ... it has helped a lot! All the best, ~ Fred

[@vodcastwithak]

Hey, have you never tried Kurzweil? Would love a review of PC4 from you.

[@sobhan704]

James, Would you mind reviewing Nord Grand? It's an interesting board imho 😬

[@BoStarWizard]

Maybe You Would Like the Kurzweil Forte? "But IDK I haven played one" But it seems like what you might like.

[@fortnight_in_florida]

I like this guy..Good quality review - thanks buddy - particularly like your dry sense of disappointment - in a good way ;-)

[@TooSlowTube]

The Nord velocity problem could be a bad switch design, or it could be a firmware bug. Velocity is calculated using a timer, and two switches per key. E.g. a normally closed switch, which opens when you start to press a key down, and a normally open switch, which closes when the key reaches the bottom - or close to the bottom. If the timer doesn't start, it would be counted as zero time, so maximum possible velocity. That could happen because the switch that says you started pressing the key down didn't operate, or because the CPU/firmware was too busy to notice, when it did. Either problem could be intermittent, but my money would be on a firmware bug.

[@Teilzeitflaneur]

Great review. Which monitors do you use at the Yamaha CP88?

[@calebrabion]

This is why I am Yamaha for life

[@zennabella1676]

YAMAHA IMPRESSES ME TOO.

[@polerity]

Same here

[@charleslascari7191]

Have you tested the Electro 6? Does it have the same loudness on repeat problem? You can get one with manual drawbars, right?

[@mnhguy]

The sudden loud key glitch is a massive problem on my korg krome. It kills the entire mood a whole lot of the time. So thank goodness for this heads up.

[@zennabella1676]

THANKS, I WONT EVER GET A KORG KROME. I HAVE SEEN THOSE ONLINE AND WAS A BIT IMPRESSED. I DONT WANT ANY KEYBOARD PIANO WHERE SOME NOTES GO EXTREMELY LOUD. ITS HAPPENED WITH MY KORG SP280. AND SOME OF THE BLACK KEYS WENT VERY LOUD WHEN I HADNT EVEN HAD IT FOR VERY LONG. NOW THERE ARE MORE VERY LOUD BLACK NOTES ON THIS KEYBOARD PIANO. IM NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS. I HAVE AN OLD UPRIGHT PIANO HERE AS WELL. BUT ITS TERRIBLY OUT OF TUNE SINCE I MOVED. NO ONE AROUND HERE WILL FIX EITHER OF MY PIANOS SO I HAVE TO ONE DAY FIND SOME STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO FIX ONE OF MY PIANOS MYSELF. MOST LIKELY IT WILL BE MY KEYBOARD PIANO. THEY LOOK EASIER TO FIX THAN THE OLD UPRIGHT NON ELECTRIC PIANOS.

[@sehan622]

That was harsh, you must have got a bad one. I own the NP2, beautiful instrument, bad pedal, I`m on my third pedal now. I know the Yamaha people stick to...Yamaha:D I guess it`s a reason for that. Guess what. When I leave my home with my precious Nord I bring an old Yamaha pedal for backup. Happy playing out there, great review.

[@KarlMiller-DjKarl]

I had a loud key glitch on my old Yamaha P-45... I like the CP88 I played it at the music store and love the pitch bender on it also like the keys... ☮️🔥

[@zachhunter5311]

Same issue with my P115.

[@elsephi]

the piano sounds on the nord is darker , i like it

[@philippelambert329]

I have played a Yamaha CP80 for about 20 years, and as it seems now to be starting having some age (and wear)-related problems, I have been considering replacing it with a Nord in the next months... Well I'll rather have a close look at the CP88 instead :-)

[@larrbaII]

6:00 Now that's true after-touch. :(

[@6zhnvgz7]

Hello James, could you please compare the Nord Piano 4 against the Korg Grandstage 88?

[@SorryIwasntListening]

Love the Nord sound...so organic.... hang on did you say twice the price!... Ok I can live with the Yamaha sound!😉

[@ingoclever4052]

oh... I think you are spot on right... Have they put out a firmware update?

[@rdean150]

First off, the piece you played to compare the keyboards around the 11:30 mark - bravo, just gorgeous. Whats the name of that piece? It sounds hauntingly familiar, like something from a noir dream... I spent some time with a CP88 a few months ago and found the action to be a little heavier than ideal, and I'm glad to hear that sentiment represented here as well. At first I was thrilled by the weight, then after about 30 - 45 minutes I realized my hands were feeling noticeably more fatigued than usual. I'm sure that is indicative of a need to improve my form, but it is undeniably heavy action. I did quite enjoy the feel and sound of the instrument overall though.

[@reyesnmusic]

it's a piece from Erik Satié, Gnossienne 1

[@web3risk]

Nords break. Nords can't be easily repaired. How do I know? I have a Stage 2 Door Stop Edition sitting in its Nord body bag, never to see the light of day again.

[@ReallyDudeYouGottaHearThis]

Bummer. I went through hell trying to find someone to even look at a keyboard that I was having trouble with. I had to go outside the music community to find an excellent electronics guy

[@michaelmagee6428]

does any company make a keyboard that is weighted when playing it as a piano, and then you can turn off the weighting feature when played like a synthesizer or organ??

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Michael Magee some keyboards will allow you to choose the sound to be triggered at different points, as in, you can choose to trigger the sound when the key is pressed all the way down, or triggered half way down, or other trigger points. To actually change the action would be pretty complex

[@TomAtkinson]

Is that a Bela Bartok track at the end? Nice one.

[@Dereinzigwahrejones]

Why dont you compare it to the nord piano? Wouldn't it be a better comarison?

[@AudioReplica2023]

Because the Nord stage is more the same type of keyboard meaning its equally versatile sound wise. The Nord piano is focused on pianos sounds than synths. Yamaha cp88 is Yamaha's repose to the Nord stage.

[@Modeltnick]

Good review! Quality seems to be shaky on anything made these days. Thanks!