Nord Stage 4 - Comprehensive Overview / Review of what's new!

Nord Stage 4 - Comprehensive Overview / Review of what's new!
This amazing board is a definite game changer in the world of Nord.
Check out the Clickable Video Index below where you can jump to any point of interest quickly, or use as a reference guide to this incredible board.
** CLICKABLE VIDEO INDEX BELOW **
The best prices in the USA on the new Nord Stage 4 Series can be had by visiting:
www.PianoManChuck.com
Ask for your personal quote (Mainland USA Only)
** CLICKABLE VIDEO INDEX: **
00:00 - Start
00:05 - Opening Performance (just to demo some of the capabilities)
02:19 - Opening Dialogue / New Panel Design / My History
03:53 - Previous “Nord Stage” Releases (every 6 years)
04:44 - Front Panel
04:59 - 3 different models (88, 73, Compact). Only the number of keys & keybed differs.
05:54 - Comparing Keys of 88/73 to Nord Piano 5
06:46 - Compact version is a semi-weighted, 73-key waterfall, triple sensor.
07:13 - Triple Sensor Explained
08:36 - New “Triple Pedal 2” and “Single Pedal 2”
10:29 - Physical Drawbars now on all models
11:31 - 2 different organ engines, 2 piano, 3 synth/sample
12:24 - Every unique sound/layer has its own separate, complete FX section!
13:23 - Nord’s “Layer” Definition
14:02 - 7 Layers Total (14 using “Layer/Scene II”)
14:20 - No more confusing “Panel A / Panel B”
14:52 - “Layer / Scene II”
15:02 - Nord’s “Program” vs Roland’s “Scene”
15:34 - “Layer / Scene II” usage
15:51 - Both Parts of “Layer / Scene II” are 1 program!
16:22 - “Layer / Scene II” Example
18:05 - Program Knob
18:41 - PreSet Library (for organ, piano & synth)
19:15 - PreSet Library - Piano
19:40 - Hi Fi Grand Piano
21:06 - AUX Keyboard for each section / sound
22:00 - New “B3 Bass” Setting in Organ Section
22:47 - Overdrive (Organ) is cleaner
23:13 - Now there’s 2 “Shift / Exit” Buttons!
24:12 - Now has 8 “Live Mode” buttons instead of 5
24:45 - Now there’s 11 Preset Split Points instead of 10
25:56 - Synth Section now has 3 separate layer selections.
26:30 - Synth Section now based on Nord Wave 2
26:58 - Envelopes for Amp, Filter, Osc now on the LCD with 3 control knobs (Attack, Decay, Release)
27:36 - FX - New “Variation” button for many of the FX
27:58 - New “Spring” Reverb
28:52 - New “Booth” Reverb
29:26 - New “Cathedral” Reverb
30:17 - New “Pump” Effect
30:58 - Timing from Master Clock or Pedal
31:12 - New “Spin” Effect
32:14 - Piano Section and Setting up a Blend
35:21 - Viewing the Sections on the Display
36:02 - New Piano Section Controls / Settings
36:13 - Unison
36:49 - Dynamic Compression
38:40 - Monitor Button
39:17 - New “Solo” Button
40:28 - LO and HI emphasis on Synths!
41:30 - Morphing made easy!
42:33 - Use “AfterTouch” instead of Wheel
43:57 - Classic Organ Presets

[@danieldavies7308]

Really great explanations of features, especially the 3 sensors! Thanks 😊

[@johnscott4693]

Had mine 3 weeks. Unbelievable. My best ever purchase. So much you can do, with amazing sounds (Elton John, Supertramp, you name it … you can achieve it)

[@PianoManChuck]

That's EXACTLY how I felt. Once I reviewed the Stage 4 I just had to purchase one for myself!!! Best board I ever purchased!

[@johnscott4693]

@@PianoManChuck I’m a Supertramp fan of old - even buying Pete (The Who) Townsend’s unused Wurli 200 ($10,000), a Boss CE-1 ($1,000)and JC 120 (plus much more) to achieve those Logical Song and Dreamer sounds (they’re actually quite different). Dreamer I had spot on, Logical better than anyone I’ve ever heard, but only 70% right. My tip to achieve these sounds: Go to presents, you’ll find Logical song. It’s 85% right. Then save Wurli 1 to the second piano. Add a bit of EQ to the second Wurli and some stage echo (about #4). No amp or other effects. Then save that, say to a H bank slot as Logical piano full db but Wurli 1 at 20% (or 2 lights on). Then hit the morph key and assign to the wheel: to turn down Logical and turn up Wurli 1 to full. Then save. Now you have a brilliant (90% right) Logical song sound, but then move the morph wheel when so it reduces and Wurli 1 gets louder, (with that reverb and EQ coming in) … and you have the Dreamer sound. Thing is, in between these two “extremes” of the wheel, you mimic the Wurlitzer sound Supertramp had on some many other tracks, especially on Breakfast in America. It’s stunningly good. PS. Check Out Bonners Music UK (Tony) YT Video. He blends a stage grand piano sound with a digital piano sound, both presets on the instrument. No other effects are needed, (other than maybe EQ or reverb for your model of speakers / studio set up). Just that blend gives you the best Elton John sound you will ever hear. Add choir and pad to the morph wheel and you can add those into that sound mid song. So close it’s frightening. I’ve sold all my other equipment, generating £10,000, and bought these keys, bag etc for £5,000 and I’m in such a happy place. Better sounds, one instrument, amazing opportunities. And £5,000 in my pocket! NB. You will NOT be able to download the hundreds of user created sample sounds to synth section (via a PC) as NS mp4 Samples are required. That’s a “known issue”. However, only yesterday with Nord HQ we discovered a good, simple work around. If you want it email me simjim888 at gee Mail John

[@PianoManChuck]

@@johnscott4693 Thanks for all the tips John, and yes I'm familiar with Tony's (from Bonner's) tip for recreating Elton John's piano!

[@namenaim1560]

Really helpful thanks

[@ruanof7]

Thanks for the review.

[@beatnickPL]

Great review my friend 😊

[@LIFELOVER715]

Thank you for guiding me more toward purchasing one.

[@PianoManChuck]

Glad I could help!

[@fazz0123]

This is great.

[@Freewheal]

Excellent review: fully commend your suggestion of a set up guide for novices!

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks!

[@keekeefries6298]

Wow, nice review. Trying to choose between Nord Piano 5 and Stage 4. I’m guessing the stage 4 piano layers are as good as the 5 given the price difference? Thank you!

[@amitev]

An amazing review of this great instrument. I really enjoyed it, even though it's far from my price range. I am considering Korg Nautilus, which is around two times cheaper and I know that it lacks the great pianos of Nord and the nice workflow with the new panel.

[@PianoManChuck]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback!

[@winterheat]

happy July 4th, Chuck 😁

[@PianoManChuck]

And a happy fourth to you as well my friend!

[@vincentsuazo3499]

I want from Nord 79 or 80 keys keyboard from A to E to chance the game completely .For pianist who play in a narrow stage

[@winterheat]

both Stage 4 and Piano 5 have no speakers? So I guess I didn't buy the Yamaha HS8 for nothing (I found that I can feed the MIDI signal from the Roland FP-90X to my MacBook Air and let it go through Pianoteq 8 or Kontakt 7 or any VST, and then let it output the WAV immediately back to the FP-90X speakers. Wow, so all I need is the FP-90X, a computer and some VST. I don't need any cable except one. I don't need audio interface box. No expensive speakers / monitor. I bought too many items!)

[@amitev]

It's on purpose. These are stage pianos, intended for the stage.

[@PianoManChuck]

Most pro-level stage pianos don't have built-in speakers.

[@winterheat]

@@amitev oh I see... I was always thinking of Piano 5 as a top end portable piano like the ES920 or FP-90X but I suppose not

[@PianoManChuck]

Nord Piano 5 is definitely a top end Stage piano, but its definitely not a "portable piano" (portable by definition means built-in amp/speakers).

[@xp50player]

Chapters, much better👍.

[@PianoManChuck]

I think so too!

[@Keyboardnut99]

Lack of song mode is a major loss lets hope they address this some way, I have a 3 as well and i do miss the song mode, yes there are many ways around this but its the only backward step on this model everything else is great!!

[@johnscott4693]

Nope it is not. As chuck says, 8 live modes …and I used G and H banks to achieve exactly what I want anyway.