Nord Stage 4 vs. Nord Grand 2 - $10,000 NORD Comparison!

[@stevec.1802]

Thank you for a positive approach to the benefits and limitations of both keyboards.

[@scottjoyce100]

Well done video. Thanks.

[@seeingwithheart]

Awesome video but I'm still not clear and would be ever so grateful for your opinion, Douglas! My current 88 note is a Fantom 8. I love the action. However, I've decided to sell it as there's a lot about the board that doesn't resonate. I have a Stage 4 HA73 which lives between being above the Fantom and in the Salon of my sailboat. So here's the $10,000 question... do I replace the Fantom 8 with a Stage 4 88 or a Grand 2. I absolutely love the functionality and sounds of the Stage 4. I'm not crazy about its action but am still able to emote while playing. Apparently, the Grand 2 will have a more realistic piano action, but not the functionality of the Stage 4. If I go with the Stage 4 88, there will be times when I have 2 Stage 4s in my studio. If I go with the Grand 2, there will be times when I won't have a Stage 4 in my studio. You have so much experience with Nord, I feel you're able to offer really valuable insight... Thanks! Mitch

[@abdielvelazquez773]

Nord need to start giving us at least 256 voices of polyphony as a minimum. Also, can you imagine if Nord develop a modeling piano engine with unlimited polyphony? One can dream…

[@ataylorchild]

Just the question on my mind, thanks for putting this video together. Can you talk a little more about how the action compares on them? I play and practice classical piano, so I'm looking for something that is as close as possible to a real piano in touch and sound. Also, you mentioned the grand 2 is heavier; do you know how much that difference is? Is the Grand 2 still what we could call "portable" (as opposed to something like a Clavinova, which I would not call portable)

[@DSoundman]

If you play classical piano I would definitely go with the Nord Grand 2. The action is going to be more like an acoustic piano than the Nord Stage 4. The Nord Stage 4 is about 43 lbs and the Nord Grand 2 is about 47 lbs. While the difference isn't that much, the Nord Grand 2 is bulkier and harder to carry (at least by yourself). It's still in the portable category though.

[@sharingmatters]

I had the same issue. I wanted to have the piano feel. I went to the shop and checked all the available models. I travelled 3 hours to the nearst shop. You have to do it before making a purchase. Nord Piano and Nord Stage are out of discussion. It is a very light synthesiser-like keyboard. The control panels are amazing but the keyboard was a no-go for me. I tried Nord Grand 1 and I liked the keybed. It is the closest you can get to the piano experience with Nord... but. The keys were very loud. I wouldn't want my family to listen to it. Plus on headphones, it didn't sound so well (probably you need an audio interface). And I had Beyermedia gear. Don't get me wrong, I think Nord are the top choice for gigging musicians, but I am not the one. So I checked Kawai 701 - amazing feeling of keys, very realistic piano sound but lows were to bassy + I didn't like the sound of it on my headphones + there are many quality issues with these pianos. I picked the Roland LX-5 - it is the closest Digital Piano to the synthesisers. You can have 2 levels of sound patches Piano + Pad, Strings etc. You have over 300 sounds + an app. They keys are a bit heavier but there is a great dynamic of them. The sound is a bit less realistic than on Kawai but you have an amplification of the headphones and the sound is stunning.

[@spada60]

@@sharingmattersJesus guy I don’t think you’ll ever enjoy playing piano. Christ your so frikin picky. Just enjoy playing

[@slofty]

What’s more than a “decent pipe organ” on keys in your opinion?

[@gorapopkin104]

Sounds terrible with youtube compression 😢 Keep on practicing the piano ..

[@CappellaKeys]

I have way too much set up on a software keys rig with Mainstage/ Sunday Keys with Native Instruments sounds. If i end up getting the nord i'll definitely have to give up either the software or hardware rig🤕

[@DSoundman]

Once you've invested down a particular path it's certainly difficult to switch! I have a large library of VSTs and just added Keyscape to the mix...excited to see how that compares to the big red!

[@svenk.4102]

I switched to VST in my live rig. After I had problems during two gigs (lost USB connection), I switched back and bought a Nord Stage 4 and do not look back. A few weeks agomK bought also a Montage M7 in addition, which I did. not use on a gig until now. Soundwise VST is for sure better (especially on my Inear mix), but the difference is not noticeable for the listeners.

[@aselma10]

I prefer my Nord Piano 5

[@fleetadmiralsidiqi1941]

"the Nord you already have" 😉

[@stv-hammond]

Nord Grand 2 is "quite a bit heavier." Can you elaborate on this? Specs say the Grand 2 is less than 4 lbs heavier than the Stage 4 88

[@DSoundman]

You’re right, I was remembering the weight wrong when I made the video. From my experience moving them around by myself, the Nord Grand 2 just seems quite a bit heavier due to its bulkier shape.

[@Gustavo-x8f3q]

@@DSoundmanis there a big difference between Nord Grand and Nord Grand 2? I can get a Nord Grand brand new for $3,200 vs the Nord Grand 2 being a thousand more. Do they have Bluetooth? I’m making the purchase tonight. Thank you kind gracious sir

[@DSoundman]

In my opinion the Nord Grand 2 is worth the extra. More refined key feel, more layers and effects meaning better programs, and no, neither of them have Bluetooth.

[@Gustavo-x8f3q]

@@DSoundman thank you very much. I would only be using for the piano but I appreciate your reply 😎 it would be my secondary instrument to my Kawai GL40 grand

[@edwardkim1349]

[@peevee605]

Nord is cheap. They have not updated their engine with better samples for a long time.

[@slofty]

Compared to what, do you think?

[@peevee605]

@ if you want realistic Hammond B3 sounds; Viscount rules.