Nord Stage 4 vs Piano 5 - Narrative from Pianist Perspective

[@sharingmatters]

The best comparison of these 2 keyboards. Thanks

[@lindawolfe8966]

Considering changing my piano 5 for a Nord stage 3 or 4. You have really given me ALOT of information to help me make my decision. I love my piano 5 but the sample synth sounds of organ and even pad and strings are less than what I had expected. Thanks much!

[@Daring2Win]

I don't need any of the synth or organ stuff, but the independent effects, spring reverb, & LP/HP filter I'd love to have. I wish they'd made the NP5 with 5 band EQ or at least made the other two bands menu accessible. FYI, if you hit SHIFT & a layer volume knob, you can indeed adjust the piano or sample synth layers simultaneously

[@MartinPool]

Really sweet video. I hope in future videos you'd play more of the sounds and controls you're talking about ..

[@cjc4765]

Thanks!

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks so much for your ongoing support CJ, its very much appreciated! Glad you found this video helpful!!

[@cjc4765]

@@PianoManChuck always great info!thanks!!

[@spdycar13]

Love my piano 5! Nice comparison video. Thanks!

[@endrizo]

thanks dear Chuk you always compare side by side with the truth, no bull... thanks again

[@supersteveworld]

Love my Nord Piano 5. The action is good and reliable. Sounds great too. I’d love a Stage 4 but they are pretty pricey.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

I played the Nord Grand the other day and love the Kawai action but the Piano 5 suits my needs more but have never played one and can't find one to play in the shops.....how do they compare action wise? I love how quick and light the Nord grand is to play.

[@supersteveworld]

@@germanshepherdlover2613 hi, oddly I didn’t like the action on the Nord Grand. I had one but got rid of it. Funny because I have a real Kawai Grand at home. I like the Nord Piano 5 action quite a bit. It can be a touch sluggish on fast repeats but otherwise very nice to play.

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

@@supersteveworld l find the Nord HP on my Nord stage 3 HP76 action sluggish when playing piano.

[@supersteveworld]

@@germanshepherdlover2613 I wouldn’t describe it as heavy just not great at fast repeats etc

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

@@supersteveworld l found the Nord Grand action to be very fast and responsive.

[@timallen6025]

Really really helpful thank you.

[@kdk701]

Very informative. Thanks Chuck.

[@andrewcjeffrey]

Thorough and useful comparision; thanks Chuck. What speakers or monitors do you recommend to use with either digital piano?

[@adamstewart247]

Seems like the way to go is to get the Piano 5 and just use midi controller setup for any missing functionality. You get 80%-85% of the performance...it doesn't seem like its worth double the price for just that last 15%

[@lucacagnolati5530]

Grazie Chuck!

[@jameselias]

Am I understanding right regarding "Dual pianos"? You say the Stage 3 can't do it, but it can. You press panel A and B together and the two piano engines will sound at the same time. I often use it and set panel B an octave higher to get a fuller sound, but you're free to play two pianos together at the same time. Am I missing something here?

[@nintensky7219]

I was about to comment this too, I was worried that the np5 did not do dual.

[@RhafaelAnastacio]

This information is cool... the bad thing is that clavia doesn't post this information on her website!

[@Notmehimorthem]

Could we have a video on Stage 4 MIDI please? I would like to have a laptop running some high end VSTs and integrate them possible in layers with the Nord. Not sure about the potential and possiblities of the Stage 4 - MIDI wise.

[@MrCalifornia0]

Anyone compare either to the Grand? I've only played the stage 4 and I wasn't wild about the action.

[@TimE_5150]

Two amazing boards!

[@PianoManChuck]

I think so too! Hope all is well Tim.

[@Halunlimited]

Greetings PianoManChuck! Congratulations on acquiring this great Nord Stage 4. Kudos to you for this video and your previous in-depth review with impressive creative performing on this great new Nord. I am still playing my original 88 key Korg Kronos (since 2011). I know that you enjoyed and appreciated that keyboard when it first came out and you acquired it. So now the Korg Kronos is discontinued. Mine is 12 years old and I had been interested in the Nord stage 3 up to last year but wanted to wait for the Nord Stage 4 to come out before I made a decision on my next keyboard. I do want a more real time quick and smooth interaction with the keyboard so that I can avoid menu diving, and this Nord seems to deliver on this superior to other options for live performing. Chuck, is there anything you miss on the Nord that you had on the Kronos? I want to prepare for the change and accept anything that I might miss. Thanks for sharing. Hal

[@PianoManChuck]

Hi Hal, been a while!! I still have my 2011 Korg Kronos as well. What you need to realize is that the Kronos and the Nord are two very different instruments for two very different purposes. The Kronos is a WORKSTATION where you would take your time to get exactly what you want (with menu diving) so that you can record individual tracks exactly the way you want - this is ideal for a studio setup. The Nord on the other hand is a LIVE PERFORMANCE instrument where you want complete control of everything as quickly as possible without menu diving because you're performing live in realtime in front of an audience (unlike the Kronos where you're doing a track at a time until you have a finished masterpiece). That being said, if given the choice, I'd most likely opt for the Nord because of it being not only a LIVE PERFORMANCE instrument, but when coupled with a DAW you can accomplish the same things you could do with the Kronos as a standalone unit. Aside from that, the Nord has (some of) the best sounding instruments in the industry, not just piano but organ and synth as well (as with some other categories). The Nord is a solid instrument built to withstand the rigors of being on the road.... but overall, the build quality and sound quality are (IMHO) second to none. Additional sounds are a free download away from the Nord website. I think if you decide to take the plunge, you would find that the Nord is one of the best investments you could make not only for sound quality but also for its high resale value. That being said, no - I don't really miss anything on the Kronos by switching over to the Nord, but that's me. PM me if you're interested in purchasing at an awesome price.

[@Halunlimited]

@@PianoManChuck Thanks for your very helpful response. I have a bunch of yet-to-be completed song projects lined up and programmed into my Kronos Setlists for recording. I want to complete those first on the Kronos and then I will be sure to contact you before I take the next step. All the best.

[@LeanBravo]

How cool is that?! 😌

[@danielcolfer4671]

If you’ve got the bread the stage 4 is the way to go.

[@nintensky7219]

I have access to a stage 3 at church, so I been eyeing the Nord piano 5 bc its so much more affordable

[@PianoManChuck]

Yes, its more affordable because its mainly piano focused (plus sample playback) making it a great stage piano. But if you need excellent tonewheel and other organ sounds and true synthesizer capability, Nord Stage 4 definitely excels!

[@BoykeWijono]

Why do I feel that yours sound better than mine? I set White Grand + Imperial Grand with the reverb (followed your setting) while the sound is the same, but the sustain sounds shorter. Is there any sustain pedal setting that I should look into? NP5

[@ldifalco2010]

Nice comparison Chuck. I have a question though. I have a Stage 3. How is the Piano 5 with two piano engines different than the two panels in the stage 3? I can have panel A set to White Grand and panel B set to another piano sample. Can you explain the difference? Thanks.

[@galastar257]

There is no difference

[@thomjohn98]

And the Stage 4 costs a little over $3000 dollars more than the Piano 5.. Just buy a separate rompler tone wheel, heck even a Kronos 61 and save some money........

[@johnscott4693]

I agree 100% “The best investment you’ll ever make”. Certainly mine (after proposing to my wife of course …)!

[@Notmehimorthem]

My wife thinks it's a good investment - she sees less of me = boom boom!

[@sghsghdk]

John .... she was watching you write that comment right?? :D:D

[@sghsghdk]

Chuck - can you do a 9 month review of the Stage 4?

[@1973asdf]

as always, impeccable video chuck, you are simply the best… i think nord has ended the game once and for all, the stage 4 checks all the boxes and has literally all features i have always dreamed of in a keyboard. i was able to test it with headphones and i fell i love with everything, the sound is just so good! really inspiring instrument… i wished i could walk off the store with one in my hands hahaha thanks for the amazing video chuck!

[@PianoManChuck]

That's exactly how I feel about it! This is the best investment in any keyboard to date (IMHO), and the high resale value puts it ahead of all other instruments!

[@1973asdf]

@@PianoManChuck exactly! completely agree with your words Chuck, indeed its the best investment i can think of. its all a keyboardist would ever ask and need! thanks for providing us with top quality content! love from brazil my friend!

[@MartinPool]

Thanks!

[@PianoManChuck]

@MartinPool - Thanks! Glad you found the video useful :)