Nord Stage 3 vs Nord Stage 4 - Comparison Review

In this video I compare the Nord Stage 3 to the Nord Stage 4 and talk about the functionality differences between the two. While the Nord Stage 3 is a very powerful keyboard, the Nord Stage 4 expands and improves on some areas such as the synth section and the effects to add even more features and functionality.

As I was editing this video I realized I missed the physical drawbars. On the Nord Stage 4, physical organ drawbars are now included on all versions of the keyboard instead of just the compact!

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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!

[DSoundman]

As I was editing this video I realized I missed the physical drawbars. On the Nord Stage 4, physical organ drawbars are now included on all versions of the keyboard instead of just the compact! I'm sure I'll realize other things I missed as time goes on and if so, I'll reply to this pinned comment!

[midiexpert]

Nice rundown of key features and differences. I have the Stage 3 HP76 and love it, but the lure of 88 keys, physical drawbars, and the triple sensor keybed--in addition to the layer effects and preset library, have me seriously considering an upgrade. However, I play in a Tribute band and have lots of layers/split sound programs, and currently use Song Mode as the key ingredient to organize my songs/sets for quick recall and implementation of the programs I need. While I suppose there's a workaround for the lack of Song Mode in the Stage 4, I would need to be very sure that, even over a long period of setting up, that I could get to the same spot as far as live gigs--Song mode is something I'd be lost without, unless there was an easy substitute way of getting the same thing accomplished on the Stage 4. In fact, I will suggest on the Nord user forum that someone who is a Song Mode diehard like me create a video showing us how to use the Stage 4 in the same way without having the exact Song Mode button/feature--perhaps by setting up programs by song/set, or with Live Mode, or with the preset library feature. Right now I can't think of an easy way to do this on Stage 4, which is a shame, because it's otherwise a really great upgrade.

[mortonharwood]

I just can't get past the song mode thing. There are definitely some novel ways of organizing things on the Stage 4, some of which (like scenes) I think I'd really like working with. But the Stage 3 is absolutely perfect for me as someone who plays in a variety of projects, many of them on the prog-ish side, with basically the same 20-ish patches that are arranged in completely different orders for different songs amd which I can move through with the simple push of a footswitch on the Stage 3. If they ever implement song mode on the 4 I'd be sold. I'll probably end up with one eventually anyway because there's a lot there I like regardless, but the lack of including song mode on the thing still boggles my mind a bit.

[loulo]

Got my Stage 4 a couple days ago, I really love the piano sounds on it. Love the videos, and looking forward to more!!

[Vincenade]

I sold my good old NS 2 some months ago when the NS 4 was announced, and it is really a big game changer... at least vs NS2.... watching you video, I understand that NS3 users do not really feel the envy or need to move to NS4... but when coming from NS2, it really brings you to another dimension.. Is it over-priced? yes, probably... but if you can afford it, go for it

[GHOST-ni]

Very poor that they didn’t include song mode. This makes the Stage 3 much more flexible in a live situation

[laurens.mulder]

Thanks for the review. The red instrument cables, which are they? Thank you

[satisfiedsiemens]

would you use the two keyboards for worship like piano on the Stage 4 and Pads on the Stage 3

[johnpromisepeters]

Thanks for the video. Please, what lapel mic are you using?

[darvintoc]

Min 14:35 could you share that patch. I’m getting a stage 4 soon

[joeymelotti]

Great presentation. Thank you! Is the HA73 action a TP40? Or lighter?

[mstudio]

Comparison is between Nord Stage 3 Compact and Nord Stage 4 88.
I think the dynamic response, on certain types of sounds, is too different to make an effective comparison 😊

[RichKielbasa]

I'm surprised they kept the name "Stage" in this new board. Doesn't make sense. Stage 3 is great for live playing, but this video fortifies my belief that the Stage 4 should have been called "Studio" because it's not "Stage" friendly. It's a great keyboard, but not for live playing of cover songs where you easily use 90 - 160 different sounds/programs/patches whatever you want to call it in a 3 hour gig. The loss of Song Mode killed the brand. The Stage 5 coming out next will have Song Mode.

[itsmaistro]

Something I've realized recently is there is a slight sound difference in the compact and HA action in how thr sounds is produced. It seems like the compact produces a slightly thinner/less dynamic sound than that of the weighted action versions.

[shiggins]

I am considering an 88-key Nord Stage 2, 3, or 4. I would use it to play 90% piano but still need organ and EP. Any recommendations?

[jakobkoprivnik]

amazing video, thank you very much! You have very harhs vocal on hi end (listening on studio speakers). I would lower eq around 4k-10k, or you added too much some saturation plugin

[Shterndok]

For me the coolest update in Stage 4 is that they finally ditched those legacy a & b panels and put faders for each part + the ability to assign individual effects to sounds. However I think they've missed 2 major things:
1. switching between sounds (e.g. piano) while the previous sound is sustained (kind of like the program switches are done now)
2. poly glide!!!

[DojoOfCool]

I'm liking the sound of the Stage 4 but the price is a showstopper for me so my Stage 3 can relax. The reason I like the Stage 4 is the new sound of the pianos and EPs they are brighter from a new DAC and the change in the file format. The new sound is more like the competitors who have a brighter sound to cut thru when playing with a band. People wanting to use a Stage for solo piano work might prefer the sound of the Stage 3.

[wellaseron]

I really Love the sound, its imagine.

[theguitarczar]

GREAT video... please forgive me in advance for such a question, but all feautres aside, does the 4 sound any better than the 3? Thank you