Nord has introduced the Stage 4 – the next generation of their flagship series keyboard.
The Nord Stage 4 features a new panel design, a premium triple-sensor keybed, a complete effect sections for each layer and other ‘massive enhancements’.
The Piano
The Nord Stage 4 comes with a new enhanced collection of Grands, Uprights and Electric Pianos, combined with new features such as Dynamic compression and Unison.
Nord says that their sampling techniques capture the nuances and real character of the source instruments, and their ‘Advanced String Resonance’ and Dynamic Pedal Noise features deliver realism and an unsurpassed level of expressiveness.
Piano Section Highlights:
- Enhanced collection of Uprights, Grands,
- EPs and more
- Dynamic Compression
- Unison feature
- Creative Timbre presets
- Advanced String Resonance
- Dynamic Pedal Noise
The Synth
The Synth section, with its three independent Layers, is based on the powerful Nord Wave 2 Synth Engine, including Virtual Analog synthesis, Samples, FM and Wavetable.
An extensive new collection of samples from the Nord Sample Library offers a broad sonic palette of Strings, Bass, Choirs, Guitars and much more. The advanced Arpeggiator features new Polyphonic, Gate and Pattern modes and can be used for a huge variety of rhythmic applications with customizable patterns.
Synth Section Highlights:
- Nord Wave 2 Synth Engine
- 3 independent Synth Layers
- Doubled sample memory
- Enhanced samples with Tru-Vibrato, Unison and Round Robin
- Extensive real time controls
- Advanced Arpeggiator with Polyphonic, Gate and Pattern modes
- Extern mode for advanced MIDI control
The Organ
The Organ section features simulations of B3 Tonewheel, B3 Bass, classic Vox and Farfisa, as well as two Pipe Organ models.
All Stage 4 models are equipped with their new Physical drawbars with LED indicators, for more of a hands-on experience.
- Organ Section Highlights:
- Organ simulations of B3, Vox/Farfisa and Pipe Organ models
- Physical drawbars with LED indicators
- Drawbar Live mode
- New B3 Bass mode
- Model 122 Vintage Rotary Speaker with normal or close mic positions
The Effects
The Nord Stage 4 has a powerful new Effect section, offering a complete setup of Effects for each Layer.
The extensive range of Effects includes a new Pump effect for side chain simulation, a new Spin effect and brand new variations of Reverb, Delay, Amps and Modulation effects.
The Effect Section Highlights:
- Dedicated Effect section per Layer
- New Variations for Modulation, Amp, Delay and Reverb Effects
- New Spring, Booth and Cathedral Reverb
- New Spin effect
- New Pump effect
- New Flam and Space Delay
The Nord Stage 4 comes in three models:
- Nord Stage 4 88 with a fully weighted Triple Sensor keybed (A-C) with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators.
- Nord Stage 4 73 with a fully weighted Triple Sensor keybed (E-E) with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators.
- Nord Stage 4 Compact with a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall Triple Sensor keybed (E-E) with aftertouch and Physical Drawbars with LED indicators
See the Nord site for details.
I have their Electro 5d as well as the C2d. Their instruments aren’t cheap, but I like how they generally feel built up to a quality instead of down to a price. If you’re a player and a performer in addition to a programmer, you may appreciate how they focus on doing a few things well and created a musical and interactive UI.
Their sounds also sit really well in a mix. I use their White Grand at least as much as I use software pianos and streaming libraries on my Kronos when I record. I’ll often bring my Electro 5d to sessions just in case the acoustic piano is a bit funky or out of tune.
I’d like to add that it’s nice to see the physical drawbars appear on the weighted keyboard models. These instruments, combined with either a laptop or synth module would be a compelling one stop solution for live work.
I’m a synth head – so is is obv wich part interests me.
Hopefully they bring the synth line back and a nord lead #5 (not A series) will be a thing.
My fav nord lead so far is #3.
Yet another Piano…when will we see the return of Nord Modular?
this is a great upgrade! Although i wish they wouldn’t skimp on the ram. You have to pick and choose between what to put on the instrument on the Stage 3’s from just their content, let alone adding your own. Makes me wonder if theres a ceiling on how much they can put in and still be efficient with how they operate- like if it was 4gb would there be some loading issues? It appears we are stuck with 2gb ram for the next flagship cycle (3-7 years).
Mostrly I agree with Peter but the only flaw is Ram and resource.. That price with that lambs..
Have they removed the external control section? Seems like a bad plan. Also – the price! Crazy….
Nord Modular, please!
A return of the Nord Modular is very unlikely. It was excellent, but also a lot like Max For Live in hardware form. There are now many more options that do a modular thing quite well. To really stand out and win enough market share, they’d have to devote a lot of resources to it that are better spent on their much more profitable stage pianos.
I doubt that they’d want to weaken that with a niche product that will bring a small but demanding horde to their door, screaming for 2 more LFOs. You know it would happen!
I am using the Song option in my Stage-3 a lot for setlists and can’t understand how this is implemented in the Stage-4.