Best Nord Keyboards

Nord C2 – The Digital Organ you’ve been waiting for

 There are very few digital keyboards made specifically for realistic organ emulation. Of those, very few can deliver the quality for the price that the Nord C2 Organ can. The Nord C2 Organ is an upgrade on the C1 and has bettered all the Nord C1’s original features, but Nord offers even more on this release. They have reformatted the controls, intensified the effects, and added a whole new set of sound samples for a baroque pipe organ. The result is a fantastic piece of equipment that plays equally well as an old-fashioned church organ, a swank performance piece, or a standalone recording instrument.

Nord C2 Controls, features, and effects

For starters, the Nord C2 is light. It is barely a pound heavier than the Nord C1 and is easy for one person to carry. This makes it portable enough to use as a mobile performance instrument, but Nord makes sure you lose nothing off the sound quality of a stationary electric organ if you’re using it in a recording studio. The only thing that has been removed from the old Nord Organ model is the C1’s Unison Mode (a 3-way stereo chorus), but so many features have been added that the Nord C2 more than makes up for it.

The Nord C2 simulates the feel of the genuine article with light, quick, semi-weighted keys with an adjustable trigger point for super-fast, authentic play. The onboard digital effects can model the delay and reverb of a variety of spaces, which really transports this instrument into a league of its own. Like the C1 Organ, the C2 models amp and rotary speaker and bass rotor speeds. Easy-access controls change the percussion, volume, and decay naturally. Three tonewheel modes change the style and age of the organ, from old and worn to crisp and brand-new.

Nord C2

The control panel on the Nord C2 Organ has also received an upgrade. The controls are now much more intuitively placed. Vibrato, chorus, percussion, and tremulant (tremolo) controls and modulation now emulate the layout of the Hammond organ. Nord has changed the names of many organ features to match the terminology of traditional organs. For example, the C2 has Swell and Great manuals instead of the C1’s terms – Upper and Lower. The actual names of traditional pipe organ stops have also been added to the control panel.

Additional features include added storage capacity and standard output connections. There is room for all the sound samples of the original Hammonds, Voxs, and Farfisas as well as new pipe organ presets and plenty of user-created sounds. The organ also includes a useful 3.5mm stereo input featured in many Nord devices that allows players to connect an iPod or other device for accompaniment purposes. There is also an option to add a bass pedal to control the pedal manual.

Nord C2 – New Pipe Organ sounds

The Nord C1 was famous for its mastery of 3 different types of organ sound samples: Hammond B3s, Voxs, and Farfisas. The C2 retains all the sound samples from the original C1, and reviewers say the sounds are so realistic they’re hard to distinguish from the real thing. But engineers at Nord have taken it one step further. They have added baroque pipe organ sounds sampled from the real thing with Clavia’s innovative sound-capture techniques. This adds to the versatility of the Nord C2, allowing not just rock organ players to utilize Nord’s great sounds, but also giving classical, concert, or religious performers a high quality pipe organ performance instrument.

Nord C2 Pipe Organ Sound Samples

The C2’s pipe organ sounds faithfully recreate the performance of a genuine organ with all-new controls for the tremulant, shutters, and coupler modes, and onboard effects that can successfully simulate play in a vast concert hall or cathedral. The C2 has 21 organ stops, and the coupler modes for the pipe organ can transpose the stops of one manual onto one of the others, as on a real organ. The C2 Organ even faithfully emulates control of the shades or shutters in front of the organ pipes of the Swell enclosure. When the shades are “opened,” the sound increases in brilliance and volume.

The Nord C2 also recreates the baroque pipe organ’s animator, called the tremulant, by offering six different speed and depth settings that control amplitude modulation or tremulance (tremolo). Like the C1, the C2 Organ offers a wide array of beautiful effects. The delay and reverb allow the organist to capture the full splendor of a pipe organ in large, ringing spaces.

Nord C2 Combo Organ Sound Samples

Conclusion

For the price of the Nord C2 Organ, you won’t find another instrument anywhere with this kind of sound, control, and effects quality. The addition of the pipe organ sounds is worth the upgrade to the C2 by itself. Whether you’re looking for a portable performance instrument or a stable organ for the studio, Clavia takes digital organ performance to new levels.

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Nord C2 61-Key Dual Manual Combo Organ with Tonewheel, Vox, Farfisa Models and Baroque Pipe Organ (AMS-NC2) - Details

• Packed with the award-winning sounds of the C1
• Dual manual semi weighted waterfall profile keyboard
• New stunningly accurate Pipe Organ featuring 21 stops
• Includes B3, Farfisa, and Vox
• Built-in effects to refine your sound

Get the best deal on the Nord C2!

Nord Wave

Clavia Nord offers two options for analogue synths: the more affordable, 4-slot Nord Lead 2X, and the more detailed, effects-driven Nord Wave. There are advantages and drawbacks to both, and it is a difficult decision to choose between the two as neither incorporates ALL of Nord’s latest features.

While the Lead 2X recapped older Nord synth models without making any sweeping changes, the Nord Wave gave the Nord Lead 3 a serious overhaul, adding much-needed features such added memory and (finally) onboard effects. However, some constructive features from both the Nord Lead 3 and the new Lead 2X are missing in the Nord Wave, meaning players will have to weigh the specs carefully before making the decision between the newest Nord synth models.

New features in the Nord Wave:

• The onboard effects you’ve been waiting for
• Same great 2-oscillator design
• Chord memory and sample playback
• 8 memory banks with room for over 1000 sounds
• 2 slots for programs and simultaneous sound patches

Nord Wave: Features in depth

The Nord Wave reaches beyond the standard scope of a virtual analogue synth. It has become a true master performance instrument. The folks at Clavia Nord have not scrimped on the Wave’s style and sound. It is akin to the Lead 2X in its production of a vibrant, rich, and authentic sound. Other keyboard brands sound extremely digitized and twangy by comparison. The Nord Wave’s huge memory card offers 8 sample banks with room for over 1000 sounds. Three sound banks come pre-installed with a lavish selection of strings, organs, acoustic and electric pianos, and all the thick pads, lush leads, and rich bass samples you would expect from Nord’s leading analogue synth.

The four-octave keyboard with 18-note polyphony allows players to take the lead in a performance setting. The naturally playable keys are velocity-sensitive, and provide wonderful aftertouch control. The Nord Wave relies on the familiar synth engine of the Lead 3 with its dual oscillator design. It has 2 LFOs, ADSR envelopes for filter and amp control, two-stage modulation envelopes, and a whopping six filter options, which provide a large amount of extra flexibility. Filters include traditional Low, High, and Bass, and vocal filters, as well as multi- and Comb filters. The second oscillator manages sample playback, one of the best new features. This function is unique to the Nord Wave, and it allows you to play captured samples through one slot with full control over the sound’s shape and starting point.

Sound Manager, a new piece of software, is also included on the Nord Wave. Though not the most advanced synthesis tool available, the program compresses and transports samples and offers simple options for managing layers and programs onboard.

Nord Wave Sound Samples

Effects & Morphing

The famous pitch controller and nifty modulation wheel from previous models are still there in the Nord Wave. Nord’s unique morphing system is also included. The three morphing options—using the modulation wheel, keyboard notes, and velocity—allow many direct, fine-tuned options to shift the synth’s current sound. Unlike in the Lead 3, the aftertouch can only be applied to vibrato, so that has been taken away as a morph source. But the morphing destinations and parameters are especially easy to set.

Nord Wave

The Wave’s added onboard effects provide yet another set of options. Like the Nord Electro 3 and other keyboards, there are 4 effects settings to choose from, and they offer, in particular, great reverb and Chorus. The Nord Wave’s 2 program slots allow duo-timbrality for simultaneous control of layers and sound patches. The connections are standard: USB port for importing and exporting sound samples, MIDI In and Out (no Thru), and a headphone jack. The Nord Wave also has only one master stereo output, which must be shared between the 2 program slots.

Nord Wave Super-Sounds!

Minor drawbacks

The Nord Wave has no arpeggiator, which is somewhat of a disappointment after the Lead 3. There are only 99 sample locations available for saved user samples and programs, which seems to be somewhat lacking considering the Wave’s whopping upgraded storage space. Some reviewers have said they also miss the rings of LED lights around the Lead 3′s dials that displayed the user’s last settings.

Nord Wave

Nord Lead 2X vs. the Nord Wave

There is a great deal of similarity between these two Nord synths. Both run on the same twin-oscillator synth engine and have similar LFOs, modulation, and wave settings, but where the Lead 2X relies solely on the LFOs and layers for effects, the Nord Wave offers an extra set of specialized onboard effects that the Lead models don’t. Whether effects are necessary or not depends on the individual needs of the player; as has been proven, Nord keyboards sound great with or without them.

Nord Wave

Another advantage of the Nord Wave is its system for sorting sound samples. The Wave’s built-in LCD screen allows you to name your patches, hearkening back to the Lead 3’s catalog system. This is a welcome improvement over the Lead 2X’s complicated sorting system, which requires the user to scroll endlessly through almost 1000 numbered sound samples with no option of skipping through banks. The Nord Wave’s use of categories and alphabetical sorting is a definite plus.

The biggest difference between the Nord Wave and the Lead 2X is the latter’s 4-part timbrality compared to the Wave’s 2. The Lead 2X has 4 separate slots for programs, layers, and patches, as well as a split keyboard option and 4 separate MIDI outputs. This alone makes the Lead 2X infinitely more powerful for some purposes than the Nord Wave, but the added layering and programming options come at the cost of onboard effects.

Conclusion

It’s unfortunate that Nord has not yet designed a synth that incorporates all the features we love about the Nord line. There is hope that OS upgrades to the Nord Wave will add the split keyboard function and more space for user sound samples. In the meantime, both the Nord Wave and Nord Lead 2X are solid, functional options for a synth with great sound. Players will have to decide for themselves which one is Nord’s best analogue synth.

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Nord Wave Synthesizer, Sample Player and 49-Key Analog Synthesizer (AMS-NW49) - Details

• 4 Octave (49-keys) velocity and aftertouch sensitive keyboard
• 189Mb Flash memory (180mb for user samples)
• 18 Stereo voices
• Realtime control of parameters
• Analog style control panel

Get the best deal on the Nord Wave!

Nord Lead 2x

Nord Lead 2X – old design, new features

You can’t beat the Nord Lead 2X as a virtual analogue synth. Clavia Nord‘s stated goal in making the Lead 2X is to bring the player an analogue synth with the physical control of a classic synthesizer and the rich, adaptable quality of a digital synth. Other may boast more features, but the Lead 2X provides a low-cost option that is at the same time simple enough for less experienced users but versatile enough for masters. Nord fans may be familiar with the Lead 2 and Lead 3 models. Surprisingly, the successor to the Lead 3 is a throwback to the old Lead 2 design, but it comes with some exciting additions to the Lead 2 synth’s features.

Nord Lead 2x: Same design, new options

To some extent, the Nord Lead 2X is an “expansion pack” for the old Lead 2. It has the same synth engine, the same basic features, and even the same outer design and casing. At first glance, you might think Nord has slapped some new controls on the Lead 2’s body and is marketing it as a new model. But Nord is not known for cutting corners or making changes where no change was needed. Everything they have added to the Lead 2X is not only necessary but also greatly expands the old synth’s potential. The Lead 2X upgrades its popular predecessor (which was even more popular than the Lead 3) with much-needed new storage space and polyphonic capabilities, and Nord hasn’t cut anything but the price.

Nord Lead 2x

Nord Lead 2x Features in brief:

• 2x storage space of the Lead 2
• 4-part multitimbrality; 4 program slots and 4 MIDI output channels
• 4 octave velocity-sensitive keys
• 2 oscillators with 2 LFOs and a variety of wave forms
• 20-note polyphony vs. the Lead 2’s 16 notes
• Room for almost 600 factory-installed patches and 400 user patches

Nord Lead 2x Features In depth

The Nord Lead 2X has four octaves of polyphonic velocity-sensitive keys and 4 programming channels that allow a split keyboard and in-depth control of layers and patches. The intuitive controls give the user the physical, hands-on control that Nord boasted, but also offer the latest in digital quality to hone the shape of the sound.

The newly added 24-bit/96kHz A/D conversion factor is another major selling point. Four separate MIDI outputs supplement the synth’s lack of effects (see below). All four programs can be used individually, simultaneously, and in layers. In addition, the Lead 2X supports 20-voice polyphony – a great improvement over the Lead 2’s sixteen. The 4-key expansion provides a surprising amount of extra control over layered patches.

Nord Lead 2x Sound Demos

One downside to the Lead 2X is the absence of onboard effects. However, the dual oscillators can double as an effects engine of their own. The oscillators provide two LFOs, an amplifier and filter section, a modulation envelope, and multiple play modes with variable controllers. The first oscillator controls four customizable wave shapes: sine, triangle, sawtooth and pulse. The second oscillator provides a second layer of triangle, sawtooth, noise, and pulse.

Together, the two oscillators offer users a basic palette of flexible effects, though players who want a virtual analogue synth with a full effects panel might prefer the Nord Wave.

Check out some cool sounds made only with the Lead 2x!

Making up for Memory

The Lead 2’s storage of onboard memory was a significant drawback. The ancestral synth couldn’t even save user performances or layered patches without the addition of an external RAM card. The Lead 2X fixes this issue boasting a large amount of memory for memory for three different types of sound sets: performances, programs, and percussion kits. There is room for 990 single sounds and 400 performances (layered patches with multiple parts), 100 of which are free for user-created performances. There are also hundreds of programs, spanning the full breadth of sounds and instruments you would expect from an analogue synth. The breadth of the percussion kits is equally impressive, and there is plenty of opportunity for layering, as each sound is mapped to different zones of the keyboard. All user patches and programs from the Lead 2 are completely compatible with the Lead 2X. Sounds can be imported and installed via MIDI connection from any computer sequencing program or recording sequencer.

Nord Lead 2x

The synth also comes with a large collection of factory sounds, but the problem is that it is almost too large. The tedious part of the Lead 2X’s otherwise simple control system is scrolling endlessly through the list of almost 1000 pre-installed patches looking for the sound you want. The complicated numbering system for patches, percussion kits, and banks can be a little difficult to navigate. Sounds are ordered in banks of 100, but you have no option to skip through sounds by banks. Instead, you have to pan through the individual patches in groups of 10 until you find the particular sound you want.

Conclusion: Simple control and stellar sound as usual from Clavia Nord

Aside from the minor drawback, the Nord Lead 2X otherwise follows Nord’s manufacturing standard of a simple control interface and great sound. The controls are highly intuitive and easy to learn. The programs and functions users will call on most each have their own knob or button for quick and simple adjustments. The dials and display are lit with handy LED lights in case you’re in a venue where you can’t see the control board. Other than the program storage system, there are no scroll menus or complicated lists to flip through.

Characteristic of the entire Clavia Nord line’s commitment to excellence, the Lead 2X’s sounds are particularly alluring. Pads have an especially fluid, vibrant sound, and the bass is deep and rich. Though it lacks some of the options of the more comprehensive Nord keyboard models, the Lead 2X is a low-cost, versatile choice for a great synth. For sound quality, ease of use, flexibility, and function, the Nord Lead 2X is indeed one of the top virtual analogs on the market.

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Nord Lead 2X 49-Key Virtual Analog Modeling Synthesizer (AMS-NL2X) - Details

• Extra polyphony - comes with 20 voices polyphony, 4 part multitimbral.
• Extra memory - comes with a large internal memory
• 49-Key Keyboard
• Extra high resolution - sound is refined even further with new, crystal clear 24-bit DACs running at 96kHz
• Velocity morphing and wheel morphing features

Get the best deal on the Nord Lead 2x!

Asher Fulero is an accomplished performer, and in this demo you can hear him go over his favorite Nord Piano 88 sounds (upright, grands, electric, clarinet, harpsichords) playing all types of music ranging from classical, pop, rock, to improvisatory jazz. He also shows you his preferences in terms of tremolo, amplifier, transposition, and other effects settings.

In case you were still on the fence about this amazing keyboard, check out our thorough and honest review on the Nord Piano 88.

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Nord Piano 88 Professional Stage Piano - Details

• New improved weighted hammer action keyboard
• Most lightweight professional stage piano on the market
• Receives and transmits MIDI overextended USB functionality
• String resonance reproduces acoustics that occur inside acoustic grand or upright pianos
• Download free new instruments from Nord Piano Library

Get the best deal on the Nord Piano 88 HERE!

Nord Piano 88: the best Keyboard for performance Pianists

Nord Piano 88

The Nord Piano 88 brings all that is excellent about Clavia Nord to a powerful performance keyboard that’s just for pianists. The Piano 88 incorporates Clavia’s standard of simple controls, versatility, and commitment to sound quality into a simpler, more affordable keyboard that still retains all the authenticity and functionality of the more powerful Nord Stage models. Combined with access to the full Nord Piano Library and Nord’s superb effects, the Piano 88 is one of the best digital performance pianos on the market.  Please read our following Nord Piano 88 review for some insights.

Nord Piano 88 Specs & Features

The Nord Piano 88 hones the quality of its all-in-one instruments, like the Nord Stage 2 and Stage EX, into a keyboard that is specialized for piano. There is no organ and no synth, but the keyboard’s sound quality and performance aspects for piano are better than ever. Nord’s commitment to excellence ensures the keyboard feels and sounds as authentic as possible. The velocity-sensitive, fully-weighted keys have a great spring and feel for fast play.

Nord Piano Pedals

The best part of the Piano 88’s performance is its realistic harmonic resonance, modeled on the effects of the powerful, authentic Nord Stage EX. Called “String resonance” in the Nord line, struck notes excite vibrations from harmonic “strings,” simulating the sympathetic resonance of a genuine piano. This background resonance adds a layer of even greater depth and realism to the Nord’s sound.

The Piano 88’s velocity-sensitive, fully-weighted keys have a great spring and feel for fast play. At the same time, the Piano 88 is just about the perfect weight for a fully-weighted keyboard. It is light enough to transport easily, but none of the concert quality has been compromised, making it a portable but powerful model for performing pianists. It has all the standard connections for stage performance, including stereo output, headphone jack, mini-jack monitor output. It has basic MIDI outputs, but players looking for a comprehensive master keyboard might prefer a more integrated model like the Nord Stage 2.

As a side note, audio from an iPod or other source can be fed through the headphone jack, allowing players to play along with a source track. The Piano 88 has no level control, though, so this is not a fully developed feature.

Nord Piano 88: Control & effects

As in all Clavia Nord keyboards, a simple central control panel provides user-friendly access to all the keyboard’s effects and features. The control interface is easy to master. The most needed features have dedicated controls on the main panel, and less-used functions and settings can be accessed quickly from simple menus with no more than a few clicks.

Nord Piano - Control Panel

There are two effects arrays clearly marked out on the main control panel. Easily accessible sliders control the intensity of effects, which include tremolo, narrow and wide or hard and wide autopan, autowah, chorus, and phasers, flanging, and reverb with impressive depth and clarity. The Nord Piano 88 handles all the effects covered in the Nord Stage EX with equally believable vigor and richly varied depth to the modulation and amp settings.

Like the Nord Stage EX and other models, there are five separate effects sliders which are clearly accessible on the main control panel. The effects cover a good range of treatments and all have incredibly realistic sounds. The Nord Piano also comes with the “Nord Triple Pedal” piano set. The damper pedal effects are as realistic as those on any other Nord keyboard, and contribute handsomely to the instrument’s overall authentic sound. Not only so, but the pedals have very pianistic effects such as the sustain pedal (right), the sostenuto pedal (middle), and the soft (or Una Corda) pedal (on the left).

Extensive Piano Library included in the Nord Piano 88

The Nord Piano 88 has full access to the Nord Piano Library’s current and emerging selection of sound samples. The library features dozens of different piano samples: grands, uprights, electric pianos, harpsichords, and even Clavinets. Thanks to Nord’s unique sound sampling techniques, all samples ring with the most authentic possible sound. Nord has taken a lot of care to give its sound library character and vibrancy, from smart, stylish electric pianos to rich, elegant grands. Any of the individual piano models in the Nord Library play like the real thing, with the perfect mix of ring, resonance, and reverb.

The Nord Piano 88 is no different. It handles any of the sample piano models in the library with incredible polish and vigor. Some Nord Piano 88 reviews say the Piano 88 is in a league of its own compared to the “shimmery, artificial” sound of other digital keyboards. The Piano 88 comes with at least a dozen different piano samples installed, and you can trade out installed sounds for new samples at will.

As with many Nord models, one drawback to the Piano 88 is there isn’t enough onboard memory. You will inevitably find more great samples in the Nord Piano Library than you can store on the instrument’s RAM. However, samples are easy to delete and replace, so this usually isn’t much of an inconvenience.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this Nord Piano 88 review has been helpful.  Though less jam-packed with features than more expensive models like the Nord Stage 2 and Stage EX, the Nord Piano 88 offers a great combination of simplicity, quality, and features in one portable specialty keyboard. The intuitive controls, fantastic sound, and versatility of this lightweight but functional instrument should appeal to a wide range of performance pianists.

Rating: List Price: $2,799.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Eligible For Free Shipping

Nord Piano 88 Professional Stage Piano - Details

• New improved weighted hammer action keyboard
• Most lightweight professional stage piano on the market
• Receives and transmits MIDI overextended USB functionality
• String resonance reproduces acoustics that occur inside acoustic grand or upright pianos
• Download free new instruments from Nord Piano Library

Get the best deal on the Nord Piano 88 HERE!

Award-winning quality from the Nord Stage 2

Nord Stage 2

Reviews have called the Nord Stage 2 the most authentic-sounding keyboard on the market. We have decided to provide a report in this full Nord Stage 2 review. Revamping nearly every limitation of the Stage 1, the Swedish electro-mechanical keyboard manufacturer has combined three instruments (piano, organ, and synthesizer) with the highest-quality sound libraries. Coupled with its simple-to-use interface and incredible versatility, the Nord Stage 2 is a powerful, professional instrument suitable for almost any experience level and performance need.

Three distinct Nord Stage 2 versions: A model for any player

Nord Stage 2 family

The Stage 2 has been released in three versions. The full-size Nord Stage 2 HA88 and the 76-key Nord Stage 2 HA76 have fully weighted, newly updated Hammer Action keys. The Compact portable model, the Nord Stage 2 SW73, has 73 semi-weighted waterfall keys. According to enthusiasts, the Hammer Action quality makes the keys feel and play like a traditional piano, with very little lag and downward travel. The semi-weighted keys on the Compact model may be more suitable for organ and synth players, but Clavia has put the maximum versatility into all three Stage 2 versions.

Easy-to-use control interface

As instruments advance further into the realm of digital wizardry, players often have to choose between getting a professional, performing-quality keyboard and a technical interface that’s simple to use. Professional models are too advanced for less tech-savvy users, but the simpler models sacrifice professional sound.

But when it comes to the choice between sound quality and control accessibility, the Nord Stage 2 says: both. The Stage 2’s extensive control board is intuitive as well as functional. It puts all the features a player could want right at your fingertips, with no complicated digital menus to flip through. The interface is simple enough for less tech-savvy users and players new to digital keyboards, yet it offers enough control for the most experienced digital stage performer.

Nord Stage 2: Three instruments in one

The best part of the Nord Stage 2’s control panel is that it is separated into three distinct sections for Piano, Organ, and Synthesizer controls. Each instrument has its own section on the main control board, and there is also a separate effects panel (see below). The designers have effectively combined 3 separate instruments in one while retaining as much control, quality, and function as possible from each.

Piano

Reviews unanimously praise the Nord Stage 2 to play better than a real piano. Drawing from a huge bank of sample sounds, the Stage 2 is capable of reproducing everything from the “clicks” of the pedal as it stops and releases strings to authentic harmonic string resonance. The frequency of a strings is actually excited when resonant notes are played. This gives the Stage 2’s piano section an incredible amount of realism. What’s more, the keyboard now has access to the complete online Nord Piano Library, meaning the user can download the sounds of almost any piano, new or old—including grand, upright, and vintage models.

Organ

Nord’s amazing sound-capture techniques extend to the organ as well. In recorded sound samples for the Stage 2, Clavia analyzed original instruments from every angle to produce the most authentic sound possible. When playing the “organ” sounds, the keys respond at their highest trigger position so the player can tread lightly and quickly.  The Stage 2 also models an organ’s mechanical drawbars with simple bars of LED lights.  Three distinct tone wheel modes even allow the player to change the “age” of the organ’s sound to emulate sharp, new organs or the classic, rich tones of an older organ. Many players claim it’s the best organ sound ever produced digitally.

Synthesizer

Unlike keyboard synths, the Stage 2 has a distinct synth section, separated on the control panel to function as its own instrument. The fact that it’s not just a synthesizer with piano and organ sounds thrown in for good measure makes the Stage 2 much more powerful. The Stage 2 is a dedicated piano and organ first with a SEPARATE synthesizing engine. The synth engine is just as versatile as the piano and organ sections and comes with the latest technology. It also includes access to the Nord Sample Library and the Nord Sample Editor tool – which will be reviewed in the next section.

Effects section

Effects has a separate section on the Nord Stage 2’s control panel, and the keyboard’s digital effects are no less powerful than its other features. All three instrument sections can be piped through the effects panel at the touch of a button, in keeping with the rest of the Stage 2’s easy-access controls. The instrument has 2 effects mode as well as master effects, delay, amp simulation, and the newly-added Master Clock, which allows players to sync effects easily with the arpeggiator and other elements. The Stage 2’s Master Clock can even be linked to an external MIDI clock, allowing you to sync with an outside track.

Edit and upload your own sound samples for the Nord Stage 2

Many Nord Stage 2 reviews have noted that the biggest drawback to the original Stage keyboard was its lack of sample upload ability and library access. That’s not a problem with the Nord Stage 2. The Stage 2’s sophisticated onboard computer allows user uploads of any type of WAV file, including samples, chords, and files created with the Nord Sample Editor—a tool for your home computer that is included with the keyboard.

With the Sample Editor, you can upload your own sounds from another instrument into the synthesizer, or edit sound bytes exported from the Stage 2. The Stage 2 also has online access to Nord’s entire Sample Library of instrument sounds. Going well beyond just pianos and organs of different ages, this feature expands the Stage 2’s sound selection into the hundreds. Several reviewers have commented on the fact that this feature will indeed keep the Stage 2’s sound quality highly competitive for years to come.

Listen to the Nord Stage 2 Sound Samples here:

Conclusion

There are very few negatives to the Stage 2. Nord has done its best to address every issue with the Nord Stage 1 and has created a catch-all keyboard for every performance need. There may be higher-quality keyboards out there (though this is doubtful!), but you won’t find another keyboard offering the same quality, with this much horsepower coupled with such an intuitive interface.

Rating: List Price: $4,599.00 Sale Price: $4,199.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Nord Stage 2 HA88, 88-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano (AMS-NS2 HA88) - Details

• C2 organ technology 88 note fully weighted Hammer Action keyboard
• Powerful Classic Analog, FM and Wavetable synthesis
• Piano String Resonance, Dynamic Pedal Noise
• Latest Nord Piano/synth/organ technology
• External section allowing the Nord Stage 2 to serve as a master keyboard

Get the best deal on the Nord Stage 2 HA88!

Nord Stage 2 HA76, 76-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano (AMS-NS2-HA76) Average Rating: total customer reviews...

Get the best deal on the Nord Stage 2 HA76!

Nord Stage 2 SW73, 73-Key Semi-Weighted Waterfall Keyboard Digital Stage Piano (AMS-NST-SW 73) Average Rating: total customer reviews...

Get the best deal on the Nord Stage 2 SW73!

Oberheim OB-8

Head on over to the Nord Sample Library to give it a listen, and download it for free!

Nord Electro 3 HP widens the range of Electronic keyboards

List Price: $2,499.00Amazon Price: $2,068.97 with FREE shipping

The Nord Electro 3, Clavia Nord’s upgrade on the classic Electro models, follows the Nord pattern for authentic sound quality and usability. Borrowing the organ technology of the Nord C1, the acoustic and electric piano sounds of the Nord Stage EX, and all the sound sample possibilities of the Nord Wave, the Nord Electro 3 is one of the best portable, all-in-one digital keyboards. In this Nord Stage 3 review, you’ll find that, while simpler than models like the Nord Stage 2 or Nord Wave, the Nord Electro 3 delivers the maximum sound quality and versatility one could expect from an instrument of this type.

Nord Electro 3 walkthrough, Part 1

Nord Electro 3 vs Nord Electro 3 HP (Hammer Action)

The Nord Electro 3 comes in two different portable sizes, a 61-key and a 73-key, both featuring Clavia’s light-action, semi-weighted waterfall keys.

For organ players, the keyboard defaults to “fast play” settings in organ mode, where notes are triggered at the moment the keys are struck. Coupled with the light-touch semi-weighted keys, this creates a realistic organ-play experience.

Recently Nord also released the 73-key Nord Electro 3 HP, which gives piano enthusiasts the choice of the latest fully-weighted Hammer Action technology. This is one of the most portable options for a keyboard with an authentic, fully-weight piano feel. The full-sized Nord Stage 2 or Nord Stage EX may offer better versatility for hard-core pianists, but the Electro 3 HP weighs only 23 pounds, making it one of the lightest Hammer Action keyboards available.

Simple outputs & user interface

The Electro 3’s controls follow the standard of the powerful Nord Stage 2 in putting a simple, intuitive interface within finger’s reach. MIDI and sound controls are all displayed clearly. The effects controls are clearly accessible in the middle of the front control panel, with four different sliders to use to customize the keyboard’s digital effects. As for the inputs and outputs, the Nord Electro 3 has all the necessaries, plus a headphone jack and a USB port for hooking into a computer. Though it only includes the basic stage and effects outputs, the Electro 3 has everything functional users will need.

Nord Electro 3 walkthrough, part 2

Access to the full Nord Sample Library

The best part of Nord’s newest Electro upgrade is its almost unlimited sound and instrument palette, thanks to new online access to the Nord Sample Library. The Nord library takes the Electro 3 to new heights as an electromechanical keyboard, providing access to a huge bank of authentic sound samples from a variety of instruments, all of which can be downloaded to the Electro 3 for free.

Piano sounds

Most of the Electro 3′s onboard flash memory is taken up by a wide variety of piano sounds, including acoustic grand, upright, electric piano, harpsichord, and even Clavinet. The online Nord Sample Library has many more; it encompasses the extensive Nord Piano Library—in other words, the complete piano catalog Nord uses for its professional performance instruments (like the Nord Stage 2).

Organ sounds & control

There are three organ models included on the Electro 3, including the Farfisa and Hammond B3 organs. Plus, the Nord Sample Library’s organ sound selection is just as good as its piano library. The authentic, polyphonic sound is as true as possible to the original organ models thanks to Clavia’s advanced sound-capture technology. The Nord Electro 3 also has seventeen presets in organ mode to control the voice and drawbar settings of the instrument. For an organ player, the Electro 3 offers a range of control and personalization in style and sound that is unheard-of for a keyboard of its size and function.

Sound Samples

The drawback to the virtually unlimited access to sound samples through the Nord Sample Library is you won’t have room to store it all. The Nord Electro 3 has only 256MB of onboard memory, and only about 68MB is free for instrument samples that aren’t piano and organ. This leaves room for about 50 samples, which can, however, be swapped out from the Library or deleted at will.

The amazing Mellotron sounds included in the Nord Wave are included here, to note are solo strings, brass sounds, and church organ sounds.

Listen to the Mellotron samples here:

The Electro 3 sounds are notably detailed, completely in tune, and has a high-end sheen in the string sounds, and a more realistic, airy flute sound. When compared to a real Mellotron, the Electro 3 has a purer shine to it, though it occasionally misses the weight and thickness of a real Mellotron.

Effects

The Nord Electro 3‘s controls are clearly displayed in the middle of the front panel, with four different effects in a fixed signal path, each that can be adjusted through an algorithm selector. The first could be selected from a ring modulator, pan, wah-wah, or tremolo effects. The second includes a chore effect, a flanger, and a phaser. The third effect to select from can be an speaker/comp which offers a selection of amplifier simulations, from fuzzy sounds to completely distortions. The final effect to select from is the reverb which offers five different options. The reverb creates a very lush and occasionally eerie sound that you will enjoy on both your organ and Mellotron sounds.

Conclusion

The Clavia Nord Electro 3 is possibly one of the best portable performance keyboards on the market. With its authentic sounds, 23-pound total weight, and easy-to-use interface, the Electro 3 easily beats the competition in the compact keyboard market.

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Nord Electro 3, 73-Key Electronic Stage Piano and Organ (AMS-NE373) - Details

• 73 Velocity-sensitive semi-weighted waterfall keys
• 128 Program memories
• 9 Digitally controlled drawbars
• Full polyphony
• Compatible with the new Nord Piano library

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Nord Electro 3, 61-Key Electronic Stage Piano and Organ, (AMS-NE361) Average Rating: 2 total customer reviews...

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Nord Electro 3 HP, 73-Key Hammer Action Portable Digital Piano (AMS-NE373 HP) Average Rating: 3 total customer reviews...

Nord Sample library – Optigan & Orchestron sound samples:

Great new vintage sounds have been added to the Nord Sample library – Optigan and Orchestron. These two new sounds continued the success of the famous Mellotron and Chamberlin machines. The samples have been left untouched – maintaining an authetic feel that includes original and realistic mechanical sounds.

You can also download these free samples at the official Clavia Nord website.

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