Nord Stage 4 88 Stage Keyboard

The Nord Stage 4 88 is the latest and most advanced flagship stage keyboard from Nord. It is a professional-grade instrument that combines three main sound engines- Piano, Organ, and Synthesizer with a comprehensive effects section and a premium hammer-action keybed. It is designed to be the ultimate all-in-one keyboard for live performers and studio musicians.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Key Features

1. The Keybed and Physical Design

• 88-Key Triple Sensor Keybed with Grand Hammer Action: The Nord Stage 4 88 features a new keybed that is designed to replicate the feel of an acoustic grand piano. The triple sensor technology allows for precise tracking of key movements, providing excellent dynamic control and responsiveness, especially for repeated notes.

• Physical Drawbars: A key feature for organ players is the inclusion of physical drawbars with LED indicators. This allows for real-time control of organ tones in a way that is intuitive and authentic to a B3-style organ.

• New Panel Design: The user interface has been redesigned with a more intuitive layout. Dedicated faders for each layer (Piano, Organ, Synth) and a new Scene feature allow for quick, seamless transitions between different sounds and setups.

2. The Sound Engines

• Enhanced Piano Section: The Piano section features an expanded memory for the Nord Piano Library, allowing for higher-quality and more detailed samples. New features include Dynamic Compression and Unison mode, which are great for solo piano performances.

• Advanced Organ Section: The Organ section includes emulations of classic organs like the B3 Tonewheel, Vox Continental, Farfisa, and a new Pipe Organ model. The physical drawbars and B3 Bass functionality provide authentic control for a variety of genres.

• Powerful Synthesizer Section: The Synth section is a major upgrade. It combines Virtual Analog, FM, and Wavetable synthesis with a large sample library. A new arpeggiator, and an expanded oscillator section provide a wide range of sonic possibilities, from classic synth sounds to modern sound design.

3. Effects and Connectivity

• Comprehensive Effects Section: The Stage 4 features a powerful and flexible effects section with dedicated effects for each layer (Piano, Organ, Synth). The effects include reverb, delay, EQ, compression, and a variety of modulation effects. A new Morph function allows you to smoothly transition between different effect settings.

• Independent Outputs: The keyboard has four independent audio outputs, which is a professional feature that allows you to send each layer (e.g., Piano, Organ, Synth) to a separate mixer channel for individual control in a live setting.

• USB-C Connectivity: It includes a USB-C port for fast and easy connection to a computer for MIDI and audio.

Overall Impression

The Nord Stage 4 88 is an excellent choice for:

• Professional Musicians: Its no-compromise sound quality, realistic key action, and powerful features make it a top-tier choice for live performances and studio work.

• Keyboardists who need a single, all-in-one instrument: The combination of world-class Piano, Organ, and Synth engines eliminates the need for multiple keyboards on stage.

• Players who value hands-on control: The physical drawbars, faders, and knobs provide a tactile and intuitive playing experience that is superior to menu-diving.