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Satisfying fully-weighted keys, lovely acoustic piano samples with natural-feeling response. Lots of attractive options for modeling classic style electric pianos/keyboards/organs. Good simple setup for subtractive synthesis. Easy-to-navigate menus and intuitive interface. Plug into your favorite Digital Audio Workstation for lots more options. I cannot really say if this machine is worth the added expense over most of its competitors (having not done the research necessary), but if you've got the money, this gorgeous, easy-to-use, and expressive instrument should make any keyboard player feel giddy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The folks at Clavia have a winner here. I used to own a music store and we were Nord dealers. When the very first Stage 88 was announced we started receiving calls from people wanting to order one. I remember opening the first one when it was delivered by UPS. The first thing I noticed was how well it was boxed. Upon opening and unpacking the keyboard I noticed how light it was. At 44 lbs its so much easier to lug around than my Roland Fantom. The keys are a weighted hammer action but its certainly not the same hammer action as the Roland. Some players may not like the action, I've never been that picky. The Yamaha piano sample is by far the best piano sound I've ever heard. I recently played the Roland V-Piano and while it sounded good, I still preferred the Nord piano. I have not heard the new Nord piano samples but the two factory piano samples are very detailed and accurate. There's no strange tuning issues like can be found on other keyboards. I counted at least 5 different velocity samples on the Nord. The Rhodes samples are just like the real thing. The Wurlizter and clarinet samples are equally just as realistic. The upright piano reminded me of being in the practice rooms in college, except the Nord piano was actually in tune! The hammond sound is the best you can find hands down. The synth section is more than adequate, its really nice. Nord did an excellent job at fitting as many synth parameters with as few a knobs as possible. I really like layering a pad sound with the pianos. So, you can layer an organ, piano, and synth sound all at the same time. But wait, it gets better. Double that, you can layer two organs, two pianos and two synths. It does start to get a little sluggish when you do this. Nord allows you to change the samples for free. Try that with a Roland. When Nord comes out with a new piano sample or electric piano sound just go to their website and download it directly into the keyboard via their free sound manager software. The effects are great, the reverb is very simple, 5 different types with a balance setting. The other effects are very useful. Any effect can be assigned to any section (organ, piano, synth). The reverb is global. There's also a compressor thats global as well. I rarely if ever use it. This is not a workstation, this is a performers keyboard. The weight makes it a snap to set up. The Nord brand gigbag is a must. Trust me, its worth the $240. These keyboards are expensive and they hold their value. I write this review as a loooooong time Roland user. Currently I'm using a Roland Fantom G8, Nord Stage 88 rev B, and Nord Lead 3. The Fantom is the best workstation of all time. Its got a lot of great performance features and the keys feel absolutely wonderful. BUT, in its case it weighs nearly 150 pounds. It takes two people to move it. So, chances are it'll stay at home. Between the two Nords I'll have an amazing rig. I sold my first Stage 88, I won't be letting this one go anytime soon.Read full review
This is a phenomal stage instrument...the sound is great (especially the acoustic pianos and tone wheel organs)...the piano type hammer action feels and responds like a good acoustic piano, only faster). With the Stage 2, you can now import easily from the vast NORD sample library...for free !! It is lighter than most comparable 88 key keyboards, is smaller (due to the pitch stick/mod wheel being above, not beside the keyboard). And finally, it is a NORD...which means that the build quality is exemplary....everything on this exudes hand-built quality. Really, there is not anything here to dislike...it is still the best stage piano/keyboard. This is very high praise indeed...I also own a Korg Kronos 88, another stellar keyboard, to be sure. The Korg is a true self-contained workstation...by most considered to be the best. But, the NORD still rules the stage, just like the Korg rules the studio, the Korg, for all of it's strengths, still lacks the immediacy to play, layer, and modify sounds on the fly in real time like the Stage 2 can (don't get me wrong...the Kronos can, but it's a much deeper instrument). So...that's it...if you love quality sounds and feel (and have the means to afford it), and need it for the stage, you can do no better than the NORD Stage 2...at least until Clavia upgrades to the next in the lineage, which is usually every 2 years. It's a rock solid piece of gear.Read full review
I have been using a stack of keys for gigging - 60's and 70's covers and Alternative Folk. I had never been happy with the piano I was using so I finally broke down and bought this. Wow. Just wow. The pianos are pretty much spot on and the B3 emulation is great, as are the electric pianos. I played a gig this weekend and only took this one keyboard - It was everything I needed. This has a bit of a steep learning curve, as its architecture is a bit unconventional, but once that was overcome, it is a real workhorse. At first, I was skeptical of using a weighted hammer action keyboard to play organ sounds, but this works well. When playing organ, I barely notice that it is weighted. I own a B3 and Leslie, but I don't have enough friends to lug them around anymore. With the Nord, I really don't need to do so. Color me impressed and sold on this keyboard.Read full review
Verified purchase: No
Hands down the best keyboard/synthesizer I've laid my hands on. Extremely well sampled keyboard and organ sounds with a very high degree of customization, you can recreate just about anything with this keyboard. I'm picky about sound quality and dislike most keyboards for the inferior sounds they usually produce, but the attention to detail on this thing makes it a joy to play.