Clavia Nord Stage 88

First off, this is NOT the EX model. This is the 2008 model that only offers 128MB of memory as opposed to 256MB, and the only other difference is the addition of the 'Resonance' switch on the piano channel to add damper sounds to the pedal. It's BRIGHT red, and pretty sexy to look at if I do say so myself. Everyone will notice you on stage, and people who know Nord will come up and congratulate you on merely PURCHASING one. It's a full 88-key keyboard, weighted (with hammer action and aftertouch, so it feels GREAT), and it fits into any 88-key case. As a musician, I've been playing keys since I was 4, and bass since I was in the 7th grade. It's been an amazing ride, and I've had the opportunity to share the stage with some absolutely amazing musicians, such as saxophonist Tim Price, bassist Victor Wooten, drummer Poogie Bell, and guitarists Joe Negri, Ken Karsh, and Ron Anthony, guitarist for Frank Sinatra.

I got it used for $2200, whic may have been a little much to pay, but it was the cheapest I could find one, and it sure beat having to haul a digital piano around. I got it because I needed a portable keyboard that did everything (organ, synth, strings, bass, pads, pianos, wurly, clav, e. piano, rhodes, etc.) and did it all WELL.

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As always, I like the fact that the interface is all knobby and everything is laid out in a very precise and logical manner. Everything is sorted into Organ/Piano/Synth groups. Plus, every single paramater can be set to work for any one of the three or multiple at once. Much appreciated. Layering, splitting, storing, binding, creating, etc. is all done as easy as pie. I also love the redness of it. It really stands out from the crowd. The sounds themselves are absolute bliss, from the B3, Farfisa, and Vox Continental sounds all the way through all the pianos, amp modelings, Leslie models (which can also be applied to the pianos and synths!), all the way down to the reverb modeling. It even comes with it's own compressor, as well as an external controller panel for mixing that in along with organ/piano/synth sounds, which have their own individual volume settings. I also especially appreciate the modulation wheel and bend knob design. It's actually designed to let your thumb rest on the mod wheel and your first finger rest right in the groove of the bending knob, so that you can manipulate both at once very comfortably. WAY more awesome than ribbons or levers. It also sports 4 channels of outputs or two stereo sets, as well as a headphone jack that doesn't mute the main out (unless you want it to), and a full compliment of organ and expression inputs to control rotor speed, organ swell, and other midi and expression pedals. The software editor and the online sound bank also let you choose from hundreds of downloads of other pianos/organs/instruments to put on your Nord, so you're never without the exact tones you need for your gig. Last but not least, the action is absolutely fantastic for a 30-something pound piano. Yeah...only 30 pounds. WOW.

Not much to say here. The bright red design might not be the best for concerts/recitals/musicals where the pit is visible, as it can be distracting in a more formal setting. The rotor speed on the leslie is only fast/slow. Some of the amp models sound a little thin. Oh, and $3400 is a little pricey for a keyboard, but I firmly believe this board is well worth it, even at that price.

Don't let it get banged around. The red, much like black, will show scratches right away.

Great, great, great, great, great, great board. I've wanted one for years now, and it's an absolute joy to finally have one. These are the best stage pianos on the market, even a head and shoulders above the Korg SV-1, which is, really, its only competition, and the Korg doesn't do anything that betters Nord. Not a thing. At all. I give it a 5, because I don't have the option to rate it a 10. It's that good.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

(Originally written by Septentrion/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
I have to admit that I miss my Gem ProMega 3 but I sold it because of its weight, reliability problems, and because Gem has no reliable after-sale service anymore.

What other European brand do we have left? CLAVIA (from Sweden) of course!!! I bought a NordStage76 and WOW!!!! It has everything I liked about the ProMega3: ease of use, musicality, manufacturing quality, keyboard quality, simplicity (one function per control like with the Gem, although some buttons require that you press an additional button, which isn't very convenient). It's a real instrument, not a Japanese toy! And compared to the ProMega, you get additional advantages like more accuracy! Yes, even Rhodes sounds are great! And let's not forget the latest piano provided by Nord as a free download... It's amazing!!! My hands can't believe it yet. On top of that it is light (especially the 76 version) and versatile.

Like with the ProMega, you actually feel that the Nord Stage is an instrument made by musicians for musicians and with a strong European character.

I would have liked to keep my ProMega at home but I didn't have enough space or money.

I don't regret having upgraded to the Nord Stage, which is like its modern reincarnation.

Small cons:

The limited memory space is a pity (the new EX model solves that problem).

The USB connector isn't Midi compatible (it's only conceived to download sounds, configurations, or update the OS).

No arpeggiator, split points aren't fully adjustable, lack of punch in the audio output (the overall sound quality compensates this disadvantage).

But I'm being picky because I actually love this instrument and I look forward to lots of years of pleasure with it.



UTILIZATION

Everything has already been said about this device. Intuitive, simple and easy to use. It has the same spirit as the ProMega. Everything is musical and inspiring to play and create music.

SOUNDS

I don't know anything better for piano, rhodes and organ sounds. Even though I've tried out virtually everything on the market. Some provide better pianos but none of them offers such a comprehensive solution nor a well-balanced sound. And the playability is incredible (I was a bit afraid that the keyboard would be too light but it's perfect for me and it reminds me an old piano).

I was positively surprised by the synthesizer section. It's a lot of fun and very convenient for additional sounds.

The effects are awesome too! For example, a rhodes + leslie with distortion and you're ready for Echos!

With a hi-fi system the sound lacks a bit of punch but it is terrific when you play with a PA system.

OVERALL OPINION

It's been a two months honeymoon. I use it at home, for rehearsals, for recording sessions and live on stage with a band. Even my musician friends noticed the precision, the presence and the dynamics of the sound, but also the stereo depth and the presence within a mix (strong but not overemphasized).

I hesitated a long time before buying it (and my banker did too), but like all other musicians who have it, I don't regret it. It's a real instrument, made for musicians.

Hello, I want a numeric keypad ... and I hesitates between two models: the PC2X Kurzweil and north internship 88. Someone he tried to tell me 2 that he or she thinks (what I'm looking mainly, it is mainly the piano sound!), so it is very difficult to go try a kurz when one lives in Paris (yes !!!) .on demos of two keyboards, the sound of the piano looks good ... maybe a little edge to last out (internship), but for touch, which has the touch as "heavy"? .dropoff window Are the keys in severe internship or kurz are heavier than in the treble?.
Voil I qq'un that hopes to be able to help me in this difficult choice because I have hte one of these "beasts" at home and thus make the right choice ...

USE

Hello, I want a numeric keypad ... and I hesitates between two models: the PC2X Kurzweil and north internship 88. Someone he tried to tell me 2 that he or she thinks (what I'm looking mainly, it is mainly the piano sound!), so it is very difficult to go try a kurz when one lives in Paris (yes !!!) .on demos of two keyboards, the sound of the piano looks good ... maybe a little edge to last out (internship), but for touch, which has the touch as "heavy"? .dropoff window Are the keys in severe internship or kurz are heavier than in the treble?.
Voil I qq'un that hopes to be able to help me in this difficult choice because I have hte one of these "beasts" at home and thus make the right choice ...

SONORITS

Hello, I want a numeric keypad ... and I hesitates between two models: the PC2X Kurzweil and north internship 88. Someone he tried to tell me 2 that he or she thinks (what I'm looking mainly, it is mainly the piano sound!), so it is very difficult to go try a kurz when one lives in Paris (yes !!!) .on demos of two keyboards, the sound of the piano looks good ... maybe a little edge to last out (internship), but for touch, which has the touch as "heavy"? .dropoff window Are the keys in severe internship or kurz are heavier than in the treble?.
Voil I qq'un that hopes to be able to help me in this difficult choice because I have hte one of these "beasts" at home and thus make the right choice ...

NOTICE GLOBAL

Hello, I want a numeric keypad ... and I hesitates between two models: the PC2X Kurzweil and north internship 88. Someone he tried to tell me 2 that he or she thinks (what I'm looking mainly, it is mainly the piano sound!), so it is very difficult to go try a kurz when one lives in Paris (yes !!!) .on demos of two keyboards, the sound of the piano looks good ... maybe a little edge to last out (internship), but for touch, which has the touch as "heavy"? .dropoff window Are the keys in severe internship or kurz are heavier than in the treble?.
Voil I qq'un that hopes to be able to help me in this difficult choice because I have hte one of these "beasts" at home and thus make the right choice ...

.dropoff Window

USE

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SOUNDS

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NOTICE GLOBAL

Benshon

I do not share your opinion on The Grand you described as "yuck." I made a CD with The Grand Chopin sells, including festivals, with music lovers. It was also broadcast on RTL to issuing Alain Duault. But I have not done trying The Grand, I worked 2 years with.

About Garritan you find "more toc that" if the Steinway came with a 2 GB sound library in total so far, has just released a Garritan Steinway which occupies about 70 GB to him every single ( https://www.garritan.com/steinway.html). It seems to me that it does not sound bad (especially Chopin Scherzo I find very successful).

Apart from that, I thank you for your information about the poor quality demos found on the net and at about the Norstage piano sounds. I'll go try the headphone to have a better idea. Moreover, apart from a classic demo (Rachmaninov) other demos are not objective. The best test is to judge the sound of a digital piano, is to listen with a classic work, especially with loose phrasing rather than chords (always flattering). Preferably, listen to a classical work rather than romantic, eg Mozart. Sobriety and subtleties of a Mozart sonata will not forgive any weaknesses a scanned piano whose defects may be disguised by large plated agreements to which the reverb is added as salt on too bland dish.