Nord Stage 2 SW73 Compact Stage Piano

Full Description

The Nord Stage 2 is compatible with the Nord Sample Library and Piano Library, as well as the Nord Sample Editor software, which lets you create your own sample instruments.

This 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard boasts three sound generating sections; Piano, Organ and Synthesiser, all of which you can use simultaneously. Also, up to two sounds from each section can be combined in a single program for great sonic flexibility.

Piano Section

State-of-the-art sampling techniques have made Stage 2's pianos capture the nuances and character of the instruments. Add to that the intelligent String Resonance that replicates the sound of the piano strings resonating at their fundamental or harmonic frequencies when other strings are played. Use the Selectable Piano Release function to get a slightly longer release more suitable for legato playing. This feature reflects adjusting the damper tension in an acoustic or an electromechanical instrument.

Along with the acoustic Grand and Upright pianos, the Piano section also comes with some of the most wanted vintage electric pianos. The Stage 2's piano sounds are also compatible with the Nord Piano Library. Use this free online library upgrade your piano sounds, and do it for free!

Organ Section

The Stage 2's dedicated organ section uses Nord's third generation B3 Organ model, the same as found in their Nord C2 Organ.

The Stage 2's organ model accurately emulates the B3. The Stage 2 will faithfully reproduce the important foldback and energy robbing characteristics and produces the gentle compression effect that reproduces those amazing smears. With 3 tone wheel modes that allow you to switch from a clean, factory spec'd instrument to a worn and battered workhorse, there's much to explore with the organ section on the Stage 2.

Vox and Farfisa

The Stage can also reproduce two of the most famous transistor organs from the 1960's, the Vox Continental and the Farfisa Compact. The keyboard boasts rotary speaker simulation derived from the C2. Incorporating the acoustic variations that occur as a physical rotating spreads the sound around in a room, they bring the Stage 2's organs to life with remarkable realism.

Instead of mechanical draw bars, there are "Draw buttons" and LED bar graphs, giving you the advantage of always having the correct drawbar settings after changing preset. For Organ sounds only, the Stage 2's keybed is programmed to respond at its highest trigger position, creating an authentic feel and allowing lightning fast organ techniques.

Synth Section

The Stage 2's powerful synthesiser engine is capable of classic analogue synthesis, three operator FM synthesis, Wavetable synthesis and is also compatible with the Nord Sample Library. Explore this huge free library of world-class sounds, including the famous vintage Mellotron and Chamberlin samples. Thanks to the included Nord Sample Editor for Mac and PC, this allows the loading of user-created samples into the instrument for even more creative possibilities.

The Synth engine has classic analogue synthesis with dual saw, hard sync and pulse wave modulation, three-operator FM synthesis with 32 different modulation frequencies, Wavetable synthesis with 62 waveforms and Sample based synthesis. An amazing-sounding multimode filter boasts 12 and 24dB low pass, high pass, band pass and notch filters. Also featured are an Amp envelope, Modulation envelope, an LFO, and Unison control.

Use the Arpeggiator, which can be synced to the Stage 2's Master Clock for perfect timing with other elements of the Stage 2, including its effects.

Straight Programming and Control Functions

The sound generators and controls have been arranged into dedicated sections - Piano, Organ and Synth. This allows for easier programming and instant viewings of which settings are active. All vital functions are controlled by dedicated single-function knobs.

Use the Pitch Stick and Modulation Wheel for maximum musical expression and the Morph Grouping technique to assign sound and effects parameters to physical controllers.

Extern Section

The Seamlessly integrate MIDI-connected gear with the Stage 2's built-in instruments. Zones, splits and layers work exactly as if the external equipment was a part of the Stage 2 itself. All settings are saved together with a Program, so you can immediatelly recall advanced setups in real-time during a performance. You can even use the Extern Section to automatically transmit Bank Select and Program Change messages to your external units.

Effect Section

All three instrument sections can be routed individually through the Stage 2's built-in effect units. Easily turn effects on and off, and control the routing with a touch of dedicated buttons, readily accessible at the bottom of each effects unit.

Use the Master Clock function to easily sync effects to other elements, like the arpeggiator, LFO or even one of the other effects. You can lock the effect rate to a range of note values, adjust the delay do quarter note triplets of what arpeggiator is playing, as the LFO gently sweeps the filter up and down in half notes. The Master Clock can also be controlled by an external MIDI clock - great for syncing your parts to a backing track, including tempo changes.

Click on the link below for more information on the Organ, Piano and Synth sections of the Stage 2 SW73.

Features/Specifications:

Keyboard

• 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard
• Range: F-F
• Aftertouch
• Supports 3 split zones with visual LED indication
• Dimensions: 1111 mm (44"), 102 mm (4"), 297 mm (12")
• Weight: 9,7kg (21lb)

Functions

• Master Level Control
• Wooden Pitch Stick
• Modulation Wheel
• 400 Programs - 4 Banks with 20 Pages each. Each Page has 5 Program locations
• Program Categories
• Program Sort Modes - numerical, alphabetical or by category
• 5 Live Buffers
• 2 Individual Slot Setups
• 3 Morph sources (Modulation Wheel, Control Pedal, Aftertouch)
• Global Mono output
• Programmable Transpose +/- 6 semitones
• Master Clock functionality with manual, external and tap-tempo rate control
• Internal and MIDI clock source
• MIDI over USB functionality

• Level control
• Zone (split assignment) control

• Unit One: Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Pan, Wah 1, Wah 2, AutoWah
• Unit Two: Flanger, Vibe, 2 Phasers, 2 Choruses
• Delay: with Ping Pong (stereo taps) and Tap-Tempo
• Speaker Simulations: JC, Twin and Small
• Tube amp simulation with adjustable overdrive
• 3-band Equalizer with sweepable mid. EQ ranges: 100 Hz, 200 Hz - 8 kHz and 4 kHz
• Rotary Speaker: selectable speed (Stop, Slow and Fast) and separate overdrive
• Effect rates/tempo can be synchronized to the Master Clock

Master Effects

• Compressor
• Reverb - 6 algorithms

Connections

• 4 Assignable Audio Outputs: ¼", 6,35 mm jacks, unbalanced
• Stereo Headphone output: ¼", 6,35 mm stereo jack
• 1 Monitor input: 1/8", 3,5 mm stereo jack
• Sustain Pedal: ¼", 6,35 mm jack. Use a momentary pedal, like e.g, Roland DP-2, DP-6, Yamaha FC-4, FC-5, Fatar VFP1-25 etc.
• Sustain input compatible with Nord Triple Pedal (sold separately)
• Rotor Pedal: ¼", 6,35 mm jack. Use a momentary pedal or a switch type pedal
• Organ Swell Pedal: ¼", 6,35 mm TRS stereo jack. Use a Control/Expression pedal like e.g. Yamaha FC-7, Roland EV-5 etc.
• Control Pedal: ¼", 6,35 mm TRS stereo jack. Use a Control/Expression pedal like e.g. Yamaha FC-7, Roland EV-5 etc.
• MIDI In: 5 pin DIN connectors
• MIDI Out: 5 pin DIN connectors
• USB: Type B connector
• IEC320 C7 power connector

Included Accessories:

• User Manual
• Power cord
• Nord Sample and Piano DVDs
• USB cord