Product Comparison: Nord Stage 3 vs Nord Stage 2 HA88

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Best Pick

Nord Stage 3 88-Key Digital Stage Piano

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Nord Stage 2 HA88 8-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano

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General Specifications

Brand

Nord

Model

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2

About the Product

The Nord Stage 3 is the fifth generation of our successful Stage series continuing our vision of the ultimate instrument for the performing musician. Our outstanding new flagship instrument features our latest award-winning technologies including the Nord Lead A1 Synth Engine with sample playback, our acclaimed Nord C2D organ, a greatly enhanced Piano Section and extensive hands-on Effects - all in one exceptional performance keyboard.

The Nord Stage 2 features Nord Sample Library-compatibility, the B3 and transistor organ engine from the C2, MIDI over USB and more memory for your favorite sounds. All in an amazingly user friendly interface where all vital functions are only button away! Representing a stunning new take on the famous Stage series, the Nord Stage 2 is our flagship instrument line. Utilizing our very latest sound generation technology in the three categories of Piano, Organ and Synthesizer combined with a well thought-out, user friendly interface, a choice of premium keybeds and an almost obsessive level of quality control, the Stage 2 truly sets itself apart as an instrument for the professional performing musician.

Key Specs

Number of Keys

Weighted Keys

Yes

Instrument Sounds

Metronome Included

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Nord Stage 3 88-Key Digital Stage Piano

This is almost the same keyboard, but the keys feel better and the sounds are higher quality, I love Nords because all the controls are super accessible.
Really excellent organ and electric piano sounds. The acoustic piano sound is the best I've heard from an onboard keyboard (Some Kontakt plugins can still beat it).
This is a really great keyboard. There is so much to know that it takes a while to learn, but you get comfortable with the basic functions pretty quickly and can easily program some useful sounds for regular use. But allow yourself lot of time to explore the limits of the synth and organ sections.
The piano section has so many great options that each convey a different sound and feel -- you'll always find something to fit the song.
The synth section leaves something to be desired -- mostly too many long list- and menu-oriented controls, it's not really amenable to any kind of real-time tone design, and I still find it pretty hard to navigate to what I want.

Nord Stage 2 HA88 8-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano

I've been using the Nord Stage 2 for over a year in jazz groups, and I am very happy with it. It is totally made for performance and is easy to change sounds, dynamics, effects, layers, and splits really quickly.
I love it! But I found i was using it mainly for the piano and sometimes the synth strings playing on very low volume for accompaniment. So I realized maybe I should have just bought the Nord Piano 2.
I've been playing keyboards professionally since the early 90's and my Nord Stage 2 is the most enjoyable one so far.
Just want to say that i have one of these and i am very happy with it! I give lessons on this and i could not be more satisfied.
First of all, if you're looking for a professional keyboard with an amazing sound, the Nord is outstanding. I grew up playing classical piano, and if I ever played a keyboard, for some reason, they were all Yamahas.

Size & Weight

Height

4.7 in.

Width

50.7 in.

Depth

13 in.

Weight

41.8 lbs.

41 lbs.

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

Nord Stage 3

Nord Stage 2 HA88

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Nord Stage 2 HA88 8-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano

It's lighter than most keyboards of its type, which is really nice. The pianos are its strongest quality, the synth sampled sounds are its weakest but still very good.
Beautiful sounds and you can load you own samples and it is also lighter then most 88's best organ and piano i have heard in a portable keyboard.

Features

Display Type

OLED

Mixing Capabilities

Yes

Equalizer

Yes

Drum Pads

Recording Feature

MIDI

Internal and MIDI clock source

USB Port(s)

Yes

Power Source

AC adapter

Extras

Massive sonic flexibility, Song Mode, Advanced Split functionality with optional crossfade, Support for Program change via pedal, The Nord Piano Experience, Replaceable sounds, B3 Tonewheel simulation, Vintage Rotary Speaker

Three models, Master Clock functionality with manual, external and tap-tempo rate control, 400 Programs - 4 Banks with 20 Pages each. Each Page has 5 Program locations, MIDI over USB functionality

What customers say about "Features"

Nord Stage 3 88-Key Digital Stage Piano

It is *doable* to set a split point on the fly (which is pretty impressive), maybe about 4 button clicks away, but then finding the right lead synth from the synth section, instead of stored in a "main patch" is hard enough that I can't really attempt anything like that.
The mod-wheel is extremely handy and can be assigned to almost any function; it is very useful for organs and volume control in a live performance.
I decided to keep the second keyboard and haven't had any problems with it after nearly three months, and I'm keeping my review at five stars as a review of the Nord keyboard's performance, independent of the distributor/resellers involved and despite the scuffed wooden siding.
The instrument and case make a professional artistic statement. The sound and versatility is amazing. We have coupled the Phase 3 with a lightweight but powerful set of speakers designed for a home theater and the effect is amazing.

Nord Stage 2 HA88 8-Key Hammer Action Digital Stage Piano

If you have to play bass with a left-hand split, you will most likely have to twique the bass sample sound with some effects to get an acceptable bass sound.
Really love the piano samples....especially with headphones on.....or speakers really loud.
The effects panel lets me get a psychedelic phased out wawa EP sound within seconds.
The keys are solid and feel great. The lights are cool. It records and plays live gigs great.
The Nord Stage 2 has several key features including splits and layers that make it well worth an upgrade. I
The controls and layout have a high learning curve. The "drawbar" buttons are unacceptable for a true Hammond player. The sounds and musicality are outstanding though.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

3 year(s)

Certifications

CE, FCC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download