Synth DB

The Ultimate Synthesizer Database

Filter on ALL, SYNTH, DRUM, SAMPLER or MISC

Total list currently 2405 items in 330 Brands

Clavia | Nord Stage 2 HA88

Description

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.

MAIN FEATURES

Piano Section

  • State-of-the art sample-based Acoustic Pianos
  • Advanced Vintage Electric Pianos
  • Advanced String Resonance (Gen 2)
  • Long Piano Release 
  • Dynamic Pedal Noise via optional Nord Triple Pedal 
  • Nord Piano Library compatible
Synth Section
  • Powerful Classic analog, FM and Wavetable synthesis
  • Sample Playback 
  • Nord Sample Library compatible
  • Arpeggiator
  • Master Clock 
Organ Section
  • B3 tonewheel organ modeling
  • Faithful simulations of classic Vox and Farfisa organs
  • Advanced rotary speaker model with slow, fast and stop modes
  • Draw buttons with LED bar graphs for easy overview of active drawbar settings.
Global features
  • Comprehensive Effects section
  • Single-function control knobs and instant visibility of current settings
  • External section allowing the Nord Stage 2 to serve as a master keyboard
  • Expanded Live Mode with 5 locations
  • USB-MIDI. No driver required for Mac OS X. WHQL certified driver available for Windows.

THREE MODELS

The Stage 2 comes in three models: The Stage 2 HA88 and Stage 2 HA76 feature our new top-of-the-line fully weighted Hammer Action keyboard. The Stage 2 SW73 features a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard. Apart from the keyboard type and the number of accessories available, all three models have identical features.

THE SOUND INSIDE

The Stage 2 has three sound generating sections; Piano, Organ and Synthesizer, all of which can be used simultaneously. Furthermore, up to two sounds from each section can be combined in a single program for massive sonic flexibility.

PIANO SECTION

The Stage 2 Piano section has evolved from the multi award winning Nord Piano; featuring our state-of-the-art sampling techniques the Stage 2’s pianos capture the extraordinary nuances and real character of the individual source instruments. Combined with the intelligent String Resonance that reproduces the sound of the piano strings resonating at their fundamental or harmonic frequencies when other strings are played, and compatibility with the optional Nord Triple Pedal that adds Dynamic Pedal Noise – the result is breathtaking realism and an unsurpassed expressiveness.

An all-new feature in the Nord Stage 2 is the Long Release function. With Long Release activated you get a slightly longer release more suitable for legato playing. This important feature reflects adjusting the damper tension in an acoustic or an electromechanical instrument.

The Nord Triple Pedal (optional accessory) features our unique dynamic sustain pedal that gives you exceptional control of the mechanical noise during operation and also sostenuto and soft pedals for half-pedaling and "release and catch" techniques.

In addition to vivid acoustic Grand and Upright pianos, the Piano section also features some of the finest, most desirable vintage electric pianos. The Stage 2’s piano sounds are future-proof thanks to its compatibility with the Nord Piano Library. This free online library is continuously updated with both upgraded existing pianos and all-new pianos to keep your instrument constantly renewed.

 

ORGAN SECTION

Over ten years have passed since we made our first digital model of a tone wheel organ. The Stage 2’s dedicated organ section now uses our third generation B3 Organ model, the same as found in our acclaimed Nord C2 Organ.

Considered by many to be the most accurate emulation of the B3 ever, the Stage 2’s organ model is based on the analysis of the signals from each of the 91 spinning discs inside several original instruments and painstaking work on understanding exactly how all the components interact with each other. The virtual circuitry reacts not only to the settings on the panel but also during the real time performance. The Stage 2 will faithfully reproduce the important foldback and energy robbing characteristics; the latter will produce the gentle compression effect that makes those lovely smears absolutely wonderful. There are 3 tone wheel modes that allow you to switch from a clean, factory spec’d instrument to a worn and battered workhorse with many years of touring.

We also created carefully modeled emulations of two of the most famous transistor organs from the 1960’s, the Vox Continental and the Farfisa Compact. Alongside the organ’s themselves, the Stage 2 features our very latest 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. In terms of control, “Draw buttons” and LED bar graphs have replaced the original mechanical drawbars. This gives 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, resulting in authentic feel and allowing lightning fast organ techniques.

SYNTH SECTION

The Stage 2’s powerful new synthesizer engine was built from the DNA of the Nord Wave. Capable of classic analog synthesis, three operator FM synthesis, Wavetable synthesis and, crucially, compatibility with the Nord Sample Library. The Nord Sample Library not only give Stage 2 owners access to the huge free library of world-class sounds, including the famous vintage Mellotron and Chamberlin samples previously only available to Nord Wave and Nord Electro 3 users, but thanks to the included Nord Sample Editor for Mac and PC, allows user-created samples to be loaded into the instrument and thus opening up a whole new creative world of sound.

The Synth engine itself features classic analog 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. A new great-sounding multimode filter features 12 and 24dB low pass, high pass, band pass and notch filters. And with an Amp envelope, Modulation envelope, an LFO, and Unison control, the Stage 2’s synth capabilities are hugely powerful, delivering amazing on-stage sound.

The Synth section also features a new Arpeggiator that can be easily synced to the Stage 2’s Master Clock for perfect timing with other elements of the Stage 2, including its effects.

PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL

To make programming and on-stage control as simple as possible we have arranged the sound generators and controls of the Stage 2 into dedicated sections – Piano, Organ and Synth. Not only does this make for a very intuitive approach to programming but also instantly shows you which settings are active. There are no deep menus, no complicated screens to navigate. All vital functions are controlled by dedicated single-function knobs.

In addition our patented Pitch Stick and Modulation Wheel allow maximum musical expression and our efficient Morph Grouping technique is also included, allowing you to assign sound and effects parameters to physical controllers.

EXTERN SECTION

The Nord Stage 2 wouldn’t be a master keyboard if it couldn’t control external devices with ease. The Extern Section is designed solely for this purpose, so that any MIDI-connected gear gets seamlessly integrated with the Stage 2’s built-in instruments. Zones, splits and layers are handled exactly as if the external equipment was a part of the Stage 2 itself. All settings are saved together with a Program so advanced setups can be immediately recalled 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.

THE KEYBOARD

Naturally, a keyboard is not just about the sound but also the feel. The Stage 2 HA88 and Stage 2 HA76 feature our new top-of-the-line fully weighted Hammer Action keyboard that also has been improved for response when playing rapid repeated notes. The Stage 2 SW73 features a 73-note Semi Weighted Waterfall keyboard. At Nord we also do something that nobody else does: during the assembly of each instrument in our Stockholm factory, every keybed is individually and specifically tuned for a consistent response and balance.

EFFECT SECTION

No sound is complete without the proper use of effects. In the Nord Stage 2 we incorporated all the effects required to cover musicians’ needs. All of the three instrument sections - Organ, Piano and Synth - can be routed individually through the Stage 2’s built-in effect units. Turning the effects on and off, and controlling the routing is easily done by a touch of dedicated buttons, readily accessible at the bottom of each effects unit.

The new Master Clock function makes it easy to sync effects to other elements, like the arpeggiator, LFO or even one of the other effects. You can easily lock the effect rate to a range of note values – make the delay do quarter note triplets of what arpeggiator is playing, while the LFO gently sweeps the filter up and down in half notes, all perfectly interlocked. The Master Clock can also be controlled by an external MIDI clock – perfect for syncing your parts to a backing track, including tempo changes!

BrandClavia
ModelNord Stage 2 HA88
DeviceSynth
TypeKeys
Engine TypeDigital
EngineVA, FM, PM, WT, Sample
Voices (max)60
Multitimbral2
Oscillators2
LFO1
Engine Detailed2 and 2 op FM, PM, Wavetable or Pulse, Saw Up, Triangle, Wave Table, White Noise
Filter (VCF)12dB Slope (2-pole), 24dB Slope (4-pole), Low Pass, Resonance
Envelope (VCA)ADR
FXUnit One: Ring Modulator, Tremolo, Pan, Wah 1, Wah 2, AutoWah Unit Two: 2 Flangers, 2 Phasers, 2 Choruses Delay - includes Ping Pong and Tap-Tempo Function Amplifier/Speaker Simulation: 3 types of Speaker simulations, 3-band Equalizer and Overdrive Rotary Speaker: selectable Speed and Overdrive. Master: Compressor and 6 reverbs.
Memory400
Keys88
Key typeKeys, Hammer Action
VelocityY
AftertouchChannel
Audio4 out
MidiI-O, USB
Produced:2011 - 2015
Legend: Obvious Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable
VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator DCO Digital Controlled Oscillator
LFO Low Frequency Oscillator Sub Sub Oscillator
VCF Voltage Controlled Filter VCA Voltage Controlled Amplifier
Velocity As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. Aftertouch Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel.
Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise.

Manuals, patches etc.

Facebook

If you like to discuss or talk about synths in all forms (including VST and modular), you are welcome to join the Facebook group "The Hard, The Soft and The Modular".

My music

Interested in music from "Synthisfactory" or "SX Instrumentals"?

Visit our website.

Contact Us

Did you find an error in the info or do you have an item to list? Go to the Contribution page, fill out the form and I'll see what I can do.