Matt's Gearspace

Multi-Function Keyboards

Nord Stage 2 EX 88vsNord Stage 3 88

Summary

Nord Stage 2 EX 88 and Nord Stage 3 88: 2 Nord multi-function keyboards compared side by side. They differ on 9 of 17 compared specifications.

+ Add more multi-function keyboards
2 items

Nord

Stage 2 EX 88
Legacy since 2017View details →

Nord

Stage 3 88
Legacy since 2023View details →
General
ManufacturerNordNord
StatusLegacyLegacy
Released20152017
Keyboard
Keys8888
Key actionHammer-actionHammer-action
AftertouchChannelChannel
KeybedHammer actionHammer action (medium)
Sounds
SectionsPiano, Electric piano, Organ, Synth, Sample playbackPiano, Electric piano, Organ, Synth, Sample playback
DrawbarsLED (buttons)LED (buttons)
Sound enginePiano memory 1 GB and approx. 380 MB of sample memory, plus analogue, FM and wavetable synthesisNord Piano Library (2 GB) and Nord Sample Library 3.0 (480 MB), plus the Nord Lead A1 synth engine
Organ modelsB3 tonewheel, Vox Continental, FarfisaNord C2D B3 tonewheel, Vox Continental, Farfisa, two digital pipe organs
PolyphonyPiano 40–60 voices, synth 18 voicesPiano 120 voices, synth 34 voices
Connections
Outputs1/4-inch unbalanced, Headphones1/4-inch unbalanced, Headphones
MIDI portsDIN in, DIN out, USBDIN in, DIN out, USB
Pedal inputsSustain, Expression, Rotor speed, Organ swellSustain, Expression, Rotor speed, Organ swell, Footswitch
Features
FeaturesLED drawbar buttons rather than physical drawbars, Two independent slots per section, Three split zones, Arpeggiator, Rotary speaker simulation, Four assignable outputsLED drawbar buttons rather than physical drawbars, Three independent sections, Up to three split points with crossfade, OLED display, Arpeggiator, Rotary speaker simulation, Four assignable outputs
Size & weight
ColoursRedRed
Dimensions (W × D × H)1287 × 334 × 118 mm1282 × 342 × 121 mm
Weight18.5 kg19 kg

Key differences

  • Released: Stage 2 EX 88 – 2015 Stage 3 88 – 2017
  • Keybed: Stage 2 EX 88 – Hammer action Stage 3 88 – Hammer action (medium)
  • Sound engine: Stage 2 EX 88 – Piano memory 1 GB and approx. 380 MB of sample memory, plus analogue, FM and wavetable synthesis Stage 3 88 – Nord Piano Library (2 GB) and Nord Sample Library 3.0 (480 MB), plus the Nord Lead A1 synth engine
  • Organ models: Stage 2 EX 88 – B3 tonewheel, Vox Continental, Farfisa Stage 3 88 – Nord C2D B3 tonewheel, Vox Continental, Farfisa, two digital pipe organs
  • Polyphony: Stage 2 EX 88 – Piano 40–60 voices, synth 18 voices Stage 3 88 – Piano 120 voices, synth 34 voices
  • Dimensions (W × D × H): Stage 2 EX 88 – 1287 × 334 × 118 mm Stage 3 88 – 1282 × 342 × 121 mm

Both are the same on keys (88), key action (Hammer-action), sections (Piano, Electric piano, Organ, Synth, Sample playback) and drawbars (LED (buttons)).