Nord Stage 4 Compact Stage Keyboard — 73 Semi-Weighted Waterfall Keys
The lightest Stage 4: three complete sections (2 GB piano, C2D organ with physical drawbars, three-layer Wave 2 synth) on a 73-key semi-weighted waterfall keyboard with aftertouch, all in 10.4 kg.
Loading a keyboard of nearly 20 kg into the car for every gig ends up weighing more than the music. The Nord Stage 4 Compact is a 73-key stage keyboard that brings together the three sections of the Stage 4, piano, organ and synth, on a semi-weighted waterfall keyboard with aftertouch. It weighs 10.4 kg, 6.3 kg less than the Stage 4 73, without losing any of the sounds or connections.
Highlights
- 73 Triple Sensor semi-weighted keys, waterfall profile, with aftertouch.
- 2 GB piano section: grand, upright, electric and digital pianos, clavinet and harpsichord, 120-voice polyphony.
- C2D organ: B3 tonewheel, Vox Continental, Farfisa and two pipe organs, with a new B3 Bass mode.
- Physical drawbars with LED indicators, as on the Stage 4 73 and 88.
- Wave 2 synth: analog oscillators, digital waves, FM and samples, 1 GB for the Nord Sample Library, three layers.
- A complete effects section per layer, with the new Pump and Spin effects and a reverb with six algorithms.
- Four assignable audio outputs to send the organ, piano or synth to the mixing desk separately.
Specifications
| Keyboard | 73 Triple Sensor semi-weighted keys, waterfall, aftertouch (E to E) |
|---|---|
| Piano | 2 GB, 120 voices; grand, upright, electric, digital, layer, clavinet and harpsichord; 2 layers |
| Organ | C2D B3, Vox Continental, Farfisa, 2 pipe organs, B3 Bass mode; 2 layers |
| Synth | Wave 2: analog, digital waves, FM, samples; 1 GB; 46 voices; 3 layers; arpeggiator |
| Effects | Mod 1 and Mod 2 (including Pump and Spin); delay with analog mode; Twin, JC and Small amps; 3-band equalizer; compressor |
| Rotary speaker | Stop, Slow and Fast speeds, separate overdrive |
| Reverb | Spring, Booth, Room, Stage, Hall, Cathedral |
| Memory | 512 programs, 8 Live programs |
| Zones | Up to 3 split points (4 zones), adjustable crossfades |
| Outputs | 4 assignable ¼" unbalanced audio outputs; ¼" stereo headphones |
| Inputs | ⅛" monitor; sustain; Triple Pedal (5-pin DIN); rotor; organ swell (TRS); control pedal (TRS); foot switch |
| MIDI and USB | MIDI In, MIDI Out; USB type B (MIDI, updates, sound transfer) |
| Dimensions | 106.6 × 10.4 × 32.2 cm |
| Weight | 10.4 kg |
| Included | User manual, power cord, USB cable |
Compact, 73 or 88: what changes
All three Stage 4 models share the same sound sections, the same memory and the same connections. The difference is under your fingers and on the scale. The 73 and 88 have a weighted Hammer Action keyboard with aftertouch and weigh 16.7 and 19.6 kg. The Compact keeps 73 keys, but semi-weighted and waterfall, and drops to 10.4 kg. For the keyboardist who mostly plays organ and synth, it is the most natural format; for the one who mostly plays piano, a weighted keyboard remains the reference. One more detail: the Single Pedal 1 is supplied with the Stage 4 73 and 88, not with the Compact.
Pedals and accessories
- Sustain: Nord Sustain Pedal 2 (continuous sensor), Nord Triple Pedal 1 or a switch-type pedal.
- Triple pedal: Nord Triple Pedal 2, on the 5-pin DIN input.
- Expression: Nord EP-15 and EP-30, which Nord lists for every Stage 4, on the TRS inputs.
- Stand: Nord Keyboard Stand, which Nord lists for the Stage 4 Compact.
Alternatives from other brands
| Model | Keyboard | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|
| Nord Stage 4 Compact | 73 keys, semi-weighted, waterfall, aftertouch | Piano, C2D organ and Wave 2 synth; 10.4 kg |
| Korg Nautilus 73 | 73 keys, semi-weighted | Workstation with 9 engines, including the CX-3 organ and the SGX-2 piano; 14.6 kg |
| Yamaha YC73 | 73 keys, BHS weighted | VCM organ, AWM2 and FM sounds; 13.4 kg |
Frequently asked questions
- Can you really play piano on the Compact's semi-weighted keyboard?
- Yes. The Triple Sensor keyboard responds precisely and the piano section offers three touch curves (Heavy, Medium, Light). The feel remains that of a semi-weighted keyboard: for a true piano feel, the Stage 4 73 and 88 have a weighted keyboard.
- Does the Stage 4 Compact have real drawbars?
- Yes. Every Stage 4, the Compact included, has physical drawbars with LED indicators.
- Is a sustain pedal included?
- No. The Single Pedal 1 is supplied with the Stage 4 73 and 88 only. The Compact comes with the user manual, the power cord and a USB cable.
- Can I change the sounds?
- Yes, with the Nord Sound Manager software (Mac and Windows): pianos are replaced within the 2 GB of the piano section, samples within the 1 GB reserved for the Nord Sample Library.