Stage 3 & Wave 2 vs Stage 4 Worth upgrading?

[JackD]

Having a NS3 + NW2 I've been looking at the NS4, as I like the latest. I was hoping for an upgrade in the organ section (leslie), Audio via USB, or iPad compliant USB to use an iPad as sound-source.
My NS3 is mainly used as a piano with some strings. Perhaps with some E-piano patches I use up to 4 layers. I also use it to play B3 via my NW2.
None of the extra features did attract me.
I thought i could do everything with the NS3 en tried, but having a second keyboard is just much more convenient and the backup (Although it would be tough evening with just the NS2) is also nice.
Some songs we play require 6 splits/layers (spread over 2 boards). I could do this perhaps with a few patches and move between them...

Look. I own an Akai Force and the use of these instruments together for both live and also studio purpose is fantastic.
Remember that NS4 has a shared external/synth instance and not a dedicate section for externals.
This is something I didn’t think about so much at the beginning, but for the use with external gears could be really annoying.
Akai force is a perfect companion to my stage 3 until now.
And also … the NS3 synth is still a very good piece of synth, and quite different to the NW2 engine. And it is not worse or better, just different!

Sooo… I was expecting to see many more used NS3 on sale in these days but they are really a few. And I start to see some reasons!

[tsss27]

As nice as it sounds in theory, I would 100% keep the NS3 and NW2 rig. If money were no option then sure, upgrade to NS4, but I would not ditch the Wave unless synth is a minor addition for you.

[CraigW]

Like others, I feel the Stage 3 plus Wave 2 is the perfect combination. Though I, too, prefer the latest, most advanced model, the idea of having to reprogram over 100 custom sounds/programs is enough for me to hold off on upgrading to the NS4.

[JackD]

Like others, I feel the Stage 3 plus Wave 2 is the perfect combination. Though I, too, prefer the latest, most advanced model, the idea of having to reprogram over 100 custom sounds/programs is enough for me to hold off on upgrading to the NS4.

I can not agree with this.
To move to NS4 would have no sense when you have a NW2 also if money would not be an issue.
You would miss the A1 synth that IMHO is far more versatile in OSC configurations.
With NS4 and NW2 your would basically replicate the same synths engine, no different options to work with.
I was trying to sell my NS3 but luckily I had the opportunity to try the NS4 and it was immediately clear.
I’d stay with NS3 and eventually add a NW2 in the future.

[Matt-new]

Having a NS3 + NW2 I've been looking at the NS4, as I like the latest. I was hoping for an upgrade in the organ section (leslie), Audio via USB, or iPad compliant USB to use an iPad as sound-source.
My NS3 is mainly used as a piano with some strings. Perhaps with some E-piano patches I use up to 4 layers. I also use it to play B3 via my NW2.
None of the extra features did attract me.
I thought i could do everything with the NS3 en tried, but having a second keyboard is just much more convenient and the backup (Although it would be tough evening with just the NS2) is also nice.
Some songs we play require 6 splits/layers (spread over 2 boards). I could do this perhaps with a few patches and move between them...

Hi Eriknie,
Is it possible to sync the master clocks for the effects and arpeggiator of the boards?

[Matt-new]

sorry, I do not use that so no clue.

I moved from NS3 + NW2 to NP5 + NS3

Reason: Better piano keys and dedicated B3 on my top board (instead of midi back to NS3 as lower board from NW2)

[WannitBBBad]

Is it possible to sync the master clocks for the effects and arpeggiator of the boards?

Yes, the Master Clock can sync to those and the LFO similar to the Stage 3.

NS4 Panel from Manual v1.4X Edition L Synth - Effects.jpg (355.63 KiB) Viewed 472 times

[WannitBBBad]

Sorry, removed post.

[Matt-new]

Is it possible to sync the master clocks for the effects and arpeggiator of the boards?

Yes, the Master Clock can sync to those and the LFO similar to the Stage 3.
NS4 Panel from Manual v1.4X Edition L Synth - Effects.jpg

Hi, you mean that sync between NS3 and NW2 also possible? Which will be the master?

[DJKeys]

Both instruments will respond to an external clock, but I don't believe either of them generate an outgoing Master Clock signal. You would need to have another device generate the clock signal-

-dj