Nord User Forum

I’m considering buying a new 6D. I currently own a Stage 2. I’m really not sure if the 6D is a great improvement, same piano libraries, is the organ sounds and Leslie effect worth upgrading?

I'd say no.
You're loosing the synth section and that's a huge (in my opinion) contribution to the musical possibilities.

It really depends how much you need the synth section (not just the samples) and if you do complex splits and layering, considering that the Stage is essentially "2 Electros in one box" so you have twice of everything (2 pianos, 2 organs, 2 synths etc).

As you say, the piano section is essentially the same.
The effect section is the same.
You can use the same samples, but on the Stage you have much more control to shape them as you like.
As you correctly mentioned, the big improvement in the E6 is the organ section (updated emulation, physical drawbars, pipe organ, B3 bass etc).

If you mostly play piano and organ, and just need a few samples here and there (background strings, pads etc), the E6 will do the job perfectly.
If you need "real" synth sounds, the samples on the Electro will be a very poor substitute (you'd miss all the programming options and the expressivity given by the pitch bend and mod wheel).

All in all I think the Stage 2/2EX is still a very powerful board (I still use one daily!) and still much more capable than any Electro, but it all depends on your needs. If you don't use all the capabilities of the Stage, you may as well "downgrade" to the Electro, save some money and get a newer instrument with a much better organ section!