Nord STAGE 4 vs Yamaha YC88 stage keyboard comparison

Introduction

The Nord STAGE 4 (88-key model) and the Yamaha YC88 are both high-end, advanced, feature-laden digital stage keyboards offering high build quality and ease of use.

In this article we compare the two instruments, looking at the kind of features most musicians, particularly those who may be performing, would require.

Comparison

Types of Instrument

Both instruments stand up admirably as digital pianos but also have on board organ and other sounds. Because of this they are marketed as stage keyboards.

Manufacturers

Both Nord and Yamaha are well-known for making high-quality digital pianos and other keyboard instruments.

Yamaha does have a long history of manufacturing acoustic pianos, and indeed this is reflected in the available sounds and the build quality of its digital piano offerings.

Nord has established a reputation for high build and sound quality, ands built up an impressive sound library of its own despite not having a direct acoustic piano heritage.

Instrument Age

The Yamaha YC88 was launched in 2021 and the Nord STAGE 4 88 in 2023. Both models are still relatively new, are both still sold as new by the manufacturer, and are likely to have similar underlying technologies to one another.

Keyboard

Both models feature 88 full-size weighted keys, as per most acoustic pianos, with full touch sensitivity. The Nord also has aftertouch, which is not something of concern to pianists but could prove useful with other sounds.

The YC88 uses Yamaha’s Natural Wood Graded Hammer 3 keyboard featuring synthetic ebony and ivory key tops.

The STAGE 4 has Nord’s Triple Sensor Hammer Action (medium weight) keyboard.

Polyphony

The Nord STAGE 4 88 has 120 notes of polyphony; the Yamaha YC88 has 128. This does vary depending on what instruments and effects may be in use.

A good figure for polyphony on a modern performance keyboard is a minimum of 96, preferably 128. Older and less expensive digital pianos had 64 or fewer notes of polyphony, which can lead to problems when playing certain pieces of music.

Sounds

The Nord STAGE 4 features 1000 sounds, including a wide range of pianos, organs and synth voices.

The piano section has 2GB memory, the organ section uses the Nord C2D B3 tone wheel organ simulation, Vox Continental, Farfisa models, digital pipe organ, and more. The synth section utilises the Nord Wave 2 engine.

The Yamaha YC88 has 145 sounds across piano, organ and other sounds. It uses its well-tested AWM2 sound system along with VCM organ and FM synthesis.

Nord has swappable sound libraries which can be managed using its sound manager app.

Both offer significant effects.

Pedals

Both instruments can be used with multiple foot controllers which can be assigned to various functions including sustain, expression, soft, sostenuto and so on.

Connections

Both instruments are MIDI equipped, with USB, and various audio out and in.

Speakers

Neither instrument has speakers, as you’re expected to connect up to a separate amplifier and speakers.

Tutorials and Learning

Neither instrument features any onboard tutorial or learning systems. This is quite common for higher end instruments. It is, however, possible to work with third-party services via iPad and other devices.

Dimensions

The Nord STAGE 4 has dimensions of 1282 mm (50.5″) x 121 mm (4.7″) x 349 mm (13.7″) and a weight of 19.6 kg (43.2 lb).

The Yamaha YC88 has dimensions of 1298 mm (51-1/8″) x 142 mm (5-9/16″) x 364 mm (14-5/16″) and a weight of 18.6 kg (41 lb).

Price

The Yamaha YC88 has a RRP of $3,499, the Nord Stage 4 88 of $5,699.

Full Specifications

The full specifications are as follows:

Nord STAGE 4

Yamaha YC88