Clavia Nord Electro 3 73-Key Synthesizer

With revamped organ and piano sounds, and new compatibility with Nord's sample library, the Clavia Nord Electro 3 synthesizer is a major advancement.

Overall User Ratings (based on 9 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(9) (see rating details)
Submitted January 3, 2011 by a customer from landess.org

"Great board."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I am thinking about a stage ex compact for the delay and the ability to split the board for sound - not sure if I am thinking to augment or replace the electro. But I love the board for what it is and am looking forward to playing nords for a long time to come.
Sound
I am currently playing this through a Roland KC-550. In general, I think the sound is excellent, particularly the B3 and rotary simulator. The real "unsung" hero of this board are the Rhodes an Wurlitzer samples - I know they are appreciated by those who do, but they don't get mentioned often enough in these reviews - they are both great. I have two criticisms of the sounds: (a)from the effects rack, the overdrive is not particularly subtle - it seems like it goes from clean to dirty a little too quick - there should be some more shades of gray in there. (b)I remain a little unhappy with the natural piano sounds. In fairness to the equipment, I grew up playing a really great Steinway baby grand, so I am probably a little harsh on the digital simulations out there. but in comparison to how good of a job they did with the organ and electric pianos, the acoustic pianos sound a little - thin? watery? spacey? - to me. Other than those two things - the sounds seem excellent. (Hence the 9 rating)
Features
Let me split the keyboard, dammit. For two thousand dollars plus, more than one sound at a time and more memory is NOT too much to ask. Even with another board plugged in to split the keyboard, the best they can do is upper and lower register on the organ - not a Rhodes/Hammond split, which is what I really need sometimes. Also, a mod wheel would be good. Delay in the effects patch - hopefully with a tap function. And yes, I know all of these are available on the stage - but for the amount they are charging for this board, this is really not too much to ask.
Ease of Use
While it is very easy to use the buttons, it seems to me that with the addition of just a few more controls, they could have made this much easier. What if, for example, you are on sound 2 in the patch bay and you need to get to sound 17 quickly? Pressing a button 15 times quickly is not efficient feature navigation. It is not difficult, however, so I am not complaining too much. And truthfully, I have mine set up so that I can get to the 7 or 8 presets that I use very quickly - within a button or two.
Quality
Light AND sturdy. I have not been able to say that about many pieces of musical/electronic equipment I have owned, ever.
Value
Definitely stacks up well compared to the other Clonewheel organs available. Add on the world class Rhodes, Wurly, and Clav patches, and extremely serviceable piano samples - this is one of the best musical expenses I have ever incurred.
Manufacturer Support
I have not had to deal with support for this product.
The Wow Factor
That red is just fantastic.

Musical Background:

Active Musician

Musical Style:

Rock/Jam Band
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Submitted January 15, 2011 by a customer from comcast.net

"The Nord Electro 73....Finest Keyboard in the World!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I do not anticipate, or could even imagine, a finer, more useful piece of equipment. Nord might actually replace some of the sounds, perhaps some of the acoustic pianos might have more overtones....but when that happens, i shall just download them, free, from my computer....yet another fine feature from Nord.
Sound
Superb in every respect.....the Hammond B3 is worth the price of admission standing alone....unbelievably good Leslie sound.....excellent electric and acoustic pianos. Quite the best keyboard I have ever owned, altho I use a midi A30 by roland as controller for other sounds
Features
One may move from sound to sound quickly enough for stage use, but changes in those sounds take some time....I rarely do, because the factory presets are amazing.
Ease of Use
Very intuitive, very easy to make EQ changes, reverb and effects on board are simple. Deep changes take more time.
Quality
Seems to be absolutely bulletproof. The degree of finish is outstanding, and I anticipate no problems....if need be, the warranty center is close at hand.
Value
I would like to whine and cry about how expensive it was, but it doesn't matter......it costs a lot less than a Hammond B3, and sounds better........ten pounds works better than a quarter ton, too. yes, I lugged a hammond model A around for years.....with Leslie.
Manufacturer Support
Best imaginable, since I haven't needed them a bit.
The Wow Factor
Lust is a good word for how I feel about this keyboard. Had to have it...now that I have it, I like it even better! I look forward to it every time our band plays out.....it rocks!

Musical Background:

Pro for Bux for 45 yrs, since I was 16, music teacher, studio owner, PA designer

Musical Style:

Country and Rock, Party Music, in Bar Bands
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Submitted January 5, 2010

"Overpriced and Overrated"

Overall: 2 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
first i should say i own an Electro 2 73..got it used at a decent price. can't afford the Electro 3 unless they drop the price about a grand. and that brings me to the problem with the Nord Electro keyboards. they're just overpriced for what they do. the onboard acoustic and electric stage pianos are terrible, and the "library" of about 3 sounds on the Clavia site is not any better. clav, rhodes , and wurli are fine..would not make any improvements. from most of the players i talk to, they buy this for the organ and leslie sim. this is one of the two best features of the board. the digital drawbars and vibrato are great and the leslie sim is sufficient. not much headroom on the rotary overdrive though..it's like all or nothing. i think the main thing the Electro 2 has going for it is ease of operation...unlike calling the cable company, you don't have to go through a bunch of menus to get where you need to be ! the overall level of the Electro 2 is rather low, and i have to crank that channel of my amp or use a compressor. i understand the Electro 3 has expanded sounds and an editor. still for the price, you could get a Korg or Roland with 1000s of patches, sampling, and a ton of effects. the simplicity and sounds of the Nord just don't justify the cost to me.
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