Organ sound: Nord Stage 2 vs. Korg Z1

Ok, several years ago I was on a thread here debating organ sound of the Korg Z1 to modern gear that specializes in organ sound such as the Nord Stage. As everyone knows, the Z1 uses physical modeling just like the Nord products do. I commented that I thought the Korg did some of the best organs I've ever played on a physical modeling instrument, and most commenters chimed in that the Z1's capabilities have been since far surpassed in quality and realism by things like the Nord, B4, and various specialized Hammond emulators.

So just the other day, I landed a festival gig coming up on Oct 2 and the leader of that band gave me his Nord Stage to rehearse with for a month, he's letting me keep it in my studio. Well, it's a nice keyboard, I'm enjoying it a lot, I love the Wurly EP sound, and the organ sound is, well, nice, very B3ish and the leslie is great if a little overwhelming, but no matter how I set the drawbars, the sound seems a little too midrange-ish and lacking what I refer to as 'body'. Compared to the Z1 modeled organs, this one just kinda sounds like it's coming out of a tin can or something. I just like a good clean, transparent organ sound that has a lot of body to it, but that doesn't put its stamp all over the band's mix. This Nord organ sound just seems to cut through too much, doesn't seem to sit in the mix the way I'd like it to. I tried to explain this to the band leader, but he seemed to be an evangelist for the Nord, and said he feels it has a 'rootsier' sound than my Korg. Hey it's his gig, so I'm getting paid to make the keyboard sound whatever he wants, so I'm not arguing, I'll play the Nord. But I came away from it not finding the Nord a keyboard I'm lusting after at all.

I guess this is all just a matter of taste, but it's just another episode for me of not 'getting' what people are all excited about with regard to the Nord organ sound. When it comes to the music I play (more classic/prog rock and R&B styles over this guy's folky/bluesy/roots stuff), I much prefer the full bodied sound of my Z1's Gospel Organ patch. I find the percussive effect and the more subtle leslie simulation on the Z1 to actually be more realistic, and it rides nicely in the background for subtle organ padding in a way the mid-rangey Nord just doesn't. Must my 2 cents.

I think the Z1 has excellent organ patches, much better than any organ samples Ive heard.( specifically Hammond samples) that can of course be tweaked to taste. The electric pianos are also excellent.

I love my Z1. ( though it can sound a bit brittle on some osc models) One of the most powerful & deep synths ever made.

I havnt played a Nord Stage though so I cant comment on that.

IMO the Nord B3 needs a little bass EQ but has way more body/phatness/bandwidth than the Korg CX3 or Roland VK series. Never heard the Z1.