Nord Stage 3 & 4 Installation Guide

These instructions apply to the Nord Stage 3 and Nord Stage 4 – the process is identical for both models. Installation is done via Clavia's free Nord Sound Manager.

What you need

• Nord Sound Manager – free software from Clavia: nordkeyboards.com/software
• USB cable – USB-B (on the Nord Stage) to USB-A or USB-C, depending on what your computer has
• Your bundle file – the .ns4pbundle file from your purchase. If delivered as a .zip, please unzip it first

⚠️ Back up first

Be sure to create a backup in the Sound Manager before making any changes: Menu → Backup... This only takes a few seconds and protects you from data loss. There is a short video tutorial for this on my YouTube channel.

Installation – Step by Step

1. Start Nord Sound Manager – Not installed yet? Download it at nordkeyboards.com/software.
2. Connect Nord Stage – Connect your Nord Stage 3 or 4 to the computer via USB cable and turn on the keyboard. The Sound Manager detects it automatically (bottom right: "Connected to Nord Stage").
3. Load bundle – Open the bundle via the menu in the Nord Sound Manager: Menu → Bundle Download... Navigate to the bundle file (.ns4pbundle) and confirm with Open. Alternatively: Drag & drop the bundle file directly into the Nord Sound Manager.
4. Select target bank and start download – Under "Destination Bank", choose which bank the sounds should be saved to.
   • Mode – Add to Bank: adds the sounds to the bank, existing ones remain.
   • Mode – Replace the Bank: replaces all sounds in the selected bank.
   Then click on Download – the transfer takes a few seconds.
5. Done – Sounds play – The programs are now saved on the Nord Stage. Select bank, tap program – done. The USB cable can be disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

The memory is full – what to do?
This happens when the Nord Stage's sample memory is full. In the Sound Manager, switch to the SAMP LIB tab – there you can see all samples on the instrument with their size. Click on a sample you no longer need, then right-click → Delete. After that, transfer the bundle again – the programs automatically load the new sample. Recommendation: create a backup beforehand (Menu → Backup...).

Do the instructions apply equally to Nord Stage 3 and 4?
Yes. The Nord Sound Manager works identically for both models.

The keyboard is not detected.
USB cable firmly plugged in? Keyboard turned on? Restart the Sound Manager. If that doesn't help: try another USB port or another cable.

Can't get any further?

No problem – just contact me. I'm happy to help you personally.
Email: kontakt@thorsten-hillmann.de
Phone: 01523 / 174 2964
Shop: keyboard-sounds.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@thkeyboardsounds