NL A1 OS Update vs A2 Update - Which is coming 1st

[skintechnician]

Thanks Pablo, I probably got a bit carried away with my pattern request.
I had a tough time deciding between the A1 and the NL4 but happily decided on the A1 largely based on the pros/cons discussed in this forum. Please forgive me as I occasionally get envious of the cool stuff on the NL4!

One of the features that I'm genuinely curious about is when synchronizing the A1 to a MIDI clock. I have never actually seen the "E.Cl" displayed when trying to change the tempo on the A1 (even though the A1 is receiving MIDI clock from say Nord Beat). Since my A1 will allow me to change tempo, I tend to match the tempo # with whatever tempo Nord Beat is at (for things like synchronized arps w/ swinging delays). Just curious if anybody has gotten the A1 to display "E.Cl".

Thank you,

Nate

[ljefe]

Yes, I have gotten the ECL display when trying to change tempo when synced to external MIDI clock. That's how I can tell if the sync is working. It only shows if you hold shift and mst clk and turn the prog/menu knob while the sequencer is running. You can change tempo if the sequencer is stopped but when you hit play the Nord will sync to the sequencer tempo again.

[Ricoche]

Just food for thought.

I noticed the Nord Electro 5 was announced here recently. The music stores around me here in Japan have the Nord Electro 4 on sale AND the Nord Lead A1 for a very good price. Everything else is regular priced. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. It seems the A1 is definitely being pushed more than the NL4. Hmmm.

By the way. I own both the A1 and NL4. What's interesting is that although I perhaps prefer the A1 sound over the NL4, I am REALLY missing a lot of the features on the A1 that the NL4 has. I find myself migrating to the NL4 more and more. I also find that with effects and half the price of the A1, my Nord Lead 2x is looking like a great deal especially when I'm seeing more 2x synths being dumped at crazy prices here in Japan. Yes, the A1 is a significant upgrade, but at twice the price? Note I consider the A1 to be a "upgrade" to the 2x. That's just me though.

[Jimmypage]

I bet their next release will be NL5 or Wave 2. I think A1 was released to test new synth engine and is too fresh for an upgrade to newer model. Developing products cost a lot of money. Its hard to predict what clavia will do...

[clickclack777]

What I miss the most on the A1 and what I believe would give it a broader sound palette is the ability to pitch and shape all double OSC configs. These two (pitch and shape) should have a separate section which could be modulated by either and LFO or and the mod envelope. This would of course require another LFO with envelope switch (like the current LFO). Don´t get why Nord has labeled Sync and Noise under the single OSC section. Really weird.

Would have also loved to see that the drive of the filter would work as a general FX (when filter isn´t applied). That would free up the drive FX slot, were I would rather see the comb filter effect of the NL4.

[Mr_-G-]

Well you are describing NL4 features: separate oscillators and 2 LFOs.

[clickclack777]

Well you are describing NL4 features: separate oscillators and 2 LFOs.

Yeah, but I love how they have simplified the layout for faster access on the NLA1. The effect section and separate delay and reverb are some much better laid out on the NLA1. The features I described feels quite obvious for the price of the A1. I´ve tried the NL4 a couple of times but it feels old coming from the NLA1.

[ljefe]

I was confused to find sync and noise in the single osc section as well. I'm guessing there is an explanation I'm just not considering.

What has been an obstacle for me recently is the limited choices for pitch bend range. Is it the same for all Nords?

[pablomastodon]

Limited choices for PB? The Leads have pretty wide choices available...what were you looking for? More than four octaves?

BLess,

Pablo

[curvebender]

As I suggested in another thread, it would be great if we could have separate tuning of the four slots! Both fine and coarse.