Nord User Forum

[Kibosh]

Hey all,

I'm thinking off buying the Nord Lead 4R but have some questions before my finale descision. I only worked with softsynths to this point.

First one is about the multi-timbral. So the NL4 is 4 part multi-timbral, so I can play 4 sounds at the same time? Or in other words, create 4 midi tracks in Ableton and record audio from 4 seperate sounds with automation on filters and stuff like that (with 4 different midi channels if i'm correct)?

Second question is about the 20 voice polyphony. If i'm correct this is that one sound can handle 20 notes at the same time? Then coming back to the multi-timbral. Are all 4 sounds then 20 voice or is this divided around all 4? For example sound one 4 notes, sound two 10 notes, sound three 2 notes and sound four 4 notes being 20 notes in total (if played at the same time)?

The 4 outputs, they are mono, right? So for creating a special stereo sound I will need to add this in Ableton? Or how do I need to see this?

[mjbrands]

So the NL4 is 4 part multi-timbral, so I can play 4 sounds at the same time?

Correct.

Or in other words, create 4 midi tracks in Ableton and record audio from 4 seperate sounds with automation on filters and stuff like that (with 4 different midi channels if i'm correct)?

Yes, but...

It works as you describe, but be aware that if you want to record the individual sound, you have to send them out of individual outputs into Ableton. Normally all sounds will be mixed and sent out over the regular stereo output of the Lead 4, but you can configure this and create (for example) two stereo outputs or four mono outputs. If you give each part its own (mono) output, you can do what you describe above.

Second question is about the 20 voice polyphony. If i'm correct this is that one sound can handle 20 notes at the same time? Then coming back to the multi-timbral. Are all 4 sounds then 20 voice or is this divided around all 4? For example sound one 4 notes, sound two 10 notes, sound three 2 notes and sound four 4 notes being 20 notes in total (if played at the same time)?

The Lead 4 can have up to 20 voices active in total. How those 20 voices are spread out over the sounds you're using depends on the situation. For example, if you play a monophonic lead sound on one part, that would only count as one voice. If however you stack all 4 parts with detuned versions of the same sound, that would already eat up 4 voices (and perhaps 8 in some situations). The Lead tries to be smart and 'steals' notes where you are less likely to hear this happening. For example, when playing chords, it may at some point stop one of the 3-4 voices playing if it needs to free up a voice for another sound/part. In general this is not very audible, but if you know what to listen for, you will notice it.

The 4 outputs, they are mono, right? So for creating a special stereo sound I will need to add this in Ableton? Or how do I need to see this?

You can configure this, but you only have four outputs in total to play with.

Let me ask you a question: why do you want a Lead 4R? I could imagine that if you wanted the keyboard version, you perhaps wanted to get away from the computer more. With the rack version you're still using a sequencer to get sound from it. Of course, you have lots of hands-on controls available to you for creating and modifying sounds, but if you prefer to use ready-made sounds, I'm not so sure that has a big advantage over soft synths.

You ask about multi-timbrality and for a hardware setup this is important, but I think this is less important when using a DAW because you would just record the individual tracks (multi-tracking). With soft synths you can do something similar; you could have all soft synths running at the same time while playing back your track, but it is often better to freeze tracks with soft synths on them. This uses much less CPU (since Ableton is just playing back the audio it recorded when freezing it) and you can still apply effects, etc. to it. If you want to change the settings of the soft synth again, unfreeze it and change as much as you like.

The Lead 4R seems pretty awesome to me, but I've already spent way to much on synths and I've already got a whole host of virtual-analog synths.

I'm not saying you shouldn't get the Lead 4R - I'm just saying you should look at why you want it. Gear lust is fine, but it is like 1500 euro you can't spend on anything else.

[Kibosh]

Thx for the good explanation. Helps a lot.

It will be my first hardware synth and I want to get better in sound synthese to create my own sound instead of changing presets all the time. I don't like working with the mouse for that. So yes, it's for a more hands-on approach. Also I like the Nord lead for its easy to understand layout. It is simple but still powerfull (if I'm correct). So I thought about it and I think for a first synth a VA one suits my needs better and maybe in the future I would add a full analog one. I still need to here it in real life before I buy it.

You are right about freezing tracks but I didn't have yet the need for that. My PC is quite powerfull and up to the task so at the beginning it will be easier for me to have the ability to run 4 sounds (or only 2 stereo) through the NL4 and not to have to record it right away, so while I'm working on my track, I can still change things like automations and so.

But then, because of the lack of a hardware synth, this is all new to me and I will need to learn a good workflow for it.

I already have a midi keyboard so when I buy the NL4 it will be the rack model.

[mjbrands]

I know this is a forum about Nord synths, but might I also suggest the Access Virus TI2 desktop model? Slightly more expensive than the Lead 4R, but it integrates better with your DAW. On the other hand, it is quite a bit more complex. It also depends on the kind of music you want to make; the Virus is typically used for dance music, but there's no reason you couldn't use it for rock tracks. The older Lead models got quite a bit of usage for dance music too, of course.

Note that while the 'desktop' version of the Virus TI and Lead 4 are both rack mountable, neither comes with rack ears so you'd have to buy those as an optional extra.

[pablomastodon]

Correction MJ: Nord's Lead 4 Rack does ship with rack ears included. The sides must be removed to install the ears.

Bless,

Pablo

[Kibosh]

I've heard of the Virus and was very interessed about it, but someone told me the software crashed a lot? The desktop model is not that more expensive here.

But reading about the Nord Lead 4, I always come accross the Virus TI2. Some say the NL 4 sounds that little bit better but that is a personal experience. So now I don't know anymore, LOL. The Virus has a lot more outputs when used with USB. But I don't really find how much the polyphony is. They speak from 20 to 90?

[chvad]

the nord and the virus are both great. I never want to menu dive. ever. if you like that or dont mind it, the virus is great. if you cant handle that the lead is where it's at. super work flow. awesome. both synths are great though.

[mjbrands]

Correction MJ: Nord's Lead 4 Rack does ship with rack ears included. The sides must be removed to install the ears.

Awesome, thanks for clearing that up.

[mjbrands]

I've heard of the Virus and was very interessed about it, but someone told me the software crashed a lot? The desktop model is not that more expensive here.

Version 3 of the software did indeed crash quite a bit, but personally I haven't had much of a problem with versions 4 and 5. However, I wouldn't use the integration software in a live situation and probably would even use the regular MIDI ports in favor of the USB port. Especially when running audio over USB, the Virus can be rather fussy about the USB chipset your computer has and other USB devices on the same USB channels.

The Virus works just fine without the software, but using the TI software is often quicker than using the many knobs and buttons on the front. They've crammed so much stuff in there, that a lot of buttons still cycle through values instead of directly giving you access to the setting you want.

But reading about the Nord Lead 4, I always come accross the Virus TI2. Some say the NL 4 sounds that little bit better but that is a personal experience. So now I don't know anymore, LOL. The Virus has a lot more outputs when used with USB. But I don't really find how much the polyphony is. They speak from 20 to 90?

Polyphony really depends on the type of sound used. The presets that come with the Virus typically make heavy use of effects (of which the Virus has an awful lot) and that really eats up polyphony. It is not that hard to run into note stealing.

Something that always surprises me with the Virus is that they mention they use studio-grade 192 kHz D/A convertors; that's all very nice, but the whole sound engine is running either at 44.1 or 48 kHz (selectable by the user). I've never heard the Lead 4 in person, but I have a Lead 3 now (and had a Lead 2X before) and to my ears, especially high, FM-type stuff sounds better (clearer) on the Nords than the Virus.

The Virus comes with a lot of bells and whistles and new software releases often come with cool new stuff. On the other hand, the Nords just work and are quite a bit easier to understand (generally). Both feel like premium quality instruments; I'd rate the build quality about equal. I also have a Waldorf Q and Blofeld; the build quality on those is quite good (but not on the same level as the Virus/Nords) but the software is somewhat buggy and sometimes crashes. Even on the Q with its many knobs and buttons, you seem to have to do quite a bit of menu diving.

If you want a synth where almost every control has a dedicated knob or button, that just does what it's supposed to do and sounds awesome, it seems to me the Lead 4 is a great choice. I really like the sound of the new effects section and the new filter models. And the mutator function could be interesting, especially since you can change the amount of effect it has (from a completely random sound to a slightly changed version).

In my opinion, the polyphony of the Virus v.s. the Lead 4 isn't really a reason to pick one of the other.

[Kibosh]

I think it will be the NL4R then...

Thank you again for the good explanation!