Nord User Forum

[mkastrup]

I hate a harsh metallic reverb. The Wave 2 cathedral isn’t harsh like that is it? To put it in context, I find Roland reverbs to be metallic and Yamaha Montage/MODX reverb to be pleasant and not harsh.

Thanks for the input! It helps a lot.

I also hate metalic reverbs and Nord reverbs are not harsh like Rolands and i still better like the Nord reverbs over the Yamaha reverbs.

[mkastrup]

I love reverb, and I'm quite new to this game. The NW2 is my first hardware synth (since October). I'm thinking of buying a Strymon Big Sky, Night Sky or perhaps an Eventide H9. Should I just be happy with what the NW2 gives me or would a reverb peddle be worth it???

Its correct that Nord reverbs are not offering the huge spacious reverbs those are only found in software or hardware pedals (and Novation Summit/Peak). Do some youtube search for Eventide Space, GFI Specular, Neunaber WET and Strymons pedals. However the builtin reverbs in Nord Wave 2 will cover anything else.

[tsss27]

So now that I have a Wave under my fingers again to compare, I have an idea on why some people think the key action is comparatively heavy. I tested the Wave as a MIDI controller and found that the velocity response is a lot different than the various other keyboards I've played in that role. There is a wider range of the velocity response that is dedicated to softer velocities on the Nord, which could give the impression of feeling physically heavier as you have to play the keys a lot harder to get the maximum sounds. This is less noticeable on the Wave itself, I can play monosynth runs just fine on it, but with a wide velocity range (I.E. playing rhodes on an external sound module) it is very easy to notice. The Motif XF/Montage's action feels physically heavier to me but the velocity response can be adjusted for a lighter touch, so even though the keys themselves may be heavier with a longer travel they can feel lighter to play.

[DJKeys]

I've been having fun playing with my new Waldorf Iridium. It's made me appreciate how visible everything is in the Wave 2. Don't have to dig deeply to figure what's happening to the sounds with the Wave 2. Figured I'd throw a positive into this sea of disappointments.

[DJKeys]

I , for one, have never been disappointed in the W2. It is a logical descendant of the Wave and A1, simple to program, 5 octave keyboard, and has a huge sweet spot. I am not sure what a lot of users were expecting, but most of the complaints I have read really do not affect my use case at all. Sure, there are things that should be addressed in an update, such as vibrato across layers and the weak EQ drive algorithm, but all keyboards have issues. The W2 has not been widely adopted as many other current synths, but I think its sound and programming potential will continue to attract users.

-dj

[RafalSC]

And I just sold my Nord A1 and I wonder what to buy for the Korg Kronos 73 ....
I liked the Nord (sounds A1) a lot but the A1 keyboard was terrible. I've already played NW2 a few times and the keyboard is what I love about NW2. Effects and reverb are very good for me. This is an instrument for musicians, not for sound designers.
I've already tested a few instruments that I can buy for the Korg Kronos 73. I need something smaller but good sound and 5 octaves. I checked Korg Prologue, novation summit, Prophet Rev 8 (terrible !!! )) ... nothing special for me. I also thought about the Roland Jupiter X .... but I don't have a chance to touch it ... Nord wave 2 is ok. The sound, although it is not modern, can be heard well in the mix and that's why I like the Nord, but this price ..... NW 2 is not worth the money .... I would like to check out Modal Cobal 8 (definitely cheap but the demo sound suits me).

[CountFosco]

The sound, although it is not modern, can be heard well in the mix.

Not sure I understand this. It's a synthesizer and sampler. You can make any sound. Do you mean something specific?

[tsss27]

I would like to check out Modal Cobal 8 (definitely cheap but the demo sound suits me).

Cobalt is a very modern glassy sound. If you are looking for something modern, brighter, that cuts it could work well and it also has more options than NW2 in most areas should you want them. Of course it will not play samples, so if that is a concern your options will be narrowed down by quite a lot.

Prophet6 is very nice for a vintage analog sound, but there are various tricks to get it sounding its best. I have not had extensive experience with the Rev2 so cannot tell you how these 2 compare though I do know the oscillators and filters are different from the P6.

The most direct equivalent to the Wave2 may be the Prophet X but that is a more complex machine. If simplicity is important it may feel like too much synth. But if you need sample playback it is your closest alternative.

Ultimately it depends on what sounds you want, what style of music you are playing and how much performance flexibility you require.

[andy_felon]

Why did you decide that cobalt has more options? Cobalt has 8 voice polyphony, weaker filter, two osc, no samples, no morphing, etc.

[tsss27]

Why did you decide that cobalt has more options? Cobalt has 8 voice polyphony, weaker filter, two osc, no samples, no morphing, etc.

Morphing is simply a streamlined modulation matrix, which the Cobalt does have.
Cobalt technically has more variation in its filter than the Nord due to its various modes. You may find it sonically not as nice; that's a matter of opinion.
Cobalt has 3 envelopes, 3 LFO's, greater control over it's effects, more performance control sources to be assigned in the matrix, vintage oscillator drift emulation, a wider variety of analog waveshaping options, a 37-key and module equivalent for those who want a compact setup, etc. It's also far cheaper. I was going to buy one but I found the tone too modern for me, too plastic. But frankly I thought much the same with the Nord's VA side also though it is definitely warmer. I'm not in love with the Cobalt's interface, either. But if you need a synth and not a basic sample player for a low price that is on the modern side as the original poster had mentioned it's hard to beat, and if you don't want the more advanced features they are largely out of sight in shift functions.