Really, as a SYNTH sound designer i want to modulate stuff, i want to make sounds that evolve over time, my most used tools for that is LFO's, S/H, FM, Keyboard Follow, Aftertouch and Modwheel.
Lets see:
Nord Modular G2, we just about had it all, sky was the limit.
Nord Lead 3, we got a typical VA for that time, 2 LFO, Mod Env, ADSR on AMP and Filter, FM, Dual Filter, Stereo Unison which could be tailored to your needs.
Nord Lead 2X, an improved version of the Nord Lead 2, this is the synth with the most snappy envelopes of all Nords.
Nord Wave, a huge step up from Nord Lead 3, we got sample import, FX, Single Cycle waveforms and PM, FM modulation of samples. We lost arpeggio, 2 layers and Split.
Nord Lead 4, we got the 2 layers back, we kept single cycle waveforms, we got impulse morph, chord memory, pattern arp, the FX section became just weird. We lost ping pong delay, FM was hugely simplyfied. We lost Keyboard modulation. We lost snappy envelopes. We lost dual Filters.
Nord Lead A1, we got useful FX section back but lost the following on the way here, lost SUSTAIN, LFO, Chord Memory, Pattern Arp, Old FM and PM, Keyboard Modulation, Snappy envelopes, Dual filter. Second free oscillator. Impulse morph.
Nord Wave 2, we get programable arp, but we lost on the way getting here, LFO ability to be used as an envelope, lost 1 LFO, lost Chord Memory, lost old FM & PM, lost keyboard modulation, lost snappy envelopes, lost dual filter, lost second free oscillator, lost ability to modulate samples with FM.
Really, thats how i see it, they deliver 1 !!!!! new thing to the plate, programable arp and tons of features have been lost on the way getting here.
Yep, i'm a synth guy, not a piano player.