Nord User Forum

Hello! In the near future, I am looking to buy a Nord Lead 4 or an A1. I already own a NE6 and am wanting to use it for a dual layer rig as well as having it as a synthesizer.

Could people just give me some quick tips on which is the best for functionality with the NE6.

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks all

StevenageMonkeys

Fellow user,

Despite having slightly different sound pallets (the A1 and 4), you are buying a synthesizer to compliment a piano/organ/sampler. So, it boils down to HOW you are going to use it, rather than for what.

My opinion is as follows:

Do you want to create complex evolving sounds, and have the time/passion for it?
Go for the Lead 4

Do you want vintage sounds in a matter of seconds and spend more creativity on the music rather than the sound itself?
Go for the A1

Hope my opinion clears your mind a bit
Happy shopping! (Ages since I don't buy anything, kind of jealous )

Regards,

Thank you!

I had also to make this decision. I found out that there are much more A1 instruments in the field and much more sounds (about 6000) to load into the A1 as a starting point or examples for Your own sounds. I bought the A1 and I am very satisfied. As I use my Nord Stage 2 for our band with limited but enough synth possibilities I use my A1 at the time mostly for home use - lost in a space of possibilities...
Wolfgang

I didn't get a chance to try a 4, but I got an A1 to partner my E5d. I find it perfect for both recreating analog and classic synths for a funk cover band, and getting more adventurous in an originals band. There are plenty of useable presets and many great patches and banks available to download (from Nord and from here)

Hi Koloman,

I'm curious. Where did you find 6000 patches to load into the Nord A1?

Thanks to everyone. This has helped a lot.

Lead 4 misses chorus/ensemble/phaser/flanger and you can use only reverb or delay.
Especially if you are not familiar with subtractive synthesis I´d recommend A1 because it´s easier regarding editing sounds.
Regards,
Herbert

@UncleByron:
My estimation was maybe a bit too enthusiatically, but if You count all programs in the download section of the Nord site and additional what You find in the Forum You get about 1200 Patches. If You count in the same way the performances You get about 950 performances with 4 programs each, gives 3800. Together 5000, not so far away from my 6000.
Naturally many sounds are similar... But I tried many of them to learn from others, I found there great patches.
Wolfgang

Good day, this topic is a bit dated from 2018 last post

Still today I had to make a choice between the NL4 and the NL A1, i tested both and I decided to go for the NL 4.
Main trigger was the possibility to tweak more with the Oscillators/Filters (ADSR vs ADR) and in the end the fact that the NL as a very nice Rythmic pattern aggegiator function, which the NL A1 is lacking.
This pattern arpegiator section can create some nice Rhythmic chord pattern variations.

My music style is mainly EDM, more electronic focussed than vintage analog sounds.

I can live with the limitations on the effect section on the NL4, the crush/drive/comb effects are pretty nice.