Can Nord Wave 2 give the A1 sound?

[Tomateck]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and a happy owner of a Nord Stage 2 for ten years, hello everyone.

I am in the process of buying a Nord Wave 2 and I would like to know if with the synth engine I can replicate the same sounds of the Lead A1 that struck me just as favorably.

I would like to opt for the Wave 2 for the advantages it offers but at the same time I would like not to loose the sound of the A1. Can anyone tell me if you have experience comparing the same oacilators?

I apologize if it's a topic maybe already covered by someone else, I'm new to the forum.

Thanks to those who can help me decide.

[robmartino]

I've had an A1 for almost 10 years, love it, and have been keeping an eye on the Wave 2 for some time since it has some nice enhancements (better keybed, more advanced arpeggiator, full ADSR envelopes, samples, etc), but there are some limitations that have kept me from "upgrading", and that's the loss of the multi-oscillator configurations that let you combine two different waveforms with one layer and the Detune multi-oscillator which I use a lot (two of the same waveform with detune control). You can achieve the same thing with multiple layers, but I've programmed a lot of 4 layer performances that use these kinds of oscillators and wouldn't be able to recreate them the same way on the Wave 2. Even if they just added the Detune configuration like they did for the Stage 4 (which uses the same synth engine) that would be helpful.

Otherwise I think the sound of the filters and waveforms is pretty much the same from what I've seen most owners of both have said online, so if you aren't dependent on the multi-oscillator mentioned above it would probably be a good choice.

[Tomateck]

I've had an A1 for almost 10 years, love it, and have been keeping an eye on the Wave 2 for some time since it has some nice enhancements (better keybed, more advanced arpeggiator, full ADSR envelopes, samples, etc), but there are some limitations that have kept me from "upgrading", and that's the loss of the multi-oscillator configurations that let you combine two different waveforms with one layer and the Detune multi-oscillator which I use a lot (two of the same waveform with detune control). You can achieve the same thing with multiple layers, but I've programmed a lot of 4 layer performances that use these kinds of oscillators and wouldn't be able to recreate them the same way on the Wave 2. Even if they just added the Detune configuration like they did for the Stage 4 (which uses the same synth engine) that would be helpful.

Otherwise I think the sound of the filters and waveforms is pretty much the same from what I've seen most owners of both have said online, so if you aren't dependent on the multi-oscillator mentioned above it would probably be a good choice.

Thanks Rob,

Your experience is very helpful to me in deciding with more awareness whether to take the step of buying the Wave 2 or directing my choice on the A1.

Thanks for your help and congratulations for your music!

[Nordlicht]

Hi Tomateck,

This could also be interesting for you, my personal experience with the NW2 compared to the A1 and the Stage 3/4: viewtopic.php?p=169847#p169847

[koloman]

Beside the comparison of the pure synth-sections of A1 and Wave 2 I find the ideas of the Youtube video in the article viewtopic.php?t=26631 very interesting as the author uses not only waveforms but also samples as the source of new sounds using the function of the WAVE 2.
All in all the WAVE 2 is a fantastic instrument.
Koloman

[Melies59]

Hello,

I had the Wave 2 a while ago, and after using it side by side with the A1, I decided to kept the latter. Now that I have also invested in a NS4, no regrets so far.

To summarize, here is how I saw both regarding their own strengths.

I see the A1 as a real 4 part multitimbral synth, knowing that each layer can be routed to an individual output. The real strength of that synth (apart its tremendous simplicity to program) lies within its oscillators configurations (detune, mix, and so on...), and with the possibility to modulate the digital waveforms (and I also like the formants) which can allow for beautiful evolving digital pads, while keeping a sort of analog warmth that I did not find on the Wave 2. 1 layer can already offer a massive sound. The filter drive has a beautiful natural sound to my ears.


The Wave 2 on the other hand, I see it more as a monotimbral synth, with 4 "partials" (that can use samples, which is the biggest difference with the A1) that are meant to be blended together to one output (no individual out on this synth anyway). It remind me a bit of a JD800 (yes, I'm that old ). Of course, you can also see it as a bi-timbral dual oscillator synth. I often needed at least 2 layers to reach the sound I wanted.
To my ears, the sound is more "chirurgical" than the A1 (same remark as when comparing the NS3 vs NS4 by the way), more "precise", you loose a bit of that "analog warmth" of the A1 and a bit of punch as well. The effects are superb (reverb is clearly a step above the A1) and the arpegiator is a bit more developed on this keyboard. Too bad the unison on samples (that can be found on the NS4) was not implemented.
The loss of Digital Wavetable modulation (and the formant waves) was not really compensated by samples (you can't modulate them a lot anyway) or the FM, albeit being clearly more capable than the A1.

I would say that a Wave 2 would be a great complement to a Nord Stage 3 (or even a 2/2EX), and if you have a Stage 4, the A1 is still a great keeper.

[DJKeys]

I had an A1 for about 3 years when the Wave 2 was released. I purchased the Wave 2 in 2020 and had them both side by side for a while. I found the Wave 2 to be incredibly easy to program, I duplicated my custom programs (about 150) in a matter of hours. I did not find anything limiting in the Wave 2 architecture while programming it. Plus, the keybed, arp, ADSR, effects per layer and sample playback were all a big step up from the A1 in my opinion. This video really shows the potential of the instrument in the hands of an advanced synthesist:



My Stage 3 and Wave 2 give me everything I need for live performance and recording.

Just my 2 cents.

-dj

[maxpiano]

My Stage 3 and Wave 2 give me everything I need for live performance and recording.

Well but I think the question around this thread is about how it sounds i.e. if programming the same patch on both synths sounds the same or the A1 is "more analog" as some people say, would you say the same?

(I never owned an A1 , but I have a NS3 like you and its synth is based on the A1, so actually sound-wise you are anyway covered with your setup )

[DJKeys]

My Stage 3 and Wave 2 give me everything I need for live performance and recording.

Well but I think the question around this thread is about how it sounds i.e. if programming the same patch on both synths sounds the same or the A1 is "more analog" as some people say, would you say the same?

(I never owned an A1 , but I have a NS3 like you and its synth is based on the A1, so actually sound-wise you are anyway covered with your setup )

In the many hours I used both synths, I did not notice any stark differences in their overall sonic character. Listening to individual waveforms by themselves for me is not a measure of an instruments ability for sound programming.

-dj

[Melies59]

The overall character will be about the same (we're speaking of the same brand, not a comparison between a Moog and a Sequential ), not that big of a difference, but there is one, that I am sure. The Wave 2 sound more "refined", more precise than the A1, which could be good (or not), because for me, it lacked a bit of that grittier sound of the A1 (and there will be small differences when you try to program the exact same sound, provided you use the same parameters).
It's linked probably to different DACs, to the effects (The reverb was improved somehow on the Wave 2) and other coding refinements done between two generations of machines.

As for reprogramming sounds from A1 to Wave 2, yes for most usage it will be possible, but when you extensively use Digital Waves (or Oscillators mixes) and try to give them life with modulation, you just can't do that with the Wave 2 (if you don't use that, then of course, no problem for most of the sounds).

Just different beasts for me, I kept the one I preferred, I think the Wave 2 engine is even more suited to a keyboard like the Nord Stage, where the samples really shines (the new Unison mode for samples sounds great to my ears).

And if you have a Stage 3, not really useful to pair it with an A1, a Wave 2 will be more pertinent in this configuration.