Nord Rack 2X compatible with Nord Electro 3?

[Mister Al]

Hi guys,

as already written in the title of this topic, my question is whether the Nord Rack 2X synthesizer can be used together with the Electro 3. Google gave me no answer to this, and I read that the Rack 2X may be incompatible with some keyboards.

Thanks for your answers
Al

[Nordlicht]

The question is: what do you mean with "compatible"?

a)Yes: Of course, you can play the Nord Rack 2X using the keyboard of the Electro 3 via a MIDI cable (like a Masterkeyboard). The limitation is that there are no pitch and modulation wheels on the Electros, and the Electros are not multitimbral, so you can only play/send on one (or the global) MIDI channel.

b) No: There is no other compatibility of the Lead/Rack and the Electros. You cannot "use" the sounds of one device in the other - and vice versa. Both instruments are completely different models/types/lines.

So, the combination of an Electro (2/3/4) and a Lead (Rack) is always a very good "team".

[Mister Al]

Thanks for your answer. That's exactly what I meant with "compatible", especially point b).
So, in your opinion, it would be better to buy a Lead 2X instead?
(To clarify my point: I want to expand my Electro 3 with synthesizer sounds, like minimoog etc.)

[Nordlicht]

Hi again,

So, in your opinion, it would be better to buy a Lead 2X instead?
(To clarify my point: I want to expand my Electro 3 with synthesizer sounds, like minimoog etc.)

if you want to have the sound of the Lead 2X the Rack 2X is of course the "cheapest" way, but the Lead 2X (with the keyboard) is the BEST way.

Advantages in very short form:
- splitting of the keyboard and/or layering of the slots/programs just by pressing the different slot knobs
- Nord-unique pitchbend-stick and controller-wheel
- nevertheless, the keyboard version is very lightweight and small.

As I have seen you are from Austria, so look also here: http://www.musiker-board.de/synthesizer ... ost6141194
and here: http://www.musiker-board.de/synthesizer ... ost6141056
That were the arguments why I switched from Rack to Lead myself.

At last: If you want to make "real" Minimoog sounds you have to buy a Moog or another analogue synth. But of course you can build "Moog-like" sounds with the Lead (2X) and due to the FM, the morphing, the arpeggiator and and and - a lot of bloody good sounds more - even polyphonic.

[Mister Al]

Alright, thanks for your help! Then I'll think about getting a Lead 2X.

[lgexz]

So would the NE2 Rack be compatible with Nord Lead 2X/4 then?

[Nordlicht]

Hi,

of course it is possible to play the Electro Rack with any MIDI keyboard. So, the Lead 2X/4 is "compatible".

But keep in mind that the Nord Leads only have a 4-ovtaves keyboard - not much to play e-pianos or organs...