Are the Nord A1 lead synth sounds in the stage 2?

[jamesdthomas]

Hi Guys,

I've bought the Nord A1 lead - I love the synth sounds but i'd like to be able to play piano also.
Does the Nord Stage 2 have all of the synth sounds the A1 lead does - just with the addition of organ and piano?

If not, what keyboard would you suggest?

Thanks!
James

[Marlowes]

Hello James!

Does the Nord Stage 2 have all of the synth sounds the A1 lead does - just with the addition of organ and piano?

No! They are two very different beasts. I have never tried to create a synth sound on my Stage 2. But the organ/piano/sample/external features are awesome.

If not, what keyboard would you suggest?

A Stage 2, of course, And keep your A1! And I will keep my NL2X.

/Amicalement
Michael in Scania
aka Marlowes

[Mr_-G-]

You have 4 slots in the A1. Only 2 in the NS2, so you should be able to do lots of interesting things in the A1 that the NS2 synth cannot do. The A1 also has a nice ensemble/triple chorus effect that no other nord currently has.
However! the NS2 synth can also read nsmp files and treat them as an oscillator so it could achieve things that the A1 cannot. You also have more polyphony in the A1 than in the synth section of the NS2.
I would keep the A1 (it is always useful to have an extra keyboard) and get (if you still want to stick with Nords) a Nord Electro (organ/piano/sample) or a nord piano 2 (piano/sample). Of course if money is no object, then get a NS2 (organ/piano/synth+sample)x2 . Or wait for a few more months and hope the rumours of a NS3 are true and buy that instead.
That being said, not everything you read in the net is true and sooner or later all products are replaced by something better and often cheaper, so we never win. Getting what you want at the time is probably an equally a good choice.

[anotherscott]

I've bought the Nord A1 lead - I love the synth sounds but i'd like to be able to play piano also.
Does the Nord Stage 2 have all of the synth sounds the A1 lead does - just with the addition of organ and piano?

It's a kind of odd way to put the question because the NS2 and the A1 don't have a particular set of synth sounds, they ARE synths. Kind of like, with organ, there are lots of romplers that have organ sounds, but they aren't organs, while other boards, like the Electro and Stage actually are organs. I hope that distinction makes sense. But anyway, the synth section of the NS2 is not identical to the A1... many of the sounds you can create on one can also be created on the other, but not all of them.

If not, what keyboard would you suggest?

No keyboard will give you the exact synth functionality of the A1 plus piano. Nord does make a module version of the A1, though, which can essentially be added to any piano board you like. Or you can just use the two keyboards. People often prefer to play piano and synth sounds on different actions anyway. If you want one board with piano and synth functionality, the NS2 is a great choice, but as I said, the synth function will not be exactly the same as what's in the A1.