Nord lead A1 bad VCA dynamic range ?

[lysander]

I've noticed when making the amp envelope velocity sensitive that even if I turn the shift + release knob fully clockwise, the dynamic range of the notes is still very small, i.e the loudness doesn't vary much at all between pianissimo and fortissimo playing.
This makes it very difficult to create truly expressive sounds like electric pianos.
Has anyone else noticed it ? I'm finding this very frustrating and don't really understand why it would be done this way ??

[Mr_-G-]

I did not know about the A1 but I share you feelings because that is also the case in the NS2, unfortunately. Very small dynamic range for the synth.
You can compensate a bit by combining VCA vel sensitivity with VCF velocity (to make the noise "darker" with low velocities) but of course is not exactly the same thing.
Can't understand why Clavia does not improve this, it has been commented many times, or at least if they do not want to break old patches, they could give a system option to make it more sensitive.

[DJKeys]

I have found this as well in my NS2, but it is not an annoyance, for rarely do I need too much velocity control when playing synth parts. A lot of synths back in the 80s did not have this feature anyway, and it is reflected in most of the synth patches I have needed to create for that era.

The Electric and Acoustic piano samples in the NS 2 give me all the velocity control I need for those sounds in my rock bands.

-dj

[Mr_-G-]

Not sure I agree. I like the NS2, it sounds great, but in comparison, my JX8P seems to have better vel dynamics than the NS2 synth, better aftertouch (in the NS2-88 model AT requires too much force, yes I tried more than one unit, they were the same) and better pitch bend. And it was made in 1984!

[DJKeys]

Depends on personal experience, but my main point is that in the context of the songs I play, velocity plays a very small role for synth parts.

[kroffe]

Use velocity morph to amp and set the dynamics as harsh as you want?

[Mr_-G-]

I wish that could be done in the NS2.

[lysander]

Use velocity morph to amp and set the dynamics as harsh as you want?

That's a good tip, I must admit I hadn't thought of that.
It does seem a bit odd that the range of the dedicated VCA velocity is so limited but whatever, this is a nice workaround.