LEAD 1 (Classic) Proper Use of Slots 1-4 and Layering

[nordfanatic]

I'm so dense I can't figure this out, and yes I have read the manual.

Can someone tell me the proper implementation of midi in the 4 program slots. Should they all be set to Midi Ch 1, or should they each be set to different midi channels. For example, Slot 2 set to Midi Ch2, Slot 3 set to Midi Ch3, and Slot 4 set to midi Ch 4?

I am simply trying to use each program slot with a different program and want to layer. I would like to start off with program 1, play that a bit, then add program 2, play that along with program 1, then add program 3, play that a bit with programs 1 and 2, and finally add program 4, and be able to play it with programs 1. 2 and 3. I would also like to play programs 1, 2, 3 or 4 seperately in any order. I would like to isolate program 2 or 3 and play that patch. For some reason sometimes the other patches in the program banks keep playing even when the light is not on.

[mjbrands]

I have a Nord Lead 2X, not the original one, but I assume this functionality is the same on both.

Normally you would set each slot to it's own MIDI channel; for example A = 1, B =2, etc. like you mention.

All slots will always receive (and play) MIDI note data via their MIDI channel. On addition to that, all slots in a layer will receive MIDI note data on the MIDI channel of the left-most active slot.

So if you have slot A on channel 1, slot B on channel 2, slot D on channel 4 and all three active in a layer, the following will happen:

• when note data is received on MIDI channel 1, slots A, B and D all play
• when note data is received on MIDI channel 2, slot B plays
• when note data is received on MIDI channel 3, slot C plays (even though it is not active in the layer)
• and of course slot D plays when note data is received on channel 4

If you were to put both slot C and D on MIDI channel 3, then A, B and D would play notes received on channel 1 and slots C and D would play notes received on channel 3. Might be useful to have a slightly detuned version of the instrument in slot D in slot C to fatten up the sound a bit.

If you want to be able to play all channels separately, don't put them in a layer. The downside is that if you want all slots to play in that scenario, your sequencer will need to send note data on all four MIDI channels.

Does this help?

Regards,

Mathijs

[nordfanatic]

Thanks man! That's a start for sure. More experimentation required.

[WoutBlommers]

Don't forget the Lead1 has a Leftmost Active Slot Midi Response...
If you want to know more, just reply!

Wout

[stiiiiiiive]

Does that mean there is no way to play the Slot A program only through MIDI while some others slots are activated?
Is it the same subsequent Nord Lead versions?

[stiiiiiiive]

Ok, no. I've just read the manual, and it's at page 69.
It's stated that a slot will respond to it's associated MIDI channel whichever activation status it has.
Consequently you can play any slot through MIDI individually provided only one slot is active.

[WoutBlommers]

As long as the active Slot is Slot D!

Beware this situation is ONLY in the NL and NR original.

Wout

[stiiiiiiive]

Are you sure Wout?
According to the Nord Lead 1 v2.0 manual:

MIDI Channels

- Which MIDI Channel the Nord Lead transmits depends on which the four Program Slots is active. (see page 13)

- All four Programs Slots always receive MIDI, regardless of which one is selected, or if layering of one or more Slots is activated or not. However, all Slots used in a layer (i.e. all Slots that are activated) will also receive on the MIDI channel set for the leftmost active Slot!
This means that if you have a layer consisting of Slots A, B and D, and Slot A is set to MIDI channel 1, both Slots B and D will receive on channel 1, as well as on their respective set channels.

Therefore, if you want the sequencer to control the four Program Slots independantly (i.e. not in a layer), make sure only one of the slots is active on the Nord Lead (only one Program Slot LED is lit)!

What I understand is the only way to be able to play the four slots independantly (i.e. on one channel each) is to have only one channel active, whichever it is. The "leftmost" stuff applies only when layered.

I think the best way to stack programs one by one (what the author of the thread wants) is to have the first program in slot A, with the wanted MIDI channel set on it. Then, by activating others slots, the programs will sound one after the other.

Beware: having every slot set on the same MIDI channel won't do it because whether the slots are active or not does not matter, they keep on receiving MIDI hence playing their program.

Err am I right?

[WoutBlommers]

Yes, you're right

The leftmost construction is developed to make the Rack act like a Lead concerning Layers. It was very confusing, so in the NL2 and NLX it was abandoned.
I always sert the Slot D active when working only with Midi, just in case and superstition.

Wout

[stiiiiiiive]

By the way I read all the same in the NL2X manual.