I defected to the A1 camp...

Everything about the Nord Lead synthesizers; features, specifications, how to operate, and questions about technical issues.
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by ljefe »

If I had enough space and money I'd add an NL4 rack, 73 key Nord Stage 2, and Nord Drum 2 with the pads.
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by combathook »

You guys amaze me! I love Clavia gear too, but there is so much out there that it's hard to justify having more than one similar synth from the same maker. I'd love to get something like the Nord Lead 2 to compliment the A1 now, but when I've got some money to spend again I'd like to get something to cover my bases in other areas, like a Lexicon reverb, a modular synth, an Electron Analog Rytm, or any of the host of vintage analog gear that's out there.

What does having a Nord Lead 1, 2, 2x, 3, 4, and A1 get you that is more exciting than a diverse collection or other synths?

I'm not bashing at all, just curious. :thumbup:
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by pablomastodon »

Nord Lead 1, 2 and 2X are virtually the same, so your point is valid there. I think that many of these "collectors" are getting on in life and have the luxury to indulge whims.

Also, Nord instruments retain value really well. It is possible to buy an NL3, play around with it for a year or two, and then sell it for the same (or even more) money. This is not true of most instruments. Then there's front panel friendliness and build reliability, which are also qualities which are less common among other brands. But yes, when there are other needs (outboard f/x boxes, amps, etc.) which are unmet it seems silly to stock up on red synths.

Bless,

Pablo
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by Muziksculp »

combathook wrote:You guys amaze me! I love Clavia gear too, but there is so much out there that it's hard to justify having more than one similar synth from the same maker. I'd love to get something like the Nord Lead 2 to compliment the A1 now, but when I've got some money to spend again I'd like to get something to cover my bases in other areas, like a Lexicon reverb, a modular synth, an Electron Analog Rytm, or any of the host of vintage analog gear that's out there.

What does having a Nord Lead 1, 2, 2x, 3, 4, and A1 get you that is more exciting than a diverse collection or other synths?

I'm not bashing at all, just curious. :thumbup:
Hi combathook,

One of the main reasons I have the NL2X, NLA1, NL4 is because they do complement each other sonically, each one of them offers something unique that the other does not offer, and once you master working with one model, the others are not too different to use, there is a consistency as far as the user interace design, and very little learning curve as far as operating each unit, which makes it a joy, and lots of fun to use all the models.

What takes most of my time, is experimenting, and programming them, since they offer so much variety, and once you look at them as a synth-orchestra, or system working together, then you have a beast of a synth ready to deliver tons of amazing sounds, with a lot of polyphony, and endless possibilities that is ready for your music production needs.

I have other Synths, that are not from Clavia, which I use and like a lot, but they are very different to use, nothing wrong with that, but I feel there is a unique advantage (for my way of working) to have my Nord Lead System available, it is imho. a fantastic hands on system, that promotes creative programming, and experimenting while producing my music.

Cheers,
Muziksculp
Last edited by Muziksculp on 29 Jul 2015, 21:42, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by Marlowes »

Combathook:
You guys amaze me! I love Clavia gear too, but there is so much out there that it's hard to justify having more than one similar synth from the same maker.
He, he ... we have other stuff too when we (Ricard and I) jam in my studio! 8-)
Blofelds, Audiothingies P6, Arturias, E-MU ... even a Stage 2!
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by skintechnician »

Lovely set-up Marlowes!!

Now I don't feel guilty about buying an OP-1 :shifty: Can't get enough of the cool Swedish gear :)

Cheers!
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by S h a w »

combathook wrote:
What does having a Nord Lead 1, 2, 2x, 3, 4, and A1 get you that is more exciting than a diverse collection or other synths?
I agree with Pablo -- the NL1, 2 and 2x are very close in sound. Having all three would clearly be "collector" status.
But the NL3, NL4 and NLA1 all (to my ears) have different sonic characters while still retaining their "Nordishness".

my 2¢

Cheers!
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by pablomastodon »

Muziksculp wrote:...I have the NL2X, NLA1, NL4 ...since they offer so much variety, and once you look at them as a synth-orchestra, or system working together, then you have a beast of a synth ready to deliver tons of amazing sounds, with a lot of polyphony, and endless possibilities that is ready for your music production needs...my Nord Lead System ...is imho a fantastic hands on system that promotes creative programming and experimenting while producing my music.

Cheers,
Muziksculp
I especially like this way of looking at things. Back "in the day" when my rack rig consisted of Korg M3R, Roland D-110, Roland D-550, Yamaha SPX90 and DMC MX-8 I took black electrician's tape and covered up all the brand names, models, even the button/knob labeling (after I'd worked with it long enough to memorize everything). I did it mostly to add a scent of mystery to the rig when others came poking around to see what was in there, but quickly discovered that this allowed me to think of the whole rig as a single instrument with much flexible possibility as opposed to a collection of separate modules. Your combination of synths there, Muzicsculp, seems really ideal and thinking of them as your Nord Lead System is...well, perfect. And the benefits of consistent workflow process across the different instruments...nicely done and stated.

BTW, are they rack units?

Bless,

Pablo
Last edited by pablomastodon on 30 Jul 2015, 06:10, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by Muziksculp »

Hi Pablo,

Yes, they are all Rack Models. :)

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Cheers,
Muziksculp
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Re: I defected to the A1 camp...

Post by Muziksculp »

My other Synth-Orchestra system is made up of two Access Virus Units, a Virus Ti Keyboard, and Virus Ti2 Desktop ;)

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Cheers,
Muziksculp
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