Nord User Forum

Updatetime

A minor update but appreciated

Doesn't address any of the complaints I've read on this forum, but at least there's an update!

Update time long overdue! So maybe we should collect all relevant wishes and handle it over to Nord?

eisblau wrote:Update time long overdue! So maybe we should collect all relevant wishes and handle it over to Nord?

I agree!

nw2 lurker, and nla1 owner, does the nw2 sustain sounds when switching patches?
Also can you have more than one split point and can the sound fade nearing the split points?
I love my nla1 but don’t really like the keybed and lack of display. Does it warrant the steep price point of a nw2 and hassle of selling the nla1? don’t know!

NW2 does not sustain when switching patches, but if you use 4 single sounds, one on each layer of a patch, you can change those seamlessly...

You can have three split points (4 zones). The crossfade feature can be set at 6 or 12 semitones which starts at each split.

I had an A1 and moved to the NW2. I sold the A1 easily for almost as much as I paid for it new, and programming all the patches I needed was fast and easy with the NW2. The layout of the NW2 (the same one now used in the NS4) is very intuitive.

-dj

thanks, tempting but only after I sell my NLA1.

What’s exciting for me, aside from the better keybed, is the more complex arpeggiator section.
I always wanted to have a couple of rythmic layers giving me a base whilst messing with it, and the patterns will allow interesting rhythms.

I wanted to switch from NLA1 to the NW2 for its better keybed and the proper display. But I returned it within the money back period.
So, even as a short-term owner I can list my personal pro and cons of the NW2, perhaps it can help others with their decision:

PRO:
- superb keybed (smooth and much quieter than the one in my former NS3C and now my NS4C), aftertouch is very well to dose
- 4 morph sources, incl. velocity (I miss this so much at the NS4)
- impulse morph (but why only one?)
- easy wheel assign
- 2 x ADSR envelope

CONS:
- no flanger in the FX section (IMO, it's much more important than e.g. ring modulation)
- split possibilities not as comfortable as in the Stage series
- unison not available for samples (it is the case in the Stage3/4)
- just a filter drive button, no (morphable) continuous knob as in the NLA1
- for being a "synthesizer" the modulation possibilities are indeed quite limited (only 1 real LFO, only 2 real ADSR envelopes)
- I missed a lot of the great sounding and very useful waveforms of the NLA1, whereas the "wavetables" in the NW2 are nice to have but at least for me not very useful

And now:
Comparing the synth section of the NS4 with the NW2, there aren't that many differences, and so for me I decided to sell both my NLA1 and NS3C and bought a NS4C (make one out of two).
The synth section in the NS4 is of course a compromise, but a very good one, and I can do most of the things with it that I could with the NW2.
I have the flanger (that I love) and the split possibilities and the sample unison that I'm both used to from my NS3.
Sure, the NS4 has significantly less buttons in the synth section, but the handling is still very intuitive.
And of course, I have 73 keys.

Another conclusion: the NLA1 is still a wonder regarding sound capabilities and ease to program. I really hope Clavia will offer a NL5/A2 in the future, with all the good stuff from the A1 and the NL4, in the form factor of the NW2.