NordLead 4 vs A1 for my next purchase.. HELP

[bloodykot]

Hello! Another video using my NordLead A1. Some modified preset Performances.

I hope you enjoy it !!

[Marlowes]

Great demo. Really great! Cool video.

But I will never buy an A1. Got the 2X!

/Amicalement
Michael
aka Marlowes

[ricard]

Having owned a Nordlead 2 for many years, and recently tested an A1, I must say they are actually quite different beasts.

The '2 has a very unique character, on the one hand not really duplicating anything else, on the other hand not really replaceable by anything else either. The controls are all of an analog synth, but the sound is not. Sure, there's a filter, ADSR's, etc, but the actual sounds have a different quality about them than, say, a Prophet 5 (Prophet 5 factory patches in the ROM performance banks nonwithstanding), and, perhaps more importantly, the machine tends to drive me in a different direction than I go when using a true analog synthesizer when creating sounds.

The A1 on the other hand, to my ears, does a very good job of emulating the sound of an analog synthesizer, at least when using the 'classic' analog waveforms. As such it sounds quite different from the '2. I was considering getting an A1 to replace my 2, but I found that if anything I'd have to get both. Since I can't really afford (and don't have the space either) for that, I've stuck with the '2 for now.

The main problem I feel with the A1 is that it sounds very analog, but doesn't really go the final 1%. As such it lacks character, and becomes more of an imitator than an innovator.

The Nordlead 4 to me is a continuation of the Nordlead series, and has the same 'analog controls but unique sound' style to it as the '2 (and the '3, although the 3 has its own character altogether). Although the '4 to me sounds more 'aggressive' than the 2, I can't get any soft pads out of it for instance, it always has an 'edge' to it.

While the '2 fit my needs perfectly when it turned up in 1997, the current Clavia range leaves me longing for something else:
a) An upgrade of the '2 with some features from the '4, like the morph leds and effects section, but still keeping the same basic sound (and giving more control to some of the more or less preset parameters, like unison (only three levels) and delay feedback (again only three levels).
b) An "A2" with two oscillators and sustain parameters in the EGs,

I suspect the current market demands something else though, probably more or less what Clavia have right now if they've done their homework right. Still, one can always dream.

[RedLeo]

An "A2" with two oscillators and sustain parameters in the EGs

This please, Nord.

[Nordlicht]

An "A2" with two oscillators and sustain parameters in the EGs,

Or perhaps 3 oscillators?

And in every case a high-grade keyboard WITH aftertouch!
(I won't buy neither the NL4 nor the NLA1 with those lifeless keys )

[ricard]

An "A2" with two oscillators and sustain parameters in the EGs,

Or perhaps 3 oscillators?

Well, no, I meant two oscillators in the sense of two truly separate oscillators with separately configurable waveshape, octave ranges and detune.

[pablomastodon]

WIth a Nord Modular, one can create voices with 17 oscillators...or any other arbitrary number one might want.

Pablo

[Nordlicht]

Well, no, I meant two oscillators in the sense of two truly separate oscillators with separately configurable waveshape, octave ranges and detune.

Oh, sorry, I didn't want to correct you. You are absolutely right with the two "truly separate" and fully-equipped oscillators.

I really meant it serious: What about 3 (three) complete oscillators - like the Minimoog (or the Sledge). The possibilities would increase incredibly...

[ricard]

WIth a Nord Modular, one can create voices with 17 oscillators...or any other arbitrary number one might want.

Pablo

Yes, that's right! But not everyone wants to make music with the computer

I like it to switch on my Lead 2X and just turn the knobs and push the buttons. In comparison with the "old" NL 1/2/2X the 4 and the A1 do have a more "complicated" user interface (of course, because of a lot of more possibilities and features).

[ricard]

Personally I find the gain of a third oscillator is fairly limited. It does add an extra quality to the sound, but I find the effect subtle, and I can understand manufacturers that are reluctant to add a third oscillator because it's a lot of DSP power and/or front panel space compared to the gain. If you want a hardware machine with this capability I would suggest exploring the Waldorf Blofeld. The user interface is quite a far cry from the Nords though.

I agree that the directness of the older machines has been lost out on the newer ones for the reasons you give. I think though that another factor is that knobs, buttons and panel space are expensive, so Clavia tends to go for multiple functionality on the buttnons and knobs they have, which doesn't really make the machine easier to use. A full front panel would have been preferable but would have given the machine at too high a price for the current market.