Nord User Forum

I have NE5HP and Im thinking about getting into the realm of a synth… Very new to all that in synth… What is the purpose of 4 outs on the A1? and do I have to connect all 4 to my amp/or PA… I'm already using 2 channels in the amp/PA for the NE5HP?

"FOUR OUTPUTS
The Lead A1 features four independent audio outputs with the ability to route each slot to a different output. Plus control of Pan via the front panel knob is a welcome new addition in the Lead A1."

Of course, you can route all slots to one output, I presume.

Yes - routing can be: 2 (stereo) pairs - slots go to one or the other; 4 (mono) separate for each slot independently; a combination of the two (some slots go to pairs, some go to single outputs)

From the Menus section of the manual:

System Menu

A B C D - Slot Output Routing
Route the Slots to the audio outputs of the Nord Lead A1. Slots can be routed to output pairs (1-2 and 3-4), or single outputs. Outputs 1 & 2 are routed to the headphones. Ranges: 12 (default), 34, 1, 2, 3, 4.

MY INTERPRETATION:
> "Slots can be routed to pairs" - i.e. stereo pairs, with your choice of 1/2 or 3/4 for each slot
(Note: Pairs appear as "12" & "34" on the 3 character LED. The third character indicates which slot is being routed.)
> "or single outputs" - mono outputs, your choice of 1,2,3, or 4 (for each slot)
> "Outputs 1 & 2 are routed to the headphones." - whatever is routed to outputs 1/2 will ALSO be sent to the stereo headphone jack
(Note: For mono routings, each slot goes to only one ear)

EXAMPLE 1:
Slot 1 > Stereo 1/2 (also to stereo headphones)
Slot 2 > Stereo 1/2 (also to stereo headphones)
Slot 3 > Stereo 3/4
Slot 4 > Stereo 3/4

EXAMPLE 2:
Slot 1 > Mono 1 (also to headphone L channel)
Slot 2 > Mono 2 (also to headphone R channel)
Slot 3 > Mono 3
Slot 4 > Mono 4

EXAMPLE 3:
Slot 1 > Stereo 1/2 (also to stereo headphones)
Slot 2 > Mono 1 (also to headphone L channel)
Slot 3 > Mono 2 (also to headphone R channel)
Slot 4 > Stereo 3/4

EXAMPLE 4:
Slot 1 > Stereo 1/2 (also to stereo headphones)
Slot 2 > Mono 3
Slot 3 > Mono 3
Slot 4 > Mono 4

I just now sat down at my Lead A1 to confirm the above and convince myself that the routing options were indeed so flexible.

This feature comes in handy if you are recording 4 layered patches you can route each patch to a different track and remix the levels after it has been recorded.

I often route the individual sounds from a performance to the separate outputs. That way I can treat each component part differently with EQ, compression etc. It can help me tailor the sounds to the song after I've recorded my part, as Revilo7 mentioned.

I also use this feature on single sounds. I use a separate slot for the reverb (or delay) and then route the synth sound to one stereo pair and the reverb to another so I can process each differently. Sometimes I love the sound of the onboard effects but want to be able to fine tune the relative volume later while mixing. For me, the four outputs are a great feature.