Nord User Forum

Hi everyone,

I am a new, proud owner of a Nord Lead A1 (my first ever synth). I was wondering if anyone had any tips for how to emulate the sounds from logic's (Apple) built-in analog synth plugin (Retro Synth). I'm having trouble matching nobs on the plugin to nobs on the physical A1. I've attached a screenshot of the plugin (below in a reply). I'd also be willing to pay someone to work with me on this 1on1 via phone.

Hej!

Looks like a fun project ... but I have a presentation at school tomorrow and have to concentrate on that.

Any possibility to add a mp3 demo? You have Logic ...
Might make it easier for a non logician.

But you are totally right - the NLA1 is THE synth for retro tweaking!

/Vänligen
Michael in Scania

That's a great idea. Thanks, I will create an mp3 sample of it. I realized, the tone I'm looking for is not the default. I will attach an MP3 of the settings I have, though.

Here is an MP3 sample and the updated screen shot of the settings from the logic plugin. Thank you!!

• demo-retro-synth-custom-settings.mp3

I put the MP3 sample inline for you.

You cannot emulate it 1:1 i.e. just by mapping and copying settings, because the synth structures have a few but significant differences (e.g. the Retro has ADSR envelopes while A1 has ADR, ..)

On the other hand the (analog section of) the Retro synth is pretty basic so, once you learn the principles and to program the A1 synth chain, it is pretty easy to "emulate" the Retro sound by looking at Retro parameters and transform (not copy) them into A1 settings.

Recommendation: study the A1 from its manual first and learn it by tweaking existing patches, then you will find it will be easy to go to the next step i.e create your own patches and/or reproduce the Retro ones (initially best if finding a similar A1 patch and then adjust/modify it, rather than starting from scratch)

PS: for a general learning of subtractive synthesis, there are many tutorials on line, such as the massive one made by SoundOnSound between 1999-2004 and still available on https://web.archive.org/web/20160403115 ... ecrets.htm (non need to read it all, just the first few articles)

Some great soul built a PDF version of the Synth Secrets series. It has high resolution graphics and better legibility.

MP3:

• Logic Retro Synth.mp3

NLA1-Performance-File: Hey!
I tried to recreate the sound.. got it pretty close, still not 100%.
The performance-file attached might be a good starting point for your for further tweaks.
The possibility to use the LFO as an ENVELOPE is REALLY good, I use it a lot.
Once you have downloaded the performance to your NLA1 make sure, to make it more "playable" - what I mean is: Add velocity and wheel morphs so the performance gets more playable.
Have fun!

Wow! Thanks a lot for taking the time to do that, man.