vollpflock wrote:So I actually can get rid of my midi-keybord (an axiom 49nd) as the nl2x provides me the same functions.
Well, potentially the Axiom can do some things the Nords can't (i.e. you can probably program them to change the MIDI messages generated when you use specific controls).
vollpflock wrote:It was important to me to be sure that I can record the things I do with the nl2x as midi, including the sound and all the modulations I do by using the knobs, so that It looks in logic pro the same way like when I do stuff with my axiom and use a plug-in-instrument.
Well, it will not be exactly the same (since the Axiom is meant as a controller and the Nord isn't). Specifically, programs like Logic, Ableton, etc. may provide pre-defined mappings for the controls of the Axiom to controls in soft synths. You can 'teach' Logic you want a specific control on the Nord to control something specific in Logic, but it won't work like that out-of-the-box.
You could also still use that Axiom as a second keyboard for the Nord. You could play one sound on the keyboard of the Nord and at the same time play another sound on the Axiom.
vollpflock wrote:Thank you for the hint regarding the midi-interface. I have an alesis io2 audio-interface, which has a midi-in and a midi-out. I have my korg ms20mini in the audio-input of the alesis, as It makes no sense to use it with the midi-port, because the knobs don't send midi-messages. You mentioned that I would be set if I have a nl2x and a midi-interface. How would you use the alesis? I thought the nl2x also has a usb-slot, which I can use to connect it to the computer.
Please be aware that you
cannot send audio over a MIDI connection. If you didn't think that; great, just making sure. MIDI describes what you did (what button you turned, how far, etc) and if you store a MIDI recording of your playing, you can recreate your earlier playing by sending that MIDI data back to your Nord. When you do that, the same sound as before should be coming out of the outputs of the Nord, provided you're using the same program (preset), etc.
If you made a MIDI recording of your playing on the Nord and it turns out you should've opened the filter quicker, you can just change that in Logic. When it concerns notes you would just change them on the piano roll, but for other stuff (like knobs, pitch and modulation) you generally call it 'automation' - you automate the change of a parameter. In the filter example, you could just change the automation for the filter cut-off in a number of ways and, other than that, keep your original MIDI performance. You play it back in Logic (= send it to the Nord) and you'll have your modified version as audio.
Since MIDI cannot carry an audio signal, you still need to connect the outputs of your Nord to some audio interface. You could either unplug your MS20 and plug in the Nord, use a small mixer or (the best option of 'studio' use) use an audio interface with more channels.
vollpflock wrote:ps: Is it the same thing with the Nord Lead 2? Somebody offered me to sell his Nord Lead 2, and I'm now thinking about the pros and cons between the 2 and the 2x. I know that the 2x is the upgrade to the nl3, not to the nl2. I found out that a main difference is the memory capacity, which is much larger with the nl2x than with the nl2. Which one would you buy, respective is it worth to pay twice as much for a new nl2x than for an old nl2?
From a MIDI or patch perspective, the NL2 and NL2X are equal. The NL2X is a technology refresh of the NL2 and there is no relation with the NL3 - that's a completely different beast.
While the NL2 and NL2X are largely equivalent, there differences:
- 16 voice polyphony on the NL2 v.s. 20 voices on the NL2X.
- The NL2X has a much, much larger memory and unlike the NL2, it does not need a PCMCIA SRAM card (those are hard to find and contain a battery which can start leaking).
- The DACs (digital to audio convertors) are different, which leads to a slightly different sounds; some say the NL2 sounds 'more raw' and authentic than the NL2X, but some people also say Elvis is not dead.
- Any NL2 you buy will be at least 10 years old, while the NL2X is still being made (getting an NL2X repaired in the coming years should be easier than with the NL2)
Unless you specifically want the NL2 for the different DACs (and potentially slightly different sound), I suggest going for the NL2X. Of course, if you can get a good deal on the NL2, that would be a fine choice too.
This page lists the specs for the NL2:
http://www.clavia.se/products/discontin ... hnical.htm
The Nord Lead 2 uses 18-bit DACs (unspecified rate) while the NL2X has more modern 24-bit 96 KHz DACs. I'm sure the NL2X will sound a bit smoother than the previous models (with their 18-bit DACs), but in both cases it is still better than CD quality. If I want a more noisy and less smooth signal, I can always run it through some distortion, etc.
Again, if you get the NL2 over the NL2X, I think your most important reason should be the slightly different sound. One of the reason the NL2X will likely be more expensive is that it is much newer; you will get an instrument which (probably) had fewer previous owners and has better specs (especially more program memory).
If you're talking about an NL2 for half the price of most 2nd hand NL2X-es, than I think that's a good bargain provided it is in good condition. It could also mean that the price you were offered for that NL2X was too high.
