Nord Lead A1

Everything about Nord keyboards in general; which one to choose, the sound manager, sample editor, and general discussion about the sample and piano libraries.
Post Reply
NWaveSam
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 Oct 2013, 05:25
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 1 time
Australia

Nord Lead A1

Post by NWaveSam »

So guys and gals,

what do you all think of the new Lead A1? I was always expecting a brand new Nord product to hit the market this year, but an analog modelling synth is insane! It doesn't quite appeal to me, but I do see the excitement.

I'm glad it's not a Wave 2, as I feel for now the Wave is perfect and shouldn't be touched.

Also how about this new Electro or whatever it is? What do you think that's about?

:keyboard2:
User avatar
tomzi
Donator
Posts: 303
Joined: 20 Apr 2011, 17:14
14
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage 4
Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Has thanked: 179 times
Been thanked: 135 times
Germany

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by tomzi »

….i thought it would be a Stage 3…. :o
patrickdafunk
Posts: 61
Joined: 10 Sep 2013, 18:24
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Modular
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 2
Has thanked: 36 times
Japan

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by patrickdafunk »

Image

Still too big to fit in an airplane compartment though.. Too bad.

Also, no aftertouch is a big of a let down if you ask me.
Last edited by patrickdafunk on 20 Jan 2014, 17:56, edited 4 times in total.
Tom246
Posts: 19
Joined: 22 Dec 2013, 11:42
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by Tom246 »

I hope they have "one more thing" for the NAMM 2014!

Please, please a NS3
NWaveSam
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 Oct 2013, 05:25
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 1 time
Australia

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by NWaveSam »

just to make it clear for everyone:

THIS WON'T BE REPLACING ANY OF THE "REGULAR" NORD LEADS!
The Nord Lead A1 is a completely different instrument and shouldn't be compared with the Lead (1, 2, 2X, 3, 4) in any way. It's not a successor, it's not a compact version of anything, it's a completely new instrument, just like the Wave was.

The idea of a MODELLING synth is to have a great deal of versatility in the ways of oscillation, where the Nord Leads simply have two oscillators, the new Lead A series will be able to give you the option to choose what type of oscillator you want to use as well as the wave form. It should also be noted that there are no Wavetables, FM capabilities, sampling functions or anything similar. Again, it's a modelling synth, if you want to create a Wavetable, you can. If you want to create an FM format, you can. Sadly, there is no way you will be able to load a sample onto this beast.

If you want to learn more about analog modelling (I know a lot about synthesis) or in turn the Nord Lead A1, don't hesitate to ask me.
User avatar
stiiiiiiive
Posts: 664
Joined: 14 Oct 2011, 15:07
14
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Modular
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Electro 4
Has thanked: 67 times
Been thanked: 132 times
Contact:

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by stiiiiiiive »

I don't agree, NWaveSam.
The NL2X has 2 oscillators capable of FM, RM, sync, sligh/huge detune... which can do the A1 as well, from what I've just read. I don't feel anything new here, except the way you program it. Let me explain.

Seeing the functionalities, I'm not sure the engine is that new and I can't help seeing this one as a assembly of several other Clavia functionalities: the Reverb/delay seem to be those of the Stage/Electro/Wave, the new Ladder filter was heard on the Nord Lead 4.

Now, in terms of interface, it carries some new stuffs, and I must say I'm skeptical. I find the Nord Lead series really, really straight forward and sefl explainatory in this domain. Stripping down the number of commands -even with some smart shortcuts- is a bit disturbing to me as I feel like I won't be able to see exactly what the engine has in its guts.
But hey, let's try. Maybe the thing is way more handy than what I feel. I've been surprised yet by the Little Phatty: I first thought "4 knobs?... A Moog synths?... Guys... seriously...?" and finally got one after trying it and having much fun. Plus it may sound totally different from its elder brothers, but I doubt it.

What do you think?...
Last edited by stiiiiiiive on 20 Jan 2014, 18:15, edited 1 time in total.
Minkovski FB
Toxic Overdrive Deezer
DNOT Deezer FB
User avatar
Gustavo
Patch Creator
Posts: 801
Joined: 05 Apr 2009, 18:00
16
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Stage Classic
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Stage 2
Location: Monterrey, MX
Has thanked: 142 times
Been thanked: 167 times
Mexico

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by Gustavo »

Having read the press release I cant help but feel like it is somehow an adapted/improved version of the NS2 synth section, which is designed to be compact in size but flexible. That way they ended up with a great VA, which now they call Analog Modelling, with a lower cost. Maybe they are trying to fill that sub $2,000 USD gap left from the Lead 2x and Wave (in its last days). If you looke here you can see they even compare it to the 2x!!! But look closely and it resembles our NS2 synth section, two envelopes with ASR/ADRm LFO as additional Mod Env, several configurations of the oscilators (NS2 has shape, detuned, sync, but NA1 has more), almost identical Arpegiator and voice mode section (glide+unison mode), identical LFO, . This seems like the first step towards a NS3, which could be the mix of a NA1 and a NC2D

@NWaveSam do you think that in the fundamental level there is any real difference between Virtual Analog and Analog Modelling? Or is it just a marketing move?

Saludos,
Gustavo

EDIT: I think it would be interesting to compare this more directly to the King Korg!
Last edited by Gustavo on 20 Jan 2014, 18:30, edited 3 times in total.
Synths: Nord Stage 2 SW, Nord Lead 4R, Vintage Vibe 64 Active, Dave Smith Instruments Pro 2, Minimoog Voyager, Prophet 6, Korg Volcas
Stand: K&M Spider Pro and Hercules X Stands
Recording: Zoom UAC-8
Speakers: EV ELXP 112-P, Event Alp 5
NWaveSam
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 Oct 2013, 05:25
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 1 time
Australia

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by NWaveSam »

Okay, so what aren't you agreeing with exactly, Stiiiiiiiiiiiiive?

Also, I'm really not liking the morph section on the A1... two destinations and no Impulse Morph?!...
Tom246
Posts: 19
Joined: 22 Dec 2013, 11:42
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by Tom246 »

Surely it will be a good unit, but for me personally I expecting a much bigger thing for an exhibition like the winter NAMM.
These users thanked the author Tom246 for the post:
aureliopenna
NWaveSam
Posts: 18
Joined: 12 Oct 2013, 05:25
12
Your Nord Gear #1: Nord Wave
Your Nord Gear #2: Nord Modular
Has thanked: 1 time
Australia

Re: Nord Lead A1

Post by NWaveSam »

Gustavo wrote:@NWaveSam do you think that in the fundamental level there is any real difference between Virtual Analog and Analog Modelling? Or is it just a marketing move?
There's a huge difference! And I can explain in one word (not including all those other words and these words too),

Waveguide.

That is all.
Post Reply