NordLead 4 vs A1 for my next purchase.. HELP

[elpiulas]

Hello, I need to decide between NL4 or A1 for my next synthesizer. I'm not new to the world of synthesis but I'm not an expert. A shop offer both models at the same price in a personal offer and Iam undecided which is best suited for me. Mainly looking PAD stuff and arpeggio type sounds, and atmospheric etc.. not aggressive sounds, soft ones. I really like the arpeggiators/patterns featuring the NL4, but not the effects section. Can not combine reverb + delay. Moreover A1 limitations regarding programming disappointed me a bit but nevertheless its effects are great and in the net videos it sounds more vintage to my ears.

At the same price that you would buy?

Thank you.

[Beardy jack]

Hey there!
I'd go with the NL4 first, then if you don't like it you could probably sell it for the same price as the A1 brand new. I know what you mean about the fx section but there is far more scope for creation on the NL4 and just run through external fx if you need more...
It's a hard choice though so good luck, the fact is that you will get some great sounds which ever you choose!

[Marlowes]

Hmmm ... there should be a significant difference in price?
Well, I think the A1 sounds easier to use for the average keyboard player. To me it does not feel limited at all. On the contrary.

Since I have no money right now I'm a rabid defender of the NL2X plus a cheap effect stomp box.
But I admit I am always tempted to buy an A1. Also. Looking for ads on the local eBay all the time ...

[elpiulas]

So if in the future I want to sell Nordlead4 I can probably get more money than for A1.

Are there any limitations or failure need to know about the NL4 that is not solved yet. (firmware bugs), hardware deffects etc... ?

So, you think it only for the FX section on the A1 not worth choosing over the NL4. ?,,, always I can use external FX units.... ?

Sorry, but I have many doubts and a Synth like the NL4/A1 not buy every day. It is a significant investment.

Thanks and regards.

[Mr_-G-]

I like the NL4 better, but I have neither of those. Try them both side by side before spending that sort of money. I did not like the short keys much, but probably I would get used to it.

[elpiulas]

I like the NL4 better, but I have neither of those. Try them both side by side before spending that sort of money. I did not like the short keys much, but probably I would get used to it.

Try them both in a store is near impossible. Do not have the two models in the store to try them together, side by side. I have to be guided by the comments and internet videos and reviews. Also, I have little time to try to go to a store or multiple stores.

And also, the best prices are online stores. I'm pretty undecided. But I would not be wrong in my decision.

Basically what I want are soft sounds and pads, creating atmospheres etc.

I guess with the NL4 much as the A1 you can get this kind of sounds. Most videos I've seen of NL4 are rather aggressive sounds. But I've also heard some wonderful PADS.

[Hertzi]

elpiulas, I am kind of in the same boat after purchasing a NL4, just before the A1 was released. Now I am considering selling the NL4 and getting an A1 or Wave instead.

After playing around with the NL4, I am under the impression that it is is mostly geared up for easy access to aggressive/gritty/industrial (guess you could say modern) sounds. Much more so than the A1, which appears to be geared up for easier access to the more vintage timbres.

5 of the 6 effects on the NL4 are pretty much for adding hollow/metallic/gritty qualities to a patch. As a result, I find I am mostly using either no effects or the comb effect to get anything other than aggressive/metallic sounds (Comb at a low setting adds a chorus-like effect). If you don't want too much clutter via external FX boxes, etc, then this may be something to consider.

Same thing when twiddling with the filter section on the NL4 also. Very easy for that metallic/aggressive timbre to creep in when designing a patch, which can be annoying when you are trying to make soft/atmospheric stuff. As far as I am aware, the filter section on the A1 is actually an improved version over the NL4. If this really is the case then NL4 really could do with a firmware update.

I find the NL4 can make some nice vintage-esque or atmospheric pads, but it takes some work to filter out the grit and metal. For some reason Juno 106 jumps to mind for some of my pad patches - more at the cold end of the spectrum though. I have created a couple of soft pads also, but again, they are not the warmest sounding.

I personally think the A1 may do a better job in regards to atmospheric pads and such. It looks sonically more versatile in that department anyway. The NL4 seems to be more geared towards crazy arp leads and utter mayhem, though it is capable of soft/atmospheric pads also, albeit in the dark/damp/cold region at the time of writing.

[tayholliday]

I think the A1 looks absolutely great. Personally, I'd really love to try a simpler synth.

If you're on the fence, buy both from a place with a decent return policy and then return one before you have to pay the credit card bill

Good luck!

[elpiulas]

I think I'll decide by Norlead A1. It is less versatile than the NL4 but I've seen videos and audio demos, and I think their sound character is more what I'm looking for. Less agressive i think.

Thank you all for your answers ..

[shark]

I got the A1 about a month ago and was (and still am) overwhelmed by the possibilities. I am a newbie at synthesis so I'm reading books and watching youtubes about how to program sounds. The A1 is supposedly easier to program than the Lead 4 but I still find it fairly complicated. If you stick to basic pads and strings it shouldn't be too difficult to master. I would be surprised if anyone uses it to its full potential knowing that you can program up to four different synthesizers independently with all features like morph, legato, arpeggiator and what not. It's killer machine, it's got everything...