Differences between Nord Lead models and A1

[Spider]

Lately I've been digging more and more into synthesis, and of course I started GASsing for a Lead of some kind.
The choice for buying new would be the A1, but maybe I found a nice deal on a Lead Anniversary model.

So, two very quick question, of which I already know 99% of the answer, but having never owned a Lead, I just wanted some input from people with first-hand experience.
1- the Anniversary is exactly a Lead 2X, isn't it? No difference apart from the cosmetic changes?
2- the Lead, Lead2 and Lead2X are basically the same instrument with small incremental upgrades in hardware and memory, but the sound is basically the same... or not? It's hard to tell from the youtube clips as obviously different demos use different patches and settings, but from what I've read and understood, the sound engine is almost exactly the same. The real changes in instrument architecture and sound came with the lead 3, 4 and A1, isn't it?

So... the A1 would be my no.1 choice, but it's a bit pricy and there's still not much in the used market.
The 2X can be found cheap, and the Anniversary model... OH,those reverse-colour keys are SO sexy, how can I resist!!!

[Spider]

Hej Spider!

1. Yes. No. Same.
2. 1, 2, 2X ... should sound "the same". 3, 4, A1 = something else. Yes.

IMHO. I'm not Pablo.

By the way ... I just LOVE the NL2X with an external FX box ...

"Collect them all!"

/Vänligen
Michael i Skåne

[Ricoche]

I'd get the NL2x and wait for the price to drop on the A1. With external effects, the NL2x is just as amazing. If you find an NL2, I'd take that even over the NL2x, but both are great regardless.

Enjoy!

[stiiiiiiive]

Yep, same here. You'll get joy playing the NL2/X and will be able to upgrade whenever you want to.

[Spider]

hi guys, just a quick update... in the end I missed out the Anniversary (it sold in a blink, not surprisingly) but I found a 2X in mint conditions (still under warranty!) and went with it!

For the moment I just did a quick browse through some presets, and I'm seriously amazed at the sonic possibilities, especially in performance mode!!!

So now I'm a proud newbie to the Lead world (hi, Master Marlowes! ), and you'll have to bear my rantings in this section of the forum too!

[Marlowes]

Hej Spider!

Great!

Very welcome to the Lead-ing team!

/Vänligen
Michael i Skåne

[Spider]

Thanks, it's an honour to be greeted in the community by you, thou Master Lead Collector!

And to go back in topic, a very quick question :
this is my first keyboard without a USB port (yes, I'm not a vintage guy ).
To save programs - restore factory settings - update OS etc, a MIDI-to-USB cable is enough?
Do you have any easy-to-use (and free) sysex utility to recommend?

thanx again!

[Spider]

Hej Spider!

Yes, you'll need a MIDI<=>USB cable.

Nowdays I only use Mac's ... this is a great and simple tool:
http://www.snoize.com/SysExLibrarian/
Linux or Windoze? Idunno ... sorry.

(Just for the record: I get all my Lead knowledge and inspiration from Elektromin & Ricard, two great Swedish engineers on this marvellous forum. Thanks, mates! )

/Vänligen
Michael in Scania

[Spider]

Linux or Windoze? Idunno ... sorry.

In linux there is "Simple Sysexxer",that should work with any MIDI device.
Most distributions should have this in their repositories, but if not you can download it from sourceforge.net
Here are some screenshots.
http://www.christeck.de/wp/products/simple-sysexxer/

[Spider]

Thank you guys!
Unfortunately, no Mac or Linux, as I don't use the computer much (I'm largely a live player) I still stick with old sluggish Windows.
I did a quick search and there are plenty of sysex programs, I think they will be mostly equivalent, in the end a sysex file is extremely simple, shouldn't need elaborate softwares... I hope?