What're your thoughts on a Nord Lead 2?
 

I've got around ?450 and i am tempted to get one of these seconds hand- unless anyone reckons I can do better?

I've had a play about on one and think it's pretty cooooooooool.

What do ya think, Hot or Not?

Hey Dugmac,

You might wat to IM Hollowcell.

I am pretty sure he is a happy Nord Lead owner as well as a synth expert.

I'd be interested to hear his two bits about that board if I were in a position to buy one...

...I'm actually saving for a Motif as I have no ROMpler yet!

:wink:

Cheers!

-Alex

Its great, buy this one from me with added RAM card:

http://www.sunesha.nu/virusforum/viewtopic.php?t=4188

:wink:

its realy nice as a controler keyboard aswell.

Here's my take on the Nord 2. HC can probably expand on this as he's had alot more hands on experience.

First of all, the Nord 2 has 'modern classic' status due to a number of factors. Since about 1997 they appeared along side Korg Tritons on countless videos and live performances. By far the most visually depicted synth of the past 10 years. So from a point of view of future collectibility....it'd be a good buy because you'll always find people who want to own a 'classic synth of the day'. Secondly, the Nord 2 sounds quite different to most other VA's in that it sounds bright, crisp and relatively cutting. Most virtual analogs and softsynths have a kind of muddiness to their tone (especially when making pad sounds)....the Nord 2 doesnt have this. Programability is straightforward albeit slightly illogical. Personally I prefer the filter section at the top...whereas on the Nord 2 its at the bottom. Despite this, there is no menue hoping (unless your setting up midi) and this makes it a breeze to get into.

Sound engine: As already mentioned, it has a unique-ish tone. From a programming perspective its slightly more advanced than a Prophet 5 and Jupiter 8 (old analog classics)....however, its not nearly as versatile as most current VA synths. Is this a problem? No, of course not. The Nord 2 can cover 95% of analog type sound creation fine. The real question is whether you think its a wise decision to add yet another VA to your arsenal....or whether a true analog would be better? Bang for buck then the Nord 2 wins....but if your wanting to add something different to your music...then id consider: Juno 60, Polysix, DW8000, JX10, M1, Wavestation, JD800 or perhaps a DX7MKIIFD

Its a tough one to call.....but from a musical perpesctive youd benefit more from have a wide variety as opposed to yet another instrument that does more or less the same thing...but in a different flavour.

DS

Perhaps you could tell us what synths you already own. Im quite opinionated when it comes to synths....and whilst you may not agree or like it....I'll be honest...

DS

hey guys, thanks very much for the replies!

yeah I agree with a lot of the things being said. I'm really tempted because I think the sound is spot on for the type of music I'm wanting to make, being really crisp and clean.

At the moment my virus c is too big a part of any tracks I'm writing so I'm wanting something that will sound different to, or complement it.

I'm using a korg prophecy at the moment as my controller keyboard, but I'm ashamed to say that's all I use it for?! It wasn't 'til recently (through someone on this board) that I got the manual for it and never got so happy with it that I could use it as intuitively and quickly as the virus.

I kind of feel like I couldn't live without being able to save patches to my sequencer or automate filters etc, so I'm not sure I would wanna go for an analogue synth yet.

There has been some pretty high praise from everyone I ask so far so I'm about 90% sure I'm gonna get it now.

where are you based, and how much would you want?

I'm in London and have found one localy that I can pick up for ?400? That's withought the RAM card which would be pretty cool though because the memory does seem pretty minimal.

Dug....from your pic....do I take it ur into 80's films?

DS

hehe, yeah i guess. I'm 24 so grew up with these classics.

I take it you're a fan?

i was thinking about getting a copy of Big Trouble In Little China, I haven't seen that one for a good few years!

I loooove my NL2 - always have and I think I always will.

There's nothing I can say that probably hasn't been said on the web already. But if you can, try to find one with a PCMCIA card (that's if you buy an older model). Otherwise you'll be stuck with 40 patch slots and no way to say layered performances.

Hi Dug, i'm in Glasgow.. drop me an email with any /all questions.
The unit is in perfect condition and the additional PCMCIA card is brand new.

ronnie.whittaker@nvisibl.com

ps - Its the rackmount

thanks nvisibl, but I've just picked one up from turnkey. :D

a brand new nord rack 2x was ?450 which isn't too bad i reckon?

I've just about got room for another rack (I'll post a pick, it is insanely crammed in here now) so will continue to use the prophecy, and who know, one of these days I may actually use it for more than a controller!

I'm just about gettign to grips with the interface and menus etc. not as clear as the virus but I'm sure I'll work it out.

Looking forward to getting some music done with it!!!!!!!!!!

:D :D

why dont you use an editor like soundiver or midi quest to program it?

Dang Dug, I was going to sell it all to you for ?100, cant you get a refund from Turnkey?

nvisibl.....sell it to me. Ill find a use for it :lol:

DS

What, as a LOUD tweakable paper weight? :lol:

Shit, I'll give you 100 pounds no sweat mate :)

damn, that is cheap!

Oh well. After actually measuring up the space I have the 4 octave keyboard was slightly too large anyway.

I don't want to piss off anyone else wanting to buy it but have you checked what they're going for on the SOS website or ebay?

as far as Im aware it's only available for Mac OS9 and I'm on 10. Anybody know any different?

It's actually not too bad, will just take a few days of messing about with it.