One of the most incredible new synths available. It re-defines analog synthesis in a modern synth. Using Virtual Sound Modeling technology the intricate nuances and character of analog synth sounds are beautifully recreated on this amazingly flexible synth.

First of all, it can sound like them all, an ARP 2600 or a Minimoog or a Roland Jupiter. This synth is polyphonic and multitimbral, it has a very flexible filter, LFO and Envelope control, portamento/legato, a great arpeggiator and analog-like dedicated knobs for quick and easy synthesizing!

Everything is MIDI'd up and controllable, there's a great pitch bender and a 'morphing' feature. A performance mode allows certain parameters to be stored with a sound such as unison or poly modes, legato and portamento. It is available as a Keyboard, a Rackmount module and as Virtual PC Software.

This synth is currently in use by lots of artists including Ken Ishii, The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, Cirrus, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Deftones, Mouse on Mars, Maroon 5, Dr. Dre, Laurent Garnier, ATB, The Prodigy, Autechre, Astral Projection, Boom Boom Satellites, Fluke, Front Line Assembly, KMFDM and Underworld.

Matt (D) Miller

May 6, 2013 @ 11:06 am

The Nord Lead has been used by BAFTA award-winner "Jeff van Dyck" in one of the earlier installments to the very popular video game series, "Need For Speed II: SE".

J to the G

April 23, 2013 @ 4:06 pm

Igor Koroshev used one with Yes - I remember seeing him/them in 1997 and being blown away by this red mystery synth, it cut through the mix so well. Took me awhile back then to figure out what it was, but I've wanted one since. Still an awesome synth 15+ years later.

Lukas

April 12, 2013 @ 12:27 pm

Own it since 10 years now. Toured a lot with it! This synth is SOLID! Fell out the trunk twice. Was thrown around a LOT! No Complains.
In my opinion, the sound is more "rough" then later models. Rough like in a better sounding way. The drum-section in the end is fun! Very cool for leads, pads, bleep-sounds. Downsides? Which downsides? :)
OK, I must agree, that it's not so suiting for saturated bass-sounds, since it's lacking a real sine-wave-generator.
But who cares, if you have all the controls you need in your hands?
I'd never sell this synth in my life!

astral

February 15, 2013 @ 10:00 am

What they fail to mention anywhere, and what SOS outright said did not exist on the Nord Lead is the random arpeggiator, it's when the amp and arp up lights are both on on LFO2. Also, if you own one definitely look up "Pelle Mode" like a cheat code for the Nord. Best $735 i've ever spent.

BeN-HuR

January 16, 2013 @ 5:23 am

Recording on mine since 1999 and it is really great for live performances as well. It was layered with the Nord Lead 2 to record the funky sound on Jamiroquai's "Cosmic Girl". The filter is a killer on the mixing stage and all you need is very small reverb and compression on top and it's warm enough to move the heart. Goes very well with a Talkbox if you love robots + It is a beautiful and well designed instrument (from a beautiful company).

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