Vintage Synth Explorer

Clavia • Nord Lead 2

The incredible Nord Lead synthesizer is taken a few steps further with the Nord Lead 2. It uses the same synthesis technology and sounds as good as the Nord Lead, but adds a few nice new touches. These features include a ring modulator, OSC 1 can sync with the white noise generator, increased LFO and arpeggiator waveforms and patterns, distortion in the squelchier punchier filter section and 4 individual outputs.

All the great sound, MIDI control and analog-like sound and design that made the Nord Lead famous return in this new and improved version. For those of you who do not need the 49 note velocity+aftertouch sensitive keyboard, there is a rack module version - the Nord Lead 2R.

The Nord Lead 2 is the synthesizer of choice for many professionals including: The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, Leftfield, Mike Oldfield, Front Line Assembly, KMFDM, Mirwais, Underworld, Jean Michel Jarre, Skinny Puppy, Depeche Mode, and A Guy Called Gerald.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

ross

Posted 4 days ago

i own a NL2. love it. i just got a PCMCIA card and have downloaded a bunch of programs i want to put on it. how can i do that? i tried just putting the programs on the card (THE CARD IS NOT FORMATTED) but that didnt work. is there anyway to format the pcmcia card to work for a nord?

systemlfo

Posted 28 days ago

I own various analog fat bass machines including an Andromeda & a Juno 106 but sometimes I turn to the Nord Lead 2 for bass.
It does give good bass. It just depends what kind yr after..

neurotoxsin

Posted 120 days ago

I own the Nord Rack2 and love it. I would never sell it. I have heard tons of people say that is sounds thin and yes...it does sound thin. BUT!!! this synth has LEAD in the name. It's made for beautiful leads. It DOES have a chime quality to some, or many of the sounds. That's part of the beauty. This unit was made without built in effects (this I love). They focused on the sounds at hand, and the ability to produce great patches. Presets are always weak. Get your hands dirty and program this synth. I promise, it will pay off. To you folks who are looking for BASS sounds from this synth, once again, Nord named it the LEAD for a reason.
I agree with shortwave on the argument of most people not understanding this instrument and this unit forcing you to rely on your ears.

Huddie

Posted 131 days ago

This thing has loads of character and is easy to program. The pitch stick is awesome, it allows for some very smooth bending and (guitar like) vibrato. Only cons' for me are you need a pcmcia card for storing your own performances, and with some sounds strange phasing problems occur between the 2 oscillators. I suppose this has something to do with the osc. not running free but restarting with every keystroke. And mine once in a while puts out nothing but distorition, which can only be fixed with a reboot..

shortwave

Posted 155 days ago

Can't really understand some negative remarks below. One can indeed argue that this synthesizer sound thin in some way, but then you haven't understood this instrument. And that's the thing i find so special about the Nord: having this in the studio feels like having a real instrument on your hands, in stead of just another (electronic) machine or gadget. It's lack of a bigger display and the hands-on intuitive operation, forces me to rely mostly on my ears to find the right sound. But the true fact that you'll find this instrument as part of the standard equipment in many pro studio's, proves it's longlasting value. It has all to became a real calssic in the future.

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