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 Forum index » Instruments and Equipment » Nord Lead and Nord Wave synths
Nord Lead 4 strange sync mode
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Anemic



Joined: Jan 23, 2014
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:53 am    Post subject: Nord Lead 4 strange sync mode Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hi there!

I'm going to buy a NL4 but I'm confused about its OSC sync mode and wanna hear some opinion from NL4 owners.

According to the manual, it's not possibile to sync OSC 1 to OSC 2 (or viceversa). When you choose Soft or Hard sync on NL4, actually it sync a "hidden third osc" to OSC 1.
Imho that's such a shame cause you can't set anything of this hidden slave OSC (e.g. waveform or pitch).
Is it right or I'm mistaken? Rolling Eyes I guess this kind of sync mode is present on Wave too (according to manuals).

So, the only thing you can do for modulating this strange sync mode is to use "OSC 1 MOD amount" knob, right? And actually what kind of modulation it applies to the sound?


Thanks you all! Smile
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robsol
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Joined: Apr 24, 2009
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

My guess is that it's not a "real" oscillator but a clocking device of some kind, that resets the phase of the oscillator to fake a sync kind of sound. Remember, the Nord Leads are not actually analog, so there would not be a need to create an extra oscillator for the purpose. The waveform of the master oscillator in a sync setup has no effect on the sound of the slaved oscillator though.

As far as I understand with my limited knowledge, modelling analog hard sync is not easy to do because of digital artifacts, such as aliasing. They managed to pull it off in earlier Leads though, so I don't know why they dropped it, but one reason could be that using sync and FM at the same time will severely throw off the keyboard tracking so that sounds were hugely out of tune from key to key. I really like this effect, but I can see why it is not desirable to people who prefer more traditional sounds from their synth.

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Anemic



Joined: Jan 23, 2014
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I guess you're totally right, but finally I think I have to understand what actually happens to the sound when you turn that "Osc 1 mod amount" while sync mode is active: it's something like a pitch modulation of the slave OSC on a true analog sync? I mean: by turning that knob do you get that typical screaming sound of synced leads (e.g. daftpunk signature sound)?

Anyway, thank you for your help! Wink
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robsol
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Maybe this article helps?

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Nov02/articles/synthsecrets1102.asp

I have tried the NL4 in the shops but never thought to play with the oscillator sync so I wouldn't know exactly how it works or sounds. I hope you enjoy it anyhow. Smile

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