Among the Factory Performances, there are reproductions of 13 classic organ sounds.

By using layers of several Slots, combined with a special "pseudo-additive" synthesis, Clavia have filtered out a minor number of "partials" from each Oscillator and combined them into different drawbar configurations, suc-cessfully emulating the sound of drawbar organs such as the classic "B3".

To make best use of the organ emulations and their special features, some knowledge about the original instruments might be of use. Briefly, the following building blocks were combined to create the unique drawbar organ sounds:

These are the basic sound-generating devices. In the Nord Lead 2, they are of course replaced by the Oscillator section.

These are click-stopped "sliders", usually nine, each one controlling the volume of a certain partial in the organ tone. The partials are indicated in the classic pipe organ way, referring to the length of the organ pipes. Thus, the standard drawbar configuration is (from the bottom up) By using the drawbars to change the balance between the partials, the harmonic content of the organ tone can be changed .

In the Nord Lead 2 organ sounds, the oscillators are used to generate the partials. In some cases, there is a direct "one oscillator - one drawbar" relation; other sounds use more complex waveforms to simulate up to three combined partials with one oscillator. Usually, the oscillators in each slot are paired, so that Oscillator 1 generates the lower partial(s) and Oscillator 2 the higher. Therefore, you can give the sound more bottom or edge, by changing the Oscillator balance with the Mix knob for each Slot.

Percussion

To add some attack to the sound, most classic organs feature Percussion - an accent-like tone with fast attack, short decay and no sustain. Usually the pitch of the Percussion tones are 4’ or 2 2/3’ (or both mixed), in effect replacing the corresponding drawbar partials. Some of the Nord Lead 2 organ sounds make use of Percussion in Slot B. You can vary the balance between the two Percussion pitches with the Mix knob, and also change the Decay time of the Percussion tone to make it fit your playing style.

Click

Though not an intended feature on the classic organs, the short, non-pitched click noise when keys are pressed has become a popular characteristic. In the organs, the sound came from oxidation on the key switches; in the Nord Lead 2 you can add or remove the click as desired. All of the Nord Lead 2 organ Performances has the click sound on Slot D, although it is by default turned off for some of the sounds.

Hum

This disharmonic, thin sound is also an unintended artifact, generated by leakage between the tonewheels in the organs. It is included in some of the Nord Lead 2 organ sounds, adding even further realism.

Rotary Speaker

A large part of the characteristic organ sound is due to the rotary speaker cabinet. Such a cabinet "moves the sound" around, either by rotating the actual speakers, or by directing the sounds with rotating baffles or horns. Usually, the rotation speed can be changed from slow (producing a full chorus-like effect) to fast (producing a very special doppler-shifted tremolo sound). Several of the organ sounds in the Nord Lead 2 include a Rotary Speaker effect, emulated by the LFO’s and the Morph function.

Change the rotor speed from slow to fast by raising the Modulation wheel. This table shows the drawbar configurations simulated by each organ Performance. The configuration is indicated by 9 numbers, volume settings (0 - 8) for each drawbar in the simulated sound.

For all Performances, you can activate Slot D to add Click to the sound.