| Author |
Message |
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:
Nord Rack 1 vs version 2 question |
  |
|
Hi everyone I am new here and wanted to ask opinions about the Nord Rack 1.
I know its supposedly 'rougher' / 'grainier' but is it significantly different from the Nord 2?
Looking to purchase one or the other this week if possible and I'm into VA synths. Currently I own a JP-8000, Prophecy & a SH-101 as I have down sized a lot over the last few years.
Looking for rack based synths as I only really use in the studio.
I have previously owned a EMU A2K, Yamaha FS1R, Access Virus C and many many more.
So looking for something like the Nord as I like the idea of no menus (only downside of the A2K and the FS1R really) and lots of knobbage.
Just picked up a JP-8080 to complement my 8000 and waiting for it to be delivered ( I originally swapped a 8080 for the 8000 I have now!)
So to summarise, I'm an guitar player / engineer and like sound design. So this synth will get patched through loads of old pedals and preamps and then some.
Polyphony is neither here nor there as I can record everything in Logic. I like synths that stack sound though to get thicker.
But quality of sound and ease of use are quite important.
Have trawled the forum and the web and the only thing that keeps reoccurring is the output quality, polyphony and that Autechre quote! lol
Years ago I used a Nord Lead 2 for a few days and it was pretty good at the time (9 years ago or something like that)
So thought I would ask you guys your educated opinions?
Thank you in advance and feel free to let rip opinions as it helps me get a feel for the pros & cons...
 |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
 |
Wout Blommers
Joined: Sep 07, 2003
Posts: 4529
Location: The Hague - The Netherlands
Audio files: 123
G2 patch files: 12
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
 stonevibe
There is no big difference between the NL(1) and the NL2, sound wise, although the NL2 has a little more possibilities, like a RingModulator.
The NL3 and the G2 are much more different then the two others...
A drawback might be the knobs are in the wrong position when loading a new sound from the computer and will jump immediate to the new setting (by just tweaking the knob a bit, but one can live with that 
Wout |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:50 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Thank you Wout.
I think I will try and pick up a Nord Rack 2 then as the ring mod would be useful.
I can live with dial resetting themselves (or not) the JPs have very strange MIDI implementation also.
I have a feeling that you re going to be hearing a lot of questions from me in the very near future....
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Just picked up a Nord Rack 2, so once it arrives I'm afraid your in for lots of questions!
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:17 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Ny Nord Rack 2 turned up this morning! So now your in for it! Get prepared for a barrage of idiot questions from myself ( probably all the same answer RTFM....lol)
[Moderator Edit] Cross posted spam was already at http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-32582.html [/Edit - Wout]
Looking forward to making my new Nord scream a bit!!
I apologise in advance for my future idiot questions, so you have been warned.
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Wout Blommers
Joined: Sep 07, 2003
Posts: 4529
Location: The Hague - The Netherlands
Audio files: 123
G2 patch files: 12
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:16 am Post subject:
|
|
|
So, you had a feeling, you were afraid and you have warned us, so now ask your questions!!!
Wout |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:29 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Its all good at the moment, but give me a few days and I'm sure there will be something!
Lol |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
Loads of questions but...
I'm playing live with it tomorrow, so if it all goes wrong your be hearing from me very soon!!! |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
stonevibe
Joined: Feb 27, 2009
Posts: 12
Location: Uk
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 3:59 am Post subject:
|
|
|
Gig went well and no mistakes.
Nord performed fantastically well in a live setting. Looking forward to the next gig.
Couldn't make the thing any easier to use really! |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
W.T.
Joined: Jul 11, 2004
Posts: 272
Location: The Netherlands
Audio files: 1
G2 patch files: 11
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:11 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| Wout Blommers wrote: | stonevibe
There is no big difference between the NL(1) and the NL2, sound wise, |
I thought there is a big difference between the nl1 and nl2, sound wise.
Yesterday i compared a nl1 with a nl2x and the nl1 has more of a raw sound to it. (especially with FM)
(I used a 96khz nl2X version so perhaps there is a difference between the 1 and the 2x and not between the nl1 and regular nl2 ) |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Wout Blommers
Joined: Sep 07, 2003
Posts: 4529
Location: The Hague - The Netherlands
Audio files: 123
G2 patch files: 12
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:59 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| W.T. wrote: | | (I used a 96khz nl2X version so perhaps there is a difference between the 1 and the 2x and not between the nl1 and regular nl2 ) |
You are certainly right about that. Different sample rate, different DAC's and the NL1 has DAC's which can be drift into more distortion due to different electronic components. This distortion can be trimmed to a more cleaner sound by a service centre, or maybe the other way around: from clean to more distortion.
Wout |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
W.T.
Joined: Jul 11, 2004
Posts: 272
Location: The Netherlands
Audio files: 1
G2 patch files: 11
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:05 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| Wout Blommers wrote: | | This distortion can be trimmed to a more cleaner sound by a service centre, or maybe the other way around: from clean to more distortion. |
that sounds nice! (or a bit dirty i guess)
but i still would like to know if there is a difference between the nl1 and the original nl2? sins i am smitten about the nl1 but the nl has more options / features. (the memory thing is most important to me, the ring mod and distortion and sine, not that important)
bvd
Jeroen |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Wout Blommers
Joined: Sep 07, 2003
Posts: 4529
Location: The Hague - The Netherlands
Audio files: 123
G2 patch files: 12
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:06 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| W.T. wrote: | | ... (the memory thing is most important to me, the ring mod and distortion and sine, not that important) |
BEWARE! The NordLead1 has only 4 voices polyphony and only 40 locations user memory and NO Performance memory, unless the synth is expanded by an expansion board, which provides 8 voices more (12 as result) and accept PCMCIA cards (result 3x99 Program and 100 Performance locations). Some time ago Clavia found a bunch of expansion boards to the NordLead/NordRack. If they are still there, I don't know...
If the memory is the most important to you, check if a card holder is installed!
Wout |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
W.T.
Joined: Jul 11, 2004
Posts: 272
Location: The Netherlands
Audio files: 1
G2 patch files: 11
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:23 am Post subject:
|
|
|
I own a 4 voice nl1 and i am loving it. (dirty sound...
But if there is no difference, in sound, between the nl1 and the nl2 i will sell the nl1 and buy a second hand nl2 (more voices memory etc) But most important is the sound. 4 voices give me enough to play with sins it is not the only gear i use. |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Wout Blommers
Joined: Sep 07, 2003
Posts: 4529
Location: The Hague - The Netherlands
Audio files: 123
G2 patch files: 12
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:33 am Post subject:
|
|
|
As I wrote before, the NordLead1 could have a different trimming of the DAC's and the NordLead2 is more stable, so think twice if you love the dirt
Wout |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
W.T.
Joined: Jul 11, 2004
Posts: 272
Location: The Netherlands
Audio files: 1
G2 patch files: 11
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:
|
|
|
| Wout Blommers wrote: | , so think twice if you love the dirt
Wout |
YES, I WILL
 a lot. |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
Oli
Joined: May 21, 2008
Posts: 250
Location: i think before i ambient
G2 patch files: 1
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:05 am Post subject:
|
|
|
| W.T. wrote: | | Wout Blommers wrote: | , so think twice if you love the dirt
Wout |
YES, I WILL
a lot. |
I love the ability of my NL1 to have a bit of dirt and get glitchy, but the demos I've heard of the 2(x) and 3 sound great too. I do think they have copped a bit too much criticism from some (former?) users.
Luckily I have an expanded NL1, and the extra voices are really useful, and well worth having. Layering is nice on the Lead, and can compensate a little for what I see as a slightly lacking bottom end.
I certainly love the kind of knob control form the Modular G2, but I'm also used to the NL1 style, from much older synths, and don't see it as a huge problem.
I think all the Lead series are excellent synths, and I would love to have a chance to play with the 2, 2x, and 3.
| stonevibe wrote: | | Have trawled the forum and the web and the only thing that keeps reoccurring is the output quality, polyphony and that Autechre quote! lol |
Thanks for mentioning that. It got me reading about Autechre, and quite an interesting read it is.
Cheers
_________________
Good good study, day day up! |
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
|
Forum index » Instruments and Equipment » Nord Lead and Nord Wave synths
FAQ
Calendar
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
Chat Room
