Patch conversion from NL1/2/2x to NL3?

Alias

I'm curious if any work has been done to convert Nord Lead 1/2/2x patches for use on the Nord Lead 3. As I understand it there is no difference in functionality between the NL2 and NL3, just a difference in internals (and sound!). My question:

1. Would it be possible to map all the parameters of a NL2 patch to NL3 parameters?

2. Would it sound anything like the original patch?

I realize that they use different sound engines and sound different even with identical settings -- is approximate conversion worthwhile? Most people can recreate NL2 patches on the NL3 with a skilled ear, but en masse would give access to a wealth of old patches (perhaps for patches "inspired by" the originals, if not identical).

Thoughts?

Wout Blommers · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:58 am Post subject:

Alias

It can be done, apart of the Unison, which sounds totally different. I, personally, am not in need to do this, because besides a NL3 there are two NL more in the set-up, so I'll use a NL2.

Also the group NL3 users isn't that big and the synth is discontinued, is it worthwhile the effort? The NL2(X) > G2 project was also abandoned Confused

But it could be done by ear, but I'm sure it won't be the same Sad

Wout

Alias · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:38 am Post subject: First attempt...

For starters I chose something easy: NL2 Factory Preset 10, LeadSawSolo. You can grab the original SysEx file from the electro-music archives.

At first I copied over the exact 0-127 values, but the ranges seem to be different (e.g. Amp_Decay@58 is 636ms on the NL3, but only 421ms on the NL2). I think the envelops are now correct but LP filter frequency may be off (which would have a significant effect on the sound). There were also some other oddities, like LFOs controlling OSC2 when OSC_Mix = 0, and MOD_Env_Dest = Off with MOD_Env_Amount = 7. Filter frequency keyboard tracking should be correct (set to 100%).

Since I don't have a NL2 to listen to the original patch I have no idea how close the new version is. My prediction is that the NL3 version has less of a bite than the original, due to smoother DACs and a potentially lower LP freq. cutoff. Is someone with an NL2 willing to compare results? A written description would be awesome (e.g. "Increase filter frequency to 662Hz"), a WAV of the actual patch would be even better. If there are gaping holes in the XML output I'd like to know about that as well. Hopefully this won't be a *complete* flop Very Happy

.

Attached is the NL3 SysEx file and an audio demo (B♭ blues scale). I also attached the SysEx XML dump I was working from to create the patch. If the conversion is accurate enough I will automate the process.

LeadSawSolo.syx

Description:

NL3 patch

Download (listen)

Filename:

LeadSawSolo.syx

Filesize:

261 Bytes

Downloaded:

361 Time(s)

export.mp3

Description:

LeadSawSolo [NL3] - Audio demo

Download (listen)

Filename:

export.mp3

Filesize:

151.83 KB

Downloaded:

436 Time(s)

LeadSawSolo.txt

Description:

NL2 SysEx output

Download (listen)

Filename:

LeadSawSolo.txt

Filesize:

13.45 KB

Downloaded:

361 Time(s)

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:04 am Post subject:

Well, I have to answer another question about the NL3 too, so I will rebuild the set-up as soon as possible. (Sorry, HB3 Embarassed

) I have both synths, so I can compare rather easy. Please, be patient Smile

Wout

trendysetghost · Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject:

earlier this year, i actually purchased a lead 3, thinking i was 'upgrading' from the lead 2.

A few major setbacks are the filters and total lack of drum mode. It seems my favorite filter on the lead 2 is the notch + LP, which didn't seem exist on the lead 3 at all. Even with all those new filters, i couldn't get anything that sounded like even a close approximation.

I did find a way to use keyboard split, keytracking the volume, and some creative aftertouch programming to recreate one of my drum mode patches.. but in the end, the key tracking uses the whole keyboard even if you have it split so you can never get a silent key at one end of a split and full volume at the other. (and vice versa for the other layer) there was always some bleed through.

I also seem to recall that the lfo rate on the lead 2 had a wider range than the lead 3? One patch i have has the lfo rate clocked all the way up, and i just couldn't get the lead 3 to sound the same. I probably spent 30 minutes just nudging that stupid rate knob through every value.

i was really bummed though. I really liked the idea of having fm synthesis (my first synth was a dx21 and i'll never give up my tx802) and the after touch really opened up some doors, but in the end i just couldn't hang with the lead 3 and sent it back.

dorremifasol · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:05 am Post subject:

I find the Nord Lead 2 and Nord Lead 3 to be completely different synths.

To me they don't sound nearly similar. NL2 has a great raw sound and character but NL3 has more versatility and sounds great too in its own way. Once you start digging into the NL3 possibilities you'll learn to love it for what it is.

I'm sure that Clavia wanted them to be completely different soundwise.

bloodykot · Joined: Jun 07, 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Kazan - Tripoli

I've got Nord rack 3. It's sound is completely different from Nord lead 2. I mentioned that Clavia never issue the same sound technology twice. Just compare Nord Lead 2 & 3, Nord lead 3 & wave. The are all very very different. Some of the features of Nord lead 3 is missing in wave. For the sample in "osc modulation" section of wave are only 2 cases (FM & PM) & 6 in lead's 3 one (FLT, DIST, DM, FM, DFM, AM/RM). There is possibility on lead 2/3 to sinc noise and no on wave.
So, the differences between lead 2 & 3

-filter section: LP-BP in par. (3) is similar to Notch+LP (but not closed enough). No LP-HP in par.(3), HP-LP in ser.(3), BP-BP in par.(3), Multi peak(3) on lead 2. The is no by pass Noise(3) also.
-osc section: just FM, ring mod & sinc between Osc1 & Osc2 on lead 2. As you see there is no sinc between Osc1&Osc2 on lead3.
And so on.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

bloodykot

Just for the record and statistics: Tripoli... Wow Very Happy

Wout

bloodykot · Joined: Jun 07, 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Kazan - Tripoli