Nord Lead 2 Designer

artalon · Joined: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Netherlands

Hi all,

I'd like to get some information about the design of the nord lead and the nord lead 2 series. I don't really need much technical information exept: what the hell does virtual analog mean? It seems like a contradiction to me.

My other questions are graphic design questions: Was there a special designer involved in designing the Nord Lead synthesizers? Do you know any stories about the designing of the instrument?

I thank you all for your time and (hopefully) your answers!

Rik

blue hell · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:50 am Post subject:

Rik.

Virtual analog means that a digital circuit (a computer) calculates a model of an analog synth. The calculations are done in real time, meaning fast enough to put out a reasonable number of audio samples per second.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:39 am Post subject:

The synth is based on the design of the Prophet V from Sequential Circuits or Dave Smith. There is an important concept behind it: every knob has only one function (of course not true if you look at the NordLead 2 where the FM is also the tuning of the Ring Modulator - although, the first design, the NordLead, doesn't have a Ring Modulator) Well, at least no drop down menus Smile

Designing the hardware was and always is the work of Hans Nordelius himself.

Yes, we know a lot of stories about the instrument, but mostly these are about failures and strange people, so no dirty laundry outside Smile

The Prophet V story is illustrated in the Performance mode, where in the higher numbers about 40 Prophet V presets are available; could give you a clue...

Wout

artalon · Joined: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Netherlands

Well,I also mailed the nord lead ppl because i am doing this research for a graphic design essay contest for a dutch magazine. The ppl over there agreed on me asking Nordelius some questions about the graphic design of the machine, any tips or questions?

btw: I might quote your reply's in the magazine. I think its about time that internetforums become valid quotation records!

Rik

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

As you see, dear artalon, I deleted one of my two posts...
I will not give you any permission to publish that little story in the media, simple because it wouldn't be confirmed by other sources. Lets say it's only a rumor...

Secondly, would you be so kind next time to write in your first mail you are a journalist of some kind (contest?) and will use the information you get to publish somewhere else.

About suggestions. What is exactly the scoop of the article and what do you know already? Maybe it's better to mail me directly and in Dutch: blommoo@wanadoo.nl

I'm also assistant curator of the synthesizer collection of the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, where lots of synths are collected and you'll get a good view of synth design.

Wout