Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer, 49-Key

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Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer, 49-Key, Main
Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer, 49-Key, Back
Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer, 49-Key, Main Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer, 49-Key, Back
A true "performance" synthesizer, the Nord Lead 4 cues up great pads, leads, effects, and modulation so quickly you'll have no choice but to start rocking.

With innovative performance features, advanced layering and synchronization possibilities, new filter types and on-board effects, the Nord Lead 4 is a synthesizer dream come true.

Oscillator Section

The Nord Lead 4 is a subtractive synthesizer with 2 oscillators per voice. All the classic waveforms are present, Saw, Square, Sine, Triangle, Pulse and PWM.

Wavetable synthesis
The Nord Lead 4's Oscillator 1 section features a wide selection of wavetables including a unique type called Formant Wavetables with resonant qualities that are independent of pitch. Frequency Modulating the Formant Wavetables can produce some truly magic results with distinctive acoustic qualities.

Oscillator 2 features a Noise generator with a dedicated filter cut-off and resonance.

True Unison
The true Voice Unison mode lets you stack up to four voices on top of each other per note (including the complete signal path of the Nord Lead 4) for really thick, wide leads and basses.

Hard & Soft Sync
Hard Sync generates an irregularly shaped waveform resulting in a harsh, dirty effect rich with harmonics, first made famous by the Prophet 5. Soft Sync is a bit smoother, but by no means subtle.

The Nord Lead 4 also features Frequency Modulator capabilities for adding spectral complexity and occasionally, nastiness.

LFO AND Modulation Section

Nord Lead 4 features two very flexible LFO-sections per slot. A wide selection of LFO-shapes is available from sines and pulses to ramping saws perfect for… read more creating wobbling basses or pulsing pads.

Each LFO can easily be synchronized to the Master Clock and assigned a desired time division. The LFO can be re-triggered manually with an Impulse Morph button or a key. The LFO destinations include a unique option to modulate the FX section.

Modulation Envelope
Nord Lead 4 offers a very capable Modulation Envelope section with an expanded choice of modulation destinations. The Modulation Envelope can also be triggered manually with an Impulse Morph button!

Filter Section

The filter section of the Nord Lead 4 features classic 12, 24 and 48 dB Low-Pass, High-Pass and a Band-Pass filters with a dedicated ADSR filter envelope and selectable filter tracking.

Ladder filter emulations
Two great new additions are the stunning emulations of the diode and transistor ladder filters from the legendary Mini and the TB-303 synthesizers. The emulations capture the dirty, squeaky resonance of the originals and combined with the new unison mode you'll have plenty of opportunities for making fat, squelchy basses and leads.

Filter Drive
The Filter Drive operates separately per voice, distorting the waveform before it passes through the effects sections.

Unique features:

The Impulse Morph buttons. Up to 7 different combinations are possible. The Impulse buttons are extremely powerful and let you alter your sound instantaneously - brilliant for creating spontaneous, synchronized rhythmic and tonal mayhem. Doubling the LFO rate, changing the oscillator from Saw to Square, enabling Glide, cranking up the resonance and muting the Reverb - all at once - for 2 seconds in the middle of your lead solo is now as easy as 1-2-3. Doing wobbly bass lines and complex choppy pads live, in perfect sync is a breeze! Impulse Morphs are a simple, yet universal concept that offers almost limitless flexibility.

Assigning an Impulse Morph is simple - just hold down an Impulse Morph button and turn the desired knob(s) to the desired new value! Nearly every parameter can be controlled with an Impulse Morph and LED-lights indicate which parameters have been altered. By pressing different combinations of the 3 Impulse Morph buttons up to 7 unique combinations are available, per slot.

The Morph is a classic Nord feature that lets you control any "knob-type" parameters with the modulation wheel, control pedal or velocity. The possibilities are endless - like changing arpeggiator range or adjusting the sample rate reducting Crush effect with the modulation wheel.

Features:

- 49-key octave velocity-sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons, +/-2 octaves.
- 3 momentary Impulse Morph Buttons, 7 combinations.
- Keyboard Split with 2 slots for the upper and lower sections.
- Modulation Wheel (keyboard version only).
- Pitch Stick with no dead zone at zero crossing (keyboard version only).
- Programmable Pitch bend range, up to +/- 4 octaves
- Separate up/down bend range: -12 or -24 semitones, + 2 semitones
- 1 pedal input for sustain.
- 1 pedal input for expression pedal. read less

User Interface:
- 3 character LED display, 29 knobs and 20+ buttons for program and performance editing.

Oscillator Section:
- OSC 1 generating sine, triangle, sawtooth, fixed and modulateable pulse waveforms and 128 wavetables.
- OSC 2 generating triangle, sawtooth or fixed and modulateable pulse waveforms or noise.
- OSC MOD section with Hard- and Soft sync plus 3 different Frequency Modulations of OSC 1 from OSC 2.

Filter Section:
- Multi-mode filter with 12 dB (2-pole) low pass, 24 dB (4-pole) and 48 dB (6 pole) low pass, band pass, high pass, Ladder M and Ladder 303 characteristics.
- Cut off, Resonance, envelope amount, envelope amount controlled by velocity.
- ADSR envelope.
- Filter keyboard tracking can be set to off, 1/3, 2/3 or 1/1.
- Adjustable Filter Distortion.

Modulation Section:
- LFO 1 generates a square, triangle or any of 4 different types of saw- and inverted sawtooth waveforms. LFO 1 can be routed to Filter Frequency, Osc Mod, Osc Mix, Osc 2 Pitch, Amplitude and FX section. The modulation amount can be set as positive or negative/inverted. The LFO 1 rate can be synchronized to the Master Clock.
- The LFO 1 section is used to control the rate, range and directions for the arpeggiator. Arpeggiator: Range: 1 - 4 octave. Modes: up, down, up/down, random, Poly. The Arpeggio rate can be synchronized to the Master Clock.
- LFO 2 generates a square, a regular and inverted sawtooth, LF filtered noise and random staircase waveforms. LFO 2 can be routed to Filter Frequency, Osc Mod, Osc 1 and/or Osc 2 Pitch, Pan and Pulse width. The modulation amount can be set as positive or negative/inverted. The LFO 2 rate can be synchronized to the Master Clock.
- Modulation Envelope (Attack, Decay/Release) for Osc Mix, Osc Mod, Osc 1 and/or 2 Pitch, FX section and LFO 2 amount. The modulation amount can be set as positive or negative/inverted. The Modulation Envelope can be manually triggered by the Impulse Morph buttons.
- Patterns: the cyclic waveforms of the LFOs can be replaced by a pattern behavior. There are 128 different patterns, grouped in 6 different styles.

Amplifier Section:
- ADSR envelope, velocity control on/off, gain control.

Performance Section:
- Voice modes: Poly, Legato with portamento, Mono, True Unison 1, 2 & 3.
- Four program slots for layering possibilities.

Effects:
- FX section with continuous Drive/Modulation control. Crush, Drive, 2 different Talk effects, Compressor and Comb Filter.
- Selectable Delay or Reverb. Delay times at up to 1400 ms can be manually set or synchronized to the Master Clock. Reverb has three algorithms, Room, Stage and Hall with adjustable brightness.

Memory:
- Programs (single sounds): 4 x 99 locations
- Performances (multi sounds): 99 locations

Audio Out:
- 4 outputs. Each slot can be assigned to its own output.
- Headphones output.
- High resolution low noise 24 bit DACs.

MIDI Features:
- All control knobs and switches send and receive control change messages.
- System exclusive bulk dumps. One program or all programs.
- Master Clock will sync to incoming MIDI clock.
- Soft Thru

Connections:
- 4 Line Level Audio Outputs - ", 6,35 mm jacks, unbalanced
- Stereo Headphone Output - ", 6,35 mm stereo jack
- Sustain Pedal - ", 6,35 mm jack. Use a momentary pedal, like e.g., Roland DP-2, DP-6, Yamaha FC-4, FC-5, Fatar VFP1-25 etc.
- Control Pedal - ", 6,35 mm TRS stereo jack. Use a Yamaha FC-7, Roland EV-7, Roland EV-5, Korg EXP2 or Korg XVP10.
- USB connector with MIDI capabilities
- MIDI In & Out - 5 pin DIN connectors

Included Accessories:
- User Manual
- Power Cord with IEC C14 connector
- Nord CD ROM with Nord Sound Manager

Dimensions: (L x W x H) 864 x 272 x 94 mm (34.0 x 10.7 x 3.7 ")
Weight: 11.7 lbs

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Web: https://www.nordkeyboards.com/support

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted September 22, 2017 by Giovanni N in Los Angeles, CA

"Inspiring Synth!!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I was debating between the Lead A1 and the Lead 4 but ultimately chose the 4 as i didn't want to later regret not "going for it all". It's well documented that the A1 has a better sound engine but is limited in many other things including only having 1 LFO and modulation options. The Lead 4 on the other hand, gives you the flagship experience without compromising on anything except the fact that you could only use either a delay OR reverb at one time. Having said that, with the layering options, it could be easily compensated for under the Performance mode. This synth sparks creativity and excitement and makes you want to find out what else it's got. The sound is smooth (or dirty if you prefer) and cut's through a mix very well. The morph features augment your patches as uniquely as you could think of. It's great looking and well balanced synth that will be just as useful in a gig as in the studio. Highly recommended.

Sound
The sound is amazingly smooth. The highs are not harsh and the lows are punchy enough for most purposes. The sound sits in mixes very well with very little EQ needed.

Features
The ability to layer or split up to 4 patches in a performance comes in handy to make extremely unique sounds or in a live situation where you have to switch voices on the fly.

Ease of Use
Most of the parameters have their own dedicated knob so there is no menu diving. This makes creating and… read more editing patches fast and a blast.

Quality
The synth itself is standard Nord quality in that it's built to last. One grip and perhaps the board's biggest weakness would be the keybed. It's not the best nor is it the worst but it could have been better.

Value
For what the Lead 4 offers in regards to look, reliability, quality, sound, features and the creativity it sparks, it's worth every penny.

Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to contact them yet.

The Wow Factor
Given the ease of use of the synth and fact that all the knobs are right in front of you with no menu diving to be done, this synth will literally keep you up at night with everything it offers. It's like catching pokemon in the sense that you're looking for these rare and elusive sounds that you sometimes stumble upon by accident and it brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Musical Background:
Sing, play keys and guitar in an alternative rock band.

Musical Style:
Alternative rock band with an 80s inspired retro feel. read less
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