HI guys! I have lots of characterful monos, but thinking about getting the NL A1 just for chords, pads and other poly sounds.
Do you think is it woth for just that? (Only from owners please!)
Thanks a lot!
Yes. It’s multitimbral and you can have 4 individual parts, or stack those 4 parts on top of each other and that affords you the ability to make some really big and evolving sounds. It’s been stripped down when compared to older units, and this makes patch creation really quick. I really did mine, the only reason I’d get rid of it is for a desktop module, as I’ve got too many keyboards. Sorry for saying the obvious, check some sound samples if you haven’t.
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Yes.
It’s a pad machine.
Check out their bundles, free,
https://www.nordkeyboards.com/sound-libraries/product-libraries/synthesizers/nord-lead-a1/kroffe-bank
If you’re in Australia I’ve got mine up for trade/sale
Also the onboard FX are pretty damn good. The reverbs and Ensemble fxs are pad perfect.
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Consider the Nord Lead 2, 3 or rack versions as well. Also multitimbral. In the case of the NL2Rack, you can still find them for peanuts.
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No way, It’s called “Lead”. You start pulling bass lines or pads out of that thing and Nord will know the gig is up.
It’s a nice box , has fx too … or try nord lead 4 or access virus desktop / modules , blofeld
Nord 2,3 I don’t think have fx built in
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After testing lots of polysynths I arrived at the conclusion (right or wrong) that A1 has a certain presence that makes it stand out.
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I really like the Nords for brighter piano, organ and brass type sounds. If I didn’t already have an Oberheim, it would be on my wish list. It’s like polar opposite of the dark Virus sound.
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The Nord Lead series are different to the Stage/Piano series. They’re definitely closer to the Virus in terms of being able to go into more synthetic territory. Nord Lead is all over late 90s Autechre and NIN releases, for example.
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Too bad they didn’t use the features from NL4 
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Imo nord lead synths are still among the best sounding digital synths ever made; im waiting to see if they will release an NL5 or NLA2, will probably buy either one
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I doubt it… but who knows…
that and a new Nord Drum
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Ugh, want an A1R so bad but they’re rare. Love the nord sound and the 4x multitimbrality + different filter models + effects per layer look really fun for live performance.
I’d gladly pay 1k€ for one, or trade a Novation Peak plus a few €… but locally they seem to go for 1300€ or more, and I don’t think they’re worth that much.
For now, I just bought an SH-4D, since on paper it does a lot more for half the price;)
Saw one yesterday on ebay
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