Nord Lead A1 Analogue Modelling Synthesizer - Nearly New

Full Description

Analog Modelling

The Nord Lead A1, like the Nord Lead 4, is equipped with an analogue modelling sound engine capable of reproducing the character of many vintage synths with impressive accuracy. Featuring 26 voice polyphonic and four part multi-timbral, the Lead A1 is a flexible machine for stage or studio and delivers a stunning, rich and versatile palette of sounds.

Intuitive User Interface

The Lead A1 has a new front panel designed to make programming quick and easy whilst retaining hands on flexibility. As a response to artist's requests for faster programming, the focus when designing the A1 was very much on access and speed. For example, Oscillation configuration shortcuts allow patches to be created and edited far quicker than is usually possible for such complex synthesis. A single LFO and simplified Modulation Envelope with controls on the front panel means it is also quicker to experiment with modulations and have a clear overview of the structure of the patch.

Oscillator Section

The Lead A1 features a new oscillator section that is the centrepiece of its sound design. It can generate up to 47 different waveforms with classic analogue to digital harmonic and inharmonic waves allowing you to create a range of lead, bass, pad and FX sounds. There are also unique oscillator configuration shortcuts that makes sound design and programming quicker and easier. Start with a single waveform and select any oscillator configuration shortcut including pitch, detune, shape, sync, sub mic, FM, AM or noise, and then adjust the settings of the configuration to instantly start shaping your sound. This makes it ideal for keeping your creative flow going, giving you a fast track to great sounds without the need for complex routing and patching.

Filter and Effects

The onboard filters include Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Ladder M and Ladder TB. The Nord Lead A1 features an independent effects processor for each of its four slots. Delay, Reverb plus a choice of Drive, Ring Modulation, Phaser, Flanger, Ensemble or Chorus per slot. New Ensemble and Chorus effects are analogue models of specific classic synths bringing vintage analogue warmth and feel. Included is the acclaimed Morph function via velocity or the Mod Wheel which allows multiple parameters to be morphed in real time with exceptionally easy control. Additional functions include an independent arpeggiator for each of the four slots, Master Clock sync of the LFO, delay and Arpeggiator, MIDI over USB and four independent outputs. The Lead A1 also includes the Nord Sound Manager software patch librarian.

LFO & Modulation

The Lead A1 is equipped with an LFO with multiple waveforms, as well as a three-stage ADR/ASR modulation envelope, allowing you to add movement to your sounds. LFO rate can be sync'd with the Lead A1's master clock. The modulation envelope offers its own velocity setting as well as an invert function, allowing for more creativity. Its intuitive design makes it easy to create and see modulations that have been added to your sounds.

Reviews

"The interface is very conducive to fast sound creation and you can still make pretty complex sounds." Music Radar

Read the full review here.

"I found myself doing something rather unusual: programming. And exploring. I began pressing the hold key, triggering an arpeggiation and simply dialing dials. And this is where the A1 turns from your average preset buster, into what it should be used for: creation!" Music Tech

Read the full review here.

Features

• Voted ''Best Hardware Synthesizer'' by KEYS magazine 2014
• Received TEC (Technical Excellence Creativity) Award ''Best Musical Instrument Hardware'' 2014 at the NAMM Show 2015
• Oscillators with multiple waveforms
• Pitch, detune, shape, sync AM, Noise Sub Mix, FM
• LFO with 5 waveforms, mod envelope
• 12, 24dB low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters
• Ensemble, chorus, phaser, flanger, ring modulator and drive effects
• 4-part multi-timbral
• Arppegiator and delay
• Velocity and wheel morph
• Extra fat unison mode
• Analogue modeling
• Split and layer
• MIDI over USB

Specifications

• Synth Engine: 96 kHz, 32 bit floating point processing
• Polyphony: 26 voices
• Multitimbral: 4 parts
• Keybed: 49 keys
• Weight: 4.85 kg (10.7 lbs)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 802 x 92 x 260 mm (31.5 x 3.6 x 10.2")