Nord Lead

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The first Nord Lead was released in 1995 to positive reviews. It was created with the help of Peter Jubel, who also co-founded Propellerhead Software.

{{Cite news

| author = Debbie Poyser and Derek Johnson

| year = 2003

| title = Man Of Reason

| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan03/articles/earnstpropellerhead.asp

| magazine = Sound On Sound

| issue = January 2003

}} Compared to synthesizers being constructed via analog components, the Nord Lead uses digital signal processors (DSPs) programmed to emulate both Subtractive and analogue FM synthesis (cross-modulation) to reproduce the warmth and richness of a traditional analog sound. The Nord Lead was also unusual for its time in being "covered in knobs", which gave the player a direct access to all sound parameters without having to walk through editing menus.

The Nord Lead featured four notes of polyphony. A later hardware upgrade increased the polyphony to twelve voices. The expansion also added PCMCIA card storage of patches and a drum map feature.

{{Cite web

| url=http://www.clavia.se/downloads/sounds/nlexp.htm

| title=Nord Lead/Rack

| publisher=Clavia

| accessdate=2012-03-18

}}

{{right|Image:Clavia Nord Lead 2, Soma Studios.jpg}}

The Clavia Nord Lead 2 was launched in 1997, two years after the production of the original Nord Lead. It updated the polyphony from four to 16 voices.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/sep97/clavianordlead2.html|title=Clavia Nord Lead 2|work=Sound On Sound|date=September 1997|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606062804/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/sep97/clavianordlead2.html|archivedate=6 June 2015}}

Also added were a ring modulator, OSC 1 sync-able with the white noise generator, Sine waveform added for OSC 1, increased LFO and arpeggiator waveforms and patterns, filter distortion and 4 individual outputs. Patch storage was also increased. A PCMCIA storage slot was also added.

The Nord Lead 3 was a more advanced version introduced in 2001, with many new features like 4 operator FM Synthesis (Sinus Modulation),{{cite web |title=Clavia Nord Lead 3 |url=http://www.vintagesynth.com/clavia/nord3.php |publisher=Vintage Synth Explorer}} and an arpeggiator. The most visible new feature was replacing all the control knobs with endless rotary knobs surrounded by a lighted indicating collar to show the current setting. The Nord Lead 3 was however much more expensive than the Nord Lead 2, so the Nord Lead 2 and later Nord Lead 2X was sold in parallel to this flagship product. The Nord Lead 3 was discontinued in 2007, leaving the Nord Lead 2X the only remaining product in the Nord Lead series.

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|image1=Clavia Nord Lead 2x front.jpg |caption1=Nord Lead 2X

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In 2003 Clavia introduced the 2X, a refresh of the Nord Lead 2. It included increased polyphony (20 voice), high-resolution 24-bit 96 kHz DACs, and vastly expanded patch memory. The PCMCIA patch storage was removed.{{cite web |title=Nord Lead 2X |url=http://www.clavia.se/main.asp?tm=Products&clpm=Nord_Lead_2X&clnlm=Information |publisher=Clavia DMI}} The 2X retains the synthesis engine of its predecessor and consequently its sound characteristics.

In 2008, Clavia released a special limited edition of the Lead 2X with inverted key colors (black keys and white sharps/flats) and special logos to commemorate the 25-year history of the Clavia company.{{cite web |url=http://www.gearjunkies.com/product_info.php?products_id=15367 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315124712/http://www.gearjunkies.com/product_info.php?products_id=15367 |archive-date=2008-03-15 |title=Gearjunkies.com - Comprehensive resource for music production and DJ equipment}} Each unit (of only 300) came with an individually numbered certificate.

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|image2=Clavia Nord Lead 4 (2014).jpg |caption2=Nord Lead 4

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In 2013 Clavia announced the Nord Lead 4 at the annual Musikmesse show in Germany.{{cite web |title=Nord Lead 4 at Musikmesse 2013 |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/musikmesse-2013-nord-lead-4-revealed-by-clavia-573512 |publisher=Future Publishing Ltd}} The new variant boasts an updated sound engine, new filter sections and a "True Voice Unison" mode which can support up to 4 oscillators simultaneously. Furthermore, similar to the Nord Wave, the Lead 4 has a dedicated FX section featuring reverb, delay, crush and distortion.{{cite web |title=Nord Lead 4 Product Description |url=http://www.nordlead4.com/ |publisher=Clavia}} The ability to quickly edit sounds whilst performing live is made possible as a result of the new "variation" controls in which the user can map up to 7 control parameters per program. Also similar to the Nord Wave, the Lead 4 supports MIDI I/O over USB 2.0.

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|image3=Clavia Nord Lead A1 (2014).jpg|caption3=Nord Lead A1

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At the 2014 NAMM Show, Clavia announced the Nord Lead A1.{{cite web |title=Nord Lead A1 at NAMM 2014 |url=http://www.musictech.net/2014/01/namm-2014-nord-a1/ |publisher=MusicTech}} The model attempts to make the Nord Lead line accessible to a wider user base, with a new oscillator interface and numerous enhancements intended to facilitate quick and creative sound design.

• Synth1

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite magazine|title=Clavia Nord Lead Classic|magazine=Future Music|issue=59|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}
• {{cite magazine|title=Clavia Nord Lead 2|magazine=Future Music|issue=60|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}

{{Clavia}}

Category:Virtual analog synthesizers