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Average Price: $555
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$500
$1501+
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Description
The Clavia Nord Lead 1 is a classic synthesizer that has left an indelible mark on the world of electronic music. Known for its robust build and distinctive virtual analog sound engine, this synth is a favorite among both seasoned professionals and emerging artists. The Nord Lead 1 is celebrated for its ability to produce a wide range of sounds, from lush pads to cutting leads, making it a versatile tool for any studio setup.
With its intuitive interface and hands-on controls, the Nord Lead 1 offers musicians the ability to shape and manipulate their sound with ease. The synthesizer's four-part multi-timbrality allows users to layer sounds or split the keyboard, providing unmatched flexibility in live performances or studio recordings. Its dynamic voice allocation ensures that each note is played with precision, delivering a performance that is both reliable and expressive.
For those who appreciate the tactile experience, the Nord Lead 1 features a full set of physical controls, including knobs and buttons that allow for real-time tweaking of parameters. This makes it an ideal choice for live performers who need instant access to sound adjustments on stage. Whether you're looking to recreate vintage sounds or explore new sonic territories, the Nord Lead 1 is a powerful companion in your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Virtual analog sound engine
- Four-part multi-timbrality
- Dynamic voice allocation
- Intuitive interface with hands-on controls
- Physical knobs and buttons for real-time adjustments
- Renowned for lush pads and cutting leads
Videos
ChrisLody
Clavia Nord Lead 1(1995-97) Retro Review and Tutorial
Clavia Nord Lead 1(1995-97) Retro Review and Tutorial
ChrisLody
NORD LEAD 1 - SOUND DEMO - 12 VOICE EXPANSION (1995)- No Talking Only Playing
Eaglechild
Clavia Nord Lead 1 12-voice Demo
Panu M Savolainen
Clavia Nord Lead 1 Still Worth It Today! Virtual Analog Synthesizer Rik Marston
Rik Marston Official
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Clavia Nord Lead 1.
Features and functionality
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The Nord Lead 1 can be expanded to 8 or 12 voices, which significantly enhances polyphony for multi-timbral use, a key consideration when purchasing.
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Owners can use PCMCIA SRAM cards to save expansion card files, available for free on Nord's website, enhancing the synthesizer's functionality.
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The Nord Lead 1's Pelle mode differs slightly from the Nord Lead 2, with unique aliasing artifacts due to DAC differences.
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Pelle's Mod, a hidden physical modelling noise synth, is only available on the Nord Lead 1 and 2, not on the 2X.
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Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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The original Nord Lead 1 differs significantly from later models due to changes in architecture after the lead engineer left, offering a distinct sound that some users prefer.
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The Nord Lead 2X offers 20 voices with a cleaner 24-bit DAC sound, compared to the Nord Lead 1's rawer, less refined sound.
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Value and pricing
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Without expansion, the Nord Lead 1's value is moderate, but with it, prices can reach $800+, making it a potentially worthwhile investment with the right features.
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It's advisable to prioritize purchasing a used unit that includes a functioning memory card, as finding compatible cards separately can be challenging.
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Mods and upgrades
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The voice expansion for the Nord Lead 1 is a board that mounts internally, not an S-RAM card, allowing for increased polyphony.
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Software and compatibility
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Firmware updates for the Nord Lead 1 can be performed by replacing the ROM, with the final version being approximately 2.7E.
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User experience
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
This article on the recording of the "Barking" album describes the band's then-current studio setup. It states, "Hardware synths Clavia Nord Lead 1 and 2, Moog Minimoog, and Yamaha DX7 MK1 still reign at the Pigshed."
In Subconscious Studios, owned by cEvin Key, a Clavia Nord Lead 1 synthesizer is prominently featured among the keyboard racks.
Benn said in this interview : “I have a **Nord Lead 1* that I really like. It’s so old, but the pads have a thin sound that I really dig. I also have a Korg MS2000, which I feel like I’ll never get bored of because it’s really fun to make pads with."*
Most importantly, Modeselektor became re-acquainted with 20 boxes of accumulated MIDI gear, such as the Clavia Nord Lead 1, the Korg MS-10 (to reinforce sub-bass pressure, creatively detuned on “Blue Clouds”), a rare, original Electro-Harmonix vocoder (on “Green Light Go”), as well as one of every Roland drum machine.
Grzegorz Ciechowski was using Clavia Nord Lead (1) when working on new album. Unfortunately, due to sudden death of artist, the album wasn't finished and published. On the linked video, the Nord Lead is visible next to the artist working on PC.
Musicradar: Which are some of your favourite analogue and digital synths?
Chris Keating : I've used the Nord Lead 1 for about 14 years. I bought it from this kid and it was all fucked up. One of the keys was already broken and one of them had permanently popped up. One day I smashed the keys with a drum kit; I didn't think they were going to shatter but they did.Now it's like an old friend sitting in the corner and when you turn it on it sounds even better! One thing about hardware is that I don't think I would investigate software from eight years ago. You might still be using it, but you wouldn't dig it up. https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/yeasayer-geek-out-in-the-gear-department-and-talk-new-album-amen-goodbye-639228
Album Usage
The Clavia Nord Lead 1 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Clavia Nord Lead 1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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