Nord Lead 4 49-Key Multi-Timbral Synthesizer

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.

Nord Lead 4 is a 4-part multi-timbral synthesizer that sports a 2-oscillator virtual analog sound engine with 2x oversampling. In addition to the classic analog waveforms. there's a Wavetable mode with unique Formant Wavetables. Frequency Modulation and Hard/Soft sync options are available for mutilating your sound further and the True Voice Unison mode can stack up to four oscillators per voice for really thick, beefy leads and pads.

The filter section boasts Low Pass (12/24dB), High Pass, and Band Pass filters and also stunning new simulations of two transistor and diode ladder filters capturing the squeaky, dirty character of the originals. A dedicated filter overdrive can distort your sound before it passes through the effect section.

The Variation buttons let you override almost any parameter of the synthesizer, instantaneously. Ever wanted to change LFO speed, Modulation routings and reverb amount - all at once, in the middle of a sound? With the Nord Lead 4 you can. With 7 assignable variations per program Nord Lead 4 gives you creative freedom to warp and improvise your sound live, both rhythmically and sonically and thanks to the Master Clock Synchronization, it can be done in perfect sync to other layers or an external MIDI Clock.

All 4 slots have dedicated effect sections with delay, reverb, tube amp simulated overdrive, a Talk effect modeled after a vocal tract and a sample rate reducing Crush effect.

Includes

• User Manual
• Power Cord with IEC C14 connector
• Nord CD ROM with Nord Sound Manager

Features

• 4-part multi-timbral with 4 separate outs.
• 2-Oscillator Virtual Analog Subtractive synthesis with Frequency Modulation, Hard and Soft Sync and True Voice Unison.
• Morph and Variation performance controls.
• Wavetable synthesis, including unique Formant Wavetables.
• 12/24 dB Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass filters section plus transistor and diode ladder filter simulations.
• 2 LFO/Arpeggiator sections and Mod Env section with flexible routing possibilities.
• LFO, Arpeggiator and Delay can be synchronized to the Master Clock (or external MIDI-Clock).
• Crush, Talk and Distortion, Reverb, Delay effects (available per slot)
• 2x oversampled sound engine.
• 20-voice polyphony
• Nord Sound Manager-compatible for program management.
• 49-key velocity sensitive keyboard (C-C)
• MIDI In/Out, USB MIDI

Specifications

• Special Features
  • Morph: One or more continuous (knob-type) parameters can be controlled by keyboard velocity and/or the Modulation Wheel/Control Pedal.
  • Impulse Morphs: Both continuous (knobs) and switch parameters can have alternate value settings activated by Impulse Morph buttons. 7 unique Impulse Morphs possible by pressing a combination of the 3 buttons.
  • Master Clock: The LFO rates, Arpeggio rate and Delay time can be synchronized to an internal or external (via MIDI) clock, with selectable rhythmic divisions.
  • Mutator: Automatic program generator with adjustable style and strength.
• General Features
  • 49-key velocity sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons, +/-2 octaves.
  • 20 voices, 4 part multitimbral.
  • 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.
• 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, 24dB (4-pole) and 48dB (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 - ¼", 6.35mm jacks, unbalanced
  • Stereo Headphone Output - ¼", 6.35mm stereo jack
  • Sustain Pedal - ¼", 6.35mm jack. Use a momentary pedal, like e.g., Roland DP-2, DP-6, Yamaha FC-4, FC-5, Fatar VFP1-25 etc.
  • Control Pedal - ¼", 6.35mm 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
• Dimensions: Nord Lead 4: 864 x 94 x 272mm (34.0 x 3.7 x 10.7")
• Weight: Nord Lead 4: 5.3kg (11.7lbs)
• *Steinway, Wurlitzer, Hohner, Clavinet, Farfisa and Vox are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated or associated with Clavia. These trademarks are mentioned here as a reference to a sound only. Leslie is mentioned to describe a connector standard.