Part of the allure of classic synthesizers is the physical control of the sound. If you want to change the shape of the sound, you turned a knob. Then digital technology changed synthesizers, replacing those knobs with a handful of buttons, a small LCD, and a top panel graphic that displayed the sound engine’s routing.Virtual analog brings the technology and physical control together, recreating the warm, thick sound of analog synths without the overheating or tuning deficiencies. Modern technology allows the knobs to not only digitally manipulate the internal sound, but also send MIDI information to be captured in a sequencer or change a parameter on another MIDI-enabled device.Nord is known for many things, including the unique Pitch Stick and modulation wheel combo. With the Pitch Stick, you can create your own vibrato, much like a guitarist or violinist, without the “dimple” resting place other pitch benders use. The “dead zone” has been conquered! The ergonomic handling adds another dimension to your performance.Sporting 20 voices of polyphony, the Nord Lead 2X is perfect for layered pads, screaming leads, and thick booming basses. The keyboard version can be split; it can have two sounds layered on either side of the split point. You can have four simultaneous programs playing at once, and with a movable split point, the possibilities are captivating.Both the keyboard and rack versions of the Nord Lead 2X are 4-part multitimbral, and these four parts are used together in the Performance Mode. The Nord Lead 2X also has four assignable outputs, so each Performance voice can be routed to its own analog output. Imagine the 2X in a multi-monitor studio setup, or in a creative multi-speaker PA system, and you can begin to see how much fun the Nord Lead 2X can be.A special Velocity Programming section can be controlled by the Modulation Wheel, making it possible to continuously morph between parameter settings. This feature is a musically expressive tool that allows you to shape your sound in realtime.
Let’s go MIDI controlling! In the studio, the Nord Lead 2X offers real time MIDI recording of knob settings and special “MIDI patches” to recreate many of the effects produced by external patching on traditional units. For example, let your pre-recorded drum pattern trigger filter and amplifier envelopes, where the hi-hat pattern triggers the filter envelope and the kick drum pattern simultaneously triggers the amplifier envelope.
There are four parts which are directly accessible from the front panel. This makes it possible to instantly create layers with up to four different sounds, where each separate sound in the layer can easily be edited in real time. Each sound can have its own independent output. Make up super patches in the Performance section. Create monster basses and mega pads.