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Question for anyone who used a Nord 2X and Synth1
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| evo8 |
Ive read somewhere that synth1 is based on the sound of the Nord Lead. With that in mind i want to pick up a hardware synth as im tired of using the mouse all the time, and i would like to spend some more time sound designing and get away from the computer screen for a while
So has anyone used both? Is it close enough to the synth1 sound i.e. slightly better or slightly worse? appreciate any thoughts
Thanks :toothless |
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| nortek |
| its similar in design yes, the nord 2x is an awesome synth imo, its about the only one i still would like to have after having had many different synths. its easy to program, straightforward, no menu-diving and its sound is better than analog imo (note, i dont like the randomness of analog synths). it might be abit limited though as it lack efex and other synthesis-forms than subtractive, thats the reason i dont have it myself, and basically, software can reproduce the same, and synth1 is really close. just my opinion, im gonna hear it any minute now lol. |
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| Mad for Brad |
| much better. The synth1 has the same controls minus a 2 I think but I doesn't sound close. |
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| Aesthetic |
| The DiscoDSP Discovery is more alike to the NL than Synth1 is. Can make some really good pluck sounds on that thing |
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| evo8 |
Thanks all - if it sounds better than synth1 then thats good enough for me.
I had thought of going for a Prophet 08PE rack but they are expensive brand new and there doesnt seem to be many of them around second-hand (plus people on ebay seem to think a second-hand item is worth the brand-new price :rolleyes: ), then there is the Tetra, its cheaper than the prophet but only 4 voices...
I also thought about trying to pick up a Virus second-hand but i sorta prefer the sounds that i hear from the Nord, they seem sharper or something
Whats the going rate for a 2X rack? They are €688 on Thomann. Some guy on ebay last week had his up there for about €640, it didnt sell surprise surprise, i see he has it relisted for around €550 now... |
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| Storyteller |
I have a Nord Rack 2 and Synth1. I actually prefer Synth1 over the Nord to be honest. They're hard to compare sound-wise. You can exchange patches between them but they will hardly sound the same.
Synth1 sounds more 'rounded' and polished. The sounds are more gentle whilst the Nord is very piercing and sometimes even harsh. As someone else said as well, Discodsp Discovery is quite close to the Nord's sound.
I find myself using Synth1 tons more than my Nord and I was, in a way, disappointed because I bought the Nord based on my experience with Synth1. The Nord is an easy to grasp synth though which is really nice. |
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| kitphillips |
I prefered the nord lead 3 but have never been able to afford one.
I'd consider the prophet 08 over the NL2, I think its probably a better buy. If your really desperate for a hardware synth, the blofeld is a pretty good offer too, although I haven't actually used one personally. |
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| evo8 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Storyteller
I have a Nord Rack 2 and Synth1. I actually prefer Synth1 over the Nord to be honest. They're hard to compare sound-wise. You can exchange patches between them but they will hardly sound the same.
Synth1 sounds more 'rounded' and polished. The sounds are more gentle whilst the Nord is very piercing and sometimes even harsh. As someone else said as well, Discodsp Discovery is quite close to the Nord's sound.
I find myself using Synth1 tons more than my Nord and I was, in a way, disappointed because I bought the Nord based on my experience with Synth1. The Nord is an easy to grasp synth though which is really nice. |
Thanks for your post, interesting stuff re the 2 synths, i guess the only way ill know for sure is to play one and and see
A few recommendations for Discovery - its not that im looking for a Nord based softsynth, i want something tactile that gets me away from the pc a little bit
| quote: | Originally posted by kitphillips
I prefered the nord lead 3 but have never been able to afford one.
I'd consider the prophet 08 over the NL2, I think its probably a better buy. If your really desperate for a hardware synth, the blofeld is a pretty good offer too, although I haven't actually used one personally. |
Thanks for mentioning the Blofeld, had forgotten about that one, price seems resonable but i have no clue about it so i will have to see if i can find some demos - anyone here have experience with one? |
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| Mad for Brad |
| the blofeld is great. Extremely versatile. The demos all sound like tho. |
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| nortek |
the problem with blofeld is that its so few knobs and buttons, and it has too many features so that u use all your time with menu-diving which totally kills work-flow. same problem with virus rack xl or microQ, which ive had both and sold because of exactly this. they are great synths soundwise but to program which after a time gets very frustrating. and dont tell me about sounddiver or midiquest, that sucks ass.
if u want hardware, part of the point is immediate instant access to all parameters. if you dont have that you might as well go with software, its much easier in many ways and it sounds just as good (with a little extra work). i say if your getting hardware be sure it has a lot of knobs and buttons (how lame is that to say) its the only big advantage over software. ive had nord rack 3 too and that was a dream to work with. unfortunately the sound wasnt as raw and sharp as on 2x. if im getting a synth again it will be the 2x, but probably keyboard version. |
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| evo8 |
| quote: | Originally posted by nortek
the problem with blofeld is that its so few knobs and buttons, and it has too many features so that u use all your time with menu-diving which totally kills work-flow. same problem with virus rack xl or microQ, which ive had both and sold because of exactly this. they are great synths soundwise but to program which after a time gets very frustrating. and dont tell me about sounddiver or midiquest, that sucks ass.
if u want hardware, part of the point is immediate instant access to all parameters. if you dont have that you might as well go with software, its much easier in many ways and it sounds just as good (with a little extra work). i say if your getting hardware be sure it has a lot of knobs and buttons (how lame is that to say) its the only big advantage over software. ive had nord rack 3 too and that was a dream to work with. unfortunately the sound wasnt as raw and sharp as on 2x. if im getting a synth again it will be the 2x, but probably keyboard version. |
yeah i think ill hold out for a 2X |
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| Mad for Brad |
| quote: | Originally posted by nortek
the problem with blofeld is that its so few knobs and buttons, and it has too many features so that u use all your time with menu-diving which totally kills work-flow. same problem with virus rack xl or microQ, which ive had both and sold because of exactly this. they are great synths soundwise but to program which after a time gets very frustrating. and dont tell me about sounddiver or midiquest, that sucks ass.
if u want hardware, part of the point is immediate instant access to all parameters. if you dont have that you might as well go with software, its much easier in many ways and it sounds just as good (with a little extra work). i say if your getting hardware be sure it has a lot of knobs and buttons (how lame is that to say) its the only big advantage over software. ive had nord rack 3 too and that was a dream to work with. unfortunately the sound wasnt as raw and sharp as on 2x. if im getting a synth again it will be the 2x, but probably keyboard version. |
There are software editors available. I just think it is the most versatile hardware synth available and it is cheap. Much more interesting sounds than the virus TI. I sold mine as I don't enjoy hardware but I was impressed by the sound. The onboard effects are really good. It has a very edgy sound. Wouldn't really call it warm but it can sound absolutely filthy. |
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