Nord Lead 3 opinions

fac · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: Nord Lead 3 opinions

I'm being offered a mint NL3 keyboard for $900 (incl. shipping). I already have a G2 and have been wanting the NL2/2X for a while now... I know the NL3 has a different sound and may overlap with the G2, but the deal is very tempting.

What are people's opinions on the NL3? I've read it sounds rather thin and wimpy compared to the other Nords, and in general is not a great VA. I'm looking mostly for nice pads and strings, drones, percussive sounds, good bass (not necessarily overpowering), and nice EP's.

Some of my other synths are: Nord G2, Waldorf XT, MS2000R, dotcom modular, Ensoniq ESQ-1, Yamaha FS1R.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject:

All those you can do very nicely on the NL3.

Something which can be are real joy is when the NL3 is controlled by the Midi Out of the G2. Dim the lights and you'll be knocked down by the lightshow Smile

Wout

fac · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

Well, I got it and it sounds very good to me; digital all the way, but a nice digital. But the best thing is: this thing is extremely easy to use! I got it without a manual and was able to make some sounds effortlessly. Everything is out there in the panel: modulations, FM, morph groups. Best synth interface ever.

However, after using it for about an hour, I noticed a couple of details: the one that worries me the most is that every once in a while, the middle G# note is triggered without actually striking the note. I left the synth on while I went for a glass of water and heard the G# twice. I hope this is easy to fix.

The other problem, which I've found in various used synths, is the data wheel - you know, the one used to browse patches and performances. It's a bit jumpy. I hate this kind of wheels because they always tend to become jumpy to the point they're useless. Is there a way to fix it? Maybe it requires cleaning or something.

Other than that, the synth seems to be in good working condition. I'm sure I could get all these sounds with my G2, but not as quickly as with the NL3, so I hope I can fix it and keep it.

fac · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

It's official. My NL3 seems to have a sticky key (middle G#). I've seen some threads about cleaning the keyboard to fix this problem. Should I try that?

blue hell · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

You can always try of course, but it didn't work too well for me with the NM Classic ... but you can always later get a replacement keyboard when things fail, just like I did. When you're doing it carefully it's doable without doing damage, it's just that the cleaning didn't work for me, keys would get sticky again after some time.

fac · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

blue hell · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject:

Don't know about the cost, but on the NM it's easy to replace and as most Clavia stuff has the same construction I'd think it to be easy for the NL3 as well.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

I should try another thing first...

A sticky key will mean the key itself will stay pressed, or am I wrong...?
The G# in the middle is just right where the big blue transformer of the power supply is situated, in fact it's just in the middle of it. Clavia's power supplies tend to generate much heat, sometimes, like the NL2(X) trouble with the AmpRelease knob, it disturbs some functions.

Therefor I suggest to open up the synth, but leave the two screws at both sides with the washers in place, and leave the red hood open for a while. If it still triggers, try a little fan to cool it. If that's the solution some silver paper mounted inside could regulate the heat distribution...

If this is not the problem, then you are allowed to do some destructive work on the key contacts Wink

That is rather easy to do... I did it many years ago on my NM Classic after spilling a lot of coffee IN the synth (the second day after buying it. It still works!!!)

Wout

fac · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:18 am Post subject:

Thanks, Wout. I'll try that.

fac · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

blue hell · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:17 am Post subject:

fac · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:

Ok, so here's what happened:

I opened up the synth, took the keyboard off, and removed the circuit boards on the back of the keyboard. Everything looked fine and pretty clean. Still, I cleaned the boards, keys, and rubber contacts with a brush, very carefully.

I turned the synth on and after a little while the G# was spontaneously triggered. Then I removed the rubber strip and took a look at the contacts on the circuit board. They looked fine (e.g., identical to the rest of the contacts). I used the rubber band to trigger the note and it worked fine. it seems that there are two contact pairs for each key: the bottom one triggers the note and the top one releases it (not 100% sure about this, though). If I press the bottom contacts, the note is triggered, and stays on even after releasing the contacts. To turn the note off, one must press the upper contacts.

Now, the G# was sounded spontaneously even after removing the rubber strip, so I think the problem is in the circuit board: the bottom contact for the G# key seems to be triggered spontaneously, which causes the note to sound, and can only be released after pressing and releasing the key (which effectively presses the upper contact).

Bottom line is, I don't think I can fix this by myself without the risk of damaging the circuit board, so I'm thinking about replacing the whole keyboard. I'd really like my NL3 to be in tip top condition.

It could also just live with it (unless it gets worse). The problem is sporadic and sometimes quite a few minutes go by without the G# being triggered. It's a bit annoying but it lets me program new sounds, and when sequencing, I can just turn Local Off to avoid any false notes.

blue hell · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

The idea of having two contacts is that it allows for measuring the time difference between the first one being closed and the 2nd one being closed - this being a measure for how hard the key was hit. Seemingly the detection software wants to see the upper contact to be closed before it can finish it's press phase ... a bit odd ... anyway, you could try to clean the PCB around the bad contact using a solvent like isopropyl alcohol.

fac · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

Ok, it's been a a couple weeks since I bought the NL3. I stored it in my closet for a few days because while reorganizing some things in my studio. A few days ago, I took it out again and started playing with it. During the first minutes, the G# got stuck again (without touching the key). I hit the key to release it and.... it hasn't stuck again ever since. I've played quite a few hours with it, made about 10 new patches (it's so easy with this synth), and left it on for hours, and the G# does not trigger spontaneously anymore. My synth's apparently cured.... for good, I hope.

I also replaced the power cable. The one I got with the synth was thin and short, definitely not the original (at least, not similar to the one in my G2), and made false contacts. I got a better quality cable and now the synth works perfectly.

Can't believe I got it for only $857. I didn't get no manual, either, but that's no big deal.

kvnvk · Joined: Aug 27, 2006 Posts: 105 Location: Texas

great deal on the NL3, I paid way more than that for mine. hopefully the spontaneously triggered and stuck G# won't be causing you any more problems.

Wout Blommers · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:47 pm Post subject:

fac · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: