Creating sound on the NordLead: tips and tricks

fischek · Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 81 Location: Belgrade

For the update, see http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/020_NordLead2/Red_Lady/

It's still an un-edited text, so any comments are welcome.
Click the name!

[Wout]

hey Wout,

As we've discussed in the previous thread, this one is for some tips and tricks in sound creation you would be willing to share with us Smile

Thanks!

Wout Blommers

As fischek wrote this thread is created special to the NordLead, NordLead2 and NordLead2X family, both in key and in Rack version. Some side steps could be taken towards the NordLead3 and the NordModular Classic and G2, if needed to explain.

Everybody is invited to chime in and write about things which come up in this thread, like how to use and play this synthesizer. Every opinion, critic, question and other kinds of contribution to the topic is welcome, allowed between the legally drawn lines, specially concerning copyrights. Text and audio examples are still the copyright of the rightful owner who shared the information with this community.

The forum is the normal place to ask question and discuss about the normal topics.

Here are some things to discuss about:

interesting ways to play,
strange things, like poly sounds in Mono mode Shocked

,
how to create blibs-and-blobs,
FM (8 operator synth) and RingModulator,
the SecretFilter,
the Arpeggiator (like BPM),
what is the use of those extreme LFO values?,
analyzing Programs and Performances,
Percussion mode (also using the Arpeggiator in there),
the sound changing when using the SemiTones knob,
Sync,
syncing to an extern MidiClock (what is possible and what not?),
KeyBoardTracking Osc2,
and what else which is able to be shifted underneath the front door...

Wout

Wout Blommers

Talking about the NordLead is talking about a Classic. Released in the beginning of 1995 as NordRack the NordLead2X is in concept over 14 years old and in 2008 still in production, which is rather a long time. Some features are dated and seems rather odd, like using a sequencer as a tool to store Patches in SysEx format on a computer. The reason why to design it this way is obvious: most musicians using the computer were already using a software sequencer and creating a special designed computer tool would be a hassle because of all the different computer platforms used in those days: in 1995 the Atari was still very popular Smile

To optimize the exchange of SysEx data I like to describe two different ways:
1 using a software sequencer and
2 using Lars Borndahl's NordGen, which has also a nice graphic interface, because... Let face it! One of the most annoying things of the NordLead when studying its parameters the Panel knobs won't reveal anything! See attachment...

Download able at
http://nm-archives.electro-music.com/020_NordLead2/023_Miscellaneous/NordGenerator_Editor/

Wout

NordGen.jpg

Description:

How NordGen looks...

Filesize:

134.98 KB

Viewed:

59383 Time(s)

Wout Blommers

In most of my project I still use CuBase V1.10 Smile

After checking all the Midi cables and if the program reacts to any action send from the synth, I create a small track in which the SysEx data will be recorded. In CuBase there is a Midi Filter, in which SysEx is enabled by default, so this filtering has to be disabled when it will be used sending the data to the synth (or controlling if any data is recorded).
After starting the recording I press [Shift+Dump One] on the NordLead and 'Export' the file to a special folder, so it can be used in any Midi tool, like Logic, AbletonLive and NordGen, the later only accepting single Programs, no Performances.

Uploading using a sequencer is the other way around. 'Import' the Midi file and play it. When using single Programs or single Performances the file will be uploaded in the synths 'buffer' memory. When using a Bank it will replace the internal Bank in the synth, so make a BackUp first! This is done By recording [Shift+Dump All]. In the NordLead and NordLead2 this results in only recording the first 40 locations of the RAM. When [Shift+Velocity] is used the synth will dump all data from that particular card. In the NordLead2X things are organized different. I strongly advise not to try to find out, because I've lost my 40 RAM files many times, so I don't know the effect on the 2X!!! Shocked

These Midi files can be attached in any post on this forum.

Wout

CuBaseExport.jpg

Description:

Export in CuBase V1.10

Filesize:

184.05 KB

Viewed:

1098 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

Wout Blommers

This shareware tool is only Windows based. Its best feature is the graphic interface: all the knobs are there. Pointing with the curser arrow on a knob reveals its value in the red figure in the down left corner. To copy this value (BTW Sending the whole Patch is easier Smile

to the synth press [Shift+LFO1-Waveform] and turning the real knob shows the value in the LCD screen. But to see all parameter settings is a good thing of its own!

When receiving (NordGen SysEx has to be set to 'receive') a Program the Patch counter will rise to 2. It means there are two Programs loaded in the tool at that moment. Every new uploading in NordGen will increase that number. When saving all these Programs will be saved in that one and only file. After some time working this way I ended up creating files over 10 Mb big! And NordGen can't send Banks, only single Programs, BTW no Performances either: you'll have to use another way, like the sequencer method.
To avoid this strange behavior it's best to 'Explode' the 'Bank' in the folder in which NordGen is located (I always copy&paste the tool in the folder in the first place) The result of this explosion contains two files, one named nord0.ngf and the other one called nord1.ngf. The later one is the file you wanted to save, so delete nord0.ngf and rename the remaining file as you like. (I rename the suffix also from *.ngf into *.syx, because other Midi tools, like SendSysEx won't recognize *.ngf, which stands for NordGeneratorFile, of course)

NordGenExplode.jpg

Description:

How Explode look like...

Filesize:

123.19 KB

Viewed:

1184 Time(s)

This image has been reduced to fit the page. Click on it to enlarge.

fischek · Joined: May 07, 2007 Posts: 81 Location: Belgrade

Thanks for the information...I am looking forward to reading more about the things you've mentioned.

I guess this thread will be useful to people who don't know the synth that well, but can't read about it anywhere else...there are all sort of tutorials about subtractive synthesis, but I wasn't able to find one which talks about the Nord Lead specifically.

The best way to learn is to read and use the device. Thanks again!

Wout Blommers

For the first object to discuss I like to choose Frequency Modulation. When the synth was introduced in 1995 most critics were surprized it featured Frequency Modulation, which was almost impossible on an analogue synthesizer and very well and easily implemented in a digital one. In the FM set up of the NordLead Oscillator 2 is modulating Oscillator 1. In FM speak Osc1 is called Carrier and Osc2 Modulator. A significant difference between the Yamaha DX7 set up is the ability to use the Modulator also in the final sound by using the OscMix. To make it a 'pure' FM the Mix has to be set totally anti-clock wise, to Osc1.

There are several controllers dedicated to the FM sound. First of all there is the FM knob, which produces a constant amount of the FM, so the sound will not start at a 0 FM level. The same can be done by setting the ModulationWheel to FM (Can be very useful when also applying RingModulator in which setting the FM knob is used to tune the RingModulator).
When set to FM the ModEnv is able to create a dynamic FM amount control to the output of osc2. This can be done positive or negative (horizontal mirrored) The output of the Carrier can be dynamically controlled by the AmpEnv, of course.
Also LFO1 can do something with the FM. In the first place it can control the Amount of which Osc2 is modulating Osc1, but it can also control the frequency of Osc2, which results in a different sounds. In my opinion this kind of modulation must be used with care. At the other hand a slow Pulse can be tuned so a rhythmic effect can added to the sound. (A favorite of mine Smile

Another thing which is not available on most FM synths is the Filter. I use it mostly to trim down the typical digital side effects (noises) in the sound. The only parameter I still haven't found yet any use is the Resonance.

In my experiences I can't detect any difference between the FM and the RingModulator. Using the tuning feature of the FM Amount knob it surely works, but when I toggle between RingModulator and no RingModulator, I hear no differences between the two sounds, although Sync makes it a little hard for concentrating hearing.

In this simple form the two Operators (Osc1 and 2) can use all the wave forms available, although synced waves will sometimes give real surprizes in FM Smile

Wout

2701FM-init.syx

Description:

A 'init' Program to set up FM