NordLead versus DiscoDSP Discovery Pro

Wout Blommers

Writing about the NordLead I was curious about the software clone, the DiscoDSP Discovery. Owning several NordLeads myself (apart of the NordModulars and an Electro) it is not the first purchase I would do.
These are my first impressions using DiscoDSP Discovery Pro.

1 The Discovery Pro is NOT a Clavia NordLead: they look almost the same, most of the functionality is the same and they almost sound the same, but they are as different as the NordLead and the SCI Prophet V are Smile

My conclusion is Discovery and the NordLead are two different synths and not only because one is a stand alone and the other a VST bound to the computer.

2 The Programs sound alike, although not as two NordLeads would sound the same. A brass sound is still a brass sound, but slightly different as the other one. In the short time I worked with both synths I think the NordLead sounds a bit brighter where the Discovery sounds more ‘under the blanket’. This last quality is in my opinion very useful in dance music, for which, I think, the Synth is designed.

3 On stage Discovery running on a laptop is surely beaten by the Lead, mostly because Program Change isn’t as easy as on the Lead. Also setting up memory banks isn’t easy… And yes, the NordLead is, again I think, designed to be played on stage rather than in the studio.

4 Discovery has features which are really good using in the studio, mainly the smaller ones, which are often called ‘bed room studio’s’. Don’t misunderstand this: most songs come to live in such a set up Smile

Anyway, the Delay, Gates and Modulation graphic are powerful instruments to create beats and patterns. In the most complex form one can use 4 different Arpeggiators, 4 different Delays, 4 different Gates and 4 different Modulation lines to create mind blowing patterns.

5 Discovery Pro has also the ability to upload wav files; there is a on-board sampler, which can create nice loops too.

6 There is more latency than on the Lead. The question is 'still acceptable or not…'

7 I have tried the latest edition, which is able to create SysEx upload-able into the NordLead, so one can create sounds on a laptop being not even nearby a NordLead, although they might sound a little different, but as I wrote: not very much.

8 Conlusion so far…

On stage, I hope not...
In the studio, I think it is yes, yes! Special the prize makes it very worthwhile to get it in the computer.

More information at http://www.discodsp.com/

Wout