Musikmesse saw the introduction of a new synthesizer from Clavia, the makers of the famous red Nord synths. The Nord Lead 4 features a brand new two-oscillator virtual analogue synth engine, new performance features, four-part multi-timbral functionality, as well as new filters and built-in effects.
The sound generation facilities on the Nord Lead 4 include all the classic analogue waveforms you'd expect as well as a wavetable mode, for more unusual sounds. If you want to make retro 80s sounds, frequency modulation (FM) is possible, and hard and soft syncing is available for sonic mangling. For thicker sounds, there is also a True Voice Unison mode which stacks up to four oscillators per voice.
Nord have extended their performance controls to include three buttons that allow variations to be added in real time. These allow parameters to be changed on the fly, such as LFO rate, modulation routing or filter cutoff. Up to 7 variations can be pre-programmed.
The filter section also boasts new modes alongside the classic low-pass (12/24dB), high-pass, and band-pass filters. These new filter modes are a ladder mode based on the work of a famous American synth manufacturer, and a 303 mode modelled on a well known unit from a Japanese synth manufacturer.
Onboard effects include delay, reverb, tube amp simulated overdrive, three talk effects modelled after a vocal tract and bit reduction effect. The Nord Lead 4 features USB MIDI and separate outputs for each of the four available voices, for external mixing which could be very useful in a performance environment.
The new Nord Lead 4 is set to ship in May 2013 and cost £1549 inc VAT, while a tabletop/rack version without a keyboard - the Nord Lead 4R will be available in August for £1399 inc VAT.
