User Manual Nord Lead 2X OS Version 1.x Part No. 50186 Print Edition 1.
The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated voltage within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Table of content Table of content 1. Introduction ......................................................... 7 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 7 About this manual ...................................................................... 7 Reading the manual in Adobe Acrobat Reader..........................................................................7 Clavia on the Internet ..................................................
Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 4. Editing Programs ............................................... 22 Changing an existing Program .................................................22 .................................................22 Changing one Program in a layer ............................................22 ............................................22 Reverting to the original Program .........................................22 .........................................22 Using Manual mode ....
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Table of content 8. Panel Reference ................................................. .................................................37 37 Oscillator 1 .............................................................................. 37 Waveform selector ..................................................................................................................37 Oscillator 2 .............................................................................. 39 Waveform selector ......
Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Modulation Envelope ................................................................57 ................................................................57 Attack .................................................................................................................................... 57 Decay..................................................................................................................................... 57 Amount ............................
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Table of content Special ....................................................................................... 67 Accessing the Special functions ...............................................................................................68 Function “1” – Synchronizing LFO 1 to MIDI Clock ............................................................68 Function “2” – Synchronizing LFO2/Arpeggio to MIDI Clock..............................................
Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x The filter.................................................................................... filter ....................................................................................85 ....................................................................................85 Filter types ............................................................................................................................. 86 Roll-off ...............................................
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 1. Introduction: Welcome! 1. INTRODUCTION WELCOME! We’d first like to thank you and congratulate to the purchase of a Nord Lead 2X. You’re about to begin a journey into the world of virtual analog synthesis. Analog because the Nord Lead 2X mimics traditional analog synthesizers in a way no one thought was possible.
2. Connections: Inputs and outputs NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. CONNECTIONS INPUTS AND OUTPUTS • Make all connections before turning on your power amplifier! • If you are using a Nord Rack 2X together with a MIDI keyboard, connect a MIDI cable from MIDI Out on the keyboard to MIDI In on the Nord Rack. • All signal cables used with the Nord Lead 2X must be shielded. • All four Outputs (A-B-C-D) are unbalanced, line level.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. Connections: Connecting pedals CONNECTING PEDALS The Nord Lead 2X has two pedal inputs, one for a sustain pedal and one for a control pedal (an expression-type pedal, used to control various parameters in much the same way as the modulation wheel). Connect the pedals as shown in the figure below: • When connecting an expression-type pedal to the Control Pedal input, you should use a stereo cable (Tip-Ring-Sleeve). Please note that the pedal must have a stereo output jack.
3. Basic operation: Demo play function 3. BASIC NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x OPERATION DEMO PLAY FUNCTION Before you try out the new features for yourself, you may want to listen to what can be done with the instrument. The Nord Lead 2X is equipped with a built-in demo playback function. There are a number of demo songs in ROM, showing the instrument’s versatility and features in different contexts. To listen to the demo songs, do like this: 1. Simultaneously press the SHIFT and RING MOD/SYNC (Demo) buttons.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Basic MIDI Settings for the Nord Rack 2X 2. Press the SLOT A button, so that the LED above the button is lit. 3. Hold down the SHIFT button and press the MIDI CH (Unison) button. The MIDI Ch button The Shift button The DISPLAY will now show the MIDI Channel setting for Slot A (1 – 16 or off). 4. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select MIDI Channel 1. The UP/DOWN buttons MIDI Channel 1 selected. 5. Press Shift again to return to the normal play mode.
3. Basic operation: Selecting Programs NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x THE TRIG BUTTON If you don’t have a keyboard connected to your Nord Rack 2X, you can still try out the sounds by using the TRIG button. Pressing this button is equal to playing the note C3, with a velocity of 64. The indicator next to the Trig button will light up every time the Nord Rack receives a valid MIDI Note message. This is an easy way to check that your MIDI connections are OK.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Selecting Percussion Kits 2. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select a Program for that Slot. Holding down a button scrolls the value quickly. Holding down the SHIFT button (the button above the MODULATION WHEEL) while pressing the buttons makes the value change in steps of ten. Press these UP/DOWN buttons to increase/decrease the Program number. If you hold down the SHIFT button while you press the Up/Down buttons, the Program value will change in steps of ten.
3. Basic operation: Using the Slots to switch Programs NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x USING THE SLOTS TO SWITCH PROGRAMS The four Program Slots A to D can be thought of as four temporary memories (edit buffers) that you can load Programs into for playing and editing. When you select one of the Slots you will switch to play the Program selected for that Slot. For live performance, for example, you can set up each Slot to play a different Program and quickly switch between them by pressing the SLOT buttons A to D.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Splitting the Keyboard POLYPHONY The Nord Lead 2X has 20 voices polyphony. How many notes you can play simultaneously depends on what Play modes and Unison settings the Program uses (see page 59) and also if you layer several Programs. CHANGING PROGRAMS IN THE LAYER If you want to select another Program for one or more of the Slots in the layer, do like this: 1. Press the Slot button that you want to select a new Programs for.
3. Basic operation: Performances NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x SETTING THE SPLIT POINT You set the Split Point (the key where the keyboard should be split) in the following way: 1. Hold down SHIFT and press the KBD SPLIT button.The DISPLAY shows the current Split Point for as long as you keep both buttons depressed. 2. While holding down both the SHIFT and KBD SPLIT buttons, press the lowest key for the right-hand section of the keyboard. The DISPLAY shows the name of the key you press. 3.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Monophonic and polyphonic operation 3. To select a Performance, press the UP/DOWN buttons. (Hold down SHIFT and press the UP/DOWN buttons to jump between Performances in steps of ten.) The Performance is instantly loaded and you can try it out. For a list of the factory Performances, see page 97. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to change Performance. If you hold down the SHIFT button, you can change Performances in steps of ten with the UP/DOWN buttons. 4.
3. Basic operation: Pitch Stick and Modulation Wheel NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PITCH STICK AND MODULATION WHEEL PITCH STICK The PITCH STICK is used to bend the notes, just as with a pitch bend wheel on traditional synthesizers. However, the PITCH STICK differs from other pitch bend devices in a couple of ways: • There is no dead centre in the middle of the throw. This allows you to use the PITCH STICK for natural vibrato, pretty much like a guitarist do.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Using a sustain pedal 1. Hold down the SHIFT button and press the button labelled Tune. Hold down the Shift button... ...and press the button labelled Tune (the LED above the button lights up). 2. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to the left of the DISPLAY, to change the value. ‘00’ is normal 440Hz tuning. Lower pitches are indicated by a dot to the right of the number and values higher than normal pitch are indicated without a dot.
3. Basic operation: Using a control (expression) pedal NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. If you want the connected pedal to duplicate the functionality of the MODULATION WHEEL, press the DOWN button until the DISPLAY reads ‘E.oF’). With this setting, the expression pedal will have the same function as the MODULATION WHEEL. 4. If you instead want to select an independent control function for the pedal, press the STORE button. The DISPLAY will flash, showing one of the abbreviations in the table below. 5.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: The “Panic” button THE “PANIC” BUTTON If notes should “hang” or the Nord Lead 2X should behave strange, all you need to do is hold down the SHIFT button and press “Panic” (the DISTORTION button in the Filter section). This will execute an internal All Notes Off, and reset certain parameters to normal values. The Panic button.
4. Editing Programs: Changing an existing Program NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 4. EDITING PROGRAMS CHANGING AN EXISTING PROGRAM Actually, how to change a programmed sound can be described in one sentence: “twist the knobs and press the buttons”. It is as simple as that! • For information about editing Percussion Kits, refer to page 29. • Don’t be afraid to edit and overwrite the RAM Programs in the internal memory (Program 1 - 3.99).
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 4. Editing Programs: Customizing Manual mode CUSTOMIZING MANUAL MODE When you enter Manual mode, the button functions (waveform select, modulation destinations etc.) will be set to some default values, for a basic sound. However, if you would like Manual mode to be different the next time you turn on power, proceed as follows: 1. Enter Manual mode by holding down SHIFT and pressing the Manual (PERF. MODE) button. 2. Set all button functions as you want them. 3. Press STORE twice.
5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: The Filter Velocity function NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 5. PROGRAMMING VELOCITY SENSITIVITY THE FILTER VELOCITY FUNCTION Press this button to make the Filter Envelope Amount respond to velocity. The LED indicates that the Velocity function is activated. The quickest way to make a Program velocity sensitive, is to activate the Velocity function in the Filter section. This makes the Filter Envelope Amount vary with striking force, to a pre-determined degree.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x velocity dependent 5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: Making any parameter The VELOCITY/MORPH ASSIGN LED is now lit to indicate that at least one parameter in the sound is velocity dependant. What you have done now is to set the range, the span within which the parameter will change with velocity. If you press the VELOCITY/MORPH ASSIGN button... ...and move a knob from here............... to there... ...this will be the range the parameter varies within. 5.
5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: Clearing velocity programming for one knob V1.0x NORD LEAD 2X If you then turn a knob that has been programmed for velocity sensitivity, without holding any buttons or anything, you will adjust the minimum value only and the maximum value will move with it, accordingly. If you adjust the value for a parameter programmed for velocity control, you move the entire velocity control range up/down: This minimum value will result in this maximum value.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: Morphing MORPHING Morphing is a term used to describe a continuous “transfer” between two images, sounds or similar. As described above, the Velocity/Morph function in Nord Lead 2X is normally controlled by velocity.
6. Percussion Kits: Selecting and playing a Percussion Kit NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 6. PERCUSSION KITS The Nord Lead 2X Percussion Kits consist of eight different virtual analog percussion sounds, arranged in zones across the keyboard. They allow you to incorporate percussion patterns in your music without using up more than one Nord Lead 2X Program Slot. SELECTING AND PLAYING A PERCUSSION KIT 1. Select the Slot where you want the Percussion Kit.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 6. Percussion Kits: Editing the sounds in a Percussion Kit EDITING THE SOUNDS IN A PERCUSSION KIT While the white keys are used to play the percussion sounds, the black keys are used for selecting which sound to edit: Sound 1 Sound 2 Sound 3 Sound 4 Sound 5 Sound 6 Sound 7 Sound 8 If for example you want to edit the snare sound in kit P0, proceed as follows: 1. Select Percussion Kit P0 as described on the previous page. 2. Press one of the keys F#, G#, A# in the lowest octave.
6. Percussion Kits: Saving Percussion Kits NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x SAVING PERCUSSION KITS 1. After editing the percussion sounds, press STORE. The DISPLAY flashes. 2. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select a Percussion Kit location in any of the first four Percussion Kit banks. 3. Press STORE. The edited Percussion Kit is saved to the selected location. COPYING, EXTRACTING AND IMPORTING INDIVIDUAL PERCUSSION SOUNDS You can easily copy a percussion sound for use in another zone.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 6. Percussion Kits: Using Percussion Kits in Performance mode USING PERCUSSION KITS IN PERFORMANCE MODE In Performance mode, there is one big difference between regular Programs and Percussion Kits: A Percussion Kit in a Performance is only a reference to the original Percussion Kit memory location! Any changes you make to a Percussion Kit in Performance mode, will not be included when you save the Performance.
7. Performances: What is a Performance? NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 7. PERFORMANCES WHAT IS A PERFORMANCE? Performances allow you to call up four Programs at a time in a live situation, or to recall complete setups when sequencing via MIDI. The Nord Lead 2X comes with 100 rewritable Performances and another 3x100 Performances in ROM. Some of these make use of two, three or four Slots, while some are singleSlot Performances, effectively serving as extra “Programs”.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 7. Performances: Editing a Performance 2. To select a Performance, use the UP/DOWN buttons. (If you want to select Performances in steps of ten, hold down SHIFT and press the UP/DOWN buttons.) The Performance is instantly loaded and you can try it out. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to change Performance. If you hold down the SHIFT button, you can change Performances in steps of ten with the UP/DOWN buttons. You can also select Performances via MIDI, see page 75.
7. Performances: Saving a Performance NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. While holding down the SLOT button, select a Program for the Slot, just as you would in Program mode. See page 12. Hold down the desired Slot button (its LED will blink, and the DISPLAY will show the selected Program for the slot). Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select another program for the Slot in the Performance. LAYERING AND EDITING This is done just as in Program mode.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 7. Performances: Extracting single sounds from a Performance The above point means that there is no need to store the Programs separately. As soon as you save the Performance, all Programs that it uses are also saved, inside the Performance. This also means that if you later change any of your Programs, from Program mode, the Programs in the Performances are not affected in any way. On the other hand, Percussion Kits need to be saved separately, as described on page 31.
7. Performances: What a Performance contains NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x WHAT A PERFORMANCE CONTAINS The following is a list of what a Performance contains, that is, what you actually save and recall when you work with Performances: FOR EACH PROGRAM SLOT • The selected Program complete with parameter settings or a reference to a Percussion Kit.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 1 8. PANEL REFERENCE OSCILLATOR 1 WAVEFORM SELECTOR Select one of four basic waveforms for Oscillator 1 with the WAVEFORM SELECTOR button: SINE The sine wave is the simplest waveform there is. I has no additional harmonics. It is suitable for very soft sounds or for use with FM.
8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 1 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x SAWTOOTH The sawtooth wave contains all harmonics and is the richest of the available waveforms. It is suitable for all sorts of sounds. The sawtooth signal shape The sawtooth signal frequency spectrum P U LS E The pulse wave contains only odd harmonics at 50% pulse width (square wave). This waveform is special in that its harmonic content can be varied continuously, by adjusting the Pulse Width with the PULSE WIDTH knob.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 2 OSCILLATOR 2 WAVEFORM SELECTOR The first three waveform alternatives for Oscillator 2 are identical to the corresponding waveforms of Oscillator 1 (see above). Oscillator 2 also has another waveform, the Noise: NOISE, NOISE COLOUR AND SYNC WAVE With Noise selected, Oscillator 2 produces noise rather than a pitched waveform. The exact color (frequency content) of the noise can be adjusted with the Oscillator 2 SEMITONES knob.
8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 2 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x markings around the SEMITONES knob. It can be controlled by the Velocity/morph function, but is not affected by LFO 1, the Modulation Envelope or the Modulation Wheel, even when these have Oscillator 2 selected as modulation destination. Non-synched white noise contains all frequencies at equal levels.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Settings for both Oscillators SEMITONES This setting is used to adjust the tuning of Oscillator 2, relative to Oscillator 1. The setting is in semitone steps. The range is from 5 octaves below Oscillator 1, to 5 octaves above Oscillator 1. However, the full range may not be available, depending on the Oct Shift setting (see page 61). To aid you in setting the value, the LED above the knob lights up when the tuning is in perfect octaves.
8. Panel Reference: Settings for both Oscillators NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x means that changing the pitch of Oscillator 2 basically does not affect the pitch of the sound, but the timbre. The FM AMOUNT knob controls the amount of FM from Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1. For classic FM sounds, use sine wave on oscillator 1 and triangle wave on oscillator 2. MODULATION OF FM AMOUNT Please note that the amount of FM can be modulated from the Mod Env and LFO 1, and also controlled manually from the MOD WHEEL.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Settings for both Oscillators SYNC Activate Oscillator Sync by pressing the RING MOD/SYNC button until the Sync LED is lit. In this mode, Oscillator 2 is “synched” to Oscillator 1. This means that each time a period in Oscillator 1’s waveform starts, Oscillator 2 is forced to start over with a new period, as well. Example: a sawtooth wave synched by a sync oscillator. The sawtooth wave is restarted every time the sync oscillator begins a new cycle.
8. Panel Reference: Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PULSE WIDTH This function only has any effect if Pulse wave is selected for any of the oscillators (or both). It adjusts the pulse width of the Pulse waves. There’s only one Pulse Width setting, and it is common for both oscillators. • When you turn the knob all the way to the left you get a perfect square wave which has a characteristic “hollow” quality. • When you turn the knob clockwise, the sounds gets progressively thinner.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Amplifier ATTACK This control is used to adjust how long it should take for the sound to reach full volume after a key has been pressed. If the knob is turned fully counter-clockwise, the Attack is almost instantaneous. If the knob is turned all the way to the right, it lasts many seconds. Note: a very short attack time could produce a click in the beginning of the sound. This is a normal physical phenomenon.
8. Panel Reference: Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x SUSTAIN This is the level the sound will reach after the Decay phase. Once this has happened, the sound will stay steady at this volume until the key is released. Please note that the Sustain parameter is used to set a level, while Attack, Decay and Release all are used to set times. RELEASE This knob is used to adjust how long time it should take for the sound to decay to silence after you have released the key.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Filter If you set the Sustain to 0, the sound will become silent after the Decay phase is finished. With short Attacks and moderate Decay times, this can be used to simulate the behaviour of a plucked string instrument (guitar, piano etc.) where the sound always decays to silence after a while. If a key is released before the envelope has completed one or more stages, the envelope will jump directly to the Release stage at the corresponding level.
8. Panel Reference: Filter NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x velope Amount knob, can be used to make the Filter frequency vary as the sound progresses, when you press and hold a key. For a theoretical introduction to filters, see page 85. FILTER TYPE LP 12DB LP stands for low-pass. A low-pass filter lets low frequencies pass and cuts out higher frequencies. Exactly which frequencies get cut out is determined by the Filter Frequency setting (and various other controls, as described below).
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Filter BP To select this type of filter, press the Filter Type button until both the HP and LP 24 buttons light up. BP stands for band pass. In this mode the filter let’s frequencies in the “mid-range” band pass through, while lower and higher frequencies are cut out. Each “slope” in this filter has a 12dB (2-pole) roll-off. NOTCH+LP To select this type of filter, press the Filter Type button until both the LP 12 and LP 24 buttons light up.
8. Panel Reference: Filter NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x If you for example select a low pass filter and turn the Frequency knob clock-wise, more and more highfrequency material will be allowed to pass through the filter. The more you “open” a lowpass filter, the more high-frequent the output signal Please note that if the Envelope Amount setting is raised from its full left position, turning the Frequency knob might not change the sound as expected. For more information, see below.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Filter ENVELOPE AMOUNT This is used to set to what degree the Envelope (see below) should affect the filter. The more you raise this knob, the more drastic the effect. This knob operates in addition to the Filter Frequency setting. This means that if you for example set the Frequency knob half-ways, the filter will be already half-open the moment you press a key. The envelope will then be used to open the filter further.
8. Panel Reference: LFO 1 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x will be perceived as getting muddier the higher up the keyboard you play. To avoid this effect, use KBD Track. The figure shows how the Frequency value changes according to where on the keyboard you play when KBD TRACK is activated. DISTORTION When this is activated, the sound is slightly distorted, which adds some harmonics and creates a rawer, more screaming sound. ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN AND RELEASE These are the parameters for the Filter Envelope.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: LFO 1 • You never hear the actual output of the LFO. Instead the output from the LFO is used for modulating, that is controlling, other functions, like for example the main oscillator frequency (vibrato) or the filter frequency (wah-wah). WAVEFORM This button is used to select the shape of the output from the LFO: SOFT RANDOM This adds smooth random modulation to the destination. This is mainly useful for effect sounds.
8. Panel Reference: LFO 2/Arpeggiator NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Please note that this function operates relative to the Pulse Width setting. For optimal results, please match the Pulse Width and LFO Amount settings (see below). AMOUNT This is used to set to what extent the signal from the LFO should be routed to the destination. Please note that the Amount can also be controlled from the Modulation wheel, see page 59. LFO 2/ARPEGGIATOR ARP SWITCH This switch is used to select functionality for LFO 2.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: LFO 2: Arpeggiator Mode ARP DOWN As Arp Up but downwards. ARP UP/DOWN To get an up/down arpeggio, press the button until both Arp Up and Arp Down are lit. RND ARP In this mode (the two upper LEDs lit), Nord Lead 2X will create random arpeggios from the chords you play on the keyboard. This means that the notes in the chord are played back one at a time, but in random order and in random octaves.
8. Panel Reference: LFO 2: LFO Mode NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x • The echo function may give unexpected results if you use another Play mode than Poly. For example, in Mono mode, each sustaining note will be cut off by the next echo repeat and in Legato mode, you may end up with no sound at all, since new notes will not retrig the envelopes. LFO 2: LFO MODE When “LFO Mode” is selected for LFO 2 (the Arp indicator is dark), LFO 2 works as a regular LFO, producing vibrato, wah-wah or tremolo effects.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Modulation Envelope MODULATION ENVELOPE This is a simple type of envelope only comprising Attack, Decay and Amount controls. There’s one difference between the way this envelope works compared to the other: It will start over from “zero” each time you press a new key, regardless of which value it had when you released the key. ATTACK This is used to set the time it takes for the envelope to reach “full level” after you have pressed a key.
8. Panel Reference: Modulation Envelope NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PW When this is selected, the envelope changes the pulse width of the waveform from the oscillators (provided any of them have Pulse wave selected). OSC 2 When this is selected, the envelope changes the pitch of Oscillator 2. This can be used in a number of situations. For example: • With Sync to create distinct sweeping sounds. • With FM for effect type sweeps. To create “bleeps” in the beginning of a brass type of sound.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Mod Wheel Destination MOD WHEEL DESTINATION This button is used to decide what effect moving the MODULATION WHEEL should have. MORPH In this mode, the MODULATION WHEEL is used for morphing. See page 27. LFO 1 When this is selected (the two upper LEDS lit), the MODULATION WHEEL adjusts the amount of output from LFO 1. This allows you to for example add vibrato with the MODULATION WHEEL.
8. Panel Reference: Unison NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x POLY This mode allows you to play chords. LEGATO This makes the instrument monophonic. Furthermore, if you press a key without releasing the previous one, the pitch will change, but the envelopes will not retrig. That is, there will be no new “attack”. M O NO This also makes the instrument monophonic. But if you press a key without releasing the previous one, the envelopes are still retriggered, like when you release all keys and then press a new one.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Oct Shift AUTO When Auto is activated (LED is lit), the pitch only slides if you play legato, that is if you play a new key before releasing the previous one. The effect of Auto Portamento is pretty obvious when you have selected Mono or Legato “Play mode”. If, on the other hand, Poly is selected, the Portamento effect will be slightly unpredictable if Auto is on. For Poly mode, we therefore recommend you to turn Auto off.
9. Shift functions: Accessing the Shift functions 9. SHIFT NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x FUNCTIONS ACCESSING THE SHIFT FUNCTIONS Some functions do not have dedicated buttons, but share buttons with other functions and settings. These are called the Shift Functions and are printed in blue on the front panel. SELECTING A SHIFT FUNCTION 1. Hold down the Shift button. 2. Press any of the buttons labelled “Tune” to “System”. Most of the front panel LEDs go out and the DISPLAY shows the selected function.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: Shift function list SHIFT FUNCTION LIST The table below shows you what Shift functions are available for each of the seven buttons and an example of what the DISPLAY can look like for each function. Master Tune Out Mode for Slots A and B Out Mode for Slots C and D Local On/Off Prog.
9. Shift functions: Tune (Master Tune) NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x ABOUT GLOBAL AND SLOT FUNCTIONS • If the function you select can be set independently for each Slot (A to D), the selected Slot LED flashes. To make settings for a specific Slot, select it by pressing the SLOT button. • If the selected function is global for all Slots, the selected SLOT button is steadily lit. Which Slot is selected is then of no relevance for the setting.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: Out Mode The Out Mode function allows you to set different output modes for Slots A/B and C/D: • To set the output mode for Slot A and B, hold down SHIFT and press the “OUT MODE” button once. Note however, that the setting you make for Slot A and B can affect Slot C and D as well, if the setting ‘-cd’ is selected for Slot C and D, as described below. • To set the output mode for Slot C and D, hold down SHIFT and press the “OUT MODE” button twice.
9. Shift functions: Local NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x LOCAL This is used to turn MIDI Local Control on and off. • Local On is the normal Play Mode. • In Local Off mode, the front panel actions and your keyboard playing are transmitted via MIDI, but are not used to play the synthesizer directly. MIDI Input, however, works normally.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: MIDI Channel • For the Program and Control parameters, the ‘on’ setting means that the respective MIDI data is transmitted and received by the Nord Lead 2X, while the ‘oF’ setting means that it is not. • For the Arpeggio parameter, the ‘A.on’ setting means that generated arpeggios can be sent out as MIDI notes. This makes it possible to arpeggiate chords on connected synthesizers and sound modules, and to record arpeggios in a sequencer. With the ‘A.
9. Shift functions: Special NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x ACCESSING THE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Hold down SHIFT and press SPECIAL. 2. Press the Special button as many times is need to make the left digit in the display show the desired function (‘1’, ‘2’, ‘F’, ‘A’, ‘S’, ‘t’ and ‘E’). 3. Select the Slot (A to D) that you want to make settings for. 4. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to set values (the right digit).
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: Special 2. Lower the Filter Envelope AMOUNT to 0. 3. Set the Filter Cutoff FREQUENCY to “nine o’clock”. 4. In the LFO section, select a sawtooth wave, set DESTINATION to Filter and set the AMOUNT to full value. 5. Play the keyboard. You should hear a repeating sound. 6. Hold down SHIFT and press SPECIAL. The DISPLAY should show the setting for Special function 1. 7. Press the SLOT A button. 8. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to set the value to ‘5’ (eighth notes). 9.
9. Shift functions: Special NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. Select ‘F.on’ with the UP/DOWN buttons. 3. Press STORE. The DISPLAY shows the MIDI Channel currently used. Set the MIDI Channel with the UP/DOWN buttons. 4. Press STORE again. The DISPLAY shows which MIDI Note number is currently used. The numbers start at C0 (MIDI note number 24), and sharp notes (#) are indicated by the symbol . “Middle C” is displayed as ‘C3’.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: Special 13.Make sure all other Special functions are turned off for this Slot. Do this by pressing the SPECIAL button repeatedly and check that the left digit in the display is set to ‘oF’ for all Functions except ‘F’. 14.Press SHIFT again to return to “normal mode”. If you play the keyboard now, you will not get any sound, because the Cutoff FREQUENCY is all the way down, and the Filter envelope is no longer triggered by the keyboard. 15.
9. Shift functions: Special NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Please note that you must play the keyboard to hear anything. Also note that the Velocity/Morph must be set up beforehand for this function to have any effect on the sound. AN EXAMPLE OF EXTERNAL VELOCITY MORPH 1. Select a Program for Slot A. 2. Edit the Program so that you get a morphing effect you like when you move the MODULATION WHEEL.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: System SYSTEM Under this menu you will find three different functions, labelled ‘SP’, ‘br’, and ‘Un’. To select one of the functions, hold down SHIFT and press the SYSTEM button. Then press the SYSTEM button repeatedly until the left digit in the DISPLAY shows the desired letter. SUSTAIN PEDAL (SP) This is used to set the polarity of a connected Sustain pedal. See page 19 for details.
10. MIDI: About the MIDI implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 10. MIDI ABOUT THE MIDI IMPLEMENTATION The following MIDI messages can be transmitted and received from the Nord Lead 2X: NOTES • Note On and Off messages are of course transmitted when you play the keyboard. If you use the OCTAVE SHIFT buttons in their “Keyboard” mode (see page 61), you can shift the Nord Lead 2X keyboard ± 2 octaves, giving you an effective keyboard range of 8 octaves. • Notes can be received over the entire MIDI range.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 10. MIDI: About the MIDI implementation 2. Press the SPECIAL button repeatedly, until the left character in the Display reads ‘t’ (for “touch”). 3. Select a Slot for which you want to set the aftertouch function. 4. To assign a parameter for the aftertouch, press STORE. The DISPLAY will flash, showing one of the abbreviations in the table below. 5. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select one of the following control functions: Display shows: Aftertouch assigned to: LFO 1 Amount.
10. MIDI: Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x • When you select a new Performance, a Bank Select (see below) and Program Change message is transmitted on the Global MIDI Channel. For information on how to set the Global MIDI Channel, see page 67. • When a Program Change message is received on the Global MIDI Channel, a new Performance is selected. If the Global MIDI Channel happens to be set to the same number as one of the Program slots, the Performance takes precedence.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 10. MIDI: Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer Therefore, if you want the sequencer to control the four Slots independently (i.e. not in a layer), make sure only one of the Slots is active on the Nord Lead 2X (only one Program Slot LED is lit)! 1. Set up the Slots that you plan to use so that they transmit/receive on the desired MIDI Channels. To set a Slot’s MIDI Channel, hold down SHIFT, and press MIDI CH. Then select the Slot, and set the value. See page 67 for details. 2.
10. MIDI: MIDI SysEx bulk dump NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x SOME NOTES ABOUT CONTROLLERS AND “CHASING” Consider a situation in which you record a Controller message, e.g. a filter opening, in the middle of your sequencer song. Then you “rewind” the sequencer, to a position before the recorded filter opening. The problem is, that the Nord Lead’s filter will remain opened, although it really should be as it was before you recorded the filter opening.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. SYNTHESIS 11. Synthesis basics: Introduction BASICS INTRODUCTION Subtractive synthesis is one of the oldest and most widely spread forms of synthesizing sounds. It is the method employed in such classics as the Moog synthesizers, the Sequential Prophet-5 and 10, Arp synthesizers, most Oberheim synthesizers, the Roland Jupiter models, the TB-303 etc; the list is practically endless.
11. Synthesis basics: Connections NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x ENVELOPES An envelope is used to give a sound a “shape”. If you apply an envelope to the amplifier (which controls the volume) you are able to make the sound for example slowly fade in and then fade out when you press and hold a key. LFOS LFO is an abbreviation for Low Frequency Oscillator. It is used for repeating variations in a sound, such as vibrato or tremolo.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms The length of the period determines the pitch (frequency) of the sound. The shorter the period, the higher the pitch. If you for example make the oscillator play at a frequency of 440Hz, there will be 440 periods of identical Sawtooth waves generated per second. Normally there are three ways to change the frequency of an oscillator: • By making settings on the front panel.
11. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x The height of each line represents the amplitude of each harmonic. If you understand the principle, you also understand that if the harmonics with high numbers have a high amplitude, the sound will be perceived as bright. Let’s take a look at some common waveforms and their spectra. In the illustrations below, only some of the first harmonics are displayed. In reality, waveforms like these have an infinite amount of harmonics.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms PULSE WAVE The pulse wave is slightly more complicated, because it is not one waveform, it is many different ones. A pulse wave is a waveform that during one period jumps once between full positive amplitude and full negative and then back.The thing that can be varied is where within the period you jump from maximum to minimum amplitude.
11. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x In the first, the jump happens 5% in from the beginning of the period. This is referred to as a pulse wave with a 5% pulse width (sometimes called duty cycle). The second wave has a pulse width of 10%. The third wave has a pulse width of 50%. This third wave is a special case of the pulse wave, called a square wave, and this has one peculiarity, it only contains odd number harmonics, which gives it a “hollow” quality.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The filter When sync is applied, the basic pitch of Oscillator 2 is locked to that of Oscillator 1. If you change the pitch of Oscillator 1 you will affect the basic pitch of both oscillators. Furthermore, when you vary the pitch of the synchronized oscillator (Oscillator 2), this will be perceived as a change in timbre, rather than in pitch.
11. Synthesis basics: The filter NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x As you can see the curve is flat in the low register (which means it doesn’t affect this part of the spectrum at all) and then, at a certain point, gradually starts falling. When applied to the wave above, this filter cuts away some of the high frequency material in the wave, like this: + = FILTER TYPES There are many types of filters, all with their different purposes. We will here discuss the three most common, the ones found in the Nord Lead 2X.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The filter BANDPASS FILTER This let’s frequencies in a certain range of the spectrum (the band) pass through while dampening frequencies both below and above this range. This accentuates the mid-range of a sound. NOTCH FILTER This filter type (also known as Band Reject) can be seen as the opposite of a band pass filter. It cuts off frequencies in a “mid-range” band, letting the frequencies below and above through.
11. Synthesis basics: The filter NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x In the Nord Lead 2X, the lowpass filter can be switched between 12 and 24dB modes. For sounds with high resonance (see below), similar to those in the Roland TB-303, we recommend the 12dB variation. For most other sounds we recommend 24dB. CUTOFF FREQUENCY The most important parameter for a filter is its cutoff frequency, which is the setting that determines where in the frequency material it should start cutting.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The filter RESONANCE Resonance in a filter is created by connecting the output of the filter to its input, in other words setting up a “feedback loop”. The amount of feedback is then controlled with a Resonance parameter on the front panel of the instrument. When you apply resonance, the frequencies just around the cutoff point of the filter will be emphasized (louder).
11. Synthesis basics: The Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x THE AMPLIFIER An amplifier is most often used at the final stage of a synth signal chain, to control volume. By modulating the amplifier with an envelope, the sound can be given its basic “shape”. In fact, the “volume shape” is one of the most important factors to how we identify the sound. By setting up a proper volume envelope you can make a sound “soft”, “hard”, “plucked” “static” etc.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: Envelopes After the envelope has reached full level, it starts to fall back again. How long this should take, is set with the Decay parameter. The level of the envelope does not necessarily have to fall all the way back to zero level at the end of the Decay. Instead, the ADSR-envelope has a Sustain setting used to determine the level the envelope should rest at, after the Decay.
11. Synthesis basics: Envelopes NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x As described above, the envelope stays at the Sustain level until the key is released. It then falls back to zero level. The time it should take for this to happen is set with the Release parameter, which works just as the Decay, only it is not applied until you lift your finger off the keys.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: LFOs • If you release a key before the envelope has reach its sustain, it will immediately “jump” to the Release. The effect of this can be studied in the illustration below: Often envelope levels can be made to vary with how hard you play the keys. This is used to make a sound vary with your playing style, for example to make the sound brighter (filter envelope) or louder (amplifier envelope).
12. Factory presets: Program Banks 0-3 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. FACTORY PRESETS PROGRAM BANKS 0-3 BANK 0 (RAM) Prg 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Name Clearly for Techno And God made Resonance Delay Synth Brass Dark Stereo Pad Dark DUB Bass The MadMan Reso Synth Vibe Bell Skywalker 1 Deep Purple Trekker Flange gtr.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. Factory presets: Program Banks 4-7 PROGRAM BANKS 4-7 BANK 4 (ROM) Prg 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.
12. Factory presets: Program Banks 8-9 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PROGRAM BANKS 8-9 BANK 8 (ROM) Prg 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22 8.23 8.24 8.25 8.26 8.27 8.28 8.29 8.30 8.31 8.32 8.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12.
12. Factory presets: Performance Banks 2-3 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PERFORMANCE BANKS 2-3 BANK 2 (ROM) Perf 2.A0 2.A1 2.A2 2.A3 2.A4 2.A5 2.A6 2.A7 2.A8 2.A9 2.B0 2.B1 2.B2 2.B3 2.B4 2.B5 2.B6 2.B7 2.B8 2.B9 2.C0 2.C1 2.C2 2.C3 2.C4 2.C5 2.C6 2.C7 2.C8 2.C9 2.D0 2.D1 2.D2 2.D3 2.D4 2.D5 2.D6 2.D7 2.D8 2.D9 2.E0 2.E1 2.E2 2.E3 2.E4 2.E5 2.E6 2.E7 2.E8 2.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. Factory presets: About the organ sounds ABOUT THE ORGAN SOUNDS Factory Performances 1.G5-1.H7, holds reproductions of 13 classic organ sounds. By using layers of several Slots, combined with a special “pseudo-additive” synthesis, Clavia have filtered out a minor number of “partials” from each Oscillator and combined them into different drawbar configurations, successfully emulating the sound of drawbar organs such as the classic B-3.
12. Factory presets: About the organ sounds NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x ROTARY SPEAKER A large part of the characteristic organ sound is due to the rotary speaker cabinet. Such a cabinet “moves the sound” around, either by rotating the actual speakers, or by directing the sounds with rotating baffles or horns. Usually, the rotation speed can be changed from slow (producing a full chorus-like effect) to fast (producing a very special doppler-shifted tremolo sound).
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. Factory presets: About the Prophet-5 sound recreations ABOUT THE PROPHET-5 SOUND RECREATIONS Over 40 of the 120 original factory sounds from the classic vintage “Prophet 5” synthesizer have been faithfully recreated and stored in the Factory Performances of the Nord Lead 2X. You find the Prophet sounds in Performance memory locations 1.H8 to 1.J9. Since each of these sounds uses one Slot only, four different Prophet sounds have been stored in each Performance.
12. Factory presets: Nord Lead 2 RAM factory programs NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x NORD LEAD 2 RAM FACTORY PROGRAMS The 40 original RAM Factory Programs of the Nord Lead 2 are featured in ROM Performances 1.L0 to 1.L9, as listed below. To extract one of these sounds from its Performance, and store it as a regular Program, follow the instructions on page 35. Page 102 Performance Slot A Slot B Slot C Slot D 1.L0 Program 01 Program 02 Program 03 Program 04 1.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI 13. MIDI implementation: MIDI Controller list IMPLEMENTATION MIDI CONTROLLER LIST The following is a list of the MIDI Controller numbers used for all knobs and buttons on the front panel. See page 77. • The reception and transmission of Controllers can be turned on/off. See page 66. • Buttons that control “on/off” functions have a Controller value of “0” corresponding to the “off” position and a value of “on” corresponding to the “on” position.
13. MIDI implementation: MIDI Controller list NORD LEAD 2X V1.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation SYSTEM EXCLUSIVE IMPLEMENTATION Numbers are in decimal except when preceded by a “$” character, in which case they are in hexadecimal format. GENERAL MESSAGE FORMAT Byte Description $F0 System Exclusive $33 Manufacturer ID (clavia) = Global MIDI Channel, 0-15 $04 Model ID for Nord Lead 2X See each type of message, below. See each type of message, below.
13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x • If the Sys Ex data for a single Patch is sent upon receiving a Patch Dump Request message, either the Program Location or the Edit Buffer will be stored, depending on the Message Type byte in the Request message. This will also determine where the Patch will be placed when it is sent back to a Nord Lead 2X.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation This message should be sent to the Nord Lead 2X when you want to replace a Percussion Kit currently in the instrument, with a new one. When it comes to the location of the received Percussion Kit Dumps, the same rules apply as when receiving regular Program Dumps. Byte (Hex) Byte (Decimal) Description $F0 240 System Exclusive $33 51 Manufacturer ID (clavia) = Global MIDI Channel. 0 to 15 ($0-$F).
13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Byte (Hex) Byte (Decimal) Description $00 to $03 or $00-$6C 0 to 3 or 0 to 108 Message Specification specifies the exact memory location, see below. $F7 247 End Of Exclusive • If Message Type = 10 (Edit Buffer), the Message Specification can be $00 to $03, corresponding to Patch Slot buttons A to D.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation • If Message Type = 30 (Edit Buffer), the Message Specification should always 0. • If Message Type = 31-34, the Message Specification corresponds to the Performance Number (00 to 99) within the selected Bank. PERFORMANCE DUMP REQUEST This message is used for requesting the Nord Lead 2X to transmit one Performance Dump Message. The Message Type and Message Specification are used to specify which Performance should be transmitted.
13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x PATCH AND PERFORMANCE DATA FORMATS In the Patch and Performance Dump Messages, the Data Bytes contain the actual Patch/Performance settings. • All parameters are in 8 bit format, 2s complement (=signed). Each Byte is Nybbleized and coded into two MIDI bytes, with the low Nybble transmitted first. • A Patch contains 66 parameters, which means the data block of a Patch Dump is transmitted in 132 (66*2) Bytes.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13.
13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation Size 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Offset 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 Name filterkbdtrack lfo1wave lfo1dest voicemode modwheeldest unison modenvdest auto filtervel octshift lfo2dest/arpmode Min 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Max 3 4 4 2 4 1 3 1 1 4 8 Comment 8 = off For Percussion Kit Sys Ex Dumps, the above parameters will be repeated eight times, once for each sound in the Percussion Kit.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13.
NORD LEAD 2X V1.
Index H Highpass 48, 86 Hold 55 HP 24dB 48 I Internet 7 K Kbd Track (Keyboard Tracking) Filter 51 Osc 2 41 Keyboard Split 15 L Layering 14 Layers Playing via MIDI 76 Legato 59 LFO 1 52 LFO 1, Synchronizing to MIDI Clock 68 LFO 2 54 LFO 2, Synchronizing to MIDI Clock 69 LFO, Introduction to 80 Local (Control) 66 Lowpass 48, 86 LP 48 LP 12dB 48 LP 24 dB 48 M Manual 22 Master Tune 18 MIDI 66 MIDI Channel Global 67, 76 Program Slot 67 With Sequencer 76 MIDI Connections 76 Modulation Envelope 57 Modulation
NORD LEAD 2X V1.
