Nord was selected among the best synths of 2014, in this case with the Nord Lead A1 analog modeling synth, which combines the synthesis engine of the Nord Lead 4 with a user interface that is quick when it comes to customizing sounds. Its most distinctive factor is the front panel: one of the most striking features of that interface is the oscillator section, where you'll find configuration shortcuts for creating patches quickly. Also, using a single LFO (with five waveforms) and a simplified modulation envelope with intuitive controls, it will be easy to experiment with modulation, in Clavia's words.
It comes with the following filters: low-pass, high-pass and band-pass, along with the new Ladder M and Ladder TB we already saw in the Nord Lead 4. The Nord Lead A1 also offers an independent effects processor for each of its four slots, with the following effect types: Delay, Reverb, Drive, Ring Modulation, Phaser, Flanger, Ensemble and Chorus. These last two were modeled on classic synths. There is also a Morph function via velocity or the mod wheel, allowing multiple parameters to morph in real time. Other attractive features are the independent arpeggiator for each of the four slots, LFO sync to Master Clock, USB MIDI, four individual outputs and the Nord Sound Manager software for managing patches. Features Synthesis engine: 32-bit floating-point processing, 96 kHz 24-voice polyphony 4-part multitimbral 49-key keyboard Weight: 4.85 kg Dimensions (width x height x depth): 802 x 92 x 260 mm
