User Manual Nord Lead A1 Nord Lead A1R OS Version 1.3x Part No.
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 A1 User Manual 1 Introduction The Lead For Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 models - keyboard and tabletop . . . . . . 5 2 Overview The Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Oscillator, Filter & Amp Env . . . . . . . . . . . . Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effects and Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Voice Mode .
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x LP 12, 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LP M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LP TB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FX . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Introduction Hardware The Lead For Speed Producing stand-out sounds for live or for the studio, the Lead A1 is ideal for all musical genres. Thanks to its carefully thought-out user interface, the Lead A1 encourages experimentation, allows for far speedier programming than would otherwise be possible, and ultimately delivers sensational sonic results. Our best-ever analog modeling … At the heart of the Lead A1 is our new analog modeling engine.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x 2 Overview 9 7 8 4 5 2 1 3 6 The Panel We will familiarize ourselves briefly with the controls on the panel here. 1 Oscillator, Filter & Amp Env The Lead A1’s new Oscillator section generates 47 different waveforms from classic analog to digital harmonic and inharmonic waves, whilst unique Oscillator Configuration Shortcuts make programming more immediate than ever.
Chapter 2 Overview Editing Knobs & dials Grab a knob or press a button, it is that easy to change a sound in the Nord Lead A1. There are a few different types of buttons, and some of the controls change their behavior depending on overlying modes that may be activated. Let’s look at some of the things you will find and work with on the panel. Knobs Buttons On/Off buttons On/Off buttons are used for activating a parameter or a group of parameters such as effects.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Rear Panel Audio Connections USB Connection Headphones The USB connection connects the Nord Lead A1 to a personal computer. The computer can run the Nord Sound Manager application or be used if the Nord Lead A1 operating system needs to be updated. A 1/4" stereo connector for headphones. EE Playing at a high volume level can result in hearing impairments such as permanent hearing loss.
Chapter 3 Getting Started 3 Getting Started Slots 3 The Nord Lead A1 has four Slots labelled A, B, C and D. Each slot represents a complete synthesizer setup, a program. Slots can be used for layering sounds or quickly switch between programs. Hold Shift and press Store. The display starts flashing. 4 If you want to overwrite the original program number, just press Shift + Store a second time.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Creating a Split Storing a Performance When the Split function is ON, the lower part of the keyboard plays on Slots A and B and the upper part on Slots C and D. Storing a performance uses the same procedure as storing programs, see page 9. 1 2 Hold Slot A and press Slot C to activate both these slots. Storing Programs as a Performance Hold Shift and press Split. This splits the keyboard in two halves. Slots A and B will be to the left, Slots C and D to the right.
Chapter 4 Slots and Memory 4 | 11 Slots and Memory Slot Handling General Overview The Nord Lead A1 is a four part multi timbral synthesizer. This means that you have four independent synthesizers to be used simultaneously. The synthesizers are divided into Slots, where each Slot contains one synthesizer. The Slots are called A, B, C and D. The panel shows and edits the features of one Slot at a time. Which Slot that is edited is determined by the Slot focus. A Slot can either be active or not.
| Mod. Wheel A B C D Slot Channel Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Pitch Stick A B C D A B C D Program Handling Performance Mode The A1 handles two different program entities; Programs and Performances. The memory contains 400 Programs divided into 8 banks, and 200 Performances divided into 4 banks. The Perf Mode button is used to cycle between Performance Mode and Program Mode.
Chapter 5 Morph 5 Morph 1. Hold a morph button... 2. ..turn a knob from here to here. Morphing Morphing allows you to be creative in your sound design, and is all about being able to control virtually any important sound related parameter, in real time from the two Morph sources: the Modulation Wheel & Control Pedal and the velocity of the keyboard. There are 22 available continuous parameters that can be Morphed. This gives you plenty of real-time control possibilities.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Editing Morphs Edit a parameter’s Morph range: • Hold the Morph Source button and turn the destination knob to a new position. Clear all parameters assigned to a Morph Source: • Hold Shift and press the Morph Source button that is to be cleared. Clearing one parameter from a Morph: • Hold the Morph Source button and turn the parameter knob to its original position. The green parameter Morph LED will be switched off.
Chapter 6 Mutator, Randomize & Like 6 Mutator, Randomize & Like Mutator Mutate Morph The Nord Lead A1 Mutator is a great and easyto-use tool to spark the creative process by creating totally new or slightly changed sounds. The Mutator and Randomize features in the Nord Lead A1 can be used to create Morphs. 1 Hold the Morph Wheel button (or latch the Morph by doubletapping on the Morph button) and press Mutate Sound (without Shift).
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Like 1 Hold Shift and press Like. The Like button lets you save programs or entire performances to the Like memory. The Like memory acts like a scratchpad that can be used during the creative process so save sounds that you might want to keep. Performances and programs have separate Like memories, with 50 locations each. When you have reached the 50th Like location, the next Like will overwrite the content in the 1st location.
Chapter 7 Panel Reference 7 Panel Reference Master Level Performance Mode/Execute The Master Level knob controls the overall amplitude for the audio outputs - the line level outputs and the headphone output. The knob’s physical position indicates the output level and is not stored in a Program or Performance. Pressing the Perf Mode button will toggle between Program and Performance Mode. Programs are shown in the LED display as a two or three digit number between 1. 1 and 8.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Slot A - D The Nord Lead A1 has 4 Slots, labeled A to D. Each Slot can be loaded with one program. Slots can be used one by one in Program Mode or together in Performance Mode. MM Slot LEDs are red in Program Mode, green in Performance Mode and yellow when you enter the Menus. The Slot buttons can be used to quickly change from one program in one Slot to another Program in another Slot. To change the active Slot, simply press a single Slot button.
Chapter 7 Panel Reference Modulation Wheel Mono The Modulation Wheel can add vibrato if the Vibrato Voice Mode setting is set to “Wheel” and/or act as a Morph Control, to control one or several parameters while you perform. The Modulation Wheel will transmit MIDI CC 01. Mono makes the Slot monophonic, only one note at a time will be heard. The envelopes will be re-triggered for each new note you play. Legato Legato is another monophonic mode.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO/ENV) Modulation Envelope The Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) produces a waveform that can be used to create cyclic modulations to the oscillators and filter. The Nord Lead A1 LFO can also be set to an envelope mode. The amount of modulation is set with the LFO amount knobs in the oscillator and filter sections. The LFO can be synchronized to the Master Clock.
Chapter 7 Panel Reference Inverted Envelope Hold Shift and turn the Decay knob to invert the polarity of the Modulation Envelope. Extended Analog Waveforms amount Shape Mode Shape = 0. time attack (time) decay (time) release (time) Hold Shift and key up turn the Release key down knob to make the amplitude of the Modulation Envelope velocity sensitive. A4 A5 MM MM Panel Analog Waveforms Shape Mode Shape = 0. A6: Exponential Saw. A7: Exponential Square.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Digital Shape d1 Saw spectra with random phase. d2 Square spectra with random phase. d3 Spectra with only even partials. d4 Spectra with only every third harmonic. d5 Spectra with only every fourth harmonic. d6 Spectra with only every fifth harmonic. d7 Tripplets. d8 Ice. This single oscillator configuration uses the Osc Control to act as a powerful waveshaper.
Chapter 7 Panel Reference Sine, Tri, Saw and Pulse Mix LFO ModEnv Osc Contrl LFO ModEnv Osc Contrl LFO ModEnv Osc Contrl Sync Osc Pitch OSC 1 Shape OSC 1 Pitch Reset Sinewave Sub Triangle nom. To Filter Saw 1 oct up OSC 1 OSC 1 Amp Envelope Square 3:rd To Filter To Filter There are four Mixed configurations that add a second oscillator with a waveform and a harmonic partial relationship to oscillator 1.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Keyboard Tracking (KB Track) Filter Keyboard Tracking allows the filter frequency to track the pitch of the keyboard. The Filter is one of the most important components to create the overall timbre of the sound. The harmonic content that the oscillators produce can be shaped with the filter and the filter frequency can be modulated with several functions.
Chapter 7 Panel Reference LP TB will produce some quite drastic harmonic spectra. Low Pass TB is an emulation of the diode ladder filter from the vintage Roland TB-303 from 1982. This is a four pole, 24 dB/octave design but it does not sound anything like the similarly spec’d LP M. The Low Pass TB has a nice, quirky character to it and will not go into self oscillation like the other low pass filters, when resonance is turned up high.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Tap Tempo Reverb Select Tap repeatedly on the Tap Tempo button to set the tempo for the delay. You need four consecutive taps to set a tempo, but the tempo can be fine tuned with additional taps after those initial four. The Reverb button selects the type of reverb effect: Mst Clk Enable Mst Clk to synchronize the delay to the Master Clock. Feedback Feedback allows you to select the number of repeats.
Chapter 8 Master Clock 8 Master Clock External Sync Master Clock The Master Clock is a feature that can synchronize three functions in the Nord Lead A1 to a common tempo; the arpeggiator, the LFO and the delay. The Master Clock tempo has a range between 30 and 300 beats per minute. This tempo can be set manually with the Program Dial, or by tapping to a beat by using the Slot D/Mst Clk button.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Synced Delay repeats Across the Slots Keep the arpeggio running and we’ll add more things. There is one Master Clock tempo for each performance. All Slots can be in perfect sync with each other. 1 Turn both Delay knobs (Tempo & Dry/Wet) fully counterclockwise, press Feedback to light up the “1” LED. 2 Turn on the Delay, hold Shift and press the Delay Tap Tempo button to enable the Master Clock for the delay.
Chapter 9 Nord Sound Manager 9 Nord Sound Manager Nord Sound Manager is a free application that allows you to organize the various memory areas, the partitions in the Nord Lead A1. It is also used to download performances or programs to the Nord Lead A1 or to upload any of these items from the Nord Lead A1 memory to the computer hard drive. The Nord Sound Manager provides access to various methods to download the sounds to the Lead A1 and a function to backup and restore the entire Nord Lead A1 memory.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual OS v1.3x 10 The Menus Any settings that you change in the System, MIDI or Sound menu will take immediate effect on a global basis, and will be stored until you change them the next time. Enter the menus by pressing and holding Shift and the System, MIDI or Sound button (Slot A - C buttons). The A-C LED above the buttons will turn yellow and start blinking.
Chapter 10 The Menus MIDI Menu G - Global MIDI Channel The Global MIDI Channel transmits all keyboard, pedal and panel actions. It can also be used as a receiving channel. Range: 1 - 16, Off (default = 1). A, B, B, D - Slot MIDI Channel Set individual MIDI Channels for the Slots when they should respond to MIDI events on certain incoming MIDI Channels. Range: 1 - 16, Off (default A = off, B =off C = off, D = off).
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x 11 MIDI Nord Lead A1 MIDI operation Sequencing: Global MIDI Channel The Nord Lead A1 is designed to be very flexible in a MIDI setup. You can use it as a keyboard to control its internal sounds and other hardware or software sound sources. It can also be used as a set of individual sound engines to be played/controlled by external MIDI units such as a sequencer.
Chapter 11 MIDI Control Slots with another keyboard Use a Performance with some of the Slots controlled from the Lead A1 itself and other Slots from an external keyboard or sequencer, set to corresponding Slot MIDI channel(s). Active Slots will be controlled from the A1 keyboard, inactive Slots are controlled from external units.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x Nord Lead A1 parameter MIDI Controller list These are the MIDI Control Change numbers used for the Nord Lead A1 parameters. • Buttons that control “on/off” functions have a Controller value of “0” at the “off” position and a value of “127” at the “on” position. • Buttons that step through various possibilities start with a Controller value of “0” for the “lowest” setting and then increment for each step upwards.
Chapter 11 MIDI MIDI Implementation Chart Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Channel Default Channel 1 - 16 1 - 16 1 - 16 1 - 16 Indiv.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.3x 12 Appendix Performance Section Specifications • Voice modes: Poly, Legato and Mono with Glide, True Unison 1, 2 & 3. General • Four program slots for layering possibilities. • 49-key octave velocity sensitive keyboard with octave shift buttons (+/-2 octaves). • Effects. • 26 voices. • Keyboard Split with 2 slots for the upper and lower sections. • Modulation Wheel (keyboard version only).
Chapter 12 Appendix Display Messages Message Description Storing Pro Memory Protected. Mst Clk Tempo E.Cl Master Clock is synchronized to external MID Clock, tempo cannot be manually set on the Nord Lead A1. Mutator, Randomize, Init Sound nvt rnd Ini O Press Execute to Mutate Sound. Press Execute to Randomize Sound. Press Execute to Init Sound. Mutate/Random/Init process executed Copy and Paste related CP.x PS.x CPY PSt 5.0 Copy Slot, where x is a, b, c or D.
| Nord Lead A1 User Manual v1.
FCC Information (U.S.A.) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Clavia may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use the product. 2. IMPORTANT: When connecting this product to accessories and/ or another product use only high quality shielded cables. Cable/s supplied with this product MUST be used. Follow all installation instructions.
