Cutting-edge Performance Synthesis
When the Nord Lead A1 analog modeling synthesizer was first launched, it changed the concept of synthesis. Whether you were onstage or in the studio, its innovative architecture let you quickly amass a huge arsenal of stunning sounds that worked perfectly across musical genres. Nord gave the A1 a fast, intuitive interface that lets you create awesome-sounding patches quickly and encourages experimentation. Today, fortified with Nord’s latest cutting-edge sounds, the Lead A1 still rules. Go ahead — blast out a run on the fast synth-action keybed while sweeping the filter. It sounds and feels incredible.
Related Videos: Lead A1 Analog Modeling Synthesizer
Ace any live gig or recording session
Many keyboardists at Sweetwater have been gigging with the Nord Lead A1 for years, and for good reason. Fat, snarling leads; sensuous evolving pads; bass that blows holes in walls — it's all here, and it's all easy to get to. Forge ripping leads with classic oscillator sync, revisit the ’80s with chimey FM pianos, and ring modulate with AM. Any sound you hear in your mind's ear is in play instantly. With 26 voices available, you can get elaborate with your chord voicings and layers. And speaking of layering, the Lead A1 is 4-part multitimbral, with its great-sounding effects (Ensemble, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Ring Modulator, and Drive) available independently on each section, so there's no end to the glorious mayhem you can create.
Speedy patch creation and deployment
The Lead A1 was designed to handle the demands of live gigs and pressure-cooker studio sessions — scenarios in which your ability to create truly impressive patches quickly and intuitively is paramount. Advanced features such as a unique, 8-configuration oscillator block and the "Like" list make it faster and easier than ever to get the sound you're after during a show or session. Need inspiration? The A1 gives you four separate arpeggiators with a 4-octave range and Up/Down and Random modes. And of course, you can sync any or all of them to the Lead A1's master clock.
Analog modeling: Nord does it right
If you've ever heard keyboard whiz Derek Sherinian shred with Dream Theater, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Planet X, or on any of his solo projects, you know he's a tone meister of the highest order. Asked what he loves about Nord keyboards, Derek will tell you that it's the "organic analog warmth." Well, that, plus the ease of calling up sounds, the tour-proof build quality, and much more. Thanks to Nord’s state-of-the-art analog modeling technology, the Nord Lead A1 delivers the warmth of analog with the road-tested reliability of a modern digital machine.
Nord Lead A1 Features:
- 49-key analog modeling performance synth
- Velocity-sensitive, synth-action keyboard
- Advanced 26-voice, 4-part multitimbral sound engine
- Keyboard split with 2 slots for upper and lower sections
- Modulation wheel, Pitch Stick with no dead zone at zero crossing
- Unique oscillator concept with 8 configurations: Pitch, Detune, Shape, Sync, AM, Noise, Sub Mix, FM
- Traditional analog and digital waveforms
- Unison mode and Extra Fat Unison mode add girth to your sounds
- LFO with 5 waveforms
- Mod envelope; LFO as additional ModEnv
- 12dB and 24dB lowpass filters
- Highpass and bandpass filters
- Transistor and diode ladder filter simulations
- FX: Ensemble, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Ring Modulator, Drive
- Master Clock Sync of Arpeggiator, LFO, and Delay
- Velocity and Mod Wheel Morph
- USB-MIDI integrates the Lead A1 with your DAW
- Like button lets you save what you've done into a temporary list and continue editing
- Mutator lets you adjust elements by setting percentages to easily create variations on a patch
- 3 LED displays, 23 knobs, 3 encoders, and 20+ buttons for program and performance editing
- Sustain and expression pedal inputs
- Robust, tour-tough build quality
- Meticulously crafted in Sweden
