Clavia Nord Lead 2X User Manual
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Clavia Nord Lead 2X User Manual

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User Manual
Nord Lead 2X
OS Version 1.x
Part No. 50186
Copyright Clavia DMI AB
Print Edition 1.1

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Summary of Contents for Clavia Nord Lead 2X

  • Page 1 User Manual Nord Lead 2X OS Version 1.x Part No. 50186 Copyright Clavia DMI AB Print Edition 1.1...

  • Page 2: Important Safety Instructions

    Trademarks: The Nord logo is trademark of Clavia DMI AB. All other trademarks mentioned in this publication are the properties of their respective holders. Specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice.
  • Page 3 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Table of content Table of content Table of content Table of content Table of content 1. Introduction Introduction Introduction ............Introduction ................................... 7 7 7 7 Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! ....................................................7 7 7 7 ..................
  • Page 4 Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 4. Editing Programs 4. Editing Programs ....................22 4. Editing Programs 4. Editing Programs ....................Changing an existing Program Changing an existing Program ..........Changing an existing Program Changing an existing Program ..........

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Table of content 8. Panel Reference Panel Reference ....................37 Panel Reference Panel Reference ....................Oscillator 1 Oscillator 1 Oscillator 1 Oscillator 1 ................................................................ 37 Waveform selector ........................37 Oscillator 2 Oscillator 2 Oscillator 2 Oscillator 2 ................
  • Page 6 Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Modulation Envelope ..............Modulation Envelope ..............57 Modulation Envelope Modulation Envelope ..........................Attack ............................ 57 Decay............................. 57 Amount ..........................57 Destination ..........................57 Mod Wheel Destination Mod Wheel Destination............. Mod Wheel Destination Mod Wheel Destination .............
  • Page 7 Bank Select ..........................76 System Exclusive........................76 Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer Using Nord Lead 2X with a sequencer ......................76 ........Connections ...........................76 Local On/Off..........................76...
  • Page 8 Table of content NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x The filter..................The filter ..................85 The filter The filter ..................................Filter types ..........................86 Roll-off ..........................87 Cutoff frequency........................88 Resonance..........................89 The Amplifier The Amplifier ................The Amplifier The Amplifier ................
  • Page 9 E E E E L L L L C C C C O O O O M M M M E E E E 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.
  • Page 10 • All signal cables used with the Nord Lead 2X must be shielded. • All four Outputs (A-B-C-D) are unbalanced, line level. • If you connect the Nord Lead 2X in stereo to your audio equipment, you should use Outputs A and B. For mono connections, use Output A.
  • Page 11 O O O O N N N N N N N N E E E E C C C C T T T T I I I I N N N N G G G G P P P P E E E E D D D D A A A A L L L L S S S S The Nord Lead 2X has two pedal inputs, one for a sustain pedal and one for a control pedal (an expres- sion-type pedal, used to control various parameters in much the same way as the modulation wheel).
  • Page 12 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.
  • Page 13 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Basic MIDI Settings for the Nord Rack 2X 2. Press the S A button, so that the LED above the button is lit. 3. Hold down the S button and press the MIDI C (Unison) button.

  • Page 14: The Trig Button

    R R R R O O O O G G G G R R R R A A A A M M M M S S S S Program are sounds that you have prepared in advance. The internal memory in the Nord Lead 2X con- tains 10 x 99 Programs.
  • Page 15 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 3. Basic operation: Selecting Percussion Kits 2. Use the U buttons to select a Program for that Slot. Holding down a button scrolls the value quickly. Holding down the S button (the button above the M...
  • Page 16 A A A A Y Y Y Y E E E E R R R R I I I I N N N N G G G G Layering means playing more than one Program at a time. On the Nord Lead 2X you do this by simply selecting more than one Slot.

  • Page 17: Polyphony

    E E E E Y Y Y Y B B B B O O O O A A A A R R R R D D D D The Keyboard Split function allows you to divide the Nord Lead 2X keyboard in two sections, each play- ing separate Programs.
  • Page 18 3. Basic operation: Performances NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x S S S S S S S S P P P P E E E E T T T T T T T T I I I I N N N N G G G G T T T T H H H H E E E E...
  • Page 19 The answer is that this depends on the Out Mode settings as described on page 64. When shipped from factory, the Nord Lead 2X is set to output all Programs in mono. There’s one exception: If a Program is set to Unison, the instrument is automatically switched to stereo operation. Page 17...

  • Page 20: Pitch Stick

    A A A A S S S S T T T T E E E E R R R R U U U U N N N N E E E E To tune the Nord Lead 2X to other instruments, do like this: Page 18...
  • Page 21 “1” (Sustain pedal – closed when depressed). 3. Press the S button again. HIFT Nord Lead 2X will also recognize Sustain Pedal MIDI messages as MIDI Controller #64. U U U U ( ( ( ( ) ) ) )
  • Page 22 8. If needed, repeat steps 5 to 10 to set pedal control function for the other slots. 9. Press S to exit the Special menu and return to play mode. HIFT Nord Lead 2X will also recognize Expression pedal messages via MIDI as MIDI Controller #11. Page 20...
  • Page 23 B B B B U U U U T T T T T T T T O O O O N N N N If notes should “hang” or the Nord Lead 2X should behave strange, all you need to do is hold down the button and press “Panic”...
  • Page 24 If you want to restore any of the original RAM factory programs later on, they can be fetched as stand- ard MIDI files at http://www.clavia.se and downloaded to the Nord Lead 2X from a MIDI sequencer. C C C C...
  • Page 25 Program you’d like to keep! However, if you want to restore any of the original RAM factory programs later on, they can be fetched as standard MIDI files at http://www.clavia.se and downloaded to the Nord Lead 2X from a MIDI sequencer 1.
  • Page 26 3. Turn the knob to the value you want it to have at maximum striking force. You can try out different settings for maximum velocity until you find the most suitable. While the Nord Lead 2X is in “Velocity Learn” mode, you can set ranges for as many parameters as you wish. Note that you could turn the knob in any direction - it doesn’t necessarily have to be from a low value to a high.
  • Page 27 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: Making any parameter velocity dependent The V LED is now lit to indicate that at least one parameter in the sound ELOCITY ORPH SSIGN is velocity dependant. What you have done now is to set the range, the span within which the param- eter will change with velocity.
  • Page 28 5. Programming Velocity Sensitivity: Clearing velocity programming for one knob NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 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, accord- ingly.
  • Page 29 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. But you can route the function to the M...
  • Page 30 I I I I T T T T S S S S 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.
  • Page 31 There is one limitation when programming the percussion sounds: All of the sounds in a Percussion Kit will share the same LFOs. The Nord Lead 2X will use the LFO rate, waveform and destination settings of the last played percussion sound.
  • Page 32 6. Percussion Kits: Saving Percussion Kits NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x S S S S P P P P K K K K A A A A V V V V I I I I N N N N G G G G...
  • Page 33 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 6. Percussion Kits: Using Percussion Kits in Performance mode U U U U P P P P K K K K P P P P S S S S I I I I N N N N G G G G...
  • Page 34 • You can receive SysEx data for one Performance at a time into the edit buffer. If you for example use Nord Lead 2X multitimbrally together with a sequencer, it is often practical to place a SysEx Perform- ance data dump in the beginning of your song, to select sounds, initialize global settings, etc.
  • Page 35 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 7. Performances: Editing a Performance If you want to select Performances in steps of To select a Performance, use the buttons. ( ten, hold down S and press the U buttons.) The Performance is instantly loaded and HIFT you can try it out.
  • Page 36 7. Performances: Saving a Performance NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. While holding down the S button, select a Program for the Slot, just as you would in Program mode. See page Hold down the desired Slot button (its Use the...

  • Page 37: Shift Functions

    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 af- fected in any way.
  • Page 38 7. Performances: What a Performance contains NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x W W W W P P P P H H H H A A A A T T T T A A A A E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E C C C C O O O O N N N N T T T T A A A A I I I I N N N N S S S S...
  • Page 39 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 1 8. P 8. P 8. P 8. P R R R R A A A A N N N N E E E E L L L L E E E E F F F F E E E E R R R R E E E E N N N N C C C C E E E E...
  • Page 40 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 1 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x S S S S A A A A W W W W T T T T O O O O O O O O T T T T H H H H The sawtooth wave contains all harmonics and is the richest of the available waveforms.

  • Page 41: Waveform Selector

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 2 O O O O 2 2 2 2 S S S S C C C C I I I I L L L L L L L L A A A A T T T T O O O O R R R R...
  • Page 42 8. Panel Reference: Oscillator 2 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x markings around the S knob. It can be controlled by the Velocity/morph function, but is not EMITONES affected by LFO 1, the Modulation Envelope or the Modulation Wheel, even when these have Oscillator 2 selected as modulation destination.

  • Page 43: Semitones

    This is classic “deep linear FM”. The FM function is a bit of depart from the “analog” concept of the Nord Lead 2X, but as you will find, it is a very useful addition. When using FM, Oscillator 2 frequency modulates Oscillator 1.

  • Page 44: Fm Amount

    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 A knob controls the amount of FM from Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1.

  • Page 45: Ring Mod

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Settings for both Oscillators S S S S Y Y Y Y N N N N C C C C Activate Oscillator Sync by pressing the R button until the Sync LED is lit. In this mode, Oscillator 2 is “synched”...

  • Page 46: Pulse Width

    8. Panel Reference: Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x P P P P W W W W U U U U L L L L S S S S E E E E I I I I D D D D T T T T H H H H This function only has any effect if Pulse wave is selected for any of the oscillators (or both).

  • Page 47: Attack

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Amplifier A A A A T T T T T T T T A A A A C C C C K K K K This control is used to adjust how long it should take for the sound to reach full volume after a key has been pressed.

  • Page 48: Sustain

    8. Panel Reference: Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x S S S S U U U U S S S S T T T T A A A A I I I I N N N N 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.

  • Page 49: Gain

    I I I I L L L L T T T T E E E E R R R R The Filter is the most important section for shaping the overall timbre of the sound. Nord Lead 2X’s filter can be switched between various types. It has the standard main Frequency and Resonance controls. The Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release parameters make up the Filter Envelope.
  • Page 50 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 F F F F...

  • Page 51: Filter Type

    Therefore, the notch filter in Nord Lead 2X is combined with a 12dB Lowpass filter, resulting in a filter curve that looks like this: The audible result of this filter combination is a sound with plenty of body, some of the upper mid-range “bite”...

  • Page 52: Frequency

    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 high- frequency material will be allowed to pass through the filter. The more you “open” a low-...

  • Page 53: Envelope Amount

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Filter E E E E A A A A N N N N V V V V E E E E L L L L O O O O P P P P E E E E M M M M O O O O U U U U N N N N T T T T This is used to set to what degree the Envelope (see below) should affect the filter.

  • Page 54: Waveform

    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 Fre- quency value changes according to where on the keyboard you...

  • Page 55: Rate

    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 modulat- ing, that is controlling, other functions, like for example the main oscillator frequency (vibrato) or the filter frequency (wah-wah).

  • Page 56: Amount

    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). A A A A M M M M O O O O U U U U N N N N T T T T This is used to set to what extent the signal from the LFO should be routed to the destination.

  • Page 57: Arpeggio Hold

    R R R R P P P P 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.

  • Page 58: Rate

    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.

  • Page 59: Destination

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Modulation Envelope M M M M E E E E O O O O D D D D U U U U L L L L A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N N N N N V V V V E E E E L L L L O O O O P P P P E E E E This is a simple type of envelope only comprising Attack, Decay and Amount controls.

  • Page 60: Decay

    8. Panel Reference: Modulation Envelope NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x When this is selected, the envelope changes the pulse width of the waveform from the oscillators (provid- ed any of them have Pulse wave selected). OSC 2 OSC 2 OSC 2 OSC 2 When this is selected, the envelope changes the pitch of Oscillator 2.

  • Page 61: Destination

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 8. Panel Reference: Mod Wheel Destination M M M M W W W W D D D D O O O O D D D D H H H H E E E E E E E E L L L L...
  • Page 62 8. Panel Reference: Unison NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x P P P P O O O O L L L L Y Y Y Y This mode allows you to play chords. L L L L E E E E G G G G A A A A T T T T O O O O This makes the instrument monophonic.
  • Page 63 Octave Shift buttons affect the Program in the selected slot only. Notes sent to MIDI Out are not trans- posed. This means that in this mode, the Nord Lead 2X can only send MIDI Notes over a range of 4 octaves.
  • Page 64 9. Shift functions: Accessing the Shift functions NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. S 9. S 9. S 9. S H H H H I I I I F F F F T T T T F F F F U U U U N N N N C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N S S S S...

  • Page 65: Morph

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: Shift function list S S S S H H H H I I I I F F F F T T T T F F F F U U U U N N N N C C C C T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N L L L L I I I I S S S S T T T T...
  • Page 66 U U U U N N N N E E E E This function is used to tune the Nord Lead 2X to other instruments. ‘00’ is normal 440Hz tuning. Low- er pitches are indicated by a dot to the right of the number and values higher than normal pitch are in- dicated without a dot.
  • Page 67 MIDI work or when layering sounds. Mode 1 (1.Ab or 1.cd) is not recommended when using the Nord Lead 2X multitimbrally since one Pro- gram can be set to Unison and another not, which might lead to a stereo image you might not expect.

  • Page 68: Filter

    MIDI Input, however, works normally. This mode should be used when you’re working with sequencers, when the Nord Lead 2X is used both for recording and playing back MIDI, and when the sequencer has a MIDI Thru function (sometimes called “Merge” or “echo-back”).
  • Page 69 MIDI Out, regardless of whether the Nord Lead 2X arpeggio is activated or not. Be sure to turn the Arpeggio MIDI Out feature off if you are using Nord Lead 2X in Local Off mode and/or in a “Thru-loop” with a sequencer, other MIDI instruments etc! Under such conditions, the Arpeggio MIDI Out feature will either prevent the instrument from sounding at all, or cause a MIDI feedback loop.
  • Page 70 For this to work you need to feed a MIDI Clock signal from a sequencer or similar into the MIDI In of the Nord Lead 2X and activate Play in the sequencer so that MIDI Clock is actually transmitted. The function synchronizes LFO1’s start to the incoming MIDI Clock so that the LFO starts over at cer- tain intervals.
  • Page 71 “normal mode”. HIFT 11.Set up your sequencer (or other MIDI device) to transmit MIDI clock to the Nord Lead 2X. Set the tempo to around 120 BPM and activate Play in the sequencer/device so that MIDI clocks are actu- ally transmitted.
  • Page 72 9. Shift functions: Special NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 2. Select ‘F.on’ with the U buttons. 3. Press S . The D shows the MIDI Channel currently used. Set the MIDI Channel with TORE ISPLAY the U buttons. 4. Press S again.
  • Page 73 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 S PECIAL button repeatedly and check that the left digit in the display is set to ‘oF’ for all Functions except ‘F’.
  • Page 74 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. A A A A...
  • Page 75 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 9. Shift functions: System S S S S Y Y Y Y S S S S T T T T E E E E M M M M Under this menu you will find three different functions, labelled ‘SP’, ‘br’, and ‘Un’.
  • Page 76 F F F F T T T T E E E E R R R R T T T T O O O O U U U U C C C C H H H H The Nord Lead 2X can receive (but not send) Aftertouch (channel pressure) messages. You can set which parameter (if any) should be controlled by the Aftertouch messages for each Slot: 1.
  • Page 77 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 10. MIDI: About the MIDI implementation 2. Press the S button repeatedly, until the left character in the Display reads ‘t’ (for “touch”). PECIAL 3. Select a Slot for which you want to set the aftertouch function.
  • Page 78 H H H H A A A A N N N N N N N N E E E E L L L L S S S S • Which MIDI Channel the Nord Lead 2X transmits on depends on which of the four Slots is active (see page 15).
  • Page 79 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 S...
  • Page 80 3. Initiate the transmission on the transmitting device. If the dump contained a complete Bank, it will take the place of the selected Bank in the Nord Lead 2X. If the dump contained one Program/Performance only, this will be put in the “edit buffer” of the active Slot, instead of the Program/Performance you were playing.
  • Page 81 The purpose of this chapter is to give you a quick introduction to this world of subtractive synthesis as used in he Nord Lead 2X and its analog predecessors. If you’d like to know more, there are number of text books on the subject.
  • Page 82 There are many ways in which the modules outlined below can be connected in a synthesizer, but the one in the picture below is a basic and common one, used in the Nord Lead 2X (although the illustration depicts far from all the possibilities in this instrument!) Note that the horizontal lines indicate the way the sound travels.

  • Page 83: Auto

    Normally there are three ways to change the frequency of an oscillator: • By making settings on the front panel. On the Nord Lead 2X for example, you have an “Oct Shift” setting for both oscillators and separate Semitone and Fine Tune adjustments for Oscillator 2.
  • Page 84 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.
  • Page 85 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The oscillators and waveforms P P P P W W W W U U U U L L L L S S S S E E E E A A A A V V V V E E E E The pulse wave is slightly more complicated, because it is not one waveform, it is many different ones.
  • Page 86 Y Y Y Y N N N N C C C C One some instruments (including the Nord Lead 2X), two Oscillators can be synchronized. If you for ex- ample synchronize Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1, Oscillator 2 will start over with a new period of the wave- form, each time Oscillator 1 does so.
  • Page 87 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.
  • Page 88 I I I I L L L L T T T T E E E E R R R R T T T T Y Y Y Y P P P P E E E E S S S S There are many types of filters, all with their different purposes. We will here discuss the three most com- mon, the ones found in the Nord Lead 2X. L L L L O O O O W W W W P P P P A A A A S S S S S S S S F F F F I I I I L L L L T T T T E E E E R R R R The Lowpass filter dampens high frequencies and let’s low frequencies pass through unaffected, as in the...
  • Page 89 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. In the Nord Lead 2X the Notch filter is combined with a 12 dB Lowpass filter, for greater musical ver- satility (see page 49).
  • Page 90 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.
  • Page 91 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 11. Synthesis basics: The filter R R R R E E E E S S S S O O O O N N N N A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E Resonance in a filter is created by connecting the output of the filter to its input, in other words setting up a “feedback loop”.
  • Page 92 11. Synthesis basics: The Amplifier NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x T T T T A A A A H H H H E E E E M M M M P P P P L L L L I I I I F F F F I I I I E E E E R R R R An amplifier is most often used at the final stage of a synth signal chain, to control volume.
  • Page 93 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.
  • Page 94 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.
  • Page 95 On the Nord Lead 2X, the Modulation Envelope is of AD-type. Typically, it can be made to modulate the FM amplitude or the pitch of Oscillator 2, to create a different timbre during the attack part of the sounds.
  • Page 96 12. Factory presets: Program Banks 0-3 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. F 12. F 12. F 12. F A A A A C C C C T T T T O O O O R R R R Y Y Y Y P P P P R R R R E E E E S S S S E E E E T T T T S S S S...
  • Page 97 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. Factory presets: Program Banks 4-7 P P P P B B B B R R R R O O O O G G G G R R R R A A A A M M M M...
  • Page 98 12. Factory presets: Program Banks 8-9 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x P P P P B B B B R R R R O O O O G G G G R R R R A A A A M M M M...
  • Page 99 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 12. Factory presets: Performance Banks 0-1 P P P P B B B B E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E...
  • Page 100 12. Factory presets: Performance Banks 2-3 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x P P P P B B B B E E E E R R R R F F F F O O O O R R R R M M M M A A A A N N N N C C C C E E E E...
  • Page 101 In the organs, the sound came from oxidation on the key switches; in the Nord Lead 2X you can add or remove the click as desired. All of the Nord Lead 2X organ Performances has the click sound on Slot D, although it is by default turned off for some of the sounds.
  • Page 102 12. Factory presets: About the organ sounds NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x R R R R S S S S O O O O T T T T A A A A R R R R Y Y Y Y P P P P E E E E A A A A K K K K E E E E R R R R A large part of the characteristic organ sound is due to the rotary speaker cabinet.
  • Page 103 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.
  • Page 104 12. Factory presets: Nord Lead 2 RAM factory programs NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x N N N N L L L L 2 RAM 2 RAM 2 RAM 2 RAM O O O O R R R R D D D D...
  • Page 105 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI implementation: MIDI Controller list 13. MIDI 13. MIDI 13. MIDI 13. MIDI I I I I M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E M M M M E E E E N N N N T T T T A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N...
  • Page 106 13. MIDI implementation: MIDI Controller list NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Nord Lead 2X Parameter MIDI Controller # MIDI Controller Name Osc 1 Waveform Undefined Osc 2 Waveform Undefined Osc 2 Semitones Sound Controller 9 Osc 2 Fine Tune LSB for Controller 1...

  • Page 107: Global Midi Channel

    • When a Patch Dump is initiated from the front panel. • When a valid Patch Dump Request message has been received. This message should be sent to the Nord Lead 2X when you want to replace a Patch currently in the in- strument, with a new one.
  • Page 108 A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H U U U U M M M M P P P P This message contains all settings in a Percussion Kit. It is transmitted from the Nord Lead 2X in one of two cases: •...
  • Page 109 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.
  • Page 110 • When a valid Performance Request message has been received. This message should be sent to the Nord Lead 2X when you want to replace a Performance currently in the instrument, with a new one. The Message Type and Message Specification then specify in which memory location the Performance should be stored.
  • Page 111 E E E E Q Q Q Q U U U U E E E E S S S S T T T T This message instructs the Nord Lead 2X to send all current Controller values for a specified Slot (see page 78).
  • Page 112 13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x P P P P P P P P D D D D F F F F A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H A A A A N N N N D D D D...
  • Page 113 NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x 13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation P P P P D D D D F F F F A A A A T T T T C C C C H H H H U U U U M M M M P P P P...

  • Page 114: Notes

    13. MIDI implementation: System Exclusive implementation NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Size Offset Name Comment filterkbdtrack lfo1wave lfo1dest voicemode modwheeldest unison modenvdest auto filtervel octshift lfo2dest/arpmode 8 = off For Percussion Kit Sys Ex Dumps, the above parameters will be repeated eight times, once for each sound in the Percussion Kit.
  • Page 115 M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E M M M M E E E E N N N N T T T T A A A A T T T T I I I I O O O O N N N N H H H H A A A A R R R R T T T T Model: Clavia Nord Lead 2X (Keyboard and Rack) Date: 2003-04-01...

  • Page 117: Controllers

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Index Index Index Index Index Front panel list MIDI Transmission and reception Recording in Sequencer Copying Programs D D D D A A A A Decay ADSR envelope Amplifier behavior Filter Aftertouch Introduction to Amount Mod Envelope...

  • Page 118: Program Change

    Index NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x H H H H Mode Out Mode Highpass Output Hold Morphing HP 24dB N N N N I I I I Noise Internet Noise Colour Notch+LP K K K K O O O O Kbd Track (Keyboard Tracking)

  • Page 119: System Exclusive

    NORD LEAD 2X V1.0x Index T T T T Program Slots Introduction to Trig button Programs Tune Copying Tune (Ring Mod) Editing Layering U U U U MIDI Channel MIDI Transmission and reception Unison Selecting Unison Detune Selecting in a Performance...

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