Nord Lead 4 Review With The Freemasons

Future Music met up with James Wiltshire from The Freemasons to get a demonstration of the feature-set and sonic capabilities of the new Clavia Nord Lead 4 synthesizer. Watch the video and discover why James thinks it's a truly next-generation synthesizer.

[@ing.eduardomunizrodriguez3554]

Justo got this sinth, sell my NL2 that i had since 99. This NL4 has the same super punch present sound but with lots of programing options, with this sinth you can do anything, can do simple harsh sounds like some says and allso creamy bold to enormus sounds wild or razor knife leads..... This 4 just sound beautiful. Im a guitar player, and this sinth just remind me playing a guitar, you can truly express with it, the sound is so direct, for me just some few manufacturers can acomplish this.

[@jazzman9025]

kept the nord lead 4 love it!!! thanks guys for your input.

[@b00i00d]

Love James Wiltshire's videos - he's always down to the essence - no bs

[@lemonslice2233]

This is like some crazy synth version of Speed, where if the keys are hit with less than 100% velocity, the synth will explode.

[@jays1109]

Lol! I was just thinking why is he slamming the keys so hard

[@MikeSmithADSRPro]

Out of all tutorials or anything related to music production the Freemasons are not only amazing producers, but they are so down to earth and informative. They clearly are masters of their craft and I only wish I had a tenth of their knowledge and skill set. On that note im going to go and get creative with some synthesis. RESPECT!!!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

This seems like a great synth but I'm glad I went with the NL3 and now the G2. I've learned so much about FM synthesis (all types of synthesis really with the G2) and the LED rings make creating new patches extremely fun and easy. Also, aftertouch is a must for me.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Love that it saves multi patches as separate programs. Looks like a really well thought out tool , rather than just toy functions.

[@teashea1]

intelligent and articulate review --- so well done

[@JohnLindholm1]

I like this review and the sound of NL4. I use plugins only but this is fast and easy working. Good work James Wiltshire.

[@waclosh]

It is amazing to watch someone being NATURAL with a synth.

[@ferry9375]

The legend tells that he does not use a hammer to drive nails.

[@cnovasalmanhussain751]

Which is better the nord lead A1 or nord lead 4 in Terms of trance music production?

[@johngorgis]

Clavia should make a modular g3 but with better standalone editing

[@SamChaneyProductions]

+John Gorgis I would do anything for this, especially if it never ran low on polyphony voices!

[@GrzegorzNowacki]

Wonderful synth :-))

[@jazzman9025]

I didn't know that! Why do they only last 6yrs? If you don't mind me asking. Just an up date I kept mine nord lead 4 amazing keyboard! I love it!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Vst's rely on updates and os's.

[@romangervaise35]

what do you mean by "they only last 6yrs" ?

[@effebidi9677]

When the Lead 5 or Lead A2 ? I hope it will integrate some of the Wave 2 features and synthesis !

[@Dougie-]

Lead seem to be an abandoned line unfortunately. Wave is the new.. eh, wave.

[@effebidi9677]

@@Dougie- that's ok but if only they try to keep it space contained.

[@jazzman9025]

update! I end up keeping the nord lead 4 I miss Spoked about it!!! its an awesome keyboard!!!

[@divansoldier]

Sounds magnificent! I'm going to buy such one. Only one question: can you save your own preset and then use it later just pushing a button even after turning off/turning on the device?

[@mezz3036]

Yes

[@AKIRABattlefront2]

mezz 303 how do you save presets

[@marclaliberte4118]

i ordered the racked version of it! cant wait to receive it!

[@platinumedgedetroit8012]

Can different midi channels be assigned to nl4 from external sequencer?

[@otisobl]

Yeah, that's what I think too. The Modular is just such a joy to play with. Just wish it had more horsepower, even with the expansion board on it...

[@lapasteque868]

i have it since August, it's huge !!

[@projectmayhem4238]

Great review .. sold me on it for sure!!! Tho the raw forms sound identical to prev nords the rest sounds fairly beefed up!

[@parislee2786]

I'm curious if you can assign different chord memories to the impulse morph...

[@devonhughes3805]

Yo! I don't think so. But dude, Novation just came out with the SL MK3 controller keyboard. You can assign up to 8 notes to a pad, and there are 16 pads. I'm sold on it.

[@shookstylez]

if they build a 3 octave version or a more compact version I might be interested. but i will stick with my stage 2 now.

[@kinglee1100]

I'm almost convince in buying a Nord Lead 4, but I have some questions that this video does not clarify, considering that a probable worthy competitor would be, the Virus TI 2. Moving forward, my main concern is whether or not the Nord Lead 4 has the capability of being setup as a main sound-card for a computer. Also does it support "Total Integration" with a DAW for instance Logic X.

[@DominicDimartini]

no and no.

[@kinglee1100]

Thanks, my choice is clear now.

[@DominicDimartini]

Plus, the TI is much better spec'ed. Much more going on in there.

[@djkomma]

One of the best synths!

[@Markste-in]

Before u buy the Lead 4 you should go to your local music store and test the keys. I was utterly disappointed. The key-feeling was similar to a cheap $80 keyboard and not like any other Nord ( I was able to test 8 different ones). Some may like that but I was glad I tested it before

[@WARDISWARD]

09:20 You must be kidding me..try audio realism bassline

[@liantrosretrospectiva4134]

1:00 actually the wheel is made of aluminum

[@AVDRE]

What is the price for one of these, and where can someone get it/?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Andre Hariprashad ever heard of gooogle???

[@Robbinsffxi]

The sound quality of the Nord Lead 4 in this video doesn't do it justice.

[@dogma6713]

Trent Rezner used this on just about every song on the the fragle..Really like that you dive in to every patch and using it

[@QuiXoLP]

virus darkstar or NL4?

[@borrehcleb]

I hear Djamin Give you chords at 19:50 Just thought id share that

[@guitarvibe75]

Fuck yes. This thing is better than any Dave Smith Instrument, it has every feature you would need to make great music. The sound is very clean but warm, very impressive.

[@savageparasyte76]

You just compared apples to oranges. You're clearly not synth person

[@guitarvibe75]

+Araphel Khafre Are you stuck in the irrelevant analog vs digital mindset? Are you even using your ears? The clarity, the warmth, the grit, it's all there. Compared to the Dave Smith sound that is much too bright and filters whose character can only be described as "thin," I stand by my statement.

[@savageparasyte76]

not really stuck by the analog vs digital though analog is warmer. I'm saying this is not a good synth to compare to a subtractive synth like his usually are. The Prophet-6 and Ob-6 are both not thin. I can see why you would say the prophet 08 was thin, and that is why I sold mines. Though the Nords are cold. They have a clean sound, but its anything but warm. The Prophet 6, Ob-6, Sub 37, Brutes, and a list of other synths are warm. Even within daves line the prophet 12 stands apart from all the other stuff he has made. I am just saying I don't think there are enough similarities to compare the two brands. The Nords don't have a bad sound, and personally I would not use them for analog because I'd use analog for analog, but I just don't think that is a valid comparison.

[@guitarvibe75]

+Araphel Khafre If this was a synth that was being sold as "Analog," all the synth nerds would be hyping the hell out of it, but apparently sound takes a backseat to knob count and "features."

[@savageparasyte76]

I understand that, and those are the people who say an ob-6 is better than a prophet 6 because it is the newest thing. In reality they are both different, and prophet 6 has more features especially after the update giving it the effects the ob-6 had. What sounds good suits whatever music you make. If you make house you probably should go more with digital in most cases I think, and if you make hip ohp maybe a sampler would be better. I'm just saying that dsi is different in most cases than nord. People complain about the prophet 12 and 8 not being big enough, but the prophet 12 has way more features than any analog synth does to date. That included with FM and AM can make interesting things, but I am saying a mopho x4 or something like that is too different from nord to compare to nord.

[@chizmo7]

If you crave having a vintage synth like a prophet, Jupiter, Oberheim, etc, just get this unit. I’m actually selling off most of my vintage analog synths because this thing is as good if not better, but does a lot more, is less expensive, lighter, and much more RELIABLE. I’ve done very close comparisons to the real analog units, and this thing is unbelievable. The A1 is very similar, but has less knobs, but more effects.

[@SPAZZOID100]

?????

[@Jaskuuuu]

the model of genelec plz?

[@otisobl]

Should I swap this with my Modular G2?

[@BlueTransAm83]

I want a a Nord bad, I'm not a keyboard player more so Guitar. But,,,,,, I used Korg M series and Roland for other people. on my own little jams (not really songs) I play my guitars with Korg M like sounds threw their micro version. Then I got to try the Kronos. And yea solid, but for the price I didn't see the use. The sounds just sounded much the same as the last 8 years or so, just higher quality and more arp options, effects, etc, etc. The Last two Nords I got to mess with just have this outside the box sound that I felt would be way more useful for what I like to hear. Odd but good, or different good, and I feel they can do that. It just seems thicker (not over KZbin) and more raw when your on one. If you want a ugly sound deep or high its seems like it can go to many areas. If you want something beautiful and bellish or twinkleish, it still can do them. No after touch is no problem for me. But I can see how it would be for the true synth player. Or where a Kronos would be better for a band member doing Journey songs then Billy Joel. But for a guitarist wanting to try now odd boundaries I like the Nord.

[@beloyaraistov8007]

Best virtual analog synth!

[@jazzman9025]

poor jimmy didn't have enough hugs when he was little, don't hate bro!

[@mootbooxle]

Still no aftertouch? I would trade my 2X for it if it had aftertouch. Shame.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Nice overview, but where are the criticisms? A “review” should include some cons or shortcomings.

[@Hundred100]

looks like somebody got some money from the manufacturer : S

[@onnolab]

I dunno. For the price, I'd get a Prophet 08, or an MS20 mini PLUS a Sub Phatty.

[@djadam21]

I just don t understand the guys from Clavia why they don t make their synths totally integrated like the Virus Ti it s much more easier to work like that in the studio.

[@TOMMEEH2]

Expandable patches/refills?

[@aviolentpurple9925]

Dumb

[@Helliver]

It is a digital synth with tons of tools for easy sound creation. Accessible to anyone who knows the basic workflow of subtractive synthesis. If you ever wondered what an 8-bit Rhodes emulation through a Moog filter would sound like, I can tell you in 20 seconds. If you want analog, buy analog! The VA part of it is the way this thing is controlled! You can use it like your analog synth and create a huge variety of out of the box sounds. People expect a perfect simulation of something else. Why would anyone bother to develop or buy a thing like that? Nord doesn't advertise it like that. So what's the problem? With this and a nice poly like the Rev2 you can cover most of the synth sounds you will ever need for about 3 grand. That's not so bad, is it?

[@Barefoot67]

the A1 is cooler sounding imo

[@Jauly]

It's exactly the same engine. I wonder why people keep saying this. I have both, the sound indentical out of the FX and only "1" oscillator. I think people are programming softer tones with the A1.

[@diglet553]

Best modulation system? Yeah right. Why not a full blown mod matrix like in any of the Waldorf synths? Still the UI is what makes the Nord synths, nicely laid out and clear. I'm not bashing the synth, they just have an appeal that's more suited to musicians who want to get to most typical synth sounds quickly and don't care too much about the arty shit that Waldorfs are best for. Nords are excellent for live stuff as well. Each to their own really.

[@carlosaugustrenova4810]

Este teclas é brisa demais

[@ZethKeeper]

It's a shame it got discontinued.

[@Jaskuuuu]

thanks man

[@MyStonerMind420]

I like noises

[@Digiphex]

My microKORG sounds more analog that this thing. Very harsh sounding.

[@SendyTheEndless]

Pretty much agree. The acid style filter was a standout, the other raw sounds seemed very flat.

[@Stassis]

You'll hear a bit of stepping through that but once you start to put umm...

[@Deeplycloseted435]

If you want analog, buy analog. Expecting a digital sent to sound analog is ridiculous

[@snuppssynthchannel]

No, the micro korg is based on the dreadful ms2000 (in my opinion) both sound quite harsh, the nord lead A1 sounds way better then both synths. And then there is the fantastic King Korg!

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Kevin Harris Actually, that is something you should expect from a virtual analo. There are several early digital synths from the 80s like the Ensonic SQ-80 and say Roland D-50 sounds more analog and they arr not ment at emulating analog sounds. The nord lead 4s sound potential is limited, as its filter, sounds incredibly harsh when the cutoff freq is turned high and is quite terrible in comparison to most other digital synth filters that i know.

[@aviolentpurple9925]

Best keyboard along with the virus

[@bluename4]

how would the "nord lead 4" compare to the "dsi ob-6"?

[@michaelkhan]

u guys gonna be at the satanic ritual ball this December?

[@claytonlevibrown]

wish it came in a different color than I may dream of having one but as a red one it's not a dream to have the sound is amazing but how bout if it was white or maybe a new color that they don't use for instruments like ...

[@AKIRABattlefront2]

Clayton Brown shut the fuck up whiny bitch.

[@WibbisaurusRex]

brutal review. lead 4 is a bit pricey but this review does it 0 justice.

[@HandsOfTheTemplar]

I felt like he was wearing a lab coat the whole time. Dr Sonic.

[@Aetila]

The stupid LED display makes me totally crazy, lol. I like to know what I'm doing on a synth...

[@rsb__]

Dude is angry at those keys 🎹

[@Dewi32]

nice!!!

[@slavad.2833]

Greate synth,,

[@krobo]

i want.

[@claytonlevibrown]

doesn't anyone even understand anything this guy is saying he mumbles like a child. I think it's funny that he thinks that his long term patches aren't basic but everything else he's showing his so basic. the fact is anything the keyboard does is a sound and usable in some way or another. Just because there's a sweep doesn't mean it's not basic.

[@lemonslice2233]

The children I know express themselves well, they don't mumble.

[@claytonlevibrown]

yeah i'm probably just being mean anyway.

[@sacredgeometry]

Umm the ladder filter is the famous moog filter :/ im out of this review.

[@nn99nn99]

You must be confused - the "Ladder TB" filter is indeed modeled on the TB303 filter. This unit also has a Ladder M filter as well as others.

[@sacredgeometry]

marm0t The ladder filter design was designed by Moog, at least I am pretty sure. Why would that make me confused?

[@nn99nn99]

Take a look at the specs :/ - this is regarding your original comment where you wrote "Umm...." It is indeed talking about the TB303 modeled filter referred to by Nord as the "Ladder TB".

[@sacredgeometry]

marm0t Fair enough, then I retract that statement, thanks for the heads up.

[@Englishfuckup]

hi silly bollocks just bought my first nord it was the lead 4 synth thought id have a look on th net and you popped up with programme setting on your nord lead 4 as i presumed it was . but as usual you turds always try to baffle us with how wonderful you are but where the hell do you get the figure 2.0n as a programme setting please let us know Mr wonderful

[@neptunevibe]

This and Virus Access are the best Synths ever made.. Except all the VST plugins out there.

[@guyonkeys]

I've never seen anyone play with less dynamics than this chap!! It's either 0 or 127. It's painful to watch.

[@H4NDCRAFTED]

Wavetables, that is just a bare face lie , they literally just cycling waves.

[@Broyale26]

I want to cycle your love.

[@buckdownscanada9946]

so what sound best the nord 2x or this overpriced mother pukka ?

[@Farmatique]

very cool! but I choose Reaktor =)

[@Deadstock22]

no talk just play

[@designhappens8444]

Wife waiting home? Late for taking the children from school?... Why is he in such a hurry? why doesn't he makes the video in a more relaxed mood ? even the patches demonstrated are full of anxiety...

[@jazzman9025]

just bought the nord lead 4 I'm sorry the lead 4 dosent have anything on Omnisphere!!! don't get me wrong the nord 4 is bad ass, but for $2000.00 I can get the same or even better sounds from Omnisphere! which I only paid $500.00 for it, this nord is going back to the store!!! Reply ·

[@marike1100]

jazzman With a Nord Lead, you don't need to take your laptop and a keyboard controller to the gig like you do with Omnisphere or any VST. And lets face it, a decent keyboard controller with semi weighted or weighted hammer action keybeds are expensive. So to that $500 make sure you're adding the price of your keyboard controller and a computer powerful enough to provide the necessary stability during a performance.

[@jazzman9025]

Markus Arike after working with the nord lead 4 I am definitely sold on it! there's nothing like it, even though I do own a MacBook pro, and a Novation controller everything to run Omnisphere with no problems, I do love the fast access indefinitely a dream keyboard with the virtual analog sounds I own a lot of keyboards digital ones and I don't play them anymore,

[@jazzman9025]

Markus Arike thanks for the input markus

[@SPAZZOID100]

LOL!!!! How long do you think vst's actually last?? 10 years? 15?....nope. More like 6. Hardware synths last a LIFETIME.

[@aviolentpurple9925]

jazzman shutup idiot, you didn't buy either

[@connor_flanigan]

I'm trying to imagine how this guy makes loves to a woman

[@TheASFBacca]

First

[@kogema0503]

second

[@NatLifeSounds]

It's sounds not better than Xils Oxium VST! so for the same sound u will pay in 1000 times more) Xils-Lab Oxium Single-Synth Demo

[@aviolentpurple9925]

Durrrr su

[@johngorgis]

Leads are overpriced and overrated

[@shookstylez]

meh..