Hardware synths that blew away your expectations

[BONES]

Point me to something that shows how Nords sound different because they just sound like V/As to me. I was under the impression their popularity was more to do with their playabiity, the quality of their keybeds, not because they sounded better than anything else. They seem to me to be instruments that serious musos gravitate towards, not synth-heads.

[Scotty]

Just wondering, which soft synth do you think comes closest in terms of sound to the Nord Lead 2?

Doesn’t exist! I would guess that some Korg’s can get close (since the OASYS PCI could do that sharp/pleasantly harsh sound) but I haven’t spent enough time with them to know which ones.

Still running a pair of Oasys PCI cards here. They don't get a lot of use but I turn to them for inspiration from time to time.

[OllieBoi]

You have clearly never used a Nord 3 because then you might (might) actually know what you are talking about.

Why would I need to use one to understand the layout? I can do that by looking at a photo, FFS.

Yes, Clavia keyboards sell at a premium. That's because they are premium products that are incredibly well designed and sound great.

That's equally true of much, much cheaper synths, too, not something you need to pay double for. It might help to prop up a flagging ego but that's about it.

Incidentally, used Nord Rack 3's sell for almost $2K. That's more than I paid for my Nord Rack 3 over 20 years ago. The synth is a classic as is reflected in its second hand market price.

What was it P.T. Barnum said... "... there's one born every minute". And the only one on ebay at the moment is $1600 and who knows if anyone will buy it at that price.

You make me laugh (at you). You’re such a belligerent blowhard always eager to argue with anyone and everyone especially when you don’t what the f$ck you’re talking about.

Maybe you’ll get a real job some day that will allow you to afford some higher quality instruments such as the Nords instead of wallowing in the trash heap with your pathetic Uno. Until then, I guess just keep spewing your pitiful angry nonsense at the world.

But at least I won’t be subjected to it anymore. You’re going on my ignore list pronto. So long sucka!

[BONES]

Mate, you said the Nord's GUI was better than any software synth and I simply pointed out that softsynths have always offerred a similarly useful UX, which is just a fact. So I'm not arguing with you, I'm just pointing out the f**king facts and, quite simply, you can't argue against facts. I suppose you can argue against stupidity, though, so maybe you're right.

[Uncle E]

Point me to something that shows how Nords sound different because they just sound like V/As to me.

You would lose your mind over the Nord Modular. It's right up your alley. Also:

[BONES]

I am so not into this kind of music. When it comes to Underworld, I'm much more an Underneath the Radar kind of guy. Anyway, it sounds like they've sampled Simple Minds' Love Song.

[tha_man]

When it comes to hardware I always do a fair amount of research before buying, so I know what to expect and it's hard to get "blown away". But there is one exception - Roland SH01a. Hearing 101 on youtube is one thing, but playing with those faders live while sequence is running and hearing the effects of it It is the exact sound I've been looking for many years and never *really* got it with anything else, including software emulations (which do sound good). The magic happens when you play live with the filter, envelope, octave switch, portamento, noise... so I think 101 is a synth that you need in hardware form to really appreciate it. Even if it's just emulation of the real thing like SH01a.

[Uncle E]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

[bmanic]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

I'd say this is true for pretty much all monophonic synths. At the very least a delay pedal and perhaps some saturation (as the 101 filter is just so juicy when going into some saturation).

[licasto2]

I got a Moog Sirin mainly for the investment (they go for twice what I paid ATM) but it is a really nice sounding bass synth. It replaced my subsequent 37.

[licasto2]

Just wondering, which soft synth do you think comes closest in terms of sound to the Nord Lead 2?

Doesn’t exist! I would guess that some Korg’s can get close (since the OASYS PCI could do that sharp/pleasantly harsh sound) but I haven’t spent enough time with them to know which ones.

Still running a pair of Oasys PCI cards here. They don't get a lot of use but I turn to them for inspiration from time to time.

I absolutely loved my Oasys card. Wish I still had it, along with my S1100!

[vurt]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

I'd say this is true for pretty much anything!

ftfy!
delays, especially analog, if tweaked, make anything sound fun!!!

[tha_man]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

Oh yes, delay is a must, best served in stereo I usually just use the one on MC-707.

[ReleaseCandidate]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

I'd say this is true for pretty much anything!

ftfy!
delays, especially analog, if tweaked, make anything sound fun!!!

No. Proof: any U2 song.

[vurt]

101’s love effects. Get an analog delay pedal and tweak it live, adds a whole new dimension.

I'd say this is true for pretty much anything!

ftfy!
delays, especially analog, if tweaked, make anything sound fun!!!

No. Proof: any U2 song.

see the criteria in bold.

not a digital delay that stays on the same settings, for every bloody song