Elektron-Users

Im having the hardest time deciding what keyboard to buy. Im looking at either an Access Virus kb/kc or a Nord Lead 3.

Ive owned a virus b & a nord lead 2 before. But its been a while so I dont really remember fully what theyr like. And as far as the Nord 3 goes, there is no place around for me to play one.

I just want a keyboard that will fit well with my setup. They both have goods and bads. I like how strong the nord is without fx, but with the virus I dont have to buy external fx.

anyone with ideas, suggestions, or what not would be great.

thanks

I don't have any experience with virus synths, but I can certainly vouch for the NL3. Now, I personally prefer real analog, but the features available on the Nord are really cool. Two of them being the rotary LED's (this ends up completely revolutionizing patch recall) and the morph function.

As far as the effects go, I never really find the quality of internal synth effects to be very great (haven't heard the virus effects though). Being able to flexibly route your effects internally is the other side of that coin, but for master fx I like to use external gear or even plug ins.

Yeh fx arent the most important to me. I guess its mainly the sound. Ive learned rhe Monomachine has a bright kind of sound, well so far. Im afraid that the nord will fit well with it, but not add a new dimension of sound. The virus, and some artists ive heard like Tycho, seem to pull real Boards of Canada, muddy, dreamy kind of sounds out of it. Which would leave perfect room for the MNM.

I also plan on getting a Micro-q once Waldorf gets going again, seems like the nord would butt heads with that one as well.

I also plan on getting a Micro-q once Waldorf gets going again, seems like the nord would butt heads with that one as well.

Why wait for Waldorf to get going again? Buy a used Q, instead of a NL3 or Virus, and never look back!
:-D

I have to agree that the lack of internal effects is not a big deal with the NL3. I've yet to hear a synth with record worthy internal effects (including the virus). The best thing about the NL3 is the interface. It inspires me to create more that any other synth I own and programming is a breeze. I have so many synths collecting dust because the interface is less than inspiring. My MicroKorg, for example, has become my vocoding unit. The Nord is so intuitive you be creating cool sounds in a flash. Less programming time = more time to create music. The morph groups are huge. You can assign the mod wheel, key location, or velocity to change any of the settings. Create a sequence in your DAW then add off-set sign waves to control mod wheel and velocity and never look back.

sensorium - do you have any samples you could share of your nord 3 playing warm, mellow pads and what not? Most of what ive heard is bright and sharp. Im more interested to see if it can do nice warm oberheim pads.

Here's an unmastered track I did. All synth parts are the NL3 except for the acid part at the end (FR Revolution).

http://www.elektron-users.com/uploads/finished_mix_mix.mp3


But if all you want are good Oberheim or Moog sounds you should get a real analog. Nothing beats the warmth. This unit is the poop and it has oberheim and moog filters.

www.studioelectronics.com (SE1-X)

I've got a Virus TI and Nord Lead 3 right now and can mostly echo the other sentiments in this thread:

Virus Pros:
1. Pretty flexible architecture. Analog-style and digital oscillators, good filters.
2. Excellent onboard effects.
3. 16-part multitimbral.

Virus Cons:
1. Darker, murkier, less lively sound.
2. Interface is kind of obtuse. Lots of poking around in menus. TI is better than C but still fiddly.

Nord Pros:
1. Fantastic, bright lively sound.
2. Best interface on any synth ever.
3. Morph system encourages really *playing*.

Nord Cons:
1. No onboard effects.
2. Only 4-part multitimbral.
3. Far fewer modulation options.

All things considered I lean towards the Nord because I prefer it's sound and I *love* the interface. For me the whole point of a hardware synth is the interface and the Virus isn't that great in that respect. I'd probably just use softsynths instead.

Here's a simple track I did recently using just the Nord and some drums:
http://www.caddr.com/music/T.mp3

I don't know the Q but from what I've read about it might be a great middle ground in between the Nord and the Virus.

I would love a Se1-x, hell even an Atc-1. Might be something I get down the road. First thing is a keyboard.

I liked the song sensorium, looks like the nord 3 can do pads, im not sure if the 2x could pull off some of the same pads or not. It would really help my wallet if it could.

I talked to a guy today that said if I want those creamy warm pads, to get an Alesis Ion. I like the demos of what it can do, but its ugly as hell, and im not too comfortable with Alesis' products.

The Nord can definitely do pads.

I'd strongly recommend the NL3 over the 2. The interface is so much better. The 2 is still a very nice synth though.

I hated the interface on the Ion and didn't think it sounded all that special but it might be worth trying one first hand. Most Guitar Centers have demo models.