Clavia Nord Lead 3: Advanced Subtractive Performance Synthesizer

The Clavia Nord Lead 3 represents the third generation in Clavia's acclaimed "red synth" series, building upon the legacy established by the original Nord Lead six years prior. As a Swedish-designed instrument that helped spearhead the 'real synth' renaissance of the late 1990s, the Nord Lead 3 maintains the distinctive controller-rich front panel and striking red case design that made its predecessors so recognizable while introducing significant enhancements to both the interface and synthesis capabilities.

Unlike its predecessors labeled as "Lead Synthesizers," the Nord Lead 3 has been rebranded as a "Performance Synthesizer," reflecting its expanded polyphony of 24 voices and enhanced keyboard performance features. The instrument maintains the compact four-octave keyboard design of earlier models (with a five-position Octave Shift function providing an effective eight-octave range) but now includes aftertouch sensitivity, offering more expressive playing possibilities.

Visual Design and Interface

The most striking visual enhancement to the Nord Lead 3 is the addition of LED "collars" around all 26 sound editing knobs. These stepped circular LEDs illuminate in segments to show the current position of each control, with red LEDs indicating parameter values and yellow-green LEDs showing zero values. The infinite rotary encoder knobs can be twisted continuously in either direction, automatically "picking up" the current parameter value and adjusting the LED display accordingly.

The Nord Lead 3 also introduces an LCD screen for the first time in the series - a two-by-16-character backlit display that shows Patch, Performance and parameter names. Four mode buttons (Master Clock, MIDI, Synth, and Sound) work with the Navigator buttons and the large Edit/Patch Select knob to navigate parameters.

Synthesis Architecture

The Nord Lead 3 builds upon its virtual analog foundation with expanded synthesis capabilities:

• Advanced FM Synthesis: The basic FM capability of previous models has been significantly expanded with a new Dual Sine FM option for the oscillators and the ability to combine the two oscillators in a four-operator configuration. Clavia has also introduced Differential FM (the type used in Yamaha DX synths).

• Enhanced Filter Section: The filter section now offers both Single Filter and Multi Filter modes. Single Filter provides six filter types (Band-pass, High-Pass, Low-pass, Band-Reject, Classic, and Distortion Low-pass) with 24dB, 12dB and 6dB roll-off options. The Multi Filter Mode offers six additional options that represent various combinations of filter types in parallel or series.

• Multiple Oscillator Modulation Types: Users can select from six different types of oscillator modulation for each oscillator: FM, Differential FM, Ring Modulation, Filter Frequency Modulation, Distortion, and Distortion Modulation.

• Improved Unison: The Unison feature now delivers five simultaneous voices per note (two left, two right, one center) with adjustable detuning, and remarkably doesn't reduce the available polyphony.

Performance Features

The Nord Lead 3 includes numerous performance-oriented enhancements:

• Multi-Morph Function: Evolved from the Nord Lead 2's dual-snapshot morphing capability, the Multi-Morph function allows creation of four Morph Groups, each able to change up to 26 parameters. Control options include the modulation wheel, keyboard velocity, keyboard range, and aftertouch/control pedal.

• Performance Controls: Ready access to glide (mono or poly), mono (high or low priority), legato (mono or poly), and vibrato (from wheel or aftertouch).

• Enhanced Arpeggiator: Features on/off, rate, keyboard/internal master/MIDI sync options, plus up/down/up-down/random directions, and a range of 1-4 octaves.

• Keyboard Split and Layer: The four program Slots (A-D) can be used for keyboard splits and layers, with individual performance settings per Slot.

• Keyboard Hold and Chord Memorizer: Dedicated buttons enable sustaining notes until new ones are played, and remembering chords for triggering from individual keys.

Memory and Connectivity

The Nord Lead 3 significantly expands the memory and connectivity options:

• Program Storage: 1024 (8 x 128) onboard program memories
• Performance Storage: 256 (2 x 128) performance memories
• Audio Outputs: Increased from two to four outputs
• MIDI Connectivity: Now includes MIDI Thru in addition to MIDI In/Out
• OS Upgradability: Flash RAM storage allows user-upgradable operating system via MIDI SysEx

Sound Character

The Nord Lead 3 maintains the warm, rich sonic character of its predecessors while expanding the range of possible sounds through its enhanced FM capabilities, new oscillator modes, and expanded filtering options. It delivers everything from classic analog-style sounds to distinctive FM electric pianos, basses, bell-like tones, and metallic drones, all with the real-time editability and responsiveness that the Nord interface provides.

Limitations

Despite its advancements, the Nord Lead 3 still lacks some features common on other synthesizers: built-in multi-effects processing, an onboard multitrack sequencer, and a disk drive.

Technical Specifications