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Clavia Nord Lead 3

Performance VA-Synthesizer

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Clavia Nord Lead 3
Clavia Nord Lead 3
1 200.00 street price

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

FeatureSpecification
Voices Architecture
Polyphony24 voices
Multitimbrality4-part multitimbral
Voice ModesMonophonic
Monophonic with Highest or Lowest Note Priority
Monophonic Legato
Monophonic Legato with Highest or Lowest Note Priority
Polyphonic Legato (with optional polyphonic glide)
UnisonAdjustable stereo Unison with retained full polyphony
5 detuned virtual voices per note (2 in the left channel, 2 in the right channel, and 1 in the center)
Filter Section
Single Filter ModeLowpass 6, 12 or 24 dB/Octave
Highpass 6, 12 or 24 dB/Octave
Bandpass 12 or 24 dB/Octave
Band reject 12 or 24 dB/Octave
Classic Lowpass 24 dB/Octave
Distorted Lowpass 12 or 24 dB/Octave
Frequency and Resonance controls
Multi Filter ModeHP-LP in series 12 dB/Octave
HP-LP in parallel 12 dB/Octave
LP-BP in parallel 12 and 6+6 dB/Octave
BP-BP in parallel 2 x (6+6) dB/Octave
Multi Peak
Multi Notch
2 x Frequency and 1 Resonance controls
Filter EnvelopeADSR Envelope with Lin / Exp Attack
Envelope Amount / Velocity, Positive / Invert
Keyboard Tracking and Oscillator Bypass controls
Modulation Section
LFO1 and LFO2Master Clock / MIDI-syncable LFO
6 waveforms: Square, Triangle, Sawtooth, Random Step, Smooth Random, Special
12 destinations
Free running / Hard-sync / Single Cycle and Mono modes
Rate and Amount controls
Separate LFOs for each voice
MOD ENVAttack / Decay or Attack / Release Envelope with Lin / Exp Attack
Envelope / Repeat modes
12 destinations
Attack, Decay / Release and Amount controls
Separate Envelopes for each voice
Oscillator Section
OscillatorsOSC1 and OSC2 with six shapable waveforms each: Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse, Sine, Noise, and Dual Sine
1 additional sync oscillator per oscillator group
FM SynthesisDual Sine mode for 2 or 4-operator FM synthesis
Synchable Noise for formant type of sounds
OSC1 ControlsShape / Sync / DFM Amount control
OSC2 ControlsCoarse Tuning / Modulator semitones
Fine Tuning / Carrier partial
Shape / Sync / FM Amount and Keyboard Tracking controls
Oscillator ModulationDistortion, Linear FM, Differential FM, Filter FM, AM/RM, Distortion Modulation and Noise
MixerOscillator Mix / Noise control
Amplifier Section
AmplifierADSR Envelope with Lin / Exp Attack
Level (Gain) controls
Morph Groups
MorphFour separate Morph groups per sound
Up to 26 parameters can be assigned to each Morph Group
Control sources: Keyboard Velocity, Keyboard Range, Keyboard Aftertouch/Control Pedal, Mod Wheel
Arpeggio
ArpeggiatorMaster Clock / MIDI-synchable Arpeggiator with Sub Arpeggiator and Mask function
Vibrato
VibratoGlobal Vibrato that affects all voices in the sound. Controllable from Mod Wheel or Aftertouch
Glide
Glide OptionsGlide, Auto Glide. Polyphonic Glide (in Legato mode). Rate control
Memory
MemoryFlash Memory (no backup battery required)
8 x 128 (1024) Programs
2 x 128 (256) Performances and OS
SysEx-dumps via MIDI to and from a sequencer/computer
Performance Controllers
Display2 x 16-character backlit LCD and 3-digit LED
Controls26 rotary encoder knobs with circular LED graphs for instant control
4 regular knobs and 45 buttons
Big Rotary Dial encoder for system editing, sound selection, MIDI functions, etc.
Keyboard4-octave Velocity and Aftertouch sensitive keyboard with Octave Shift functionality (+/- 2 octaves)
Keyboard FeaturesKeyboard Split (two sections)
Chord Memory / Stack
Keyboard Hold
ControllersModulation Wheel
Pitch Stick with no dead zone at zero crossing
Pedal InputsSustain Pedal input
Control Pedal input
MIDI
MIDI FeaturesAll knobs and buttons for sound editing send and receive MIDI Control Change Messages
MIDI SysEx bulk dumps: single Program or complete Program Banks, single Performance or complete Performance Banks
MIDI Clock hard-sync of LFOs and Arpeggiator
Connections
Audio4 separate assignable Audio outputs
Headphones
ControlControl Pedal input
Sustain Pedal input
MIDIMIDI IN, MIDI OUT, MIDI THRU
PowerDetachable power cord
Dimensions and Weight
Width870 mm
Depth278 mm
Height100 mm
Weight6.3 kg

Country of origin / production: Sweden

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Usage area
Synthesizer 
Performance Synthesizer 
Usage Design/ Form Factor
With Keys 
Archetype
Virtual Analog (VA) 
Polyphony
Voices24
Multi Timbral Capacity4 part(s)
Split/Layer2 sections
Tone Generator / Sound Synthesis
Oscillator Type Digital
Technology of Sound Generation Nord VSM
Oscillators per voice2
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Sine
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Square
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Super Triangle
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Triangle
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) Saw
Waveform/ Spectral form (main generator) White Noise
Programs/ Voices/ Timbres
Single Voice Preset1024
Multitimbral Preset256
Filter
High-pass Filter (HPF) 
Low-pass Filter (LPF) 
Band-pass Filter (BPF) 
Band-reject Filter (BRF/ BEF) 
1-pole 
2-pole 
4-pole 
6dB 
12dB 
24dB 
Resonance 
Envelope Generator (EG)
AmpADSR
LFOADSR
ADSR 
Modulation
LFO: LFO Count2
Arpegiator/ Portamento
Arpegiator 
MIDI
General MIDI (GM) 
MIDI in/ out
IN 
OUT 
THRU 
Keys
Type Synth Action
Velocity Sensitivity 
Aftertouch 
Size4
Number of Keys49
Display
Display type EL
Display type LCD
Color resolution 1 color with multiple contract
Resolution: Symbols Count3
Built-in controllers
Pitch Bend Wheel 
Pitch Stick 
External controllers
Sustain foot pedal 
Expression foot pedal 
Foot Controller1
Audio out
Stereo 
Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm)4
Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm) headphones preamplified1
DAC
DAC Frequency 96
Resolution24 bit
Dimensions
Height100 mm
Width870 mm
Depth278 mm
Weight6.3 kg
Case/ body
Metal 
Color
Red 
Production start2003
Production end2008
Production ended

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