I have a Nord Stage 3, which I bought mainly for the piano action, and I love it.
I also really like the sound of the synth engine on the Stage 3, which has got me thinking about maybe picking up a Nord Lead, maybe a used 1, 2, 2x, or 3.
But aside from getting a synth keybed instead of piano keys, and the ability to have more layers, would I really be adding that much by getting a Lead in terms of expanded synthesis options or a different sound?
Nord Lead if I already have Nord Stage 3?
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23skidoo
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Re: Nord Lead if I already have Nord Stage 3?
Apples and oranges.
The Stage 3 has a simplified synth engine (simplified in terms of features such as LFO and envelope quantity and routing options) but a fairly powerful one (additional waveform and sample oscillators being the big thing) that make it something of a cross between the A1 and the Wave. It's focused less on flexibility and more on rapidly getting "close enough". The Lead series is more about flexibility, fine tuning and tweaking the sound, giving you more options and finer control. And of course the 1,2,2x/3 don't have any effects, only the 4 / A1 do (and the 4's are fairly limited).
I have a Stage 3 and a Lead 3 and find them totally different in terms of sound capability (the Lead 3 is vastly more capable as a synth, at the expense of being more complex to program) and use them for different purposes - the Lead is a lead, sfx, and "unique" sound generator; I often use it as a layered monosynth or for pads too. The Stage does mostly classic, recognizable stuff and is for really jamming on keyboard-style, two handed polyphonic going to town whether on a classic keyboard or as a synth that I want to play Prophet-style, for instance. With the Stage's ability to split and layer an external MIDI instrument, I can blend the two into the same patch too, which is nice sometimes as well (especially if you want layered arp'd pads). I'd have a harder time justifying an NL1/2/2x there, since they're more traditional in their synth repertoire and most of that is covered nicely (but again only in a fairly simple fashion) by the Stage 3's engine, but if you find yourself frustrated by the limitations of the Stage 3, then you might consider them. If I were you, I'd consider the 3 and A1 as the best complements to the Stage 3 *IF* I liked the Stage 3 synth, and the 1/2/2x/4 if I was frustrated by the lack of traditional synth sound-crafting features and wanted something to give me everything the S3 lacks in trad poly subtractive architecture.
It comes down to this: if you're happy with the Stage 3's engine as you say, why are you looking for another board, and why at a more traditional synth engine like these Leads and not a more similar synth engine like the A1 (which is a great complement to the Stage 3 also - I had one for a few years and am still looking for a rack module of it)? I'd recommend you clarify what it is you like about the Stage 3's synth section and decide what the motivation is for getting a second board, then focus on which Lead complements what you're looking for - whether that's more of the same but with more features (A1), something powerful and completely different (3), or something traditional and focused (1/2/2x/also maybe 4).
The Stage 3 has a simplified synth engine (simplified in terms of features such as LFO and envelope quantity and routing options) but a fairly powerful one (additional waveform and sample oscillators being the big thing) that make it something of a cross between the A1 and the Wave. It's focused less on flexibility and more on rapidly getting "close enough". The Lead series is more about flexibility, fine tuning and tweaking the sound, giving you more options and finer control. And of course the 1,2,2x/3 don't have any effects, only the 4 / A1 do (and the 4's are fairly limited).
I have a Stage 3 and a Lead 3 and find them totally different in terms of sound capability (the Lead 3 is vastly more capable as a synth, at the expense of being more complex to program) and use them for different purposes - the Lead is a lead, sfx, and "unique" sound generator; I often use it as a layered monosynth or for pads too. The Stage does mostly classic, recognizable stuff and is for really jamming on keyboard-style, two handed polyphonic going to town whether on a classic keyboard or as a synth that I want to play Prophet-style, for instance. With the Stage's ability to split and layer an external MIDI instrument, I can blend the two into the same patch too, which is nice sometimes as well (especially if you want layered arp'd pads). I'd have a harder time justifying an NL1/2/2x there, since they're more traditional in their synth repertoire and most of that is covered nicely (but again only in a fairly simple fashion) by the Stage 3's engine, but if you find yourself frustrated by the limitations of the Stage 3, then you might consider them. If I were you, I'd consider the 3 and A1 as the best complements to the Stage 3 *IF* I liked the Stage 3 synth, and the 1/2/2x/4 if I was frustrated by the lack of traditional synth sound-crafting features and wanted something to give me everything the S3 lacks in trad poly subtractive architecture.
It comes down to this: if you're happy with the Stage 3's engine as you say, why are you looking for another board, and why at a more traditional synth engine like these Leads and not a more similar synth engine like the A1 (which is a great complement to the Stage 3 also - I had one for a few years and am still looking for a rack module of it)? I'd recommend you clarify what it is you like about the Stage 3's synth section and decide what the motivation is for getting a second board, then focus on which Lead complements what you're looking for - whether that's more of the same but with more features (A1), something powerful and completely different (3), or something traditional and focused (1/2/2x/also maybe 4).