Nord Lead 3 or Virus Ti

My son is looking to but a synth for his rock band. Band plays dance-punk (his discription) originals etc.

He has narrowed his selection down to either the Nord Lead 3 or the Virus Ti Keyboard. The Virus is more expensive, but leaving the price difference aside, if you guys had to choose between the 2 for the above style of live music, which would you choose, and why?

I'd like him to make the right choice so all comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

I'd take a look at the Nord Lead 2x, it's cheaper than the others and VERY good for live work. One of the strengths of the Virus is the computer integration, but if he doesn't need that it may be a little over the top. The Virus has 61 keys vs. the Nords' 49 keys, that may be of importance, but the Nords are extremely gig-friendly and considerably lighter than the Virus.

Of course, what he prefers to play is the most important factor, and all three synths mentioned above are really good.

I have a Nord Lead 2X in the studio and I love it, it's a great workhorse.

As far as live goes, I think the biggest thing here is that the Nords don't have effects built in, and the Virus's do. In the studio it's not so big of an issue since I can just plug in any guitar pedal or effect plugin.

Good point. I usually run my synths completely dry, but it's nice to be able to add a bit of delay at least.

I'm gonna be Waldorf's bitch again and suggest that your son thinks about getting a Blofeld and a MIDI controller, it will end up way cheaper, and Blofeld has a helluva lot to offer.

Aanalogaddict,

The reason he likes the Nord a lot seems to be because a lot of his favourite bands use it. I'm probably pushing him toward the Virus because the keyboard seems to have a much better feel IMO. Wouldn't the 61 keyboard be more useful as a controller eg, drive a piano module. Also, the computer integration would surely be useful???

Sure, if he's into making music on his computer it's a great feature that I'd love to see in every new synth. But, if he's mostly going to use the synth live, it's quite an expensive feature... Ergonomics and economics tell me the Nord, features and fx tell me the Virus. Soundwise, they're both great.

I'm gonna be Waldorf's bitch again and suggest that your son thinks about getting a Blofeld and a MIDI controller, it will end up way cheaper, and Blofeld has a helluva lot to offer.

That's a good idea. The Blofeld sure sounds good, and if the venue provides a keyboard, he sure doesn't have a lot of weight to cart around.

True, he just needs to take his Blofeld with sounds set up, and a MIDI cable. Can't weight more than 5 kg

For somewhere around 500 bucks, it's best buy of decade, and your son will definitely have a lot of stuff to play with on that little white beast. It can do really amazing stuff. Hook it up to a decent midi controller (I'm guessing he doesn't need hammer action, so any M-Audio, CME, Novation or other controllers will do just fine) and you have a really portable, affordable, great-sounding rig.

I guess the question was between the Nord3 and the VirusTi. And the answer depends on what you want to do with it.

I would go with the Nord3 when I would:

- program my own sounds

- need a performance board with the genius pitch stick

- layer/split sounds on the fly

I would go with the VirusTI when I would:

- need internal effects

- need full 5 octave board

- use it in a midi/studio environment

- need lots of presets to get started

Yes, I know what the question was about, but why not suggesting a cheaper solution if there is one?

The Nord 2X has a warmer sound, and a lower price tag than the Nord 3, but the 3 has an awesome interface that is unbeatable by even newer models

With how much the virus costs, you could buy a Nord3 and a Virus KC, and still have money left over

The Nord Lead 2X will have to be a *used* item in the US. No big deal, but worth noting.

The Nord 3 would be too, right? They are discontinued as well I thought.

If the choice is between the Nord Lead 3 and a Virus, and price is not a consideration, I'd go for the Virus. Very nice keyboard, and it will definitely get the sounds he's after.

If you want a cheaper option, look for a used Nord Lead 2X. I'd go for that before I bought a Nord Lead 3.

I think you're right about the Nord 3, yes! BTW, I've been watching eBay - there used to be lots and lots of 2X racks and keys available; that seems to have changed. Fewer and fewer.

Virus TI all the way. As for the reasons:

- very good keyboard action

- excellent effects

- excellent filters

- TI

- wavetables

- the sound, in general

- ...

A little bit one sided, I know, but I really think Virus TI is the best synth money can buy new, of any of analogs or VAs, nowdays.

Yes, I know what the question was about, but why not suggesting a cheaper solution if there is one?

The choice of instruments tells me that somebody did already his homework and the way the synth should sound. Sure there are cheaper solutions, since the Virus TI is the top end of the VA market (at least when it comes to cost).

Having said that, I vote for 7 Roland SH-201 over the Virus TI keyb.

Nord lead 3 or access virus ti wow that is a tough call. One thing that the nord has that at least for me is very useful is the splits and layers in live performance, but I think that the acces has a more punchy sound. If you have the money go for the ACCESS.

Erm - noone use multi mode on a TI for 'splits and layers'????

You know - the button labelled 'multi'?

Yep, we know that the TI can do this. But there is some appeal to the split and layer button. How easy to push to try things instead of going into the multi menu and set things up by changing a dozen numbers.

I think both are nice machines, but I heard from a guy that had both

of them and he said that Virus TI is better in almost everything than the Nord lead 3... I personally havent played in those keyboards yet so I dont know if thats true...

Thanks guys (and girls) for the feedback, greatly appreciated.

We've just checked with the supplier and found the Lead 3 is discontinued so it is really the Lead 2X v's the Virus TI. Sorry for that confusion.

Price wise, over the life of the instrument, I'm advising my son that the price difference isn't a big deal so don't worry about that. Having the greatest flexibility (live, studio, computer integration, etc.) seems to me to be the most important consideration at this stage. He doesn't now exactly what he wants at this point in his 'journey' so have the greatest flexibility seems to me to be the way to at this stage.

Thanks again,

NORD!

The Virus TI is a much more powerful synthesizer-the king of VA's really. My personal usage and preference is the Virus, but I recommend the Nord 2 for your sons situation.

I'm not sure how old your son is or his experience, I just assume by the fact your asking and buying on his behalf, he is fairly new to the music scene.

The nord is less expensive, it's more portable for playing out, less sophisticated, it's easier to learn on and there are a million sounds for it available in the public domain (including all those sounds from Nine Inch Nails your son wants).

A Virus TI 61 keys is going to set you back $3200 new. The Nord lead 2 isnt available new anymore, but a used one can be had for $1000 or less. They are very reliable and immediate in use. Let him beat up a Nord for a few years and graduate up or add a Virus.