New Korg R3 or Used Nord Lead 2?

[mrsonic996]

Basically, For half a year I'm staring at the wonderful Korg R3, Trying to gather up money to buy one, As I'm insanely poor. I have already went to a Local Instruments shop several times just to get my hands on it again

I love it's look, It's interface (The Compact Knob menu dosen't bother me, at all), It's Modulation Sequencer, Everything. Especially of how "Analog-Sounding" It can get. I love programming all sorts of synths really. It's insanely fun.

Anyway, Right now I have just found out that someone from my Country is selling an used Nord Lead 2 for 550 Euros, Wich is actually the exact same price as a New Korg R3

I never got a chance to try any of the Nords. Because I never found any of them at any Music Shop in my town. I have literally no Idea if I should get that over the R3. So that's why I'm asking it here

Basically, I love all kinds of Music. There's no specific genre I would take. I simply like all of them. I really am looking to hear more info on this thing, As much as possible really. Any kind of help much appreciated

The offer ends in 26 days, Or even faster if someone takes it before me, So there's not really much time to waste.

Thanks a lot for reading.

[rukaav]

Hi, Sonic. If I were you, it would be an easy choice for me - Lead 2. It has twice as bigger polyphony as R3 has, though R3 is 10 years younger (what a shame! for an instrument of 2006). R3's 8 voices - is really a weak point for VA imho.
Then, front panel - no need for comments.
Conserning their "the inner world" - there are a lot of differences I supposse. I never touched Lead and R3, but I have Radias - so I know the pros and cons of R3/Radias.
For me the choice would be hard, if it was between Radias and Lead 2. Though I suppose I would choose Radias.

[mrsonic996]

It has twice as bigger polyphony as R3 has

Well that's the thing, Polyphony isn't much of a huge matter to me. I don't play or record things live usually. If I really wanted to get something complex out of the R3 I would just split the melody in two and record twice.

Then, front panel - no need for comments.

I don't really know what you mean by this, But I have said that I actually really don't mind R3's Menu layout. I actually like it!

Well, I guess I will really have to try the Nord Lead 2 out somewhere before I can take a serious decision. I'm really looking on more info on the Product not only what others would choose. Thanks a lot for your reply though

[xmlguy]

For "insanely poor" musicians, I recommend sticking with software like Massive, FM8, Absynth, or even Synth1. I think you get a lot more bang for the buck with soft synths. Wait for sale prices. I got the NI Komplete Synths package a few years ago for $139, as I recall. I like VA synth hardware, but I can do very well with just software if necessary.

[rukaav]

Well that's the thing, Polyphony isn't much of a huge matter to me.

It will be a matter, be sure, as soon as you start using Unison, SubOsc, Filter Routing and other things that reduce polyphony, that is low even without all these things.

I don't really know what you mean by this

I mean that Lead has dedicated knobs and buttons on the front panel for the most important parameters, while R3 not.

By the way, why don't consider Radias or some early-years Virus? A used one may cost 500-600 Euros.

[X-Trade]

Afaik, the R3 synthesis options are far more flexible than the NL2.

[Timo]

[Clavia Nord Lead 2 - specifications]
[Korg R3 - specifications]

[NordL2 - fascia]
[R3 - fascia]

[Sound On Sound review - Clavia NL2 - 1997]
[Sound On Sound review - Korg R3 - 2007]

[Youtube - NordL2]
[Youtube - R3]

The choice can only be yours. If you're looking to save money, eBay is often a good bet (if you're careful).

Bear in mind the Nord doesn't have effects. That may be a deal breaker for some people if you want an 'all-rounder' and have no means of generating your own by other hardware (or software).

[axxim]

I would prefer the R3 due its sound capabilities, even if it has less voices than the NL2. The dual filters, modulation capabilities, the effect section etc. is what makes the difference for me. Sorry for this analogy, but IMHO the NL2 is the dry rum while the R3 also has a lot of additional ingredients to mix the cocktails. That is why such a decision may be difficult, it depends on everyones taste.

[mrsonic996]

[NordL2 - fascia]

Actually, the front panel of the Nord looks pretty darn Good and straight to the point!

I mean that Lead has dedicated knobs and buttons on the front panel for the most important parameters, while R3 not.

It's true that it dosen't have important knobs easily accesible, But when you make a song on the R3 you don't really need to hurry, and after you finish the sound, You can assign basically any function to each of the 4 main knobs, So you can still easily access anything you need when playing easily

By the way, why don't consider Radias or some early-years Virus? A used one may cost 500-600 Euros.

Actually, I looked on both of them before. I didn't really find any 2nd hand one anywhere near my place. Since I live in Romania, If I buy anything from Ebay US or UK, The transport fee would be infernal, I checked enough times

For "insanely poor" musicians, I recommend sticking with software like Massive, FM8, Absynth, or even Synth1. I think you get a lot more bang for the buck with soft synths. Wait for sale prices. I got the NI Komplete Synths package a few years ago for $139, as I recall. I like VA synth hardware, but I can do very well with just software if necessary.

Actually... I have most of those, Except for Absynth. I know it kinda sounds stupid for you to have all those and still want to buy a hardware synthesizer, but, I can't just work on music using only my PC and nothing else. So far I have literally NO music hardware at all. No midi controller, no workstation, not even a mic, etc etc (Well I suppose I have a toy keyboard from when I was little but that dosen't count ).
I always loved the R3, From the first moment I saw it. And besides it being a really powerful Synth, It's insanely portable too! Wich I love, Because anywhere I have to go for a few days, I usually get to miss practicing or experimenting with music, And the R3 could be my best buddy in moments like those .
Yeah, I know it all sounds pretty stupid, But that's just me

[axxim]

I always loved the R3, From the first moment I saw it. And besides it being a really powerful Synth, It's insanely portable too! Wich I love, Because anywhere I have to go for a few days, I usually get to miss practicing or experimenting with music, And the R3 could be my best buddy in moments like those .
Yeah, I know it all sounds pretty stupid, But that's just me

I recon this feeling, I had similar thoughts before getting my R3 and I've never regretted it. The only consequence would be that after this you may want the Radias

[mrsonic996]

The only consequence would be that after this you may want the Radias

Well, I already want the Radias. I just can't manage to get it though, So the R3 will do

[thehighesttree]

Maybe it's because it was the first "real" synth (Poly800 not included), but after familiarizing myself with the engine, I feel like the R3 can do nearly anything analog, and then some, in a nice tidy package. It seems to have a distinct brashness to its tone that probably means it can't do "everything", but the variety of sounds you can make with this thing makes it a first-buy synth that you probably won't let go even if you buy other VAs. I bought an AN1x because I've heard it's one of the best, and the tone is great, but the interface (along with fiddley stuff like the wonky mod matrix values...so much for trying to invert my modwheel!) really makes me appreciate the elegance of the MMT engine and its FX offerings...

And who wants a synth with no FX??? I've heard people say the Nords are top-tier synths, but I've also heard some really brutal stuff about them like tiny user-patch memory and...no FX? WTF? Why would you even consider that when you can pay 1/3 the price and have Audio-in, a vocoder, an FX section that trumps most dedicated stompboxes (up to 2x2+1 of any FX! You could just stack delays if that's what you want), Osc Sync/PWM/Crossmod, Waveshaping/Overdrive...you get the point. My biased recommendation is to get the R3.

[3DOFan]

I would suggest you buy the Nord, it will always please you, and has kickass FM synthesis. It lacks effects, but thats nothing that external FX can't fix.

[X-Trade]

The R3 has as much FM synthesis (and more) than the NL2.

Besides polyphony and front panel density, the R3 has a much more flexible sound engine with many more synthesis options.

[3DOFan]

You sure? I fiddled with one before and honestly thought there was more options and possibilities with the NL2's FM, well I was using a Nord Lead 2X, but still. Or is the 2X different? Personally I think the Nords in general have a nice penetrating metallic tone that I have trouble getting out of other synths, even the R3.