RetroMod Lead

Name: RetroMod Lead
Price: 79 USD
Author: Tracktion

by Tracktion · Synth · Sample-based Clavia Nord synth

Not rated yet

RetroMod Lead is a Tracktion instrument built from six Clavia instruments, including the Nord Lead 1, 2, 3 and A1, Nord Modular G1 and Nord Drum.

Each was sampled note by note at multiple velocities across five octaves; it costs $79.

Best for: Keys & Synths. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop.

Keywords: leads, sample-based, pads, metallic, multisampled, digital classic, FM, hardware emulation, 80s, acoustic drums, arpeggiator, classic, electric piano, monophonic, polyphonic, preset-driven, thin, vintage.

What it does

RetroMod Lead collects sampled sounds from six Clavia Nord instruments, covering every category of sound on each. Tracktion also blends traits across units, for example pairing the FM piano attack of the A1 with the raw body of the original Nord Lead 1.

Sources: Clavia Nord Lead 1, 2, 3 and A1, Nord Modular G1 and Nord Drum.
Sampling: note by note, at multiple velocities and across five octaves; Sample Library Review counted about 30,000 samples and 413 presets.
Sounds: cutting leads, lush pads, electric pianos, PPG-style metallic tones and drum kits mapped from the Nord Drum.
Synth layer: a second oscillator and a secondary multimode resonant filter on top of the samples, plus envelope and pitch modulation.
XY pad: real-time control of parameters such as FM, ring mod, distortion and filter frequency.
Performance: an arpeggiator, up to 16 voices of unison with detune, and glide.
Effects: reverbs, chorus and distortion, with EQ, compressor and delay in the effects section.

The current version is 1.2.1. A free trial is available, and all seven RetroMod instruments are also sold together as the RetroMod Complete Collection.

Source: Tracktion product page

When to use it

RetroMod Lead is a fast way to get the Nord sound from samples, with six instruments in one browser and drums included. Compared with modeled synths such as u-he Diva, it offers far less depth when you edit, since the filter works on samples rather than a modeled circuit. Next to Serum 2 or Vital it is not a sound-design tool, but it gives the classic Nord tone without programming. It costs more than RetroMod 106 and is larger, with more presets of more uneven quality.

Best for: Nord-style leads, keys, pads and metallic tones that sit right away.
Genres: trance, EDM, electronic and pop.
Look elsewhere if: you want deep synthesis control (a modeled VA such as Diva) or a dedicated drum instrument, since there are only about 15 kits.

What producers say

Reviewers found most sounds usable and the basic Nord character well captured, with preset quality and labelling as the main gripes.

Sample Library Review (T.M.K. Davis, 2018) said the "majority of the sounds are definitely usable", rating the keys and pads highly, but found presets hit or miss, some bass presets redundant and no labels saying which Nord each sound came from.
Admiral Bumblebee (2018) said it "gets the basic sound just right" and that the effects suit these sounds better than in other RetroMods, but found the drum section thin.
Criticisms: clean presets that rarely show off extremes, uneven levels and a slow GUI on high-resolution screens.

Where to buy

Tracktion: $79 (Price as listed on KVR Audio; Tracktion's RetroMod page does not show individual prices)
PluginFox: $79
AudioDeluxe: $79
Plugin Boutique: $79

Tutorials and reviews

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