Nord Lead 3 -vs- Access Virus KC

[whitelightening]

I think the title says it all. I was having a discussion with a friend recently and he wanted to know which is better. From a technical standpoint, the Virus KC seems to have more power. But that's just from my unprofessional vantagepoint.

Virus KC:
32 voice polyphony
16 part multitimbral
98 simultaneous effects

Lead 3:
24-note polyphony
4 part multitimbral
# of effects?

Those are just some of the basics. I would say that they are both pretty sweet looking boards (but I might give the nod to the Virus for the cool red led display). Just wondering out of curiosity if anyone here has an opinion one way or another. Check these out for further details:


http://www.access-music.de/specifications.php4?product=viruskc

http://www.clavia.com/nordlead3/specs.htm

[Tusker]

NL3 doesn't have effects in the conventional sense IIRC.

Virus also has a better key action, to my taste.

Virus has stronger filters, NL3 stronger oscillators to my taste.

NL3 has the whole sinus modulation thing. Access has the digital single-cycle waveforms.

NL3 interface is extremely intuitive. Virus has a lot of hidden detail. Difficult to use. NL3 more of a performance instrument. Virus more of a sound design instrument.

Lovely instruments, both.

Jerry

[whitelightening]

I am currently working on a project which (to me) sounds like a cross between Porcupine Tree, Radiohead and Ayreon. In other words, very spacey and melodic with some really heavy stuff thrown in for good measure. With that said, which would you say would better suit this type of music, the Virus or the Lead 3? Am I able to get the warm sweeping sounds and the really gritty distortions with the Nord or would I looking at adding some additional effects processors?

[Tusker]

I'm only familar with radiohead, and a little porcupine tree.

Do you have an outboard effects processor or plug-ins? Do you plan to pick one up? When you mention spacy, it's all about a good sounding reverb. The NL3 has no effects processor, so you would be relying on external effects. THe Virua has effects that are about as good as any synth, nice reverbs and delays. The nord has a couple of very interesting ways to create distorted sounds, in the oscillator section and also in the filter. The Virus is more warm in the conventional "warm pad" sense. It may seem like I'm giving the nod to the virus. It has more range, more features, and a more conventionally analog sound as well as bizzare distorted stuff in it.

However the NL3 has an interface from heaven and the Virus ... well it's not easy to get around .... that may be a polite way of putting it. So the only thing to do is to audition both of them. If you are looking for quirky, spacy, powerful also audition the Dave Smith Instruments PolyEvolver and the Andromeda. Both are real analog and have their charms.

Best,

Jerry