Version 1/10/99 Written By: Mikhail Bohonus
EMAIL: they@theyrehere.com

About the NordLead Random Patch Generator

The patch generator is a CGI script that generates a sysex MIDI file containing 99 patches with randomly set patch parameters for the Clavia NORD LEAD and Clavia NORD LEAD 2 synthesizer.

The CGI script on this server creates a MIDI file "on-the-fly" of a content type "application/octet-stream". This should result in your browser saving the file automatically to disk. The generated MIDI file contains 99 patches for sysex dowloading via MIDI to your Nord Lead, or Nord Lead 2 (also their respective Nord Rack versions).

The NORD LEAD Patch Generator was written by Mikhail Bohonus of the techno/electronica band "THEY". You can visit the THEY web site at WWW.THEYreHERE.COM, there you'll find RealAudio, and MP3's of our music.

Things to know about the generated MIDI file:

1. BOTH the original Nord Lead and Nord Lead 2 are supported, be sure to select the right one (duh.)

2. YOU MUST HAVE THE PROPER MEMORY EXPANSION CARD INSTALLED

If you are looking for a random patch generator for the Nord Lead 3, you can find one here.

In order to give you a good starting point for playing with the generated patches, the following parameters are set to the following default starting values in the generated MIDI file of patches that you will download:

ParameterSet Value
osc2pitch 60 (0-120)
osc2pitchfine 0 (0-127)
mix 64 (0-127)
ampenvattack 0 (0-127)
ampenvsustain 100 (0-127)
ampenvrelease 10 (0-127)
gain 127 (0-127)
modenvlevel 64 (0-127)
filterkbdtrack FULL (3)
unison ON (1)
octshift Middle
lfo2dest_arpmode
(nord2)		 OFF (8)
*_sens params OFF (0)

Sending your patch file to the Nord Lead:

!!BACK UP THE EXISTING SOUNDS IN YOUR MEMORY CARD!!
  1. Set your Nord Lead global MIDI channel to whatever you selected in the form below.

  2. Open the downloaded MIDI file in your sequencer (you may need to ad a .MID extension for it to recognize it).

  3. Use the patch increment buttons on your NL to display the first patch of any of the card banks.

    The generated MIDI file is set to dump all the patches into Bank B (though whatever card bank is selected will work), filling up all 99 positions.

    You will need the PCMCIA memory expansion installed to load the patches. If you don't have one, go visit www.pretec.com and order one from them. Your NL2 manual will tell you which kind to get.

Nord Lead Model?

    Original Nord Lead

    Nord Lead 2

Your Nord's Global MIDI Channel?

Click the button below to download your generated patches.

Tips for reviewing the patches:

Although many of the patches will be reasonable out of the gate, generated patches are best used as a starting point for further exploration into you Nord Lead's sonic potential.

Don't forget to tweek a few params and knobs to get a good feel for what was generated.

  • If you don't hear anything, or hear very little, change your filtertype.

  • If the patch sounds like static, or other ear splitting white noise, check the FM and LFO rate settings. Also check to see if you have a Noise waveform selected in Osc2.

Comments or questions regarding the NordLead Patch Generator can be addressed to Mikhail Bohonus at they@theyrehere.com.