Novation Nova

I have upgraded to version 4.1, adding -most significantly- 4 more notes (to make 16-note) to the polyphony. If Novation keeps up with these updates, they are going to have some terribly happy customers. The presets are 98% garbage, and even the one or two decent sounds I wouldn't use without tweaking. And how hards is tweaking? Easy enough that you don't even need to crack the manual to make yourself a decent patch. I hear Sound Diver integrates the Nova nicely, though I haven't had time to try myself. Two thumbs up for all the buttons, knobs and matrices. Everything is right in front of you, and the menus are minimal and concise. The only downer (so far) is it can be difficult to view a parameter's setting without having to *change* the setting. This can be somewhat worked around by setting the knobs to 'pickup', meaning the knob will pick up control of the parameter only once it has passed or touched the value the parameter is currently at; until then the value is displayed on the screen.

As I mentioned, v4.01 and later gives you 16-voice polyphony, probably sufficient for a 6-part instrument, though again I haven't hooked it to a sequencer yet. The effects are basically useless, the distortion is weak at best, and the reverb is so tinny and metallic it's embarrassing to use it at all. The comb filter (though not quite up to that of the Waldorf's) however can really make this blue box squeal and scream, the delay and panning/autopanner are pretty standard, and the flanger/chorus/phaser could be a lot worse. <br><br>The expansional capabilities of this unit seem to look pretty good. After all, if they can add an extra 4 notes of polyphony and several new filters in just one minor update, what's to stop them from doing it again? I really hope they continue developing firmware for the Nova. <br><br>One thing that I don't think gets mentioned much is the fact that the part edit buttons can be used as 'audition' buttons while editing a patch. This essentially means that you can listen to a sound while you develop it without having to connect an outside controller. The odd combination of F's and C's spread over quite a range doesn't offer *too* much flexibility, however it is a nice added feature.<br><br>Among the features I don't like is the little beepy 'chirp' that sounds on every button you push (though isn't routed through outputs thank goodness), and the lack of other common waveforms (ie. Sine, Triangle, etc, not just square/saw/double saw - though I can see this being acknowledged in future updates).

Ignore the presets. If I could delete them, I would. They can offer you only a glimpse into the world of synthesis that you will dive into once you start digging into this machine. The sounds you can pull out of 3 oscillators are really quite impressive. Techno/trance/jungle/D&B/etc basses and leads are a dime a dozen, electronic organs, bells, and the like are not far behind. If you want pads, do not buy this piece. Thin at best. I mean it. I love the filter section - a low, band, or high pass filter each set to either 12, 18 (ala TB-303), or 24db. Another option is the continually expanded 'special' filter, consisting of: Res LPF, Res BPF, Res HPF, Notch, LPF+LPF, BPF+BPF, HPF+HPF, LPF+BPF and BPF+HPF; again each can be set to 12,18 or 24db. If this doesn't impress you, I don't know what will. Almost any single filter setting imaginable can be created with the Nova.

Well, I have only had one issue that apparently came with the box when I bought it used. If the power supply was already warm and the Nova was switched on, all kinds of noise would shoot out the outputs. This problem was quickly resolved, as I will write later in the customer support section. Don't consider this to be a reliablilty issue, as I think it was the owner, not the unit, that may have caused the problems.<br><br>
I would still use this unit without a backup. Rock solid so far, and besides, I don't have the cash for a backup!

Okay, here's where Novation really shines. I was purchasing the unit without a knob, so I emailed Novation to find out about aquiring another one. The same day I got a reply asking me to send them my address, and within a week or two, a replacement knob was in my hands, all the way from England. No cost, no hassle - I didn't even own the unit yet! The second issue I had was about the noise that showed up every time the unit was turned on when the power supply was warm. I emailed Novation again, explaining the problem and asking them to direct me to the nearest qualified technician. Instead, I got a reply from a knowledgable customer service rep. who said he thought he knew what the problem was, and again, in about 2 weeks I had a brand new eprom (the main computer chip) mailed to me - no hassle, no charge. I cracked the unit open, replaced the chip, and mailed the original back to England as I had promised. The Nova works impeccably, and I am floored by Novation's amazing service. If I could give them higher than a 10/10, I would do so without even thinking. They have a long term customer in me. I highly recommend.

I got this unit at a pretty reasonable used price, and I'm having a lot of fun with it. It's my first VA, but I have listened, emulated, and synthesized for 4 or 5 years now, so I consider myself to be somewhat VA-knowledgable when I say this is definitely a good buy.

Software 3.0. First I have to say that NEVER (like the most) judge the synth after playing it in the store, don't even after using it few days. If I did, I had sold it months ago. I have owned it for 6 months now and I'm not going to sell it. I have quite good experience of VAs (Prophecy, K2000(tons of DSP algos), Nord Rack 2, QM 309/Sirius, Micro Q, AN1x and some analogs/half analogs). Like Nova, every synth is very different and for very different needs. After I got Nova I sold Micro Q, not that it's bad but Nova is so much better to edit. Nova and Micro Q are great companion. Micro Q has much deeper engine and worse interface (more complex sounds). Well for those "complex" sounds I use FS1r, XT and other complex sounds.

Presets are really crap. I haven't used even one of the presets before tweaking. They are mostly too effected for me. I wouldn't use editor it's so easy to edit after couple of hours of learning the interface. It was a bit strange at first because I haven't owned Novation before.

I think I once opened the manual cause there was problem with setup.

Polyphony is enough, 16x3oscs, for the price. I was a bit disappointed of effects(just few parameters). Delay, pan, reverb and distortion are quite good and chorus is ok. What I miss, second filter like in Micro Q. That's why(and only 2 LFOs) it's not possible to make really good pads.

I use it for quite many sounds except pads/strings. If rating the presets, I'd give 6-7 but after making your own I'm really satisfied. It's so fast and easy to make good lead/bass sound. Trance/techno -dudes really likes it, i'm sure. I make electro-ambient and it's perfect. Sounds quite smooth but rough if needed. If you now think that it can't make pads, it can. Like every(the most) vas but I mean "complex" pads like Micro Q. So it's good for "basic" analog, OB etc style, pads.

Knobs feels good and it's build like a tank (metal), no bugs.

Never used.

I would buy it again!

I've recently updated to the newest OS version, which is OS 4.01. Adding a few touches to version 4.0 (16 voices, now) it also adds another bank of sounds, some new features (filters, for example) but that doesn't necessarily make it easier to use...

The basic features remain the same.

There's a tremendously inspiring Vox Continental organ-like sound that defies definition... awesome! Most of the new bits are OK as well, with very few duff ones.

Never had a problem since I got the Nova about a year and a half ago. Works incidentally fine with a MIDI guitar!

This is the best bit... If Novation keeps on keeping up with updates they'll get return customers which is a nice policy, indeed!

If lost or stolen, I'd get another one without further ado's - it's an ESSENTIAL part by now, along with Novation BassStation and other bits, mostly samplers.

I'm using version 4.1.

The presets on the Nova are exactly what they think you want to hear and obviously don't showcase it's real abilities very well. I'm not usualy very fond of presets on a synth, though!

I've had it for 7 months and only cracked the manual once to figure out how to sync the clock to MIDI. Everythings laid out very nicely, and programming is a breeze!

Biggest fault: There's no way to establish what the parameter of a nob is before you turn it. This is incredibly more frustrating than you might think at times and decent ears come in handy if you want to set it back.

This is where the NOVA shines most brightly. For the cost it stuffed to bursting with VERY inspiring functions.

Seperate effects parameters for each effect per program. I don't know of another hardware synth that can do this (except other Novation products) but if Novation can do it why can't every one? The effects are all pretty useful. distortion does suck (as has been mentioned already), reverbs are decent but nothing to get too excited about. Delays are pretty well spec'd and MIDI syncable. The comb filter is INSANE, not quite a Waldorf but definately brings a harder edge to the sound (and since it's designed as an effect it's in addition to the filter Mods, very sweet). The chorus is chorus, not too exciting. But the Pan and pan effects are incredible. The pan effects parameters make for intense swirling psychedlic timbres.

Every parameter on available sends and receives MIDI. Try sweeping the delay timing from 32nds to 4 bars and back over 8 measures. Incredible!!!

Masses of filters with several combinations and a very useful Notch filter. (filter overdrive is week!) LFO's sync to MIDI and can effect any other parameter in the synth!

Some of the Arp's are pretty standard but some are VERY musical. Some of the best funky basslines I've heard and they're presets! Arp sync's to MIDI but is a pain in the ass to program!

I think it does a very good job emulating a very lush analog synth. Not one in particular, though. it definately has it's very own character.

This synth sounds incredible. It is so inspiring and it effected dramaticaly thesound of my trax! I took back an MS2000 to get it! No competition... this is the most rich, warm and lush AM on the market, i think.

One note though, it does warm and lush very nicely but takes some serious effort to make it harsh or bangin'! It's hard to make this very pretty little synth ugly.

Rock solid!!! I've never had any problems with it, and i do play live sets with it often without a back-up. It's not crashed once in the 7 months I've owned it.

I had some issues with the vocoder not well explained in the manual. E-mailed Novation and got response the same day that straightened me out. The guy also gave me some tips based on my message that i didn't ask him for. Very helpful, and prompt.

If it were lost or stolen i would crying big salty tears and replace it immediately. It's in every track I write. (and it''s not my only synth, or VA for that matter).

I've been making electronic music for 7 years and have a Waldorf Q and a Nord lead 2 along with a sampler and sequencer/rompler. i compared the NOVA to the Virus, the MS2000 and the JV8080 and felt that the NOVA is WAY better than these. More voices than the JV (and way more convincing sound), and greater effects and envelope options than the Virus at a cheaper price! I think it's also better than my Nord all around. I don't think I'd go so far as to say it's better than the Q but there are features on the NOVA that I wish they had included on the Q. Like a decent effects set-up.

It is VERY inspiring and the best tool I've ever had for adding that warmth and presence that sets a track over the top.

I love it to death, and could not get along with out one now.

Now using OS 4 but have used OS 3 for the last 18 months. The operating system of this module is very well designed and is quite easy to find your way around. However compared to other synths that I have owned (MS2000, AN1X and XTk) this is the most difficult to program. Due to its complexity this is not a good synth to learn how to program on (like I did).
Contrary to what someone else said in an earlier review I believe the manual to be very good. Everything is explained clearly and in detail.

This is the Nova's strength. Great arpeggiators (384 different types) which, like the 2 LFOs, can be synced to midi clock. Two audio inputs which can be used to filter drums etc (very effective). Awesome effects power - for each of the 6 parts you can apply all of the effects in any configuration. I am not aware of any other synth that can do this.
Great performance capabilties i.e mute and solo for each part and a great operating system which baasically allows you to do any task that you can think of (well nearly).

Has a great range of sounds but is not the best overall sounding synth I have ever heard (AN1X & XTk sound better). In my opinon it is best at soft lead and pad sounds. Sometimes it can sound a little harsh and cold. It is however capable of some great original sounds that you will not hear on any other synth.

The first one I had died completely after a month. The one I have now crashed once and lost all of its sounds. I lost a sound that was the key part of a track I was working on and have since failed to recreate it. This pissed me off. Has been OK since though.

E mailed them after it lost all of its sounds and never had a reply.
They upgrade the operating systems to give you extra features free of charge and they should be applauded for this.

If it was stolen I would replace it as it is a key part of my setup. It can be hard work creating good sounds but it can also be rewarding. I owned an MS2000 for about a month. This costs about the same as the Nova but is not even in the same league.
For the money you cannot buy a better synth.

Using OS/4. Editing is a breeze. Everything is logically laid out. You can start making cool sounds very quickly. There are a host of features that make this easy, including Copy which copies the settings of one oscillator to another and Solo which solos a singls osc to see what effect your programming has had on it.

The manual is OK, not great but does the job. Would be nice to have some walkthroughs.

With OS/4 Poly is 16. There are loads of built in FX which can be routed everywhich way. MIDI implementation is very comprehensive. The arpeggiator is pretty good with 256 patterns on board and you can make your own too. Editing arps in OS4 is much faster. It does glide etc for those TB303 arps.

There are something like 13 filters now and some of the new ones (Notch, HPFHPF etc) are really cool, filtering either side of a range for odd effects.

There are 3 oscillators which can have square, saw, sine or Double Saw waveforms. Everything can be modulated by 3 LFO's 3 envelopes. There are various sync settings and formant parameters for metallic sounds etc. Doublesaw is supposed to sound like 2 seperate oscs which it does.

The sounds are really good. OS/4 has really added some sorely needed bite to the sounds. Everything is still pristine, crystal clear but it can get really nasty now - still in a muscial way. The Unison mode = instant 120 foot trance wall-of-sound especially with PWM done with doublesaws. OS4 has made this possible. The Nova is a far better synth than it was. It easily competes with synths twice the price.

Very reliable. Very strong.

Average as usual. Tend to respond when they want to. Not good at keeping users informed via their website. Quite unlike all mrfrs then!

With OS3 it was a good synth. A bit clean and nice but easy to program, well featured and versatile. With OS4 it is a totally monster synth.

Soundwise and featurewire it now compares favorably with the Access Virus B but is much cheaper. It's easier to program too.

If it got stolen I'd definately replace it.
Probably the best value VA out there. Definately one of the nicest sounding.

Fairly easy to use but the relative (compared to the Supernova) lack of knobs hides feature in menus. Still, the mahority of parameters you'd want to tweak in realtime are there.

Making your own sounds is as hard as any virtual analogue but made harder by the way that the knobs don't "latch" onto the number they are supposed to represent. I believe they are going to fix this in OSv4.0 (March 2001)

The manual is pretty bad and not easy to read. No examples.

You'll have read the poly/multi specs 10 time by now...so I won't bother

MIDI functionality is 2nd to none - it is done very well indeed.
The on board apeggiator is great for the 100's of presets but making your own is very counter intuitive. No swing but there is a quantise which kind of helps here.

FX are a strong point with 6 available for each and every part. The distorion sucks big time. The reverb isn't half bad.

There is no Unison mode as of writing which means you are gonna struggle for really OTT lead sounds.

Expansion wise - there isn't much potential. Novation are bringing out a new OS but it will probably be the last.

The sounds are good but a bit limited. It does great 303 impressions, nice rounded basses and quite decent pads but everything is just a bit too smooth and pristine. It's impressive at first but I don't think you are gonna be using it for your lead sounds as much as you'd like. It does the sort of stuff you hear on DnB intros but but not blazing trance arpeggios.

There are some problems with clipping. The signal path is hot and you have to consciously keep osc and FX levels low to avoid it. Hopefull this will be sort out in OS4

Very reliable

Only average. Don't return emails until they feel like it. Relative to other h/w and s/w mrfrs it is actually pretty decent I guess!

Overall it is a good product. It is used mostly by the dance brigade and I think that the lack of edge to it might prove problematic.

It is very easy to use. Editing is a breeze. Except for the arpeggiator is kind of cumbersome to program without hearing it at the same time. I haven't messed with the arpeggiator much though.

12 voices is more than enough coupled with a sampler. If you run out of voices just sample one of the parts and you free up that for more.
I can only see this being a problem with a live act of some really intense and full trance. Effects are sweet. Especially the comb filter. Effects are very easy to use and are great for running other pieces of gear through it. I like to run my korg ER-1 through the effects. Very cool. Also Nice long delays. Midi implementation is as good as it gets with all the tweaks sent in midi messages. I could definately use a midi merger to get the most out of it though. Then you can record tweaks. As of now I will just sample it instead with my akai MPC 2000xl.
The only onboard sequencer is for the aregiator which I found to be the only drawback of this unit. I want to hear the arpeggio as I create it. Istead of going back and forth between modes as I program it. Then again I haven't spent much time with it. Then again this is probably the reason for that. It is okay though because I enjoy slowing the BPMs down to like 70 and doing my fast synth lines like that. It is much more fun and controllable.

I want to give this a Fifteen instead of a ten. This unit is just plain sick! I did a lot of research and played all kinds of synths before I purchased this baby. All the waldorf's, Nords, roland JP8080, acces virus. The only one that could compare in my eyes was the super novaII the nova II and the access. I was going to get the supenova II at first but realized this was a stupid move for what I needed. Besides if you use it inteligently it is just as good for about 1000 less. Then I had money left for an akai MPC2000 which compliments the nova like you would n't believe as a sequencer.
The lushness sold me. The sound is so thick and has more pressence then all the other synths mentioned. At the same time it could rip up leads like the others with a bit of editing. It is so versatile it is not funny. Bass for everything even D n B. This synth is definately geared towards HOUSE TECHNO TRANCE D n' B and electronic music in general.

The thing is small but built like a brick shit house. It is tough and looks really cool too. I would definately use at a gig, but I try not to take it out of the house just because I am that way. I would rather spin my tracks on vinyl.

Never had too. Never crashed.

I would buy another every time I lost it, until the end of time. This unit is the greatest piece of gear I have ever owned and I am proud to own it. I pet it like a dog every once in a while. :-)

Check out my tunes here if you want to hear this sucker in action:

www.mp3.com/odogsands

Could not be easier - choose a preset (not great but with a little tweaking all of them can easily be made interesting) and twiddle away at all those lovely nobs! Editing patches is so easy its hard not to do it. I say 10/10 BUT... YOU CAN'T check parameter settings before you change them!!

6 note polyphony, delay is great, chorus and reverb are ok, distortion sucks unbelievably. Can do some really cool stuff with the arp thiggy (hard to program but there are enough preset patterns to find easily find an appropriate one). Everyone seems to think the vocoder sucks but think of it as anther effect and you can make it do some really cool things.

Realistic? Not in the slightest, but then its not ment to be. filter is amazing and you can make this thing squelch, burb, fart or do just about anything appart from sound 'real'. it invites you to make cool noises

Crashed on me a couple times since i bought it and had some problems starting up once since i bought it a 3 months ago, but then again i've used it just about every day so..

called them up when it wouldn't start. no hold time and they were very helpful - machine managed to fix itself before i sent it away though.

if it were lost or stolen i'd shoot myself, and then sell my soul to buy a super nova - i end up using all 6 sounds every time i write a tune!

The presets are variable, a little dancey / cheesy sounding for my taste. I found patch editing tricky when I tried it in the shop, but when you get some time with it and the manual it's not too hard. Considering how complex it's capabilities are, it takes a while to realise what you need to set to change parameters that you might just have a slider or two for on another synth.

The manual is unitially a bit daunting, but action rather comprehensive once you get the feel of how it's laid out.

The polyphony is 12 voices, which I find more than adequate with intelligent use. I've been controlling from a Korg SP100 piano, the Nova has some good options for setting up keyboard splits and overlays that most don't have - that was one of the selling points to me.

The more I play with this the more I like the sounds that I can get from it. I play mostly goth and what I might term the more sinister end of early eighties synth music, with some contempory and classical influences, and find the sounds excellent for my purposes. The onboard effects are very useful and ultra easy to use. As easy overall to get a rock bass as funereal organ sounds. Incredible versitility, the are lots of things I have to learn about programming this synth.

Only had it for two weeks but feel confident with it. A very good all rounder which I would be happy to gig with.

Not yet.

I also tried the Roland JP8080, Oberheim OB12 and some Waldorf kit. The latter I don't like the sound of and find the styling absurd. The JP8080 has much less multitimbral capacity, has as the OB12. I was debating for a while between getting a module or selling my Prophet 600 and getting a keyboard model (I don't work with more than 2 keyboards at once) but in the end decided on the module as I much prefer to play from the keyboard of my Korg SP-100. When you're used to hammer action even a good synth keyboard feels horrid to play on. I don't regret this, and find the extra lenght (7 octave) over a standard MIDI keyboard very useful to get an extra split in.

Overall I love the kind of atmospheric sounds it's possible to get out of it, and its versatility. My next buy will probably be a MIDI merger so that I can connect my drum machine into it (Drums + 1 octave of MIDI).

For the price range, it beat all of the competition on specification and sound. I think this is destined to become an absolute classic.