Superbooth 2017Novation announces Peak Polyphonic Synth and Circuit Mono Station Paraphonic Analogue Synth

20th April 2017 - KVR Audio News

Novation has chosen the Superbooth exhibition to launch Peak, a hardware polyphonic synthesiser that is destined to be the brand's leading synth. Peak's design consultant was Chris Huggett, the man behind Bass Station, Supernova, OSCar and many more synths, and Peak has its origin in the Bass Station II analogue monosynth.

Novation has also revealed Circuit Mono Station, a next-generation sequenced monosynth, following the release of Circuit in October 2015.

Peak is an eight-voice desktop polyphonic synthesiser with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice. The oscillators sound completely analogue by being high-quality NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators), but gain the flexibility of the digital domain with 17 digital wavetables. They can also become a linear FM source using either the analogue-sounding NCOs or digital wavetables – so are able to cross-modulate in a recursive loop.

The synth has a resonant multi-mode analogue filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice – pre-filter, post-filter and global – in an analogue signal chain. Peak is capable of receiving polyphonic aftertouch, which puts expression right at one's fingertips. There is also reverb, delay and chorus effects, and an on-board arpeggiator.

The modulation system puts a 16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments in the main controls, cleverly arranged for intuitive patch design and sound editing. There are three ADSR envelopes and two LFOs for each voice, and more elaborate movements and secondary 'via' assignments are made just a few menu button presses away. In addition, two animate buttons give live performers instant one-touch transformation of patches.

Peak connects to modular systems via a CV modulation input, and has MIDI I/O on five-pin DIN ports, so other MIDI gear can be connected. Via USB, Peak can be plugged into Mac or PC, where unlimited patches can be kept using the Components software.

Robert Jenkins, Product Strategy Director, Novation, said: "Peak is a desktop polysynth to rival even the finest polys on the market today – and of years past. Peak is the result of Novation's obsessive mission over the past decade to create a synthesiser that sounds entirely analogue yet gains the flexibility of the digital domain."

Pricing and availability:

Peak:

US = $1299.99 ex. tax.
Germany = €1429.99 inc. 19% VAT.
UK = £1249.99 inc. 20% VAT.
Available worldwide from May 2017.

Peak Stand:

US = $99.99 ex. tax.
Germany = €114.99 inc. 19% VAT.
UK = £99.99 inc. 20% VAT.
Available worldwide late 2017.

Circuit Mono Station builds on the 32 velocity-sensitive RGB pads found on Circuit, with a paraphonic analogue synthesiser that originates from the Bass Station II, plus three sequencer tracks that benefit from the 32 velocity-sensitive RGB pads found on Circuit.

The synth has two oscillators that can be individually controlled, three distortion modes, plus one multi-mode filter with high-pass, low-pass or band-pass. With Circuit Mono Station, the sync and tuning parameters of its two oscillators can be individually controlled. It also offers four waveshapes (sawtooth, triangle, square and sample + hold), a sub-oscillator, ring modulation and noise generation. Users can get the frequency band they want by applying high-pass, low-pass and band-pass filters with slopes of 12dB and 24dB. In addition, Circuit Mono Station introduces a powerful overdrive.

Both monophonic and paraphonic modes are available, with each oscillator individually controlled by its own sequencer. In total, there are three sequencer tracks: two oscillator sequencers and one modulation sequencer. Users can alter Gate length, switch patterns instantly, choose sync rate and mutate patterns.

A four-by-eight modulation matrix makes it possible to route from LFO with the four waveshapes, envelope, sequencer or velocity, enabling complex modulation for pitch, pulse-width, amp, filter, distortion or CV. Up to 64 patches can be loaded and saved on the device, right at the user's fingertips.

Circuit Mono Station controls separate hardware via CV, Gate and modulation outputs, and has MIDI In, Out and Thru, so other MIDI gear can be connected. Passing an audio signal through the audio input opens up a world of analogue filtration and distortion. Using the audio input with the mod sequencer, a source can be modulated, evolved and processed in entirely new ways. Via USB, Circuit Mono Station can be plugged into Mac or PC, where unlimited patches can be kept using Components.

Pricing and availability: