KVR Audio

Biopharmer · Post by **Biopharmer** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:23 am

Novation basically says that their architecture is so complex that the price would skyrocket if they made it multitimbral. Really?
The blofeld's architecture is more or less just as complex.
Also (and this is what bugs me ) the mere fact that the Ultranova is polyphonic means it's ALREADY running multiple iterations of it's architecture! It's not that hard to get them to play different patches simultaneously.

I'm thoroughly convinced that the difference between the Ultranova being mono-timbral or poly-timbral is a mere software issue. The hardware and power IS there, that's what bugs me.

You might say we were fine before the Ultranova came out, so we'll be fine now. What's maddening is that Novation basically revealed their true colors with the Ultranova, showing us that they're not who they once were.

I also feel like they slapped us in the face by telling us what we want in that letter.

They've obviously had lots of complaints about it, otherwise they wouldn't have addressed it. Their only advice (in a nutshell) is to "Ignore the problem and buy our synth anyway". No way!
Novation, how you've fallen.

Ingonator · Post by **Ingonator** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:53 am

Biopharmer wrote: The blofeld's architecture is more or less just as complex.

I would say it's even more complex than the Ultranova.

Even if the Ultranova seems to have 14 filter modes most just differ in the slope:

• low pass no resonance 6dB per octave
• low pass 12dB
• low pass 18dB
• low pass 24dB
• band pass 6:6
• band pass 6:12
• band pass 12:6
• band pass 6:18
• band pass 18:6
• band pass 12:12
• high pass no resonance 6dB per octave
• high pass 12dB
• high pass 18dB
• high pass 24dB

No Notch and Comb filters for example.

reeper · Post by **reeper** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 2:29 am

Ultranova fail.

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:27 am

I'd like to hear some feedback when someone gets hands-on time with this thing. Statements like "up to 18 voices" worry me. How many voices can we expect if we use everything but unison enabled? If it could muster up 18 voices regardless of settings (apart from unison obviously) I'd be really impressed.

That's a thing that bugged me with the blofeld, If I enabled both filters and used all three oscillators, two with wavetables, the polyphony dropped quite a bit (10-12 voices perhaps?).

Tupapupa · Post by **Tupapupa** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:37 am

Hi,
i own the synth since one week and i am very positivly satified with it.
About the voices, i didnt feel cutting voices if everything (3 Oscillators etc) is used, so i think you have the 18 Voices everytime.
I wrote a little review here, perhaps you can translate with google, it's to much for me and my english...

Concluded i can say, it transmittes audio (and a connected gear) directly into Cubase like a VST Instrument. So there is no need for multitimbral, just record one sound, then the next, very easy to do. I did complete tracks only with the UN.

The sound is very good, i like to do pads, basses, but also sweeping, morphing, tb303'ish sounds. The synth is very good for trance, acid and things like that. Best parts are the 20 modulation slots, useable lots of FX, the easyness of editing sounds. But even the editing is easy the synth is very complex, so you should know what you are doing.

The touchable buttons are only a gag (for me), perhaps useable for live, you only need to touch them very softly to function, so they will last forever.
I could compare it with Korg R3, Evolver, Gaia, Plugiator and lots of Softsynth and i can say, that it sounds for me the best of them all, exept the evolver, wich can do only the analog sounding, old stylish parts, a bit better - so its (partwise) analog, what wonder...

Midi coming in over USB i could not route to the Midi-out, i (still) could not find anything in menu for it, that could be a lack. I have the plugiator connected at the audio in, but it has its own USB for Midi, so...

Hope that helps

eXode · Post by **eXode** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 9:17 am

Tupapupa: Thanks for that minireview.

Azartrus · Post by **Azartrus** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:33 pm

This synth brings me back to my very first hardware synthesizer (the nova II keyboard) that I picked up from a local fellow for a steal of $400 usd.

The nova// supernova keyboards definately had their own sound and were among the most popular 10 years ago. Its about time they (Novation) realize this and release something accordingly.

I see so many negative reviews here and I just want to say at a $699 price point there is a lot to offer here. Hardware synthesis in most respects is dead and can be replaced by software. What you get is a great audio interface here and a small controller to boot along with the nova//supernova engine with added wavetables.No it is not a virus TI and it probably wont do many of the things that the virus line does, but it does provide the user with some great sonic capabilites for a fraction of the cost of even the TI snow.

I regret selling my nova II keyboard and will most definatly be picking up one of these.

psylevation · Post by **psylevation** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:22 pm

I think a lot of you are giving this thing way too hard of a time. If you read through some of the control options and ways to edit the synth it looks like it's actually pretty inovative and intuitive. If it has that Supernova sound and novation makes good effects then it could definitely be a great synth.

Less controls equals less cost for the customer, so they have found inovative ways around the lack of controls.
Look at the Alesis Ion (discontinued) vs. Micron.....similar thing.
They have to follow the market and it seems like this price range is around the highest they can go and still sell a lot of synths.

D Midas · Post by **D Midas** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:01 pm

I have to say. This is a GREAT synth. I've had it for about a week or so and I like it more everyday. I wasn't totally blown away right off the bat with the presets. Most of them are quite plain. And many I wouldnt use over NI synth. There are definatly some gems in there that show what the synth is capable of sound engine wise.This thing can Scream! and it does bells/pads very well too. Programming it is actually quite intuitive from the front panel which has unfortunatly been a neccesity as for some reason I cant get the rtas editor to load for me, Lame. Tech support.... Also lame. I contacted them almost immediatly after getting this hooked up to my comp and have only received 1 reply that asked questions I'm quite sure I articulated in my original message. The aftertouch is a new experience for me and I love it!. Why is this so underused? the touch encoders are also a lot of fun. Seemed a bit gimmicky at first but once I strted using them on some of my midi recordings they really added a dynamic/performace like element to recorded tracks. I like. Overall in this price range I really didnt see much that had the features that this synth offered. It sounds great, Feels great, is quite linear if you arent the most experienced synthesist and want quick results( like me). but the editor seems buggy. Unless its just me. Although I am able to lead a wrapped vst version in protools which crashes immediatly, but I am using the same installation location so theres somthin weird there. Howver the librarian is a nice touch and allows you to hold an unlimited number of patches. All in All I recommend

david.beholder · Post by **david.beholder** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:30 pm

DMAC80 wrote:Programming it is actually quite intuitive from the front panel which has unfortunatly been a neccesity as for some reason I cant get the rtas editor to load for me, Lame.

Disagree. I've tried one and got disappointed. Novation should not save pennies on knobs and faders and make it more like x-station (30 knobs and 8 faders). And i don't think it's worth to buy any other hw synth that lacks usable on-surface edititng.

luckie · Post by **luckie** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 9:53 pm

I have an X-station and would love to upgrade to something with a better sound engine (the x-station aliases like crazy) and some serious modulation routing. but I can't pull the trigger on an Ultranova.
They didn't include any frequency modulation!!! all my favorite sounds from the X-station rely on FM and I won't be able to get any of them with the ultranova. I don't understand why they left it off; it's can't be too difficult to implement! The UN looked great until I finished reading the manual and realized that there was no FM at all.
The biggest deficiencies in the UN as I see it:
1) No FM. Ideally I would like a Freq mod/phase mod switch and an FM amount for (1->2),(1->3), and (2->3) that can be a target in the mod matrix.

2) More modulation sources in the mod matrix: velocity off, glide time, pitch bend, & midi CC. even better if there is some kind of modulation processor (like the micron tracker).

3) Just a couple more real time controls: a dedicated glide speed and maybe 2-3 assignable sliders.

4) ability to pan oscillators & filters in stereo.

Of course, being able to layer 2 sounds would be a huge plus as well...

So, the ultranova is out of the running. But an aftertouch keyboard is a absolute necessity. So what else is out there? The blofeld looks good on paper but I don't like the sound (all the examples I've heard have a grey no-bass sound).

david.beholder · Post by **david.beholder** » Mon Mar 14, 2011 7:18 am

luckie wrote: So, the ultranova is out of the running. But an aftertouch keyboard is a absolute necessity. So what else is out there? The blofeld looks good on paper but I don't like the sound (all the examples I've heard have a grey no-bass sound).

Novation SL ?

They actually saved even on leds around knob -- you can get it in nocturne, but can't in hw synth. what a bummer

D Midas · Post by **D Midas** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:15 am

Just an update.2 weeks in and Still unable to use the RTAS software editor. Seriously Lame tech support and word that the promised artist soundbanks are still in the works. Didnt they release that "Creating the Chucky soundbank" video like 7 months ago. SERIOUSLY? OVER half a year for a soundbank? Gimme a break, Are those guys too busy smokin... whatever it is they smoke? I'll tell you what.. let's release the DMAC80 soundbank. Free to registered users. I'll have it out in 2 weeks, Done. Problems with the headphone out. High pitched 'NOISE' present on every patch through headphones, although the analog outs are clean but still. I have read that this has been a common issue with this board, And tech support acted clueless. Gimme a break. Not very impressed with novation. Although I have used the synth sparingly on a few new tracks I have barely touched it since grabbing a used virus ti snow,Mainly due to editor issues. As I said, It sounds good, feels good and everything else is lame. I give it a 7. Ammended "lukewarm' buy reccomendation.

jammie1 · Post by **jammie1** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:01 pm

i had a go and the keyboard action is rubbish the keys are very flexi

i ask the store owner if the where going to do a rack as i would rather use my excellent polyphonic after touch keyboard on my asr10 but no rack being developed and as for the wave tables theirs no user wave tables which is just pants means you will sound like every 1 else wheres my transwaves arr back to the ensoniq user wave tables a plenty 2ooo to be exact

awol9000 · Post by **awol9000** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:49 pm

After reading this thread I got a chance to spend some time at the local music shop. I played with the Roland Gaia, DSI Mono Evolver, DSI Mopho, Microkorg and the Ultranova.

I was a surprised how much I liked the Ultranova. It's definitely on my wishlist now.

Novation UltraNova!!!!