Novation Celebrates 30 Years with Giveaways and More

video upload by NovationTV

"It’s been 30 years of Novation and music made with bass, beats and synthesisers.

From early beginnings in 1992, Novation has been a pioneer in developing music technology, allowing artists to create decade-defining sounds. Starting as Novation Electronic Music Systems, we built a small but innovative device, the MM10, which let you control a MIDI sequencer, the Yamaha QY10, for the very first time from a keyboard.

Since then, our synths, MIDI controllers, grooveboxes and more have helped people create, play and perform at all stages of their music-making journey.

From all of us at team Novation – we want to wish a huge thank you to our whole community for keeping us inspired. We can't wait to hear what you make next, and we look forward to another 30 years.

- Discover more about Novation’s 30 Years of Making Music
https://novationmusic.com/en/30-years..."

novation · Novation Legacy Sample Pack

"Crafted from old-school Novation gear and adapting Trance to a modern time, The Novation Legacy Soundpack looks back on the history of electronic music and the gear that helped shape it. Made with Bass Station, BS Rack, AFX Mode, K-Station, A-Station, Mininova, Peak and Summit.

--- Sign up to our mailing list to receive your Novation Legacy Soundpack:
novationmusic.com/en/sign-novation-emails

"Novation looks back on three decades of bass, beats and synthesizers.

Since 1992, Novation’s synths, MIDI controllers, grooveboxes and more have helped people create, play and perform at all stages of their music-making journey.

In 1992, Novation developed the MM10, an innovative MIDI sequencer that controlled the Yamaha QY10 from a keyboard, revolutionising the way we make music as the first MIDI controller of its kind. Bass Station’s arrival in 1993 pushed them further into the spotlight as a standout synth of the ‘90s. Developed by none other than synth designer Chris Huggett, his expertise with analogue and digital synth design influenced many of their iconic synths including Supernova, Bass Station II, Summit and Peak.

Over the years, Novation’s instruments have brought new life to music-making, including the Launchpad range which changed the game for grid-based music production and DIY performance, Circuit’s much-loved intuitive approach to beatmaking and sampling, and the award-winning Launchkey range of MIDI controllers used by artists in many genres.

In 2022, they’re celebrating 30 years of music, pioneering music technology and people that made Novation what it is today.

With Novation, anything is possible
Over the past three decades, countless artists have brought their musical ideas to life with Novation instruments. From October until Christmas, they’re bringing their community together to celebrate the made music with their instruments over the years with videos from artists across the globe, huge prizes up for grabs in their 30th anniversary competition and exclusive curated soundpack giveaways.

Giving back to the global community of fans
Novation will be giving away their biggest prize bundle yet to encourage their worldwide music-making community to share the love for their instruments. One lucky winner can own a full studio’s worth of gear, as well as three years of upcoming products.

The prize bundle includes:
1. A suite of Novation products, including Circuit Rhythm, Circuit Tracks, FLkey Mini, Launchkey 37, Summit, Peak, Bass Station II, Launchpad Pro.
2. Three years of future Novation products.
3. A feature on the Novation website spotlighting their entry/music and a short interview with accompanying social media promotion.
4. A 1:1 Product Demo Session with a Novation product specialist.
5. A Novation Logo T-Shirt.

The giveaways continue with 30 exclusive soundpacks covering countless genres. All users can get their hands on samples made for the Circuit Rhythm, and perfect for all of the Launch range – regardless of what DAW they choose. Newsletter subscribers can also get their hands on the Novation Legacy Sample Pack – add moods, textures and unique sounds from the Bass Station, AFX Station, and plenty of classic instruments.

Novation is also going backstage with creators in their community to see just how they make their music. Learn how to make songs and build beats in Ableton, Logic, Cubase and FL Studio from long-time Novation users including Lex Luger, Trishes, Bad Snacks, Seids and Venus Theory.

Join Novation in celebrating their story so far and become a part of their future as they continue to encourage creativity and make music production a rewarding experience for all."

Explore Novation's 30 Years

Novation's New Circuit Rhythm w/ Direct Sampling Arrives

NovationTV Intro & Tutorial videos.

User Videos: Playlist:
Gabe Miller Music Beats on the Novation Circuit Rhythm (multiple genres, custom sounds)
Gabe Miller Music First Day with the Novation Circuit Rhythm
loopop Review: Circuit RHYTHM vs TRACKS // Full sampling and workflow tutorial for Novation's new sampler

First announced on May 9th, Novation's latest Circuit Rhythm is here.

Details via Novation:

"Introducing Novation Circuit Rhythm

Sample, make beats, and perform like never before, with the latest addition to the Circuit family. The wait is finally over. The next addition to our Novation Circuit family is here to bring new life to beatmaking and turn samples in to stellar tracks. With eight sample tracks, built-in recording, performance effects, on-the-go capabilities and more, Circuit Rhythm is the beatmaker’s best friend. In a brand-new direction for Novation, Circuit Rhythm puts sampling in the spotlight and provides a whole host of fresh features aimed to take beatmaking to new heights.

Sampling is at the heart of Circuit Rhythm. Record straight into Circuit Rhythm through the audio inputs, and instantly capture sound from records, synths, or even a phone. Designed with a focus on immediate sampling and artistic expression, users can capture creative ideas quickly and stay inspired.

With a lightning-fast sequencer, beatmakers can start turning those samples into killer beats with ease. Whether playing in drums, making basslines or chopping straight from vinyl, music makers can play back samples however they want and listen through stereo out or with headphones. Re-sample and sculpt sounds with limitless creative possibilities.

Circuit Rhythm’s eight sample tracks, each with their own 32-step patterns chainable for 256 steps per track, gives creators sample space to find their groove and craft killer tracks, all with an intuitive screenless workflow, common to all Circuit products. Stay quantised or give beats real human feel and go off-grid and record to micro steps. Keep beats interesting with probability and pattern mutate.

Performers can take to the stage with Circuit Rhythm and bring vibrant performance- focused Grid FX to their beats. Give samples character with beat repeat, vinyl simulation, and many more effects to really create massive sound. Circuit Rhythm is well-equipped to handle any scenario and is brilliant for making dope beats in the studio or used to capture creative ideas for beatmakers on the move. Make Circuit Rhythm part of a studio set up with full-size five-pin MIDI in, out, and thru, and analogue sync out, and monitoring through audio or headphone outputs.

Circuit Rhythm is completely portable. With a compact and tough build, built-in rechargeable battery and microSD card slot for expandable storage or loading in samples and projects, music makers never have to stop creating with Circuit Rhythm.

With Novation’s online companion Components, Circuit Rhythm’s creative potential expands even further. Users can dive into Circuit Rhythm using the browser-based or standalone desktop app, and load samples, backup projects, download artist-made soundpacks, and create custom patches so that creators can give their music production their unique flavour.

For more information, visit the Circuit Rhythm product page, and see the groovebox in action."

Click the pics for higher res versions.

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Novation Spotlight: Blurring the lines between artistry and identity w/ Metaraph

You can find the full interview on Novation's website here.

"Visual artist, performer, jewellery designer, DJ, producer – Metaraph has many strings to their creative bow, occupying a unique space where the boundaries of many artistic disciplines are blurred. Much in the same way, Metaraph celebrates and lives the truth of their non-binary identity with the same fluidity. We spoke with the Berlin-based multidisciplinary artist to understand more about what it means to exist as a queer artist in the music industry today, and how they hope to use their artistry as a platform for their own self-expression and inspire more to do the same."


Check out additional Novation Spotlight posts here.

Novation Spotlight: Purity, integrity and Synthesizers with Paula Maddox

Paula Maddox brought us the Monowave (essentially a mono PPG Wave), Vacoloco DIY projects, Modal Electronics, and Dove Audio.

You can find the full Interview with Novation here.

"Unbridled passion drives Paula Maddox as she finds her sound through synth creations.

Captivated by the perplexing synth sounds of the 1980s and driven to recreate the beloved melodies of her favourite songs, Paula Maddox has had a fruitful career in music tech. As a synth afficionado turned designer, Paula has been at the helm of many groundbreaking synth creations, and has also founded her own synthesizer company, Dove Audio. We spoke with Paula to learn more about her career as a trans woman in music tech, and how she infuses purity, integrity and love into her work."

Check out additional Novation Spotlight posts here.

Introducing the Novation AFX Station - Limited Edition Aphex Twin Collaboration

Limited edition Black Novation Bass Station II with AFX Mode for $439.99. As always see the dealers on the right for availability. Details follow:

"Introducing the Limited Edition Aphex Twin collaboration - AFX Station.

Following an exciting hunt for clues across the globe, gathered and documented by the press [on MATRIXSYNTH here and here] and public, the spotlight has been shining on Novation to reveal the mysterious Aphex Twin collaboration.

Novation is excited to finally announce AFX Station, an all-new, limited edition of their modern classic Bass Station II monosynth, designed in collaboration with electronic music legend Richard D James aka Aphex Twin.

AFX Station is a sound designer’s dream. It has the same powerful feature set that has made Bass Station II the go-to monosynth for countless music makers. In addition, it has AFX Mode pre-installed, which revolutionises the way the monosynth can be played and programmed. Perfect for sequencing and arpeggiation, with AFX Station, every key on the instrument can become a new patch, making it a powerful analogue drum module, a flexible sound design tool, or a killer bass or lead machine.

To check out the AFX Station visit our site from launch on Tuesday 20th October, 8AM PST.

Availability: Online and in-store, limited
Cost $439.99"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Gentry: Artist Spotlight - Launchkey [MK3] // Novation

NovationTV

"We were lucky enough to spend a day in London with multi-instrumentalist Gentry for a performance of his track 'Jagged Edge' and to chat with him for an insight into his musical world. In this video, discover how his journey into making music began, where he finds his inspiration and how he begins his creative process.

--- Watch the exclusive performance of his track 'Jagged Edge', recorded live using using Launchkey 49 [MK3] alongside Bass Station II:
[posted here]

Launchkey [MK3] is our intuitive and fully integrated MIDI keyboard controller for making tracks in Ableton Live, designed to give you everything you need to create and play your music. Made for creators of all abilities, the Novation Launchkey gives you inspirational tools to expand your musical vocabulary. Scale and Chord modes and a powerful arpeggiator push your musical creativity and help start new ideas. Custom Modes and a full-size MIDI output transform Novation Launchkey [MK3] into a powerful centrepiece of any music-making setup. Launchkey [MK3] is made to create.

--- Discover Launchkey [MK3]:
https://novationmusic.com/en/keys/lau..."

Novation Spotlight: Freedoms Found in Isolation w/ Baths

via Novation where you'll find the full article.

"Musician/Composer Baths discusses his positive experiences with isolation.

Words: Will Wiesenfeld aka Baths / Geotic

Isolation is so strangely polarized in our minds. It’s the dogma of introverts and the bane of extroverts. I think in actuality, isolation doesn’t need to be such an emotionally-infused concept. It’s just a practical part of a healthy lifestyle. Like breakfast, or exercise. Isolation can balance out the amount of time we spend being present with other people. It’s the other half of that experience: being present with yourself, which is equally important. I work and make music entirely from home so isolation is pretty integral for me. In all the different little vignettes I might picture about my current lifestyle, being by myself plays a major role, but in moderation alongside being with other people. I’m passionate about the benefits of isolation because of how much it’s helped me but I also understand it’s not the same for everyone. Even a moderate level of isolation can seem daunting if it's not something you regularly practice. A look at my positive relationship with isolation might help showcase how it can be a comfortable place for self-engagement and a welcome ally in creative freedom."

You can find additional Novation Spotlight posts here.

Novation Spotlight: Icarus

Full interview with Novation here

"We caught up with Bristol-based brothers and electronic music producers Icarus ahead of the release of their latest project 'Unfold'.

Sharing a long journey through the outer realms of electronic music and having recently signed to FFRR (Full Frequency Range Recordings), we wanted to discover a little more about their background in music making, their greatest inspirations and the setup they used to create the sounds for their first release for the label, 'Unfold'."

Check out additional Novation Spotlight posts here.

Novation // Launchpad Pro - Illa J Artist Spotlight

Published on Jan 15, 2020 NovationTV

"We caught up with producer, rapper and songwriter Illa J in Los Angeles to discover how the new Launchpad Pro fits into his workflow. Discover how he uses Launchpad Pro [MK3] in his set-up and learn more about his journey into music production.

Launchpad Pro [MK3] is our most powerful 64-pad MIDI grid controller for producing: both in Ableton Live and with your hardware. It gives you everything you need to create and perform your tracks.

Featuring deeper Live integration and dedicated buttons that get you closer to the Ableton workflow, Launchpad Pro [MK3] is our most advanced grid controller for producing with Ableton Live. Plus, keep your tracks evolving with the four-track, eight-note polyphonic, 32-step standalone sequencer, get inspired to build harmonies with chord mode and never hit a wrong note with scale mode.

Make Launchpad Pro [MK3] your own. Custom Modes lets you design the perfect controller for your live setup and perform with all your gear, however you want. You can also tailor Launchpad Pro [MK3] to take control of MIDI-compatible hardware and software – with or without a computer.

That’s not all, Launchpad Pro comes with a constant source of inspiration featuring plug-ins, sounds, instruments and effects from AAS, Softube, XLN Addictive Keys, and Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette- plus membership to Novation Sound Collective.

--- Discover even more about Launchpad Pro:
https://www.novationmusic.com/launch/..."

Novation Spotlight: GLXY

via Novation where you'll find the full interview.

"Straight after their show at our Novation London Pop-up Store, we got a chance to ask UK drum & bass duo GLXY a few questions about their inspirations, where their musical journeys began, and find out some more about the album the pair have spent 2019 working on.

GLXY are creating a real buzz with their soul-drenched style of production. Having signed to UK drum & bass label Shogun Audio back in 2017, their single ‘Lucid’ grabbed the attention of BBC Radio 1 legend Annie Mac after receiving its radio premiere from Rene La Vice on the Drum and Bass show - he dubbed the track as a ‘baby maker’ which sums up the luscious inviting tones in their production. Following up on their first Shogun release, the duo have continued to deliver with ‘Vision EP’ and ‘Chiral EP’ both of which clearly document their richly melodic tones and ability to work alongside amazing vocalists such as DRS and Solah. Discover a little more about GLXY below."

Check out additional Novation Spotlight posts here.

Novation // Launchpad Mini - Jinjé Artist Spotlight

Published on Dec 12, 2019 NovationTV

"We got to hang out with talented multi-instrumentalist Jinjé (aka Lee Malcolm) at his home studio in Leeds. After building and performing a track using the new Launchpad Mini [MK3] and an impressive setup of synths and modular gear, we chatted to Jinjé to uncover a little more about his journey into music production. Discover how he finds his musical inspiration, how he prepares for live performance, and how Launchpad Mini [MK3] fits into his workflow.

Launchpad Mini is our most compact and portable 64 RGB pad MIDI grid controller. It gives you everything you need to start performing in Ableton Live - and it'll fit in your bag. Start making and performing tracks with Ableton Live wherever you are, using the huge array of sounds in the box to get you started. That’s not all, Launchpad Mini includes sounds, instruments and effects from AAS, Softube, XLN Addictive Keys, and Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette- plus membership to Novation Sound Collective.

Launchpad Mini is portable, lightweight and easy to get started."

Novation Spotlight: Xylo Aria

via Novation where you'll find the full interview.

"We caught up with Xylo Aria after her visit to our Novation London Pop-Up store, to discover a little more about her background in music making, her greatest inspirations and how she has used Launchkey to help with her most recent release, 'My Bandage'.

Xylo Aria is a singer, producer, entrepreneur and true visionary. Born in India, identifying with Australia but residing in the UK, Xylo brings her global perspective into her music and everything she does. In 2017 Xylo took the decision to produce her own music and has since released multiple of her own, self-produced tracks including 'Pig' and 'M.R.I'. Xylo is also the founder and creator of the online education platform MPW - Music Production for Women, which launched in 2019, and created to go beyond the realms of educating women, and become a movement in the music industry which would empower and encourage more women to take their first steps into music technology."

Novation // Launchpad Mini - KiNK Spotlight

Published on Oct 19, 2019 NovationTV

"We sat down with KiNK at his studio in Sofia, Bulgaria. The house and techno producer and DJ talks us through his route into electronic music production, the music he loves to make and where he finds his inspiration.

Launchpad Mini is our most compact and portable 64 RGB pad MIDI grid controller. It gives you everything you need to start performing in Ableton Live - and it'll fit in your bag. Start making and performing tracks with Ableton Live wherever you are, using the huge array of sounds in the box to get you started. That’s not all, Launchpad Mini includes sounds, instruments and effects from AAS, Softube, XLN Addictive Keys, and Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette- plus membership to Novation Sound Collective.

Launchpad Mini is portable, lightweight and easy to get started.

--- Check out KiNK's performance with Launchpad Mini: [posted here]

--- For more information on Launchpad Mini [MK3]:
https://www.novationmusic.com/launch/..."

Novation // Launchpad X - Sandunes Spotlight

Published on Oct 17, 2019 NovationTV

"'I definitely come from the school of thought that sound is for everyone' - Sandunes.

We spent a day filming and recording with Sandunes and Launchpad X. In this video, she takes us through her music making journey - from where her passion began through to her progression into the electronic music world.

Launchpad X is our essential 64-pad MIDI grid controller for Ableton Live. It gives you everything you need to make music. Launch, play and perform your sounds and build your tracks using the large, super-sensitive RGB pads, dynamic note and scale modes, and mixer controls. That’s not all, Launchpad X includes sounds, instruments and effects from AAS, Softube, XLN Addictive Keys, and Klevgrand R0Verb and DAW Cassette- plus membership to Novation Sound Collective.

With Launchpad X, you’re only limited by your own imagination.

--- Check out Sandunes performance with Launchpad X: [below]

--- For more information on Launchpad X:
https://www.novationmusic.com/launch/..."

Novation // Launchpad X - Sandunes Performance

Published on Oct 15, 2019 NovationTV

"We spent a day filming and recording with Sandunes, watch her breathtaking performance featuring the new Launchpad X."

Novation Introduces New Launchkey Mini MK3 w/ Arpeggiator, Fixed Chord Mode, 16 RGB Pads & More

Update: new videos added to the playlist above.

Playlist:
Novation // Launchkey Mini [MK3]
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Velocity Sensitive Pads
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Stop Solo Mute
Novation // Launchkey Mini - MIDI Out
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Record and Capture MIDI
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Fixed Chord Mode
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Arpeggiator
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Overview Video: Nikita
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Xylo Aria Spotlight
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Nikita Spotlight
Novation // Launchkey Mini - Xylo Aria Performance

via Novation

"Introducing the new Launchkey Mini with arpeggiator, Fixed Chord mode, 16 RGB pads and much more

With the new Launchkey Mini, Novation have made their hugely popular 25-mini-key portable MIDI keyboard controller for Ableton Live more versatile, adaptable and playable than ever. Now you can make tracks anywhere using Launchkey Mini’s new arpeggiator, Fixed Chord mode, Capture MIDI, 16 big RGB pads, transport controls and more.

Featuring their best, most responsive mini-keymech to date, all-new pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain pedal input, and 16 newly RGB-backlit pads, Launchkey Mini is the perfect platform for expressive performance and colour-matched clip launching. The new Fixed Chord mode and arpeggiator help you take your melodic and harmonic ideas in new creative directions, enabling chords to be triggered from single notes, and turning held chords into riffs, melodies and sequences on the fly; and thanks to the Capture MIDI button, you’ll never lose a note, even if you forget to hit record.

Spend less time clicking mouse buttons and more time making music, as Launchkey Mini’s device control and deep, intuitive integration with Live lets you step back from the screen and feel the beats. Start and stop playback and recording via the dedicated transport buttons, operate the mixer’s Mute, Solo, Volume, Pan and Send controls, and take instant control of Device Macros with eight rotary encoders – connect more deeply with your music, navigating and mixing your projects in a more tactile way than the mouse and keyboard can hope to match.

Launchkey Mini comes with everything you need to make complete tracks in the box, including sounds, virtual instruments and plug-in effects from AAS, Softube, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio and Klevgrand, plus membership of Novation Sound Collective, bringing you new free content from our plug-in partners every couple of months. It also has a MIDI out port for connection to hardware synths and grooveboxes; and if Live isn’t your only production environment, included mapping templates make Launchkey Mini the ideal solution for on-the-go control of Logic, Cubase, Reason or any other HUI-compatible DAW, too.

Novation’s most compact and portable MIDI keyboard controller, Launchkey Mini gives you everything you need to start creating in Ableton Live – and it’ll fit in your bag. It’s available now through Novation stockists and direct from the Novation eStore* (*where applicable)."

Check with the dealers on the right for deals and availability.


You can find additional details at https://novationmusic.com/keys/launchkey-mini

Sequential In The Spotlight Interview with Hinako Omori

You can find the interview on Sequential's website here.

"Hinako Omori is a musician with a love for synthesizers and anything that makes interesting sounds. Born in Yokohama, Japan she moved to London when she was three, where she is still based.

Initially training to be a sound engineer, she studied Music and Sound Recording at Surrey University then went on to work at record labels and distributors then at audio equipment manufacturer Focusrite/Novation. After session playing on the side, she leapt into music full time as a keyboard player and programmer – some of the artists Hinako has worked with include Georgia, Kate Tempest, KT Tunstall, James Bay, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Ellie Goulding, and Fionn Regan.

Her move into creating her own music was instigated by her friend Hannah Peel, who asked her to remix of one of her tracks from her Mary Casio album. The track was included on Hannah’s own Mindfulness Mix on BBC Radio 1, and also played on BBC 6 Music and Radio 3.

The experience spurred her into creating her own musical journeys, combining ambientspace-synths with field recordings and her own ethereal vocals. Thematically, her music is influenced by the idea of space and infinity, floating into separate universes — everything being transparent and lucid, and the idea that nothing is permanent.

Alongside her teenage music-crush of The Knife, Hinako’s recent musical inspirations include Marie Davidson, Mark Pritchard, Katie Gately, Susan Sundfor and Tomoko Sauvage. Her debut single Voyage/Teleport is out now. Synth sounds evoke travelling to another realm in Voyage, and the feeling when you finally reach the other side in Teleport.

We chatted with Hinako about how she uses Sequential instruments in her music.

---
You can find previous posts featuring Sequential's Spotlight series here.