Novation - 30th Anniversary | Podcast

video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"An Illustrated Podcast
Novation - 30th Anniversary: Grooveboxes, Controllers and Synths

2022 marked the 30th birthday of one of the world’s leading manufacturers of synths, samplers and hardware controllers. In this podcast, Novation Product Specialist Chris Calcutt looks back over three decades of innovation and explores the key products, technologies and partnerships behind a British music technology success story.

SHOW NOTES
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - 30th Anniversary
01:02 - The First Product
03:24 - The Launchpad
06:58 - Automap
09:25 - Friendly Relations
13:08 - The BassStation
17:50 - Hands-On Control
19:07 - Analogue Sound Modelling
21:41 - The Resurgence Of Analogue
30:43 - From The Rack To The Desktop
34:33 - Moving Away From Computers
38:02 - The Focusrite Group
45:25 - 40 Years of MIDI

Novation - Biog
In 1992, Ian Jannaway and Mark Thompson founded Novation Electronic Music Systems and created the MM10, a keyboard controller designed to be used with the Yamaha QY10 music workstation. The BassStation was launched in 1993 and was used by many top artists of the day. ASM (Analogue Sound Modelling) technology was introduced in 1995 and designer Chris Huggett joined the team full-time in 1998, with the popular Supernova synth being released that year.

30 years later, while still creating grooveboxes, controllers and synths, Novation is now part of The Focusrite Group, along with ADAM Audio, Focusrite and Sequential.

https://novationmusic.com/en/30-years...

Novation - Chris Calcutt
Chris Calcutt has been the Product Specialist at Novation for over a decade. Despite coming from a more traditional background of classical music composition and playing the trombone, Chris has always been heavily involved and passionate about music tech.

As a kid, Chris would play with synthesizers and a four-track recorder on the living room floor and has since gone on to work with Novation, collaborating closely with the product developers, designing and building new and innovative electronic instruments.

Chris is responsible for representing multiple brands under Novation's parent company, The Focusrite Group, working with their European distribution partners to deliver training, product presentations, and live performances both online and at in-store events.

Chris also produces and performs live as CALC and is an active member of the experimental electronic music scene in Brighton, UK.
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MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation UltraNova

Hi everyone, you might remember, back in July I posted some pics of my newly acquired UltraNova, and mentioned that review posts would eventually follow. Well, I’m happy to tell you the first post is here. The UltraNova is one powerful synth, so to make the overall review a bit more consumable, it will be broken up over time. This first section includes an Overview, the Oscillators, and the Mixer sections. When new sections go up, I will be sure to let you know via a new post.

As with most of my reviews, I will say this one goes pretty deep into the synth engine and all editable parameters. If you are the type of person that likes to dissect and explore all of the available parameters on a synth, then this post is for you. I will touch on what each parameter does and will call out any interesting features and limitations as I do so. There are some pretty special parameters on the UltraNova that give you control beyond most other synths. Hopefully this review will give you some insight into what makes the UltraNova special.

Overview & Quick Comparison to Previous Nova Synths

The Novation UltraNova, released back in 2010, is a 20 voice virtual analog & wavetable synth with three oscillators, two ring modulators and one noise source per voice. The UltraNova also features two audio ins that can be assigned to the oscillator section and/or a 12-band vocoder. It’s worth noting that the Novation Nova from 1999 featured a 40-band vocoder, while the Supernova II from 2000 featured a 42-band vocoder. The UltraNova is a monotimbral synth while the 12 voice Nova was six part multitimbral and the Supernova II (24, 36, or 48 voice) was eight part multitimbral. The UltraNova supports up to 5 simultaneous effects per patch. The Nova supported 42 simultaneous effects, while the Supernova II supported up to 56. The Supernova II also supported FM synthesis while the Nova and UltraNova omit it.

The UltraNova, however, is the first Nova synth to feature wavetable synthesis. An interesting side note is that all of the oscillators on the UltraNova are actually stored as wavetables, including the standard waveforms. According to Novation, “The wavetables in the Supernova series are all calculated. The wavetables in the UltraNova, even the standard analogue waves are wavetable oscillators. This change in oscillator generation was first used on the A-Station and K-Station and subsequently in the KS series, X-Station and Xio.” This allows the UltraNova to have some advanced tricks when it comes to the oscillator section, which will be covered in detail below.

I asked Novation about the lack of FM synthesis and they told me, “FM would have been a lovely addition to the UltraNova, but it would have been asking too much of the DSP to be able to run everything the UltraNova can do and also add in FM. The wavetables were a really good way to introduce a new (to Novation) type of synthesis that is able to cater for some of the synth sounds that FM is known for and also to be able to create lush evolving pads.”

The UltraNova features two routable filters per voice with a total of 14 filter types to chose from including 6dB (no resonance), 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB with Lowpass, Bandpass and Hi-pass modes. The Nova and Supernova II lacked a 6dB mode.

As for hardware, although the UltraNova may have fewer knobs per function than its predecessors, it is extremely well laid out and super intuitive to use. Along with both keyboard velocity and aftertouch, the UltraNova has touch sensitive knobs. They literally respond to touch and can be assigned to various parameters. Worth noting, velocity is configurable, however, aftertouch is not. I found the aftertouch to be good, but it does require a little extra force than I prefer; it’s good for not accidentally triggering it, but not so good for subtle, natural performance.

Please note the above comparisons with the Nova and Supernova II were only for quick reference. The UltraNova of course is its own synth with a few tricks up its sleeves that are lacking in the original Nova line, including a level of control over the synth engine often only found in the modular realm. It sounds incredible, and for the price, currently only $599 new, it is an extremely flexible and powerful synth. You get the current top-of-the-line Novation Nova synth engine with new wavetables and more. The UltraNova is both a performance oriented synth as well as a synth programmers dream. It can be configured for easy access to specific parameters for a live situation, or you can dig as deep as you want with a clearly well thought out interface.

That said, let’s dig in.

The following review and overview will essentially go over the signal flow of the UltraNova followed by performance controls including the arpeggiator and the hardware interface. I’ll go into a little detail on what each feature can and cannot do in an attempt to give you a detailed idea of what the synth is capable of. Because my reviews tend to be a bit on the longer side, I will be posting the sections in chunks over time to make it easier on you to consume and for me to compose.

First we start with…

CLICK FOR MORE »

1903Noc Sequencer Preview (Eurorack Polyphony)

Published on Oct 17, 2013 Andreas Bygdell·29 videos

"Quick, dirty and noisy (I low noise and hiss) preview of a work in progress performance sequencer for Novation Nocturn/Automap and Doepfer A-190-3 built in Pure Data. A light touch of reverb. Three of them."

1903Noc Sequencer Preview (Eurorack Polyphony)

Published on Oct 17, 2013 Andreas Bygdell·29 videos

"Quick, dirty and noisy (I low noise and hiss) preview of a work in progress performance sequencer for Novation Nocturn/Automap and Doepfer A-190-3 built in Pure Data. A light touch of reverb. Three of them."

Review of Novation's latest controller keyboard Impulse 61

YouTube Uploaded by RobProducertech on Jan 27, 2012

"Novation Impulse Review

This movie outlines the main features of Novation's newest controller keyboard, Impulse. All the hardware and main operational features are covered, as well as an outline of how Automap 4 works with the keyboard.

For more info, go to: http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controllers/impulse/"

NAMM: Novation SL MK II and Impulse

NAMM: Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controlling Cubase and Nuendo

YouTube Uploaded by NovationTV on Jan 20, 2012

"A brief look into the Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controllers with Pro Tools and Automap 4 including mixer, plugin and transport controls. For more information on the differences between the flagship SL MK II controller and the Impulse go to:

http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controllers/"

Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controlling Ableton Live

Uploaded by NovationTV on Jan 20, 2012

"A brief look into the Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controllers with Ableton Live and Automap 4 including mixer, clip launch, plugin and transport controls."

Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controlling Logic Pro

Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controlling Pro Tools

YouTube Uploaded by NovationTV on Dec 22, 2011

"A brief look into the Novation SL MK II and Impulse Controllers with Pro Tools and Automap 4 including mixer, plugin and transport controls. For more information on the differences between the flagship SL MK II controller and the Impulse go to:

http://www.novationmusic.com/products/midi_controllers/"

Ableton liveset tryout 1

YouTube Uploaded by cha0smoon on Oct 24, 2011

"Trying to find a way to combine a couple of tracks and keep it as live as possible(without losing the plot). The control is stock Live and Automap, no Max4Live. Sounds are 50% standard Ableton and 50% sampled hardware (mostly Oberheim Matrix-1000). FX all standard Ableton except the free "King Dubby" plug-in used in the first track. My brain is the bottleneck. I just wish Novation would do a $500 version of the Launchpad with LCD buttons which could display text/color."

Automap 3.7.4 + ioDock glitch set

YouTube Uploaded by FSK1138 on Sep 25, 2011

"automap 3.7.4 + ioDock glitch/noise set

acer iconis dual screen multitouch laptop core i5
imageline flstudio 10
korg ms20 lc with automap 3.7.4
via novation nocturn

ambient background pads
native instrumets massive prossed with hardcore
nucleus soundlab viral outbreak by prossesed with hardcore


ipad ver 1 in alesis io bock
running
korg ielectribe, custom skin, custom patch"

KORG INC. - iTunes

iPads on eBay

Tutorial: Novation 25 SL MIDI Keyboard Controller + Logic Pro Automapping

YouTube Uploaded by DubSpot on May 23, 2011

"Visit Dubspot Blog for more http://bit.ly/kkHXAq

In this video tutorial, Novation product specialist Brandon Carroll stops by Dubspot to explain and demonstrate creative production possibilities with Novation 25 SL MkII MIDI Keyboard Controller and Logic Pro. Brandon starts by showing you how to setup the 25 SL, which comes with Automap Pro, and gives you complete control over your production software. He further shows you how to enable touch-sensitive knobs and faders and utilize the X and Y modulation and drum pads, sort through patches, access plug-in instruments and effects and create a track with chord progression and groove."

What's new At NAMM 2011 for Novation?

"NAMM 2011 see's Novation announce Automap 3.8 which brings tighter integration for Waves users, and the launch of the massive Golden Ticket campaign during which over $5,000 worth of special edition gold Novation, Rane and Serato gear will be given away. Novation will also be marking the global availability of the new UltraNova synthesiser.

Automap 3.8

Automap is control software that comes free with all Novation controllers. The latest update provides total integration with all Waves plug-ins - just open up a Waves plug-in and it will automatically map to Novation hardware (this will require the forth-coming Waves update). Automap runs with Novation's SL MkII and Nocturn ranges of controllers. It is universally recognised as a powerful control solution and includes features such as 'Learn' which enables instant mapping of software parameters to hardware controls.

Golden Ticket Campaign

Novation have teamed up with Rane, Serato and Loopmasters to launch the Golden Ticket campaign. We won't be showing people around Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but we will be giving away 25 pairs of special edition gold Dicers, five gold Launchpads, 50 pairs of special edition Golden Ticket Serato control vinyl, and a gold Rane Sixty-Eight mixer!

Golden Tickets can be found inside every special edition box of Rane SL1 and SL3 interfaces as well as TTM 57SL and Sixty-Eight mixers. Every single ticket unlocks over 500MB of Loopmasters sample content hand picked by the Loopmasters team - including the samples used by Blakey in the Golden Dicer video.

For more information and to see the video of DMC champion Blakey doing his thing with The Bridge, Dicer and Launchpad, visit: www.novationmusic.com/goldenticket

UltraNova Shipping

The UltraNova is newly available worldwide and is already making waves in the synth community…

UltraNova is a ‘Nova’ series analogue-modelling synthesizer with a powerful effects processor. It is a single-part synth taking the legendary Supernova II synth engine as a starting point and packing it with the latest technology. It now has brand new features including wavetable synthesis, even more powerful filters, a software editor and a revolutionary new touch-sense performance mode.

UltraNova ships with 381 sounds which can be searched for by type and musical genre, it also includes a software patch librarian where you can store and categorise an infinite number of your own sounds.


Join Novation on booth #6464 of the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California to see the latest in electronic music and DJ hardware, including UltraNova, the astonishing new synth; Launchpad, designed specifically for use with Ableton Live; Dicer, the dedicated controller for digital DJs; and the SL MkII range of controller keyboards.

Also at the show, DMC champion Blakey will be performing using Novation equipment at 12 noon and 2pm each day. If you can't wait to see him in action, head to www.youtube.com/novationtv"

Update:

Novation at Winter NAMM 2011

YouTube via NovationTV | January 15, 2011 |

"Check out Novation's antics at the 2011 Winter NAMM show. More information at www.novationmusic.com"

Requix - Present Silence (Live on the Launchpad)

YouTube via requixx | August 19, 2010

"new launch-track with loops and one-shout mixing. Ableton Live + wac.Launchpadhandler + Automap
http://www.myspace.com/requixmusic"

Requix - Inflammable (Live on the Launchpad)

requixx | July 29, 2010

"This track is made with Launchpad running as monome emulator (wac.Launchpadhandler)."

Requix - Der Edi (Live on the Launchpad)

requixx | July 28, 2010

"See just what is possible with Novation Launchpad"

The Drone Corporal Pure Data Drone Patch

YouTube via "NoizeHack — April 04, 2010 —

"http://noizehack.com/drone-corporal Introducing the Drone Corporal based on Eric Archers Drone Commander. Here is the first release version of my Drone Corporal pure data patch. It can be controlled by midi data and also send out midi feedback. There is also a setup I made to use it with a novation nocturn. You can download the patch and the novation automap file at http://noizehack.com/drone-corporal"

Launchpad controlling a MAQ16/3 using Live

YouTube via attorks
"Thanks to YouTube user audibleobsession I managed to program Ableton Live to be able to control the Doepfer MAQ16/3 sequencer with the Novation Launchpad. There are still 2 problems with that:
1- When I push the buttons in user1 mode I can hear the MAQ16/3 going a little out of sync with the Live tempo. I managed to work around this by disabling the MIDI output to the Launchpad in Live. Disadvantage is that all the LEDs are disabled in the user1 and user2 modes so there is no visual feedback.
2- When I push a button (e.g. first step = 2) for sequencer row 1 and then switch to sequencer row 2, when pushing the same button the MIDI message does not seem to be sent. I first have to push another button (e.g. first step = 3) which then transmit OK and then push the button I intended to push which then also transmits OK. I guess it has something to do with AutoMap.

Another limitation is the Ableton Live version that comes with the Launchpad which has a maximum of 8 MIDI and 8 audio tracks. I used 5 MIDI tracks in Live to control the MAQ16/3 in nearly the same manner I did in the last video. I am only using the top 4 rows in user1 mode. The buttons on the first row turns step 1 to 8 off and the second row turns step 1 to 8 on. The third row sets the first step of the 8 step sequence and the forth row sets the last step of the 8 step sequence. Also the top 4 arrow buttons on the right are used. The first one turns all the steps off and the second all the steps on. The third one chooses the first row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer and the forth one chooses the second row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer. You first have to choose the row on the sequencer whereafter the buttons apply for that row.

The first row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer drives the Synthesizers.com Modular and the second row the self-built Modular. The MAQ16/3 is also synchronized with the tempo from Live. Vertical row 7 controls the Creamware MiniMax ASB which does the bass notes. The other rows contain samples from Live and some of my own.

I intended to also capture the Ableton Live screen to give you a view whats going in Ableton Live but that AVI file turned out to be corrupt after the recording was finished. The full video is about 13 minutes which I will upload soon to my website."

Launchpad controlling a Doepfer MAQ16/3

YouTube via attorks
"Last week I bought a Novation Launchpad to experiment further with Ableton Live. But I also wanted to see if the Launchpad can be used to control the Doepfer MAQ16/3. I discovered the AutoMap software provided with the Launchpad is a bit of a disappointment. As far as I know now you cannot send a Program Change message with the buttons. And the MAQ16/3 needs them. I also did not get the MIDI learn function to work but maybe I missed something and the documentation is not much help.

Anyway, I used the MIDI-OX software to translate the MIDI notes, which the Launchpad sends, to Program Change commands with the Data Mapping option. I am only using the top 4 rows. The buttons on the first row turns step 1 to 8 on. The second row turns step 1 to 8 off. The third row sets the first step of the 8 step sequence and the forth row sets the last step of the 8 step sequence. Also the top 4 arrow buttons on the right are used. The first one turns all steps on. The second one turns all steps off. The third one chooses the first row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer and the forth one chooses the second row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer. You first have to choose the row on the sequencer where after the buttons apply for that row. It would be easier if the first four button rows could be used for row 1 on the sequencer and the second four button rows for row 2 but I could not map one note command to two program change commands.

The first row on the MAQ16/3 sequencer drives the Synthesizers.com Modular and the second row the self-built Modular.
This video is a demonstration and not intended to provide you music of a certain quality ;-)"

The SL MkII and Logic: The Perfect Production Partnership

YouTube via NovationTV
"Thanks to the tight integration between Automap and Logic, Novation's SL MkII range of USB controllers are the perfect choice for Logic control."

Novation Launchpad Videos by fletchmusicvideo

YouTube via fletchmusicvideo
Playlist:
Novation Launchpad - Testing out "Session Mode"
Novation Launchpad - Testing out "Mixer Mode"
Novation Launchpad - Testing out with an Akai APC40
Using Novation Launchpad to trigger Beat Repeat (with Automap MIDI)
Novation Launchpad Beat Repeat (Using User Mode 2)
Novation Launchpad - User Mode 1 (Drum Rack)
Launchpad & Nocturn - Instant Track Control Using MIDI Remote Scripts

Free Novation Software

"Free Novation software for Launchpad & Nocturn 25/49 owners!
Buy a Launchpad with a Nocturn 25 or Nocturn 49, and receive both Automap Pro and the Novation FX Plug-in Suite completely free! The ultimate Ableton controller bundle just got better!"

"Free Automap Pro upgrade for existing Novation controller users.

Upon purchase of a Launchpad, a Nocturn 25 or a Nocturn 49, Automap Pro will be given free of charge to existing owners of the Novation Nocturn or controllers in the Remote SL Mk1 range. Realise the full potential of your controllers with Automap Pro."

Details at the Novation website.

ClockWOrK Vintage Stepsequencer VST

"Ever wanted to do these hypnotic sequencer lines known from Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream? Found out, that Hardware sequencers capable of doing this cost from 1500 to 30.000 $ (Moog Modular System)?

Now you can get a VST plugin for your PC for a fracture of this price.

Features
* clear and easy interface
* number of steps selectable (up to 16)
* note per step selectable from 3 octaves with display
* additional row for velocity or MIDI CC
* each step can be muted or skipped (!)
* sequence transpose by MIDI input
* selectable speed (clock divide)
* manual step thru the sequence with button or MIDI key
* reset to a specific step manually or on bar start
* play only when MIDI key is pressed
* random play
* supports automation by your host (like “Learn” in Reaper or Energy or Novation Automap)
* MIDI-ouput; any plugin or synthesizer can be used as sound source"

Click here for more info.

New Novation Nocturn 25 & 49

"Key Features
High quality professional keyboard
• Velocity-sensitive, keyboard from Fatar, with assignable after-touch. The Nocturn Keyboard feels like playing an instrument rather than a computer peripheral.

Illuminated controls provide instant visual feedback
• Brightly lit 11 segment LED rings around the eight smooth encoders, and backlit buttons throughout provide instant visual feedback for every physical control.

Touch-sensitive encoders
• All 8 oversized encoders are touch sensitive, bringing up mapping information and allowing you to ‘touch’ in automation data on DAW’s with a ‘touch’ mode.

Automap control Software
• Allows you to instantly 'learn' controllers to plug-ins. The GUI graphically displays Nocturn Keyboard's control surface on your computer monitor, enabling you to see exactly what is assigned to what, without using a tiny LCD screen.

8 Velocity-sensitive drumpads
• Nocturn Keyboard features 8 'softfeel' velocity sensitive drum pads. These can do more than just trigger notes and sketch drum patterns, all can be assigned to control software parameters.

Total of 33 MIDI assignable controls
• 8 trigger pads, 8 dials, 14 buttons, modulation wheel. Sustain and expression pedal control can also be added.

Speed Dial
• The 9th encoder is a unique 'Speed Dial' which allows you to instantly change the value of any parameter the cursor is pointing at, with no assignment needed whatsoever.

USB Powered
• Nocturn Keyboard is powered by USB saving valuable plug sockets. It can also be powered down without being unplugged, preserving battery power in laptops."

more details here