MATRIXSYNTH

September Part 4

Published on Sep 5, 2016 Ritchie DeCarlo

"still experimenting with this one.
getting used to the 2 Mother 32 units
with Animoog on the iPad...
The Journey continues......"

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…

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Ninja Gaiden - Masked Devil (Nintendo Music) - Moog Minimoog Model D

Published on Sep 5, 2016 MrCaliforniaD

Recorded with:
Audio - Moog Minimoog Model D.
Video - Videonics TitleMaker 3000 / Critter & Guitari Video Scope

Euro Minimoog with mostly DIY modules

Published on Sep 5, 2016 Randy Piscione

"This is a quick and not particularly polished video of me trying to emulate the sound of a Minimoog using some Moog-ish modules. Keep in mind I can't duplicate the functionality, the Minimoog was an inspired design for more reasons than just its sound.

I describe the modules and then get into some noodling. If you want to just hear the samples, go to 1:20-ish. There is a bit of glide. Video was shot with a Nikon D7000 at high ISO and not enough light, which is why the modular has the romantic candlelight glow, and audio was recorded using the USB record feature on a Behringer X32 console."

Eric Archer Analog Computer Bouncing Ball 2

Published on Sep 5, 2016 EA78751

"Eric Archer of Rare Waves LLC demonstrates an analog computer model of a particle bouncing on a vibrating table. The collision events and velocity data are used to synthesize audio by triggering a voltage controlled percussion module. The side-scrolling oscilloscope display shows the particle position (top trace) and the table position (bottom trace). Many interesting aspects of chaotic dynamics are observed, and we also learn that it sounds really cool.

Copyright 2016 by Eric Archer. All rights reserved."

Vintage Analog Oberheim Matrix-12 with New Displays

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"For sale is a great condition Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer. If you are reading his, you probably know what this is! This is the most powerful analog synthesizer in one chassis EVER MADE! This particular unit is listed "AS-IS" because occasionally on startup it will display the 'voice processor 0 malfunction' error message. I believe this could be remedied by a power supply board rebuild. Most of the time the unit starts up fine, functions fine, sounds great, and passes all the calibration tests as pictured. This particular unit has been upgraded with brand new encoders and brand new displays ($500) which replace the old vacuum fluorescent displays which always die. The matrix-12 front panel has also been refinished to have a high gloss finish and has a protective coating over it. The 'matrix-12' logo on the front has some paint missing (pictured), other than that it looks great! This is also a unit which has factory aftertouch. Included is the original manual, power cord, and the synthesizer itself."

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ARP Solina String Ensemble SE-IV Keyboard Synthesizer SN 0111540

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for sale is an Arp Solina String Ensemble SE-IV. The unit functions normally, records exceptionally well, and was used in a well-known artists smoke-free studio.

I think these machines make great additions to any studio and excel at doubling parts or creating thick pads. The voice options create timbral variety and there are multiple outputs for recording on the rear of unit."

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