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Novation Peak 8-Voice Desktop Synth
$1,599.99
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Novation Peak 8-Voice Desktop Synth
Novation // Peak - A Technical Overview
Novation // Peak with Hauschka
Novation // Peak - Patch Browse
Description
Peak is an 8-voice desktop polyphonic synthesizer with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice. The oscillators sound completely analog 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 analog-sounding NCOs or digital wavetables—so they are able to cross-modulate in a recursive loop.
The synth has a resonant multi-mode analog filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice–pre-filter, post-filter and global–in an analog signal chain. Peak is capable of receiving polyphonic aftertouch, which puts expression right at your fingertips. Reverb, delay and chorus effects are at one's disposal, and there is also an onboard 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. Track Select buttons jump between banks of eight tracks/channels, and the bottom row of buttons map to Mute, Solo or Record Arm. The top two rows of rotaries, meanwhile, are freely MIDI mappable—yours to assign as you see fit.
Free to use with Novation Peak and Summit synths, the Wavetable Editor unleashes the power of the wavetable oscillators, allowing you to design your own waveforms and expand your creative potential. The Editor, which is part of the Novation Components browser-based platform, features drawing tools and a Live Edit mode, so you can draw your own oscillator shapes and preview them in real time. The audio import feature lets you load in your own audio to be used as the oscillator waveform. Built into the Wavetable Editor is a curated selection of space-themed audio from the NASA sound library. Also included is exclusive wavetable content from production giants Noisia, who have created a preset pack to stir your creativity. The Wavetable Editor is free to use—just connect your Peak or Summit to your computer via USB and head to the Novation Components page in a compatible browser like Google Chrome.
Firmware Update 2.0
In Novation’s biggest update for Peak, firmware update v2.0 brings in essential improvements and a multitude of features across stereo controls, modulation, unpredictability, and effects, that give you powerful tools to shape your sound.
Stereo
New spread modes, panning per voice, and panning in the mod matrix give additional control and allows for sound design in the stereo field. Now you can create bigger, wider and more intricately textured soundscapes.
Modulation and unpredictability
Create deeper and more experimental sounds with new mod destinations, noise as a mod source, and additional LFO 3 and 4 parameters. Animate Envelopes and Arpeggiator Chance open more creative performance possibilities.
Effects
New effects, including Chorus Modes, Flanger and Phlanger add new tonalities. Additional effects modulation destinations open up more experimental sound design. A new Lo-Fi delay mode enables a more vintage style sound.
Bug Fixes
The firmware update v2.0 includes a number of bug fixes. The full details can be found in the release notes.
The synth has a resonant multi-mode analog filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice–pre-filter, post-filter and global–in an analog signal chain. Peak is capable of receiving polyphonic aftertouch, which puts expression right at your fingertips. Reverb, delay and chorus effects are at one's disposal, and there is also an onboard 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. Track Select buttons jump between banks of eight tracks/channels, and the bottom row of buttons map to Mute, Solo or Record Arm. The top two rows of rotaries, meanwhile, are freely MIDI mappable—yours to assign as you see fit.
Free to use with Novation Peak and Summit synths, the Wavetable Editor unleashes the power of the wavetable oscillators, allowing you to design your own waveforms and expand your creative potential. The Editor, which is part of the Novation Components browser-based platform, features drawing tools and a Live Edit mode, so you can draw your own oscillator shapes and preview them in real time. The audio import feature lets you load in your own audio to be used as the oscillator waveform. Built into the Wavetable Editor is a curated selection of space-themed audio from the NASA sound library. Also included is exclusive wavetable content from production giants Noisia, who have created a preset pack to stir your creativity. The Wavetable Editor is free to use—just connect your Peak or Summit to your computer via USB and head to the Novation Components page in a compatible browser like Google Chrome.
Firmware Update 2.0
In Novation’s biggest update for Peak, firmware update v2.0 brings in essential improvements and a multitude of features across stereo controls, modulation, unpredictability, and effects, that give you powerful tools to shape your sound.
Stereo
New spread modes, panning per voice, and panning in the mod matrix give additional control and allows for sound design in the stereo field. Now you can create bigger, wider and more intricately textured soundscapes.
Modulation and unpredictability
Create deeper and more experimental sounds with new mod destinations, noise as a mod source, and additional LFO 3 and 4 parameters. Animate Envelopes and Arpeggiator Chance open more creative performance possibilities.
Effects
New effects, including Chorus Modes, Flanger and Phlanger add new tonalities. Additional effects modulation destinations open up more experimental sound design. A new Lo-Fi delay mode enables a more vintage style sound.
Bug Fixes
The firmware update v2.0 includes a number of bug fixes. The full details can be found in the release notes.
Features
- 8-voice desktop polyphonic synthesizer with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice
- Resonant multi-mode analog filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice
- Reverb, delay and chorus effects
- 16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments in the main controls
- Connects to modular systems via a CV modulation input
- Compatible with the free Novation Wavetable Editor
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Lead, which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Specs
Product Hardware Specifications
- 42 Control knobs
- 8 35 mm Sliders
- 1 Volume knob
- 2 Data encoders
- 30 Function buttons (not lit)
- 16 Function buttons (lit)
- 2 Animate buttons plus hold button
- 90 Indicator LEDs
- OLED display
- USB socket for system/MIDI comms only (no bus-power)
- MIDI In/Out/Thru
- 2 1/4" jack socket for continuous or switched pedals
- 3.5 mm jack socket for CV in
- 1/4" jack sockets for left and right outputs
- 1/4" jack socket for headphone output
- Metal chassis with American walnut wooden end cheeks
- 8 note polyphony (dependent on voices used per note)
- Mono-Timbral
- 5 Voice Modes: Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2
- 3 oscillators
- 1 noise generator
- 1 ring modulator
- 2 LFOs
- 1 Amp envelope and 2 mod envelopes
- 1 Filter
- Sine, tri, sawtooth, square/pulse, plus 17 wavetables of 5 waveforms per row
- 1x State variable OTA filter per voice
- 12/24dB slope
- Low-pass/band-pass/high-pass
- Pre-filter overdrive
- Post-filter distortion
- 16 modulation slots per patch
- Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination
- Direct (depth)
- Modulation wheel
- Aftertouch (polyphonic and channel AT)
- Expression pedal 1
- Expression pedal 2
- Keyboard velocity
- LFO1 positive
- LFO1 bi-polar
- LFO2 positive
- LFO2 bi-polar
- Amp envelope
- Mod envelope 1
- Mod envelope 2
- Animate 1
- Animate 2
- CV mod input bi-polar
- Oscillator 1-3 frequency, v-sync level, shape amount and level
- Noise source level
- Ring modulator output level
- Overal synth output level
- Filter drive, distortion, cut-off frequency and resonance
- LFO 1 and 2 frequency
- Amp env/mod env 1/mod env 2 attack, decay and release
- FM Osc 1 -> osc 2, osc 2 -> osc 3, osc 3 -> osc 1 and noise -> osc 1
- Osc 3 -> filter cutoff frequency
- Noise -> filter cutoff frequency
- Analog distortion
- Chorus: 3 types
- Reverb: 3 types
- Delay with 16 types of delay sync, LP and HP damping, slew and stereo
- Arpeggiator with key latch: 33 patterns, Glide
- Patch storage: Up to 512 on hardware (256 factory patches)
- All knobs (excl. volume), sliders and most buttons transmit and receive MIDI cc commands for external control and mapping
- USB-MIDI class-compliant device, Ableton Live Lite 9 is included
- Maximum power consumption 12V DC 1A
- 9.17" x 18.27" x 2.78"
Warranty
All Novation products are built to the highest standards and are designed to provide many years of reliable performance. In the event of a Manufacturing Defect becoming evident during the warranty period, Novation will ensure that the product is repaired or replaced free of charge. The warranty for any product purchased on or after the 1st January 2018 is a period of 36 months from the date of original purchase. The warranty period for products purchased on or prior to the 31st December 2017 is 24 months from the date of original purchase.
A Manufacturing Defect is defined as a defect in the performance of the product as described and published by Novation. A Manufacturing Defect does not include damage caused by post-purchase transportation, storage, or careless handling, nor damage caused by misuse.
While this warranty is provided by Novation, it is fulfilled by Novation’s distribution partner in the country in which you purchased the product. To contact Novation's local distribution partner regarding a warranty issue, use this URL: https://stockists.novationmusic.com/stores/distributors/ ; they will advise you of the appropriate procedure for resolving the warranty issue. Note that many of the products returned under warranty are found not to exhibit any hardware fault at all. In the case of operational interruption, it’s worth checking other factors such as cables, drivers, software settings, and the like, prior to returning your hardware. Contact Novation support here first: https://support.novationmusic.com/hc/en-gb , if you experience technical issues.
In every case, you will need to provide a copy of the original invoice or store receipt to Novation’s local distribution partner. In the event that you are unable to provide proof of purchase, you should request a copy of your receipt from the reseller from whom you purchased the product. If you purchase a Novation product outside your normal country of residence, our distribution partner in your normal country of residence will not be able to honor this limited warranty, although you may request an out-of-warranty chargeable repair.
This limited warranty is offered solely to products purchased from an Authorized Novation Reseller. This Warranty is in addition to your statutory rights in the country of purchase.
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Reviews
4.67
3 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
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Best Uses
- Electronic Music2
- MIDI2
- Learning1
- Studio Synth1
Cons
- Have to use menus for some functions1
Describe Yourself
- Experienced2
Pros
- Easy to Use2
- Good Audio2
- Portable1
- Playability1
Reviewed by 3 customers
Really good poly synth package
submitted6 years ago
byworldblee
fromPortland
The Peak is a powerful little package. The Oxford Oscillators, while not analog, do a very good job of sounding analog while also offering access to a package of digital waveforms (which have grown in number with the 1.2 update, which also put each modulation option on a single menu page rather than spreading it over two pages). Keep in mind that this isn't a multi-timbral synth, as all three oscillators go through 1 amp envelope and 1 filter with no options for layering. However, by using modulation on oscillators separately you can get pretty creative. My favorite synth is the Yamaha CS-80 and I'm pleased to report that you can do some pretty spot-on CS-80 style sounds even without having two separate synth lines. The filter sounds great, the pre- and post-filter overdrive options can add some punch, the modulation possibilities are both powerful and intuitive enough to understand. I was really torn between getting the Prophet REV2 and the Peak. While the REV2 is also great, I thought the Peak had a really nice combination of good sound options and overall value without being tied to a legacy synth. I'm very happy with the decision I made.
Sounds great. Works well with my Prophet 6.
submitted7 years ago
byTrevor
fromUndisclosed
Sounds great. Works well with my Prophet 6.
An amazing synth for an incredible price
submitted8 years ago
byJohn
fromSan Jose CA
First and foremost ... it sounds great! One reviewer said it has "girth" and I agree. I tried to judge it by the YouTube videos and ended up getting the Deepmind 12D instead ... big mistake! I then got the Peak and compared them both side to side for about 2 weeks ... but it didn't take more than a few minutes to hear how Peak sounded superior in every way (just the opposite of how I judged them on YouTube).... and MUCH more flexible in the Oscillator department. I was afraid of the Peak sounding too harsh compared to Deepmind ... but hearing them both in person it was clear to me that Peak simply had a broader pallette of sounds, some of which were, to my ears, harsh ... but it is easy to avoid such sounds on Peak. Deepmind, on the other hand, sounded, to my ears, thin (i.e. little girth).. and there was also some hard-to-describe aspect of the Deepmind's sound that made it sound more like a softsynth than hardware. Yes, I could make it sound more robust, but it took a lot more effort to do this than it took to get Peak to sound smooth. And with Deepmind's very limited oscillator section, many sounds that I wanted did not seem possible on Deepmind. The high number of dedicated controls and clean logical layout of controls is another major feature of this synth (and another area were it is superior to Deepmind). I didn't realize how important this was to me until I started playing around with it. Most of my prior experience has been with soft synth's (Diva, Falcon, Omnisphere) ... this is sooo much more fun! Also, a great way to learn synthesis. The only thing I wish it had is a software package to control it and manage patches (like Deepmind has .. which is great). Using software on a desktop PC or tablet to control Peak features that require some menu-diving (e.g. mod matrix setup) would be a major improvement. But relatively speaking this is a minor short-coming compared to all the areas where Peak really excels.
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