Ever since we did the review for Novation Impulse 61, and I’ve got to see it in action LIVE I’ve been a huge Novation fan. Being a piano player all my life and living in a portable all tech world having a portable synthesizer is almost a necessity. Not only for live instrument players, but anyone creating music for any reason. So when I came across Novation’s more recent press release I instantly added this to my Christmas list.
Press Release
Novation Launches MiniNova
The fully featured mini-keys synthNovation has announced MiniNova, an amazingly powerful but compact synthesizer that
packs never-seen-before features, including push-button Animate controls and Novation’s
brand new voice effect: VocalTune™.
Key Features:
• 37-note mini-keys synth with custom-designed Novation keybed.
• Extremely powerful sound and effects engines from Novation?s flagship UltraNova synth.
• New VocalTune feature with feature-packed vocoder and included gooseneck mic.
• Arpeggiator with real-time rhythm performance editing.
• Animate function lets you warp your sounds while you play.
• 256 amazing factory patches included, with space for a further 128 user patchesWith over 15 years of family heritage and decades of design experience, MiniNova is
built around the same synth engine as Novation’s flagship, UltraNova. Featuring three
versatile oscillators, up to five effects, two filters, six envelopes, three LFOs, and 36
different wavetables, it’s capable of creating a vast range of jaw-dropping sounds,
suitable for every genre. Simple patch browsing comes courtesy of a large genre-select
knob and an easy-to-use scroll wheel, bringing instant search and recall of the 256
factory and 128 user patches. MiniNova is perfect for synth players who want to find
sounds quickly: simply choose the type of sound you want, then sculpt the patch to
match your track. A powerful parameter matrix puts 24 powerful sound-shaping tools
under your fingertips on four large, tactile knobs. The dedicated filter cutoff knob allows
you to always give your sound the ‘wow’ factor.
MiniNova introduces VocalTune, an amazing effect that can tune your voice to the note
being played on the synth in real time. It also features a powerful new vocoder engine,
which can be fed by either the included gooseneck mic or the external input. Novation?s
unique ?Animate? buttons let you apply up to eight deeply expressive modulations, with a
hold button that latches any or all of the animations. Arpeggiate mode lets you easily
play and program your rhythmic synth parts on the fly. What’s more, MiniNova connects
to your computer via USB, where free plug-in software can be used for patch library
management.
MiniNova has two quarter-inch mono jack outputs, a stereo headphones output, full-size
XLR and jack inputs for routing sounds through the vocoder and on-board effects, as
well as a five-pin MIDI input and output and an input for a sustain pedal. Power can be
supplied via USB or a 9V DC power supply (included).Availability:
worldwide in October 2012.
Pricing information: MSRP $624.99 / $499.99 at dealers
Just looking at the key features it’s more than worth the $499 price tag. We will be anxiously waiting in the GStyle Office to get it in house so we can do a hands on review.
Be on the lookout tomorrow for some more synth goodies !
