Novation Peak 8-Voice Desktop Synth

Eight-voice desktop polyphonic synthesizer with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice.

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 2.0In 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 voiceResonant multi-mode analog filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voiceReverb, delay and chorus effects16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments in the main controlsConnects to modular systems via a CV modulation inputCompatible with the free Novation Wavetable Editor
Control, versatility and gripping analog sound. Order one soon.
Peak 8-Voice Desktop Synth Specifications:
Product Hardware Specifications
42 Control knobs
8 35mm 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 in. jack socket for continuous or switched pedals
3.5mm jack socket for CV in
1/4 in. jack sockets for left and right outputs
1/4 in. jack socket for headphone output
Metal chassis with American walnut wooden end cheeks
Synth Engine
8 note polyphony (dependent on voices used per note)
Mono-Timbral
5 Voice Modes - Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2
Per voice
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
Filter
1x State variable OTA filter per voice
12/24dB slope
Low-pass / band-pass / high-pass
Pre-filter overdrive
Post-filter distortion
Modulation
16 modulation slots per patch
Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination
Mod sources (17)
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
Mod destinations (37)
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
Effects
Analog distortion
Chorus - 3 types, Reverb - 3 types
Delay with 16 types of delay sync, LP and HP damping, slew and stereo
Misc
Arpeggiator w/ 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
Software Compatibility
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 in.