Novation Peak
The compact Novation Peak desktop module was created with the direct participation of Chris Huggett, who was the co-author of many synthesizers that have become widely known, for example, Bass Station or Supernova. The creators of Novation Peak desktop synthesizer set a grand task to make the best among the existing, highest-quality device, made according to all the canons of modern high-tech production.
The Novation Peak is 8-voice polyphonic digital/analogue hybrid desktop synthesizer, has 3 high-precision digital oscillators for each voice, and is also equipped with an analog filter with switchable slope and resonance adjustment. Versatile polyphonic synthesizer, with a unique sound suitable for creating both classical sounds and experimental electronics, clearly begs for a special place in the history of synthesizer construction.
The first synthesizers did not always have the usual, modern sound architecture, and now the synthesis of analog and digital, in the example of Novation Peak polysynth, is of great importance for any electronic musician or sound designer. Nick Bookman agrees with this opinion. After all, the advanced cross-modulate oscillators available on Novation Peak polyphonic desktop synthesizer undoubtedly give more power and control, becoming either linear FM sources or digital wave tables. All these digital solutions on synth module are excellent for creating clear and well-controlled bass, percussive sounds, and when paired with Novation Peak analog filters and VCA, you can get great lead parts and other sounds.
The digital oscillators section, located on the Novation Peak polyphonic synthesizer, consists of high-precision digital NCOs based on unique FPGA technology, with an incredible resolution of 24 MHz and named after the developers of the Oxford Synthesizer Company, and its founder Chris Huggett. The high clock frequency of novation peak oscillators allows you to get very clean and accurate waveforms.
In contrast to the standard analog ones, Novation Peak oscillators (NCO) have a lot of really interesting, sawtooth, rectangular, pulse and triangular waveforms. Wave tables with smooth octave shifts or chords can add a bit of brightness to absolutely any patch on the polyphonic desktop synthesizer, and for example, a sawtooth waveform can change the density using the FPGA matrix, which actually gives you a saturates "supersaw" mode. Seventeen wave tables open up a lot of possibilities for experimentation, but what's really cool is that on Novation Peak synth module, you can change the waveforms on every oscillator and any waveform modulated oscillator can give you very interesting results.
Novation Peak used the latest versions of the Oxford oscillators, which do not need to limit the frequency band, extreme oversampling allows you to improve the quality of audio signal recovery. This can be seen in the example of changing the sine wave, where in place of the mathematically correct first option, a bright alternative appears, in the form of a triangle after filtering, in addition, combined and virtual synchronized waves on polysynth are cleaner than on analog models.
Due to the large number of controllers on the front panel of the Novation Peak polysynth, the LFO section leaves no questions, each of the available low-frequency generators has 4 waveforms, as well as 3 speed modes. In the slowest mode, the maximum speed of the LFO, the Novation Peak synth module, is about 200 Hz, and in the fastest, about 1.4 kHz, moving into a barely noticeable range, if you switch the LFO to sync with the tempo, you can get an impressive range of values.
The Novation Peak modulation matrix with 16 slots and 17 wave tables has about 40 modulation targets. Each matrix slot contains an editable bipolar modulation depth characteristic and 2 slots for impact sources. This allows you to quickly and easily create on the polyphonic desktop synthesizer, typical combinations, such as a modulation wheel that controls the impact of LFO or a polyphonic parameter "after touch" that controls the intensity of CV signal modulation.
The Novation Peak effects section consists of a "distortion"that is controlled by a single parameter, with good sound quality, a built-in "delay", that syncs with the tempo and has separate settings for the two channels and additional width and slew parameters that are ideal for playing analog vibrations. As well as the "chorus" effect in three different variations, which can increase and enrich the synthesizer patches with additional volume, as well as the reverb effect, with 3 algorithms that edit the fade time, which can be done for quite a long time.
The Novation Peak polyphonic desktop synthesizer looks like a high-quality product, with comfortable, rubberized handles, sensitive faders, nice buttons, a heavy metal case with stylish wooden overlays, and an OLED screen with adjustable brightness. The front panel of the device is understandable, 42 control knobs are right in front of your eyes, and more subtle settings can be edited using a simple menu.
The clear screen is easy to read, and the 2 buttons for page navigation, rotary encoder, and 3 buttons for confirmation of selection are located in a convenient location. There are no keys on the Novation Peak polysynth, but it is also perfect and for fans of playing with sequencers, and the rich interface allows you to configure the modulations right on the go.
