Novation Peak Polyphonic Synthesizer Oxford Oscillators 8-Voice Poly Synth

Novation Peak Polyphonic Synthesizer Oxford Oscillators 8-Voice Poly Synth

Peak is an eight-voice desktop polyphonic synthesiser with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice. The oscillators sound completely analogue 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 analogue-sounding NCOs or digital wavetables — so are able to cross-modulate in an recursive loop.

The synth has a resonant multi-mode analogue filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice — pre-filter, post-filter and global — in an analogue 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 on-board 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.

Peak Firmware Update v1.2

• New wavetables : Massively increasing the range of Peak's sonic palette, 43 new wavetables have been added to the Oscillator Wave menus.
• Additional modulators: Peak 1.2 adds two freely assignable, non-voice-specific LFOs (bringing the total to four) to the Mod Matrix and new FX Matrix. Pitch-Bend is now also available as a modulation source, with Up (BendWhl+) and Down (BendWhl-) assignable as separate signals if required.
• New Mod Matrix design: Workflow in the Mod Matrix is greatly accelerated with Peak 1.2, as sources and destinations are presented on the same page — no more toggling between them to make and edit assignments. And as a knock-on benefit, the Page button now enables quick access to all 16 modulation slots.
• FX Mod Matrix: You demanded, Novation delivered! Peak 1.2 lets you route non-voice-specific modulation sources to Peak's FX parameters in the new four-slot FX Mod Matrix. Now you can, for example, expand and contract a reverb with a rhythmic LFO, or automate delay time changes using an envelope.
• New envelope features: Speaking of envelopes, Peak 1.2's ADSRs sees the addition of a Hold stage (up to 500ms) and the ability to loop between the Attack and Decay stages. For many, this game-changing improvement alone will be reason enough to upgrade.
• Initialize Manual Mode: Peak 1.2 gives you the option of maintaining the current positions of all knobs and sliders when the Initialise button is pressed, rather than resetting their parameters to defaults — ideal for getting instantly hands-on with new patches, and creating random ones from scratch. The previous behavior can be reinstated in the Settings menu, of course, for those who prefer it.
• Microtuning: Peak 1.2 also adds support for microtuning. 16 Tuning Tables can be edited and saved for recall within any patch, and automatic note selection makes MIDI note-to-pitch assignment a snap.
• New presets: Available in Components, a new Soundpack by Patricia Wolf and a new Soundpack from Gforcesoftware showcasing the new features of Firmware 1.2, as well as the sonic power and versatility of Peak in general.

Peak Firmware Update v2.0

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.

Firmware v2.0 Features:

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.

Summit and Peak firmware v2.0 is the last addition to the legacy of Chris Huggett's innovative synth design work with Novation. Having shaped the sound of Novation's iconic synths - including Bass Station, Supernova, Bass Station II, Peak and Summit, Chris has left an indelible imprint on Novation's heritage, and we will always be grateful for his influence and inspiration.

Features

• Innovative New Oxford Oscillators using two waveform generating techniques: NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) and 17 digital wavetables
• Pre-filter and post-filter distortion per voice, plus global distortion
• Polyphonic aftertouch and linear FM
• Extensive modulation system, with 16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments controlled on the front panel
• Three ADSR envelopes and two LFOs per voice, plus animate buttons for instant modulation switching
• High-quality reverb, delay and chorus effects, and onboard arpeggiator
• CV modulation input for integration with modular systems
• Compact desktop module design with optional die-cast aluminium stand for positioning (not included)

What's Included

• Novation Peak polyphonic synthesizer
• USB cable
• Power supply
• Ableton Live Lite music making software (upon registration)
• Loopmasters Sounds and Samples (upon registration)

Warranty Period

3 Years

Authorized Reseller

Pixel Pro Audio is an authorized Novation dealer.

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