Novation Peak Eight-Voice Polyphonic Desktop Synthesizer
Novation Peak is an eight-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 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 after touch, 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.
Product Features
- New Oxford Oscillators using two waveform generating techniques: Numerically-Controlled Oscillators and 17 digital wavetables; pre-filter and post-filter distortion per voice, plus global distortion
- Polyphonic after touch 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
- Cvl modulation input for integration with modular systems
- Compact desktop module design with optional die-cast aluminum stand for positioning (not included); 2-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects
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…