Description

Digital Accuracy, Analog Sound

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 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.

• 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 aluminum stand for positioning (not included)

Included Software

• Ableton Live Lite music making software
• Loopmasters sounds and samples

What’s In the Box

• Novation Peak polyphonic synthesizer
• USB cable
• Power supply

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.