Novation MiniNova

The Novation MiniNova is a synthesizer that is very small and compact but packs some great sounds. It has some of the same features as the regular model UltraNova. The MiniNova has 256 sounds on it, you can tweak and transform each one of those sounds very easily with the knobs on the front of the MiniNova. The MiniNova does not have speakers on it though so you will need to have some sort of an interface to plug it into. Or you can purchase some sort of monitor just to send the audio signal through. Especially if you are live musicians and use the MiniNova, you will want to have a good monitor to play it with.

UTILIZATION

One thing you will notice with the MiniNova is you can get some great sounds very easy. You can just tweak a few knobs after loading a preset and get some good stuff. There is no programming involved and no need to read the manual or watch any tutorials. Just load a sound and start turning knobs. I have found some really good sounds that I use in my electronic music just by messing around with knobs on the MiniNova.

SOUNDS

The MiniNova also has a voice-tune effect and vocoder on it. I do not use the vocoder that much but it does come in handy sometimes. The MiniNova is well built, all of the material it is made out of seems to be strong. I can tell the MiniNova will last a long time for me as long as I don’t drop it or knock it off the stand.

OVERALL OPINION

Using the MiniNova is like a breath of fresh air. I have not had many synthesizers that give me such good sounds with little to no effort at all. I think anyone who makes electronic music or even dub or bass music needs to get this synthesizer now.

Are the characteristics everywhere, I will say only that:

- I have not yet tested the external editor
- I love the resistance knobs
- I just wonder what the life of the selector on the right is (envelopes, filters ...)

Too bad it is mono-timbral, but hey, I was warned by buying it!

UTILIZATION

Used for the first time in the store, I immediately appreciated the ability to handle more effectively in minutes. The interface is very intuitive and enjoyable. It easily and quickly Vocoder uses the arpeggiator, LFO, etc.

I did not have the manual, but I got it back on the internet and it is a very pleasant surprise: in addition to the good description of this feature, it presents a good account of subtractive synthesis, always appreciated!

Digging through the menus is pretty good too but it's a little less pleasant than manipulate buttons!

Note: I do not feel penalized by bit, unlike the majority, but I do not have a piano.

SOUNDS

The diversity is amazing. For both rich bass that sounds thinner and thinner, the Mininova reveals his true versatility! IMHO it is very close to its 100% analog.

The "animate" pads are convenient and come to offer a whole new dimension to your sound.

Novation sounds always fit very well in my mixes, and Mininova is no exception. The filters are very well rendered.

OVERALL OPINION

I for one short month used currently. 200th purchased in excellent condition, hard to top level quality / price ratio. I hesitated - a little - with the Microkorg, the second-hand market has guided me to this Mininova and I do not regret. I think keeping this Mininova a while for lots of different uses.

3 octaves, mini keys.
Super lightweight synthetic (less than 3 pounds) but sturdy metal construction with wood sides, I find beautiful
256 programs in memory + 128 user locations
Few knobs on the front with a big for the filter
An arpeggiator / sequencer friendly, 8 pads
An excellent quality vocoder
A small but adequate screen

UTILIZATION

Programs called four ways: either by class of sound (. Leads, bass, pads, etc.), or in the style of music (rock, dubstep ...), either alphabetically or by order numeral.
It's a real pleasure to use. The mini buttons can put off but you know why it takes (not to make a concerto). Personally I took it for its excellent quality vocoder in the demos seemed the best in its class me (I had the Miniak and actually there is no picture, it is even better than UltraNova).
4 knobs acting on a matrix of 24 controls (for envelopes, oscillators, etc.)..
The big knob for the cutoff filter is a really pleasant to use.
The arpeggiator is very intuitive: one on the program fairly quickly, according to the usual parameters (direction of the arpeggio, number of octaves, beats, etc..), Then when you launch sequences can be variations with pads: can mutate including some not, which is very original sequences. Pads play somehow the role of a step sequencer, but can make the changes live.
The manual is clear and informative.

SOUNDS

Impressive compared with Mininova template. Sounds can sound very fat, and with the sequencer, can be sacred bass lines. I particularly appreciate the "Vintage Synth" bank as its name indicates analos emulates some synths.
The vocoder has numerous programs (forty), whose traditional Robot and Darth Vader, but also full of other really amazing (especially one that share in the treble or bass returns according to the intonation of the voice). One can easily reproduce some sounds of Daft Punk (Around The World, Digital Love), Earth Wind And Fire (Let's Groove Tonight), and for me it emulates quite well the famous Roland VP 330, my reference (used especially by Queen in Radio Ga Ga and Machines).
Note that the Novation website offers downloadable sound banks, including two banks of 64 programs SuperNova, well done!

OVERALL OPINION

In the category synth / vocoder to 3 octaves, I owned the Miniak, big potential but disappointing vocoder. I have long eyed the Korg R3 and UltraNova, I was not attracted by the MicroKorg. When Mininova came out, I did not hesitate for long: all Novation technology for only € 379, with a high quality vocoder, and quality of high-end manufacturing. The wooden sides give it lots of character. And at the sound, it really has nothing to envy to the most expensive synths.
I do not like the mini keys, but as said earlier, I knew what to expect, and we take the final fold. It costs 200 € less than the UltraNova with the same sounds, more knobs, a vocoder better, the wooden sides, and intuitive arpeggiator with 8 pads.
This is an excellent investment and a good extra synth in a set with a large workstation.