Novation Supernova IIR

I can't think of anything that's missing. Lots of features, 3 oscillators, 2 LFO's, lots of parameters, lots of realtime tweakable knobs (±30), lots of FX onboard with nearly all possible parameters, 512 (changeable) sound presets and 512 empty user sound storage, ... I dare to say this a hundred percent complete machine. And if I have to say one bad thing about it: the presets are very bad - only a few exceptions.

Price paid

$ 2.100

UTILIZATION

This is a great piece of gear, but it has a learning curve. I mean it's hard to start working with it, but once you know and understand the key features, it's a very easy and lovely machine. The manual is not that good. The first time you read it, it's hard to understand - a thing I usually don't have with new gear. Could be better; maybe for the Supernova III ?! And I prefer - but that's a personal opinion - sliders instead of knobs, especially for filter features and so...

SOUNDS

Sound quality is very good to excellent. I like it. Maybe not thé "real analog" sound, but still very close. Excellent for bass sounds, trance leads, dirty organs, in fact any kind of analog-type sounds. Less (but still very good) for strings/pads/sweeps. Focused on dance-music (especially trance/progressive). FX: all kind of FX (the classic reverb / delay / chorus/flanger/phaser types - as well as distortion / pan / tremolo / EQ fx) stored by sound preset, with lots of features - but a minor point is the FX quality: especially the reverb FX could be much better

OVERALL OPINION

This is a robust 2U rack, with only minor point that sometimes the knobs intend to come loose. I once contacted customer support via e-mail, and I received an answer from Novation (also by e-mail) within 24 hrs.

I really can't think of anything that's missing (as I said above). This is a very complete and lovely machine with a great (virtual) analog sound. Already a classic machine !! Also used by: ATB, Jamiroquai, Orbital, A Guy Called Gerald, and many many more...

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 4-, 2002)

Huge amount of power in here, lots of fx, lots of sounds, osc's, filters, and all sound decent., Plus the free operating system upgrade adds great things such as the double saw wave form, and unison feature.

Price paid

$1,200.00

UTILIZATION

Took a few days to learn. I only read half of the manual because it was too confusing! Once you get the hang of it, its a breeze.

Almost perfect, but some of my buttons stick abit.. you have to press them unusually hard to work.

SOUNDS

Pure Trance and Dance sounds here. Also good for progressive. Sounds are beautiful, bass is alright,, leads are amazing, arp's are very nice, and strings are pretty good.

OVERALL OPINION

An amazing synth, great sound, great power. It would be nicer if it was 16 part multitimberal, but 8 is decent. Highly recommended for Trance music production.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 6-, 2002)

Its got everything. Vocoder, Arpeggiator, pretty good filters, great effects. 8 part multitimberal which isnt a great deal, but is enough to get a song done IMO.

price paid: $700

UTILIZATION

Its pretty easy to use, ive had it for about a month or 2 now, but i pretty much had the hang of it after 2 or 3 days playing with it. The manual is ok, but confusing. I wish the Oscillator section was a little more self explanitory. every other section is top notch.

I will definitly gig it, tho if i had the choice id probably use the Keyboard version instead. seems to be a solid unit, tho i dont know how much of a beating a rackmount synth can take so i would take it easy on it. The buttons and knobs seem pretty solid, tho again i wouldnt risk being rough with it.

SOUNDS

Pretty nice sounds, a little thin sometimes but with a little tweaking they can really rip. i would have liked a few more waveforms (it only has square, saw, double saw and noise) Sounds are nice and sharp and crisp. Has good filters and nice effects. It isa dance synth and would be perfect for trance or techno. And i cant forget how Awesome the arpeggiator and vocoder are! overall above average sound.

OVERALL OPINION

Its my baby. right now its at the center of my 'studio'. I would like to get a Nord Lead and/or an Access Virus to take its place, but it will be the main synth in all my projects for quite some time. I got this one for fairly cheap, so if it were lost or stolen i think i would spend what i would have on this on a Virus, tho i would be INCREDIBLY sad.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 0-, 2003)

Just click here an analog modeling synth, three sub out, midi in, midi out, MIDI Through, possibilié to connect a pedal.
About 1000 sounds spread over a dozen banks and plant performance, and ability to load the website netting can also find the last bone in version2, the effects of good quality: chorus, reverb, distortion , delay ... in short everything synth quune needs to color his sound!
24 voice polyphony, more than enough ... unless mozart!

UTILIZATION

The configuration is fairly simple provided you know a little sound synthesis, for example, this synth is more difficult to control, a jp-8000! but the comparison with jp stop there, because the supernova is not part of the same class ... surout by its quantity and the warmth of its sound, surprising, however, that this synth is not your common , will be t "he a collector! concluded editing the sounds is quite simple and logical!
Unfortunately the manual is in English, but look hard enough you can find it in French. Sion, there is ample and comprehensive!

SOUNDS

I compose electronic music, type trance, house, harddhouse, Dance. And I will say frankly that qd is made of techno, this synth is an essential part, I will not say that it is essential, even if with more than 300 patterns arpeq, it outperforms its competitors, but when blessed with a Supernova2, you can do everything electronically speaking, it is the ultimate synth for techno; biensur now, there is a virus, but the supernova is not exceeded, it sounds just different! the ideal is to have the 2, 3 see, I think north lead3 ...! short buy a supernova is a good machine trs! velocity is execellent, and there's no garbage can immaginnez over 1000 sounds with a powerful ultra apregiateur, effects, distortion ...!

OVERALL OPINION

I love everything about this synth, I preferred the keyboard VERSION, because it is a function button = rack but this version is very well thought out and still a treat for the ears and inspiration;
I as a comparison: the Nord Lead, the virus and the jp-8000.
I Refer this choice with his eyes closed.