Novation Peak Polyphonic Synthesiser

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 a 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.

The Wavetable Editor unleashes the power of the wavetable oscillators. It features drawing tools and a Live Edit mode, so you can draw your own oscillator shapes and preview them in real time. Audio import lets you load in your own audio to be used as the oscillator waveform. Included is a curated selection of space-themed audio from the NASA sound library, plus exclusive content from production giants Noisia.

• Innovative New Oxford Oscillators using two waveform generating techniques: NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) and 60 digital wavetables
• Pre-filter and post-filter distortion per voice, plus global distortion. Polyphonic aftertouch and linear FM. High-quality reverb, delay and chorus effects, and onboard arpeggiator
• 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
• CV modulation input for integration with modular systems
• Compact desktop module design with optional die-cast aluminium stand for positioning (not included)

Warranty

Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a three-year warranty if any Novation hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault.

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.

Product Hardware Specifications

• 42 Control knobs
• 8 35mm Sliders
• 1 Volume knob
• 2 Data encoders
• Rubberised knob caps with spun metal discs
• 30 Function buttons (not lit)
• 16 Function buttons (lit)
• 2 Animate buttons plus hold button
• 90 Indicator LEDs
• OLED display
• Kensington Security Slot
• Power switch
• Power supply connector
• USB socket for system / MIDI comms only (no bus-power)
• MIDI In / Out / Thru
• 2 1/4" jack socket for continuous or switched pedals
• 3.5mm jack socket for CV in
• 1/4" jack sockets for left and right outputs
• 1/4" jack socket for headphone output
• Metal chassis with American walnut wooden end cheeks
• Metal magnetic inset end pieces

Synth Engine

• 8 voice polyphonic (voice modes available unison etc.)
• Mono-Timbral
• 5 Voice Modes - Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2

Per voice

• 3 oscillators
• 1 noise generator
• 1 ring modulator
• 2 LFOs
• 1 Amp envelope and 2 mod envelopes
• 1 Filter

Waveforms include

• Sine, tri, sawtooth, square / pulse plus 17 wavetables of 5 waveforms per row

Filter

• 1x State variable OTA filter per voice
• 12/24dB slope
• Low-pass / band-pass / high-pass
• Pre-filter overdrive
• Post-filter distortion

Modulation

• 16 modulation slots per patch
• Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination

Mod sources (17)

• Direct (depth)
• Modulation wheel
• Aftertouch (polyphonic and channel AT)
• Expression pedal 1
• Expression pedal 2
• Keyboard velocity
• LFO1 positive
• LFO1 bi-polar
• LFO2 positive
• LFO2 bi-polar
• Amp envelope
• Mod envelope 1
• Mod envelope 2
• Animate 1
• Animate 2
• CV mod input bi-polar

Mod destinations (37)

• Oscillator 1-3 frequency, v-sync level, shape amount and level
• Noise source level
• Ring modulator output level
• Overal synth output level
• Filter drive, distortion, cut-off frequency and resonance
• LFO 1 and 2 frequency
• Amp env / mod env 1 / mod env 2 attack, decay and release
• FM Osc 1 -> osc 2, osc 2 -> osc 3, osc 3 -> osc 1 and noise -> osc 1
• Osc 3 -> filter cutoff frequency
• Noise -> filter cutoff frequency

Effects

• Analogue distortion
• Chorus - 3 types
• Delay with 16 types of delay sync, LP and HP damping, slew and stereo
• Reverb - 3 types

Misc

• Arpeggiator w/ key latch – 33 patterns
• Patch storage - up to 512 on hardware (ships with 256 factory patches)
• Glide
• All knobs (excl. volume), sliders and most buttons transmit and receive MIDI cc commands for external control and mapping