The Supernova Synthesizer from Novation

March 11, 1998 --

The New Dawn
The new SuperNova from Novation is one of the most powerful synthesizers on the market today.
Based on Novation's proprietary Analogue Sound Modelling technology the SuperNova faithfully recreates the fluid and liquid sound that until now was only available with vintage analogue equipment.
The SuperNova's Synthesis Engine features 3 completely independent oscillators, a variable Noise source and 2 Ring Modulators per voice and all these waveforms can be combined in the Mixer section allowing the creation of very fat and complex timbres.
The signal is further processed by a Resonant filter which has 12, 18 and 24 db per octave Cutoff slopes and can be configured in Low Pass, High Pass and Band Pass modes. The signal can be further manipulated by Envelopes and LFO's that are capable of oscillating at audio rates.
As can be seen, Analogue Sound Modelling technology in many ways actually exceeds the capabilities of real analogue equipment and is not just a "Virtual" imitation of the real thing.
The Cutting Edge
The standard of production in today's commercial recordings is very high and until now this has been unachievable with one synthesizer.
The SuperNova is arguably the first Synthesiser to offer the complete solution. With 16 or 32 voice polyphony and 8 part multitimbral capacity the SuperNova can handle complex arrangements with ease.
Independent Distortion, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Panning and EQ effects are available on each part of the Performance allowing the SuperNova to run 48 effects simultaneously.
Each of the parts can be assigned to any of the 8 outputs and each output has a 24 bit DAC for unsurpassed Audio quality.

Getting That Sound
Novation started the rediscovery of knobs on synthesizers and with the SuperNova this is taken to the next level.
Of course all the knobs on the SuperNova transmit MIDI Controllers.
The user interface is very accessible with all functions laid out in a logical manner and a minimum of menus.
This makes the SuperNova very easy to understand, immediate and satisfying, after all we want you to make music, not battle with the technology!
When you have created "That Sound" there are 512 Programs and 256 Performances to store them in and there is a built in "Finder" system allowing you to try similar sounds very quickly without having to scroll through them one by one.
Synchronisation and Arpeggiation
The 2 LFO's are capable of synchronizing to MIDI Clock or to Internal Clock at differing time signatures allowing the creation of complex moving sounds.
When used in conjunction with the built in Arpeggiator (which also synchronizes to MIDI Clock or to Internal Clock at differing time signatures) many polyrhythmic combinations of sounds are possible.
The Arpeggiator is more like a real time music processor with 386 monophonic, polyphonic and user patterns available.
Sounds can be layered in Performances allowing complex arpeggiated and sustained sounds to be played at the same time.
An Expandable Future
The 16 Voice SuperNova can be expanded in the future by plugging in an optional card that increases the polyphony from 16 to 32 Voices.
Additionally this card doubles the number of sounds to 1024 Programs in 8 Banks and 512 Performances in 4 Banks, plus new software on the card will allow new synthesis techniques to be achieved.

SuperNova Specifications

Synthesis System: Analogue Sound Modelling.
Polyphony: 16 Voice (expandable) and 32 Voice Configurations.
Sound Sources per Voice: 3 Oscillators, 2 Ring Modulators and a Noise Generator.
Multitimbral capacity: 8 part Multitimbral
Filter: 12, 18 and 24 db per octave Resonant filter configurable in Low Pass, High Pass and Band Pass modes. The filter also features and overdrive control.
LFOs: 2 LFOs capable of oscillating at Audio rates.
Program Effects: Distortion, EQ, Reverb, Chorus/Flanger/Phaser, Delay and Panning effects for each Program
Total number of Effects: 48 Effects available simultaneously. 6 Effects for each of the 8 Parts of a Performance.
Number of Outputs: 8 assignable polyphonic outputs with 24bit DACs for each output.
Number of Programs: 512 Programs in 4 banks (expandable) on the 16 Voice model, 1024 Programs in 8 Banks on the 32 Voice model.
Number of Performances: 256 Performances in 2 banks (expandable) on the 16 Voice model, 512 Performances in 4 Banks on the 32 Voice model.
Arpeggiator: Built in Arpeggiator with 386 Preset Polyphonic, Preset Monophonic and User Programmable Polyphonic and Monophonic Patterns. 8 Arpeggiators are available simultaneously in Performance mode.
Control: All knobs, switches and Parameters transmit MIDI Controllers and NRPNs.
Power Requirement: Multi Voltage built in power supply.
MIDI: In/Out/Thru.
Dimensions: 3U Rackmount. H132mm x D178mm (D195mm with Knobs) x W435mm.
Weight: 3.5kg.

SuperNova Expansion Specifications

Additional Voices: 16 bringing the expanded model to 32 voice polyphony.
Additional Programs: 512 additional Programs in 4 Banks bringing the expanded model to 1024 Programs in 8 Banks.
Additional Performances: 256 additional Performances in 2 Banks bringing the expanded model to 512 performances in 4 Banks.
New Operating System: Version 2 Operating system with additional synthesis possibilities.

NOTE: Specification and design subject to change without prior notice, due to improvements.