Principally, there's one row of four envelope knobs instead of two rows, and one multi-purpose effect level knob instead of five dedicated ones. This makes it easier to play the knobs, but there aren't quite as many of them. The Novation Nova puts essentially the same synthesis engine in a tabletop module. The most relevant controls, including five effects level knobs, are right out front. Two knobs control 25 modulation routings in the oscillators section, but lighted buttons make it easy to see what the knobs are assigned to. There just about isn't any convenient way to play the knobs in a rack unless you're fond of sore shoulders. The big problem with the Novation Supernova's panel is that the unit is a rackmount.
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On top of which, there's a modulation matrix, in which you patch sources to destinations in the LCD. Some entire banks of knobs switch between two modules when you press a selector switch in the bank the filter knobs, for instance, control both filter 1 and filter 2 (or both), and the switch steps the knobs from one set of controls to the other. Some switch between two functions depending on whether you've pressed the Shift button (the LED beside the button blinks to let you know it's active). There's no dedicated knob for LFO depth, for instance ‹ neither in the filter section nor in the oscillator section.Įventually I figured out that the Q uses several different methods of accessing knob functions. Working without a manual, though, it took me a little time to find the controls I was looking for. Its knobs are the only ones in the roundup that have infinite spin, which means there's never a jump in the sound when you grab a knob and turn it. If more knobs means more playability, then the Waldorf Q rates top marks. The Korg Z1's large display is by far the most informative, and the Nord's stingy 3-digit LED data readout is at the bottom of the heap. In the data display department, a not-exactly-generous two-line LCD is the norm. I won't try to rate how sensible ‹ or how cool-looking ‹ these are. The knobs on the FutureRetro 777 and Access Virus, which appear to have come from the same parts supplier, are also very solid.Īll of the synths have a variety of LEDs, some of which flash or blink. (The AN knobs are also pushbuttons ‹ a type of dual function not found in any of this month's other synths.) The knobs on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 are like a rock, with a satisfying amount of resistance and a pleasant rubberized feel. In the all-important feel category, none of the knobs on the synths we looked at this month felt positively flimsy, but those on the Yamaha AN1x and the Quasimidi units were definitely a bit looser.