The Novation Supernova is a groundbreaking virtual analogue polyphonic synthesizer released in 1998 by British company Novation. This 3U rack-mounted unit quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the competitive virtual analogue market of the late 1990s, competing alongside the Roland JP-8000, Clavia Nord Lead, Korg Prophecy, Yamaha AN1x, and Access Virus.
The SuperNova distinguished itself with exceptional multitimbral capabilities and an unprecedented effects architecture that maintained separate effects chains per part during multitimbral operation. This innovative approach delivered significantly richer sounds than other multitimbral synthesizers of the era. The instrument has been utilized by prominent electronic music artists including Orbital, ATB, The Faint, Ozric Tentacles, Sin, Jean-Michel Jarre, and A Guy Called Gerald.
Technical Specifications
Format: 3U rack-mounted synthesizer
Synthesis Type: Virtual analogue (digital modeling of analog circuits)
Polyphony: 16 voices (expandable to 20 voices with OS update)
Multitimbral Parts: Multiple parts with independent settings
Oscillators: 3 VCOs per voice using sound modeling technology
Waveforms: Saw and square waves with unique "hardness attenuator" for creating softer waveforms (no native triangle or sine waves)
Effects: Unprecedented 7 simultaneous effects per voice (totaling 56 effects)
All effects programmable
All effects simultaneously available on all voices
Effects maintained per part in multi-timbral mode (key differentiator)
Modulation: Two ring modulators
Outputs: Eight audio outputs
Control: Complete MIDI parameter control
Sound Character: Successfully emulates and even transcends classic synthesizers like the Minimoog, Jupiter 8, Juno 106, and ARP 2600
The SuperNova's revolutionary effects engine was considered vastly superior to its contemporaries and became a defining element of the instrument's distinctive sound. Its successor, the SuperNova II, continued this legacy of innovation in virtual analog synthesis.
Supernova and Supernova II Differences
Supernova:
20-voice polyphony (expandable to 44 with expansion card)
8-part multi-timbral
512 programs and 256 performance memory locations
Expansion card adds additional 512 programs and 256 performances
Supernova II:
24-voice polyphony (expandable to 36 or 48 with appropriate card)
8-part multi-timbral
512 built-in programs and 256 performances
Additional memory for 512 more programs and 256 performances
Compatible with different expansion cards than original Supernova
Supernova II Enhancements:
External input and vocoder
Enhanced unison detune, oscillator drift and dual filter separation
The Novation Supernova II Keyboard is a premium analogue modelling synthesizer that builds upon the acclaimed original Supernova, offering even more powerful sound design capabilities in an attractive, performance-oriented package. The keyboard version...
The Novation Supernova II Rack delivers the same sonic power as the keyboard version in a streamlined 3U rack-mountable form factor. Despite its more compact size, it retains the full synthesis capabilities of its keyboard counterpart, with identical...
The Novation Supernova Keyboard is a keyboard version of the Supernova (Rack).
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