In his latest Sonic Lab video, host Nick Batt takes an in-depth look at the new Novation Summit synthesizer.
The Summit offers the power of two Peak synths in a keyboard format. But it also offers a lot that goes beyond that summary, including more controls, more immediate programming, new synthesis options, performance features, splits, layerings and more.
Batt says that “I really like this instrument,” comparing it to high-end synths like the Sequential REV 2. Check out the video and let us know what you think!
You can find out details about the Summit at the Novation site.
the delay on the top-down view behind him is freaking me out
Thanks for the post!
Re: Monitor delay – Sorry about that, its a limitation of video routing, the camera is 4K and has to go through our video switching system. Direct also has a delay too – this monitor doesn’t have a gaming mode….
Hi Nick!
Love your reviews!
Is there a Genlock option for both of the cameras? Maybe Genlock could be a solution if its available
Cheers
Johan
Great review. Extremely thorough and in-depth as is typical from Mr. Nick Batt.
I really appreciate the explanation of the arpeggiator. Impressive demo of it in action at [17:05]
Oh and video delay? It’s kinda’ fun to watch. I hadn’t let it bother me at all.
Perhaps yoyodyne needs a reboot. His consternation is showing 🙂
I hadn’t noticed the delay before, but now it’s going to distract me on every new sonicstate video! Of course I’ll still look forward to them!
Embrace the delay and make sonic state max headroom edition!
It’s just a little delay. Great content!
This is one badass synth. I am strongly considering selling my JP-6 to make room for this (physically and financially).
As for the monitor delay, I get why it happens, but it could be easily resolved by adding any old crappy camera just for that monitor. It probably doesn’t even need to be HD.
It is good, but it’s a madness to trade the Jupiter-6 for it… Because in 10 years your Jupiter-6 will cost about USD 10 000 and this very-very good synth – just 1500-1600 bucks.
I sold my JP-6 back in the day. The Peak gets closer to that sound than any other synth I’ve had, so I’m sure you’ll be happy with the Summit.
Excellent review as always Nick!
We need to give plenty of love to digital synthesis, which is really coming into its own after the analog craze, especially with new technology like FPGA. Its versatility is hard to match. Between this synth, and a Pro 2, is there a sound that can’t be made?
The analog craze was merely a marketing construct. Manufacturing costs for analog synthesizers dropped, the fundamental R&D was already done and paid for half a century ago, so suddenly selling basic subtractive synthesizers became lucrative again. All that was left to do was to orchestrate an army of musicians, creators and influencers to spread the word that “analog is king” and we all ran out like sheep to buy half a dozen analog mono synths. Once we realized they all sound the same and can’t really go places, we moved on to digital and modular synths. Which we buy from some of the same manufacturers that cashed in on the analog hype, because they re-invested their earnings into the development of actually interesting instruments. Until, in a couple of years, some YouTuber proclaims: I miss analog warmth… And so, the circle of synths continues.
On top Dacci. And finally in a master mix, no one can tell you if analog or digital synths were used. To give you an idea : I’ve made sounds on a ‘stupid’ Roland JV2080 rompler with a vintage card that simply BLOWS away any JP8. The only condition is that one need to be skilled to program synths. Back in de 80’s I’ve owned a professional studio with a lot of analogs. Sold everything. Only use plenty of digitals today. (Virus TI, Blofeld, Peak, ION, JD990 (3x) Sledge II, JV2080, and a Summit on its way. The only reason why I regret I’ve sold all my ‘vintage’ stuff like 25 years ago is that I would have sold it today to people who think that analog has something ‘magical’ and that thos people would have payed waaay to much for some of those synths. The only reasonable argument to pay a lot for a certain analog or vintage synth is that some of them have a collectors value. Than we speak like Moog Modulars, PPG+ Waveterm and some other ‘exotics’
Your review sold me on the Summit. My wife surprised me with one for my birthday last year and I love it.