NOVATION MININOVA SYNTHESIZER REVIEW

NOVATION MININOVA SYNTHESIZER REVIEW
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The Novation Mininova synthesizer was my first synth ever. I got it before I ever even knew anything about music production, let alone a daw. Little did I know how much I would love this synth when I finally began learning how to record music on ableton live. So whether you are thinking about getting this synth, or already have it, I hope this video is helpful to you.
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[@michaelhernandez8775]

Holy Mother of Pearl. The sounds are insane .

[@AutumnGardMusic]

🤣😂 LOL yes they're pretty awesome

[@davelee1935]

Just bought one 2 days ago ! I found out afterwards it's almost 7 years old ! Doesn't matter I'm lovin it

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Yaaay! Congrats! Yes it is so much fun! So much you can do with it :)

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

@Dave Lee aren't they awesome ? I got one over a year ago, and it really helps if I'm stuck or creatively " in a rut " Even tho I have multiple virtual synths, something about the Nova and it's welcoming playability makes me come back over & over I even bought a special Audio interface to play it with a direct box, (limits noise + hum) so I can record with my DAWs!

[@andyturner3056]

It's very powerful. Especially if you have the PC editor 👌👍

[@paulhaleem]

Excellent simple review - and now I bought one... Thank you!!!

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

I've had mine close to 2 years, and I had no idea about their website and sound sharing stuff online ! Learn something every day , better late than never 😆

[@thetoolwallchannel]

Awesome! Great info and explanations. Thanks for sharing.

[@JulioAvalos3000]

Thank you for the demo. It is informative while fun. Something alot of reviews are missing these days.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

That means a lot to me! Thank you!

[@MrScrooge1980]

Dope Video, will be buying today

[@StratsRUs]

People shouldn't be put off by how old it is.It is a very powerful synth and enjoyable too. Fantastic video !

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Agreed! I love it

[@nateg251]

Damn that mini Nova has some dope sounds. I've loved all the earlier videos that you've used it in. Thanks for the review

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you! Yes I’ve been meaning to make a review on this. Glad u liked!

[@alz121372]

Great job on explaining the mini nova and the function of the synthesizer thanks for your help and keep it up

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You’re so welcome! And thank you!

[@ZenTheMusician]

Probably best all around video about Mininova that I've seen so far.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you so much! :D

[@spiralphases2721]

Thanks so much for this video I wasn't sure how to plug in my focusrite One love and one light

[@agentshillbot]

Excellent review. I was originally looking for a midi controller keyboard for my Elektron Model:Cycles but your video has convinced me this is the perfect accompaniment. Just ordered a mininova! Just in time for making spooky tunes with my son this Halloween!

[@AutumnGardMusic]

That’s so awesome! You’ll love it! There’s so many sounds you can create and download as well! 😁

[@bullittvolante8215]

Nice overview of the Mininova. Very helpful as I've literally bought one of these today so I'm still getting to grips with it! Overall I'm pretty impressed with it, I've a lot to learn still as I'm more used to using VST synths. But it's definately a cool synth with a lot of potential. Thank you for the demo.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You’re so welcome! I’m gonna be working on some more helpful videos on the mininova! Coming soon 😁

[@divinevirtualreality]

Love my Novation Mini Nova.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Same! It’s so fun!

[@Soundsauca]

A really informative video, great work here.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thanks so much! :D

[@concious_open_mic]

It was very pleasant and informative! Thank you very much :)

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for your feedback!

[@ilive4god2007]

Awesome! Thank you )

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You’re welcome ! Thanks for watching! 😁

[@tallisrocktube]

Just bought one..yes its absolutely amazing..I use my Roland nx700rd as an additional full size keyboard with midi out to the MiniNova`s midi in, the Roland's own sound engine running in unison or just turned down.If you buy or try ..explore the MiniNova`s demo patch selection button first to explore the multitude of sounds you will be very impressed, this machine also has one of the best Arpeggio sound engine ever.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Agreed! Love the arpeggio on this thing! I love exploring different sounds! I’ve heard great things about the Roland nx700rd! Hoping to grab some more gear someday. The music making addiction is too real lol

[@SynthAddict]

nice run-through, it's a great synth and super portable - another MicroKorg-inspired synth (the other is the Roland JD-Xi) - I need to use mine more the animate buttons are very powerful and the vocoder is decent don't forget the VocalTune feature as well, powerful vocal processor and you can add FX of course regarding the Roland mentioned above, it also adds 'pitch to MIDI' over the MIC input which has loads of potential - all three synths are great and complementary

[@GonzoFrogbottom]

great review

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you!

[@RachelDavis705]

This looks fun

[@NOLNV1]

Novation are so great! I own a Bass Station 2 and it sounds great, is versatile as heck and they keep adding stuff and supporting it! Just a while ago they added a way to have an entire patch stored per key!

[@AutumnGardMusic]

That’s awesome! I’ve had my eye on the bass station for a while! Can’t wait to grab that some day!

[@tigerdrum4645]

Hi.. do you think they will make a new mininova ?

[@mrbigjonstud]

nice review, I'm definitely thinking about this as my first ever synth KB to try out :)

[@AutumnGardMusic]

It’s such a fun synth! You’ll love it! Thanks for watching!

[@johnhurd3257]

Thanks for explaining the favorite patch saving process. Just got my mininova yesterday!

[@jthorpe4droid]

I like the Novas I have the ultra, and only a few patch slots left as its so much fun creating sounds, mostly use the plugin to design with. Another good synth I like and have is the microfreak, for desinging with sounds and play that with the ultra.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Yes its so fun to create sounds with! I just really like being able to use hardware every now and then for sound designing; it's a breath of fresh air compared to using my computer all the time lol also I'll have to look into the microfreak too! Thanks for watching and chatting it up with me on the comments! That's always fun 😁

[@georgebazley1808]

Hey Ms. Gard, Thanks for the comprehensive and engaging review; I don't own any synths, I play piano, guitar, etc..and sing, but thought something like this would be a good base-entry for me. I love the voc-coder! Do you have any more recommendations/reviews for similar synths, smaller and simpler, but rich in sound and capacity and cost-effective? Also, so does this have an audio out?--how would i connect this to my IMAC 21.5 inch, for recording? I'll need an interface, correct, but how many ins does this take up, just one? In that case, i could play it, record it simultaneously (2 seperate tracks) with a mic-ed vocal, if i wanted, correct---or separately as well, I assume; and the voc-coder would come through as well on the recordings? Does the voc-coder have any setting that is more "standard", "clean" and not as tone-synched (although I get that's the whole point, just curious how versatile its range it). Thanks again!

[@Kioegaming]

Very helpful vid thanks

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You’re so welcome!

[@tysonsaner2527]

Very cool! Liked and subscribed.

[@thefergolfer]

Nice review. Can the arpegiator be programed to go up and down or just up or just down random etc?

[@klaytonvonkluge4905]

The Vocoder is fun 😊 Great for adding some kinda vox , for people like me who don't sing

[@VRCauldron]

Great review. I just got a Roland Juno ds but I'm already looking at other synths. This seems better than the microkorg s to me.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you for your feedback! And nice! The Roland Juno looks like an amazing synth! The mininova is my only synth at the moment but I definitely want more!

[@sahamanyu]

Damn! Pretty Solid.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you!

[@craigsurette3438]

If you like the sound of the Mininova, but arent excited about the interface and or the minikeys, there is always the Novation Ultranova. It uses the exact same synth engine, put into a much more user friendly knobby interface, and has an excellent full size 3 octave keyboard with velocity and aftertouch.The interface is so good, that I never use the editor/librarian software ,as i can get around via the front panel vastly easier than via the computer. It also has a built in 2x2 Focusrite audio interface,and can be easily mapped within your DAW as a controller,making it an ideal portable laptop studio solution for musicians. They tend to cost not much more than a Mininova, and arent that much bigger/heavier if you are worried about space

[@taosophymusic]

I highly recommend getting the Ultimate Patches patch set. Unbelievable sounds!!!!

[@omni.1469]

I like the things you say about the synth 😁

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thanks! Yeah just wanted to do a review from my perspective of the synth. I appreciate you watching! 🙌

[@bartmuz]

What can I plug in external input to mininova? Can I mix my normal voice with vocoder when singing? or I need external (second) mic to do it?

[@jamesantoine4318]

great job can't wait to buy one for my self so I can talkbox with it

[@AutumnGardMusic]

It’s so fun! You’ll love it!

[@MaverickM1]

Still love my mininova.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Same! It’s so beautiful lol

[@scottcupp8129]

This is a great synth. I have one of these too. I also have a Behringer Deep Mind 12. I use mostly software synths but I really love my analog synths including the two I mentioned. I also have an old school workstation. An Ensoniq SQ1 Plus.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Very cool! Yeah I definitely want to get more synths eventually!

[@raulacevedo-esteves9493]

Can you shape the SQ1 with the Mininova filters?

[@bigchung3833]

Can you hook it up to a PA or a keyboard amp?

[@scottcupp8129]

@@bigchung3833 You sure can

[@scottcupp8129]

@@AutumnGardMusic Absolutely. I just bought a trio of Yamahas. I got an original DX7, A DX7S and a Yamaha EX5. My DX7 already arrived and I am loving it. waiting on the DX7s and the EX5. Back in 99 I bought a then recently new EX5. They had just come out. Bought it for a gig that I was playing in a club. A week later it was stolen and found out in the back alley smashed to bits! Ever since then I had missed it so I had to get another one

[@synthectproductions]

Good demo/review, like the talk then show format rather than just talking 20 minutes then playing 5.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thanks so much for the feedback! I’ll continue to do that format. 🙌

[@ReachingWisdom]

Thanks for sharing! I am set to get one! I am just getting into midi.. old time guitrar player etc. but know my way around a DAW ... Have the akai mini's play and mk3 both and dp218 but meh.. this seems so much better.. anything better i should be eyeballing now a days? subscribed to yer channel thx for sharing!

[@md1xlm]

Great video! Stupid question, but can you have this plugged into your PC to use as a MIDI controller (say for one track on your DAW) but also have it plugged in using audio cables into your USB Audio Interface at the same time?

[@1oolabob]

This is a great review/demonstration video. The only problem is that I'm trying to talk myself OUT of buying a Mininova, and this great review didn't give me any reasons not to want one. #notimmunetofun

[@roryjineffect]

Pound for pound you get a lot with such a small synth.

[@duckbrew]

Do I need any other special equipment to purchase to just simply play this thing or?? Can I simply just play outta the box?? Does it have a built in speaker? thanks!

[@joaofelipemoreiraramos4253]

Hello, do you know how do I recognize it inside of Logic?

[@Donetur]

thanks for this review. Has somebody has the opportunity to compare the sound quality with a Supernova as well as the vocoder?. Thanks!.

[@makaulay]

Would you recommend this as a starter digital piano for a 8 year old? I want to get a one stop shop (doesn't exist I know) that my kid can learn the piano but also have the freedom to explore and get creative with voice recording etc.

[@CelestialDreamers]

For some reason my vocoder and tempo both seem unresponsive. Any idea why that could be? Great video, thank you!

[@paulsarodh5460]

Superb🎃🎃🎃🎃🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎉

[@Sandman-ne1gz]

Hi, Great review, I'm new to all this! Having been of a traditional keyboard player in the past I have been asked to add some stuff to my friends DJ set, would this be ideal for that in your opinion please? Thanks

[@AutumnGardMusic]

I’ve never DJ’ed before so take my opinion with a grain of salt lol but I would say it’s a great option! It’s the perfect size so that it doesn’t feel like a toy, but it’s also easy to carry around with u and for into your setup. Hope this helps!

[@WARRIOR4CHRIST70]

Great video! Question, can you use normal vocals with that mic? Thanks

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thank you! I wouldn't recommend trying to record normal vocals with the vocoder; its not meant for that. I would however recommend wither an xlr mic like the rode nt1a or if you're on a budget, try out the blue snowball :D

[@WARRIOR4CHRIST70]

@@AutumnGardMusic ok thank you

[@MrTom-Songwriter-Composer]

@AutumnGardMusic Just a quick, please. How is your Mininova synthesizer holding hold now after two years since your video? Still good?

[@AutumnGardMusic]

I’ve actually had it for 7 years I think. It’s held up amazingly well 😄 the first few years I wasn’t good about learning how to record with it, I was too intimidated. But then I actually learned ableton and how to record the synth, and the fun really began !

[@user-fi4yd2kf6g]

It might be a stupid question but I need to ask it. What would happen if for the Vocoder you would use some kind of sound instead of your own voice? Anyway, very nice review, I think I might need this one in my collection ;-)

[@bigchung3833]

Hello! Can you hook this up to a PA or a keyboard amp? Or do you need to hook it up to a computer to hear the sounds?

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Hi there! Great question! U don’t need to hook it up to a computer if you plan to hear the sounds through the PA or other amps. If you’re wanting to record it into your computer, I’d recommend an audio interface. Hope this helps!

[@MountainOfSun]

I recommend to forget factory patches and try the VTL001 patch bank. You will be surprised how your Mininova can sounds!

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Nice! Definitely worth checking out!

[@fritzthecat6164]

How do I that I'm buying one ni clue Abt anything.thanks

[@johnhurd3257]

What is the VTL001

[@bongjamesbong00420]

Can this be used without a laptop?

[@GuitarAnime]

How does the editor plugin works?? Im between getting this one or the microkorg xl + but haven't decided yet

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You can create patches on the editor plugin. It's basically a plugin you download when you get your mininova; it comes with it. And the microkorg xl was the other synth I was considering getting too before getting this one! Either option I'm sure will be great! I personally just really love this synth.

[@System-1541]

If you're not against a tad bit of menu diving the MiniNova sounds can be edited without a computer. I don't have a microkorg xl but I do have the original microkorg. As an owner of both synths I can say that while you can make more complex sounds with the MiniNova, the MicroKorg's sound engine produces much richer sound. The MiniNova's polyphony is high but it's not multitimbral so you don't really get to use all 12 voices. The Microkorg xl can play two presets at once though. They're both nice synths though.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

@@System-1541 thank you so much for your insight! I hope to get that microkorg someday !

[@johnhurd3257]

I like just using the mininova's editing menu plus the mode slider selector on the top right side of it. Saves time once you know how to navigate the menu pages. Not hard at all.:)

[@SunKing333]

Does this have a drum machine , or any way to trigger percussion?

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Hi there! You could add drum samples to it if you'd like, but it wont playback like for example a NI Maschine would.

[@tomisalonen5262]

I have Mininova too😃

[@AutumnGardMusic]

It's awesome!

[@blackradowan8465]

I have MN since last november , using it about one hour a day , and still can not get any clear sound or recreate sounds from another vsts . Why it is so difficult? And why MN have a few sound banks on the net , very few and not so good to be honest.

[@ObscuredReverie]

That “inlove” pad isn’t in my ARP folder…. (???) where did you find that?

[@AutumnGardMusic]

It’s a patch I found ! You can download it from the mininova novation site I believe! And of course other people can make their own patches that you can download as well 😁

[@Goettel]

Can the vocoder be used simultaneously with the effects?

[@Goettel]

Bought one: yes it can.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Yes! It’s very cool 😎

[@fritzthecat6164]

So you can't record whatever you just played and send it straight to yr puter?

[@scernik]

3:50 may you make a tutorial about that?!??? Thanks in advance

[@shadowbanned5164]

The mininova is in my setup to stay.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Same! Love it so much!

[@therichardnogginproject9012]

Does this have to run through a computer or can it run alone?

[@AutumnGardMusic]

You can play the audio by hooking up the synth to some monitors/speakers for playing live. And for recording, you’ll need an audio interface, a composted and a daw (ableton, logic, or fl studio etc)

[@Yosser70]

I’ve got a microkorg and this looks kinda the same thing, so would be doubling up but still want one lol

[@AutumnGardMusic]

I almost bought the microkorg! Such a cool synth! I think both are awesome in their own ways :)

[@Yosser70]

@@AutumnGardMusic Got to agree, it is a cool synth :) I know its got a bit of a weird workflow and probably not so people who who are into sound design but it’s super fun to use and pretty versatile.

[@scottcupp8129]

subbed you btw :)

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Thanks for subbing! :D

[@mcdan2696]

I've always loved the MiniNova. At the time, I thought it was a bootleg of the Korg MicroKorg!

[@AutumnGardMusic]

It’s an awesome synth for sure! 😁

[@fa0179]

How do the keys feel? I see ppl complaining about them.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

The keys are definitely on the small side. Fun fact : One of the keys actually got messed up when I let a friend borrow it, and somehow, I was able to fix it by myself by just kind of popping it back into place lol Other than that, I honestly don't have much complaints about them; but then again, I'm not super picky when it comes to keys. Do you have a preference for bigger keys? Semi weighted? etc?

[@fa0179]

@@AutumnGardMusic Glad you were able to fix it. I dont play enough keys to know know ahaha. If its good enough for you then its probably good enough for me.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

@@fa0179 I will say though, it would pretty cool if the keys were made of pure gold.

[@fa0179]

@@AutumnGardMusic Why? To get that boojee feel? Blue and gold look sick togeather too.

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Yes! All for that shiny boojee feel 🤩 other than that though, they keys are fine. 😁

[@monkabrahms7997]

is it a drum machine also?

[@tonyhill2318]

No

[@TheGreatPanicker]

256 is just not enough for me! I wanted like 700 presets or so and with at least 200+ of those being arpeggios!

[@AutumnGardMusic]

Wow! I’m sure someday I’ll feel the same! I’m just starting to collect synths :D

[@krimsonfunk]

I was a little hesitant on seeing your review cause I thought it was going to be focused on fluffy cotton candy sounds .. which yes I was kinda of right .. but you did give a very good general description of this little synth .. thumbs up for you 😉

[@RachelDavis705]

So you're sexist, huh?

[@krimsonfunk]

No ... Not at all ...you just got that empty shallow look .. my bad though

[@missepicmandy]

A woman who likes to make music 🤯

[@maxtilman7160]

Synth is fun, but man the programming suuuuuuuuuuuucks ass

[@tomsaxbydotcom]

Hi. Thanks for the video. Do you know if there is anything like this but smaller - like a 25 key version ?