Bad Gear - Novation Mininova

[@kalabiband]

Bought one after watching this video, I've not had a synth before where I take it out of the box, plug it in and I'm making lovely arpeggiated wooshy noises in seconds, very easy to use piece of kit.

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that!!!

[@gummigumm9762]

The mininova sounds amazing , really good synth , lot of nice soundbanks out there that really show how powerfull synth this is

[@AudioPilz]

Digital Novation synth engines are great!

[@psychcowboy1]

​@@AudioPilzcheck my korg mininova tc Helicon video..

[@6581punk]

A great synth engine hidden behind a microwave oven control panel.

[@ChrisSmout]

1:53 fitting tribute to Andy Barker of 808 State who passed away this week. RIP.

[@AudioPilz]

I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for posting😢😢😢

[@mycosys]

fk. Vale.

[@InFamousProductions]

wow I didn't know. I saw them live a few times in the mid 90's and they put on insane shows with mountains of gear, plus the giant robot that ran around the stage. before playing ADATS and pre recorded happened, so they really played the synths. sad to hear, as they were real pioneers.

[@cooptrol]

Yeah I thought it was on purpose

[@paco_peor4771]

You’ve made videos of all the synths and gear I currently use 💀💀💀

[@lukeimontv7086]

LOL! You beat me to it. I was just going to say this dude needs to stop going through my studio when I’m not at home 🤣 I have a Micron and a Mininova, plus a few others posted some time ago

[@AudioPilz]

I said it before and I will say it again: nothing personal ;)

[@paco_peor4771]

@@AudioPilz always a pleasure watching your vids!

[@SirRigbyBaconKaiser]

You get use to it.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Now you can use BAD GEAR episodes as a "buying guide" for new gear.

[@thwackspongbelm]

Please never stop, I love your videos!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@piercemcintyre1327]

I was really waiting for this one man. thanks. I love playing with the mini nova, it always surprises me and punches above it's class.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@kvmoore1]

I have both the MicroKorg and the Mininova. They both sound very different from each other and compliment each other nicely. I really like the classic sounds I get from the MicroKorg. It also has more ballsy bass tones with enough lowend to murder any subwoofer. On the other hand, the Mininova has a much brighter sound which I would consider a contrast from the MicroKorg. However , I think the major advantage of the Mininova is its deep synth engine as well as it's nice vocoder and vocal effects. The vocoder on the Mininova is the main attraction that made me decide to purchase it. However, a couple of years ago, I've used it as a synth in several tracks along with the MicroKorg and some other gear. They fit nicely into the compositions. The animate buttons on the Mininova are also a unique feature that allow you to instantly and randomly modulate different parameters on the fly which I really like. Yet, both the MicroKorg and Mininova made it to Bad Gear. The irony is that it is the exact opposite of bad gear. It is very good gear in the right hands. However, I will admit the interfaces aren't exactly the best (probably why they made it to Bad Gear!). They are tedious to program. Great video!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great duo you have there!

[@elektromorales3471]

Agreed. I picked it up for the vocoder

[@rederickfroders1978]

I tend to think this show got so popular, people just want to see an episode of a synth they have/like or want to buy. Bad could also mean badass haha

[@scottcupp8129]

Exactly right about the programming. Even the DX7 made it to bad gear because it is a beast to program for some. I've been programming in FM synthesis for years but that's just me. I find it easy. But for some can be a nightmare. Case in point the MN

[@MJanovicable]

@@scottcupp8129 It really is true that the Mininova is a pain to program, so, point made by Bad Gear! That said, it does have its uses and is even enjoyable working on the voices.

[@warpeggioslab]

One year ago, almost to the day, my Mininova was stolen from my vehicle. I resolved at that moment to build my own synthesizer, and as of last month, i have completely filled 6U and 84HP with diy eurorack modules. Looking forward to showing off my first track to friends and family soon. Anyway, happy friday @AudioPilz and cheers for another great video :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Stealing synths is REALLY bad for Karma;)

[@repeatdefender6032]

dude that's so badass, I love it. that's some real problem solving! (not the thievery, the synth build)

[@Paul_Y_T]

Another great video - these are always a real treat, thanks!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@djlocodoc]

Man I didn’t know the mininova could do a jam like that!!! That was awesome! Bad Gear For Life!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@6581punk]

There's a guy who sells patches (quite pricey but decent) for it. Search for Numannova to see how he's basically recreated many classic 80s synth sounds with it.

[@theklangcollage4113]

Thanks for another nice and enlightening episode! Love the MIDI Designer layout in the intro and elsewhere.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@arpaddanos9416]

Holy cow, Jam 1 got me to buy one of these. Probably the best piece of music that this channel has come up with, and there has been some nice stuff.

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that!!! Thanks!!!

[@robbiewabisabi]

I can't wait for the "Bad Gear" summer festival tour. All of your demo tracks are BANGERS!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Working on it!

[@mrchi01]

I love this channel! Especially as it always features my fav synths! :D I'm proud to have bad taste :D

[@AudioPilz]

Bad Gear - Good Taste ;) Thanks!

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Nice comment 🙂

[@SynthFelix]

Hello Mr. Audiopilz , Thanks again for your video, I have the privilige to own a Mininova and am happy that you used this gear in this episode. Also congrats for 50k subscribers! Have a nice Sunday.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@wasntborntofollow]

Spectacular piece of e-entertaintment, again!...Congratulations and thanks from an owner of a unit of the Mininova with keyboard. Frankly, i enjoy every (affordable for my limited budget) micro machine at home, mostly arrives on confinement months and beyond: what a beautiful and exciting collection at 60+. Your reports and many others from prestigious YTrs are sheer enlightment about this always misterious and amazing devices. Best wishes!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@dylanleroysynth]

Great stuff! Enjoyed the sound of the Mininova. Really liked that first jam especially. Definitely need to pick up one of these soon. Been putting it off for way too long.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Yeah, that one is great if you like the sound

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I have one, I like it alot dispite having a Peak synthesizer the MiniNova still has value to Me.

[@karllongden4011]

big sound from a small footprint and sits in the mix when used with other analogue synths James Cameron needs one of these :)

[@AudioPilz]

Absolutely, bluest synth ever;)

[@h2o1969]

Ha, I had to read AudioPilz reply before I got the James Cameron joke. Made me laugh though.

[@hoobastank118]

Barely 2 minutes in - I love how your mind works, perhaps someday I will reach such heights. But linking that dubstep sound with maybe my favorite moment in pulp fiction was pure gold. Thank you.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! That bass sound IS Samuel L Jackson;)

[@floatingstonerecords7749]

This was my first synth, and still used in conjunction with the circuit almost daily. Great video!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Nice setup!

[@HIMOMLETSGO]

could ya review the elektron model samples? wouldnt say its that bad, i just love how you review gear in general. especially grooveboxes and samplers ! the model:samples is like if Elektron tried making an Electribe or something like that,, I seriously look forward to your videos every single friday! thank you for this amazing video!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great suggestion! I'll have a closer look!

[@mickharvey764]

@@AudioPilz agree this - elektron model grooveboxes get a lot of hate online. would be good to hear some more recent gear on here amidst the (not so) classics!

[@HIMOMLETSGO]

@@AudioPilz yessss it is elektrons most afforable groovebox/sampler so people would really love that video! its an amazing device but it definitely does have it's drawbacks. and it is a really ugly shade of white that i can see you commenting on in a video hahaha! people say its almost like a "digiakt lite" or a "upgraded volca sample" of sorts as well. thank you so much for responding back and having a closer look at this sick groovebox by elektron! you are seriously my top favorite youtuber on this entire site

[@zedudli]

I do have the model:cycles, it’s a very cool fm groovebox that I’ve switched on exactly 3 times 😂 ripe for a bad gear episode

[@kevinbirge2130]

Had one, sold it. Not bad, but not being able to sample into it was horribly frustrating.

[@UnoDat]

I have a soft spot for Novation hardware, still have my first and only hardware synth, a Supernova II keyboard but it's been in a cupboard for over 10 years due to family commitments (and space). I'll never tire of that novation blue

[@AudioPilz]

Love the design too!

[@JTHelectronics]

automatic like for the space quest intro, your intros are consistently great!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@CSN-ok8mt]

yes ! love this channel! the best

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@VitaEx]

Love my mininova personally one of my fav pieces of gear

[@AudioPilz]

Powerful synth engine!!!

[@hummusmold]

The Mininova was the first synth I picked up after making the cut as a vocalist/keyboardist in a touring band. I did create some custom patches for performance, but there are several default patches that are already powerful. Taking the ShapeShifter patch into Animate mode and turning the Arp off for example, yields one of the most robust and beautiful leads I have ever played with, not to mention its Animate effects are all some of the wildest the Mininova is capable of producing!

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@coffeematt]

Love your genre category selector! I would def buy that synth.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! We should make that a reality!

[@danhectic5629]

another one that has a sound that appeals to me- but a "this should be the only thing you touch for a few months" interface. you make it sound awesome as always!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! The interface is not very convenient but also not too challenging. I'd recommend that one

[@repeatdefender6032]

Ahhhhhhh I was wondering when you’d get to my baby! hahahaha. It’s my first keyboard synth and I’ve gone through a few cycles of loving it and being disappointed and loving it again. However, every time I was disappointed I discovered a bunch of stuff I didn’t know about it before and now I’m really pleased with the variety of sounds I can create and the power behind them. I’m still inspired when I’m messing around on it, for sure. My main complaint is the build quality. It’s like half way there, but the keys are REALLY easy to snap off, the knobs are wobbly, and the whole thing is creaky plastic that felt particularly delicate when I had it disassembled to fix the key I broke. I should add that Novation’s customer service is outstanding. They went above and beyond to get me the right part and make sure I had good instructions on how to repair it, free of charge from the UK to the US. They were super nice to deal with, really it has endeared me to the company.

[@AudioPilz]

Good to know about customer service, thanks for posting!

[@Savukala]

It feels like a joke but once you learn the matrix controls it really gives you endless possibilities. Super easy to replace the patches as well. The filter is surprisingly pleasing too ❤️

[@distanceresearch]

Greetings earthling! I absolutely can’t stand KZbin Synthfluencers. You have made it to the elite top 10. I love your channel. No BS, still funny, still fun! Keep up the good work!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much! Happy to hear that!

[@AH-wt7zu]

Love your formula bro! Keep em coming

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! I will!!!

[@engx3733]

Great video as always.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@Psi34ax]

At this point I’m gonna get a Bad Gear tattoo since it pretty much describes all my gear choices

[@AudioPilz]

Send me a picture as soon as you have it! Lower-back tribal? ;)

[@maka1510]

@@AudioPilz Let's call it as it is: Arschgeweih? =:o)

[@New_Zealand_Music]

@@maka1510 lol =B 😂

[@shadowbanned5164]

The mininova is in my setup to stay its a terrific little monster.

[@AudioPilz]

Monstrous;)

[@seanjenkins4459]

Love this channel!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@dimodicataylor7757]

I’ve been waiting for you to do this

[@AudioPilz]

It was about time!

[@MatthewChristianMurray]

Hey, this is the second one you’ve reviewed that I have! (First was Yamaha DJX keyboard.) My impression is that the MiniNova has a decent selection of sounds suitable for a wide variety of genres, but it suffers from tiny keys, a lack of aftertouch except over MIDI, and an overabundance of effects on many of the presets. It has good sounds, and the Animate buttons are fun, but it can sound kind of obnoxious if you don’t cut back a bit on the reverb. Edited to add that the grouping of knobs with a switch to determine what part of the sound they’re editing is very handy!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, less is more in that case

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Its mini keys and commonly used on many small sythersizors for decades even right up to now with the "Mini Moog" I'd rather have the mini keys then no keys also just get a Keylab essential for all the times you need full size keys. Keylab essential is lite and easy to just plug into the MiniNova. People need to stop moaning about mini keys.

[@rhiannonstudios]

I love my Mininova, got it rammed full of beautiful 80’s vintage synth sounds, absolutely nails all the Numan sounds and the Top Gun Berlin Take My Breath Away bass sound from the Moroder set is amazing, beautiful beautiful little synth........apart from the keys 😆

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, it's great at 80s madness!

[@baxthered]

Got this one myself, this thing provides both hours of madness, and hours of fun. Started out with the "Won't Get Fooled Again" synth sound, and ended with absolute gibberish. Love it.

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@Bod8998]

Excellent as usual

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@Etienne.6329]

dear Novation, I would pay good money to have a special edition with Badgear’s genres on it.

[@AudioPilz]

...with an 88 keys keybed;)

[@NovationTV]

🤔😅

[@prinzbach]

I had a hard time choosing in between the Microkorg / Microkorg XL - R3 / Micro-X and Mininova back in the days (like 10 years ago...). I ended up with the Microkorg for it's "warm" and softs sounds. All the demos of the MK at the time were just dudes shredding pulse waves with no filter and I had to try it in store to see it's "full potential"... I still have it to this day and love it (with some much needed reverb). The Mininova still sound amazing and really shines in the pad/ambient department, the design was the thing that put me off with the sofa sized knobs... Anyway, sorry for the tangent: Great video!

[@AudioPilz]

Great choice! Thanks!

[@shadowstate552]

I don't care about the gear you review - I just enjoy all the kick ass tunes you come up with in the demos. Great work as always.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@onlychld6121]

Moby Schwarzenegger, Your series had made my Fridays. Thank you for all the work you do!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ferenclucas2842]

I love mine would never get rid of it even hearing how it was used here is very cool to me :)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Yeah, it's a keeper!

[@Dudderlyful]

I was having a conversation about this synth with someone last week, its much much more capable of complex sound design than I thought. Awesome, HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, great little synth!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

For the price it's great However you kinda need to spend $200 on the Keylab essential midi keyboard to go with it really.

[@Soundsauca]

Great overview of my favourite little synth, all in your unique style! Mininova is a treasure trove of sonic delights 👍

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@maxadocious]

awesome sounding jams

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@julioagnosia]

I bought it for the Giorgio Moroder patches and actually love the engine.. huge low end for it's size/price. the vst editor helps with the menu diving and i use it for recording fast pre-prod ideas. the keybed is actually "keybad" but it's an awesome overall little synth!

[@AudioPilz]

I'm really interested in the Moroder patches!

[@frohlichflymailfm]

morodernova 🤖

[@rhiannonstudios]

Yeah that Moroder soundest is amazing, I also downloaded some free sounds off a link from KZbin as well that included some great Human League and Gary Numan stuff, great little synth 👍🏻

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Keylab essential $200 use that with the nover, its lite waight 49key.

[@pontram]

@@HOLLASOUNDS I would rather recommend a keybed with aftertouch, the KL Essential has only pads with AT (why that is, eludes me). But the full KL are much pricier than a Mininova. The cheaper option would be either a Keystep 37 or an Oxygen Pro 49 (this one I do not have).

[@CygnusOrb]

I debated between the Mininova and Microkorg. Ended up with the Novation. The tweak pads were a selling point.

[@AudioPilz]

Those are super useful!

[@crabflag]

These videos are a highlight to my Friday’s. ✨✨💯

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@wayneanderson2866]

Great video! I didn’t realize there was ever a version of the mini nova without keys... Bought mine used a couple of years ago primarily for the vocoder option (without using a DAW) & for a non professional musician like myself, I think it’s cool. I haven’t used it a lot but I don’t see myself getting rid of it anytime soon. Anything with 5 pin midi I find myself keeping forever.♥️🔥💯

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Well, there actually isn't ;)

[@TheLordGU]

I wonder if a full size 88 key synth chassis would even get close enough to allow for displaying the genre descriptions you would choose … without having to include a reading-glass. Hilarious idea though! - Thanks for that video!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I'd go full-on church organ!

[@TLGElectro]

I love my Mininova. Just use a midi keyboard if you don't like the keys. It has great filter sweep action, the arpeggio and the latch functions are great too. Latch is probably my favourite...great for ambient pads.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed! Love the latch functionality too!

[@Zeal808]

I’ve made some of my most complex synth patches with the mini nova. Love it. The harmonic capabilities are incredible

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@PlugInGuruVideo]

You're cool. :D Love every one of these you've done. Props my friend.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@geraldclark5812]

I've had a mostly positive experience with my MN, loved the arp, the manual has a nice intro to synths, and the VST overcomes the god-awful on-board menu divey UI. However I found it hard to make decent patches and the build quality (esp the keys) feels super-cheap, so this was collecting dust until I decided to give it another try a couple of days before this video. Also, Giorgia Angiuli uses one in some of her videos, so it can't be all bad...

[@AudioPilz]

Giorgia Angiuli could make a car horn sound great ;)

[@jaxager]

Okay... This is the third piece of gear that I own that you've covered. I'm starting to take it personally dude. 😁

[@AudioPilz]

More to come;)

[@ismaelcortesjr9281]

Saw this late but just in time to pull the plug and order one . Thank you for your help .

[@AudioPilz]

Always a pleasure!

[@kenfusion]

Great adventure with the franken nova !

[@AudioPilz]

It's alive!!!

[@mymockumentary9716]

D'aaaw, I bought the mininova for my daughter as an entry level synth. Good old dubstep:)

[@matthewcody1757]

Lol I gave mine to my neice for Christmas a few years ago , she was stoked

[@AudioPilz]

WUBWUBWUBWUBWUB!!!

[@valley_robot]

I sold mine to a guy who was buying one off eBay for his daughter as her first hardware synth.Same guy?

[@mymockumentary9716]

@@valley_robot no, but it seems a good synth for getting people strarted. There neess to be less kit snobbery, I am guilty of this, ashamed to say. I am less trashy lately and now have a thing for volcas even tough I am a DSI slave

[@carlosserrano3985]

I have the Ultranova and is a very powerful synth, the Vocoder is one of my favorite features and I think the menu diving is not that bad, is a very capable synth in my opinion if you know how to program, there is a couple of videos of Daniel Fisher demostrating the Ultranova capabilities and is very impressive. Cheers!

[@AudioPilz]

I've yet to try the Ultra. Heard good things about the keybed

[@23bit76]

What a pleasant surprise. Nice little synth that

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that, thanks!

[@catmastertrash2447]

Somehow you managed to make me feel good about owning a Microkorg on this episode 😂 Love this channel

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! An MK is always a solid choice!!!

[@ayashi3288]

happy Friday everybody

[@dustmighte]

tgif

[@AudioPilz]

Have a nice weekend!!!

[@kalubandali2241]

and to you too

[@DoctorNemmo]

I have my Mininova, and I love the minikeys. It’s a fantastic vocoder. That weird control behaviour is not in my unit, I assume it’s caused by the hacking of the synth.

[@AudioPilz]

Supposedly soldering in a resistor should help

[@K0nt4kt]

I hope you NEVER run out of bad gear to review! Videos keep getting better and better !!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Roland alone provides Bad Gear for generations;)

[@treetopjones737]

@@AudioPilz At some point you could do some of the full size Casio presets only synths.

[@leftovernoise]

I love novation so much. By far my favorite synth company.

[@AudioPilz]

True, they have a bunch of interesting instruments

[@punkrockwithbubbles1041]

AudioPliz has the absolute best pop culture references.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@MCBrainpower]

I love my MoroderNova (The Limited Giorgio Moroder Edition of the MiniNova) and use it all the time…..the Scarface sounds are fire, actually the whole Moroder bank is pretty good, if not great, and the vocoder (as is it on the regular MiniNova as well) is nice too…I understand the issues people may have with the keys, but I just dig mini synths (a lot) and the keybed is workable for me. Nice episode nonetheless 🎹🤍 And yes, it would be epic if they’d let you pick and describe the genre categories 🤣 😎

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I really want to try that presets!

[@glenesis]

Oh boy! Good choice. I don't have this one, but it's on my shopping list :) Some great sounds in that thing. Happy Friday! Well done!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Have a nice weekend!!!

[@remychadwick2467]

This was very nearly my first synth, ended up getting the Ultranova instead thanks to its keyboard and audio interface. Still use it regularly, particularly for bells and I get massive pads by blending the UN with an analog poly. Thanks Novation

[@AudioPilz]

Great when combined with an analog!

[@Rompler_Rocco]

🤔 Weirdly, I think I'd prefer the Microkorg in the compact category, yet the Ultranova always blows my mind and absolutely earns its footprint 🤷‍♂️

[@AudioPilz]

Why not both;)

[@oofdah6738]

ultranova is the patriarch and mininova the red headed stepchild

[@Archonagon]

I got the MicroKorg first, and I didn't really care for it. Couldn't put my finger on why, it was just how I felt about it. So I returned it and started looking for one of these. Because of shortages, it took me 3 months to get a new one, but it sits alongside my Arturia Microfreak just fine. ....and yes, I am a "beginner" in this stuff. But I like what I like.

[@AudioPilz]

These mini keyboard synths are all great in their own ways - it's just a matter of taste!

[@gijsdemik667]

Thats funny my first synth was a microkorg i still use it today about 17 years later. i love it i like korg i like they way you can shape your oscillators whit the controls 1 and 2, i must say when i started making music vst synths where verry verry poor sounding and every one has his own taste. i own a ultra nova i love the way it sounds different then anything else i own i have been looking into the microfreak too!

[@Archonagon]

@@gijsdemik667 I like what the MicroKorg can do. I get the design ideas behind it. I just couldn't get into it for some reason. That may change later as I "grow" with this stuff. If you can get your hands on trying out a Microfreak, I'd recommend it. People complain about the lack of keys, but it also means that since you're not pressing keys you can do rapid notes very easily as a result.

[@TheGakst3r]

I'm plugging my ultranova back in after watching this. Fantastic

[@AudioPilz]

Nice, have fun!!!

[@samjones4570]

These vids always cheer me up! :D I’d love to see you review the Yamaha RM1X

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Great suggestion!

[@vincentmccormack3629]

Don’t have one of these, but have an Ultranova, which has the same sound engine. The interface is a pain, but I’m a big fan of how it sounds and the vocoder rocks. Basically, I don’t think this qualifies as bad gear! Love the Galaxy Quest intro and the Jules Winfield bit!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! You know the drill - one man's Bad Gear...;)

[@gijsdemik667]

i think the ultra nova is easier to program than this thing more interface i like my ultra nova for its sound its different then your usual analogue modelling and the lfo's have stranges stepping and smoothing! overall the sound shaping capabilities are nice but i must say i miss some stuff in the modulation matrix i also use a radias a virus and a blofed i used it heavy on my sunshine stardust album for my elktro pop bases >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyvk555aK6BhpI

[@simon4815]

For being digital VA it's really not menu divey at all? Literally every important param is one button press away and 8 knobs cover more than enough

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@simon4815 I mainly still use the stock presets and haven't installed the plugin as been busy, had the MiniNova a year now.

[@DiegoSynth]

Ultranova's interface is much better / easier than other's VA synths. Some menus are a bit questionable, but once you learn where to find each thing, then it's quite easy.

[@mikkovihonen2631]

I remember you need to add a resistor to the pitchbend PCB connector so that you don't get that weirdo behavior with the matrix selector.

[@AudioPilz]

Great input, thanks! Can you specify exact values and wiring?

[@mikkovihonen2631]

@@AudioPilz Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact resistor value, but the PCB connector for the pitch bend was a 2-pin (or was it 3-pin?) male connector so you should be able to easily experiment with different resistor values to simulate the pitch bend pot. I don't remember if a similar setup was needed for the mod wheel. Maybe?

[@mikkovihonen2631]

@@AudioPilz in fact the easiest way to fix it might be to get the original pitchbend wheel, detach the plastic wheel and simply connect the potentiometer to the PCB connector 🤔 There's enough room inside the case to attach the potentiometer with double sided tape, for example.

[@SkyWolfZero]

I’ve had my eye on this bad boy for a long time, but have never pulled the trigger on it. Probably due to the menu diving…I have enough Roland gear😀Thanks for doing a video on the Mininova! ✌️🎵🎶🎵

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching! I'd recommend this one!

[@geminielectro]

I love my Mininova. I make all my productions with it. It has beautifull pads, powerfull basses and it's awesome for sound design. It has a good vocoder and the arpeggios are great. It's perfect for old fashioned Detroit techno and electro in combination with an 808 or 909 and a 303.

[@AudioPilz]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@Klangraum]

I like it because it's blue.

[@AudioPilz]

Makes sense to me!

[@kryptoniterazor]

I'm guessing the pitch drift with the matrix switch is caused by a the disconnected pitch wheel being on a floating pin that's shared or multiplexed with the matrix. You could probably fix it with a simple pullup or pulldown resistor - just add a 10kohm resistor between the middle pin and one of the outer pins of the connector. This may result in the non-existent wheel being either all the way down or up at all times, which could be roughly what you have now actually. Alternately you could connect an actual potentiometer so you can zero it properly.

[@AudioPilz]

Great input, thank you!!!

[@MissSloomy]

Thanks for doing a Nova synth!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@MissSloomy]

Of course! Even though I already have many of these synths, I love how you are presenting the ugliest gear in the best possible light. Something I've always tried to do!

[@Plastic_Ivory]

I have one. You describe it perfectly! Haha. Cheers from Utah!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@noisetheorem]

The mini nova and ultra nova were excellent synthesizers! The LFOs could go well into the audio range, and the FX were better than they should have been on an instrument in that price class. Shit, now I want one again. Damn you!!

[@AudioPilz]

I almost feel sorry;)

[@RageSondrayy]

i have an ultranova since almost 2 years ago. really don't vibe with the interface. especially that screen's low refresh rate + terrible viewing angle the keyboard and sound is pretty good though I'll admit, just gotta watch the internal levels

[@ChristopherOrth]

My fav thing about the Ultranova was using aftertouch/velocity/mod wheel or time delays to fade in cool ringmod stuff. I think the FX are what let that board down. When I ran it through high quality fx it always sounded much better.

[@scottcupp8129]

Yeah. I've got a mini Nova. Absolutely love it.

[@blackradowan8465]

Mininova is a rompler with a few oscillators and when you try to make some sound you just have a noises 😁

[@Deeplycloseted435]

The Nova, Mininova, and even the Circuit have a pretty decent sound engine. Before soft synths, the OG Virus, and Waldorf being too expensive....desktop Nova was my life. In rack format......yeah, that thing sucks. The Nova and Supernova had great UIs, and still sound pretty nice.

[@AudioPilz]

Always liked the digital Novation synth engines of that time

[@gijsdemik667]

Yea i have the ultra nova its a great machine good capabilities. i love making elktro pop bases in this thing. i must say its sound is very different then my other analogue modelling synths that's not a bad thing i love the character it has it sounds better then most soft synths since most soft synths sound thin and clean and i don't need that i need character, i also use a microkorg,radias a virus c and a Waldorf Blofeld you should check the Blofeld too its not that expensive and sound great!

[@Deeplycloseted435]

@@gijsdemik667 thanks, I have two Blofelds. Amazing synth for what it costs containing the entire Waldorf wavetable library.

[@gijsdemik667]

@@Deeplycloseted435 Cool!

[@scottcupp8129]

Cool brother. I have this synth in my collection as you know. Thank you for featuring it :)

[@AudioPilz]

Nice!!!

[@bokstroll]

Your videos are so funny. I own the Mininova and I love it :-) Looking forward to the next Bad gear I own!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@elektrikblu7331]

My favorite part of every video is the "genre" that's cooked up for the finale. Not sure about the other bits but I dig Hard Trance lol

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@danieklerr]

I've pretty much ignored the Ultranova and Mininova synths. I think I'm going to grab one of these. Any resources on how to perform this desktop mod? Great video, as always!

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe just sawing off the keybed doesn't do the trick. Read some comments about adding a resistor to the wheel connectors to mitigate the pitch bend behavior seen in the vid

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

If you want a Navation Sythersizor like the Ultranova then you might as well take a look at there Summit keyboard, it's got newer sound engines.

[@cyborgmetropolis7652]

AudioPilz is a class act.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Drew_from_Shrug]

This was my first synth(it’s in my profile pic hahaha) it was a great starting point to get into more detailed diving. It definitely has its flaws(I immediately got a midi keyboard with full keys cause man the keys on the Mininova are ROUGH) but all in all it surprises me how many times I’ve gone back to it because of the sheer ability the engine gives, even if its sounds comes in a little cold. Def worthy of bad gear, but I will always have a huge soft spot for it, because it really allowed me to keep finding new tweaks to try out. So happy to see this video drop, this is a perfectly broken down gear review hahaha.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@balazstorok9265]

Honestly this is the first time I really don't understand the hate. I really liked this gear, it's far more versatile than you'd think first.

[@AudioPilz]

Yes, it's a super powerful synth!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Because it's a video topic that got 44k views in a few months and the review was not negative.

[@scality4309]

@@HOLLASOUNDS It is a gear review channel. The format is 'bad' gear. But not all gear is bad actually. This is a show. ❤️✌️

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

Bad interface

[@gibusgamer93]

Still have my Mininova. It's a ludicrously powerful synthesizer, and if you're willing to spend time with it, you can get practically any synthesizer sound you want out of it. For someone looking to just buy one hardware synth, it's a great choice. That said, nowadays I just can't get past the menu diving. Basic things like the mixer and the oscillator shape being the submenu of a submenu is annoying, and while it's not quite as flexible, the same patch that takes five minutes on the MN takes 20 seconds on the Microfreak. The VST editor can get around that, but at that point, why not just use a VST? There are a ton of free VSTs offering almost as much control over the sound, half the appeal of going hardware over soft synths in this day and age is an intuitive interface that lets you create more easily than a mouse and keyboard, and the Mininova just does not have that. The MN is a synth out of time imo. Ten years ago when it came out, it filled a perfect little niche as a compact, inexpensive, deeply customizable polyphonic synthesizer next to the MicroKorg, and I'd even argue with a leg up given the extra features a decade of new technology let Novation cram in. In 2021 though, I just don't see a spot for it. For a beginner or someone looking for something light and portable, the cost just doesn't make sense next to free VSTs + good MIDI keyboard that'll actually be comfortable to play. For someone more experienced, there are other options like the Minilogue or the Bass Station for not much more money.

[@famitory]

an external synth with a vst editor eats less CPU than a vst.

[@AudioPilz]

That sums it up pretty nicely

[@System-1541]

Agreed. I've gotten used to the interface so I'm pretty quick with it but it's still like building a ship in a bottle. I wish they dedicated the four knobs on the front panel strictly to the synth engine. That would have made editing some patches a lot less painful. I'd like to see a knob per function version of this synth though. It'd take up a whole wall in a studio. Lol!

[@jadanoliver6237]

Menu diving on this isn't the worst I have seen. Sound quality is more preferable than some of the other VA synths. Was going to get the micron, no point now. I know the whole analog argument but this sounds better than a lot of VST synths. The vocoder is good. The patch system is not easy . But from puttering around with it I say it kicks ass.

[@System-1541]

@@jadanoliver6237 Yeah. The worse I've seen so far is the Miniak/Micron. Switching to menus is done with a shift button and then pressing a key on the keyboard, then using one clickable knob to find, select and adjust each parameter in that menu. It is tedious!

[@cb175s]

I've had the mini nova for 6+ years now and love it. The abilities and ability to download more patches is super awesome. Great sound , great value. Few issues but not serious The tiny keys are plastic and sucky . I hooked it up to my wife's kurzweil and it's so much more fun. 👍❤️👍

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@frostwise87]

Oh my god i was going to post for you to do this synth as i own one but didnt notice you already did!

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@Yuzuki1337]

At this point we just need a Maxinova and we'll be set! :D

[@AudioPilz]

GodzillaNova!!!

[@Yuzuki1337]

@@AudioPilz *massive stomping in the distance*

[@karl9411]

Its called the Ultranova

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

@@karl9411 There is actually a version better than that one....rare though and old.... SuperNova

[@kinetic-cybernetic]

Keys are truly bad. I couldn't stand it, just like the guy who gave his Mininova to you. Not only the size. The spongy feel sucks in comparison to other minikeys as the Keystep, Refaces or the Minilogue. Otherwise it would have been my perfect synth. 8 voice polyphony (More than VAs/algorithmics as the Microkorg or Microfreak), and actually the Menu diving thing is well thought out: It's a lot of menu diving but that's because you're creating a patch. Once you have your patches with the assignations that you will really use in pads and knobs, using it live is super versatile and easy. Presets sound out of fashion but you can do whatever you want with a new patch. EDIT: It's actually 18 voices just like the Ultra...

[@AudioPilz]

What would be the 2021 equivalent to Dubstep? ;)

[@MissSloomy]

Well hey, if you like the sound of the Mininova, the Ultranova has full size Fatar keys and 10 *more* voices of the same engine.

[@WhiteWulfe]

@@AudioPilz What version of dubstep though, more "traditional" like Ikonika, or what the mainstream calls it, like, well, Skrillex? >.>;;;

[@ferenclucas2842]

True, I have this and I have a reface cp too and the reface are the best mini keys I've played

[@justinscholar7413]

@@AudioPilz a few years ago would've been vaporwave patches

[@davidpinto1195]

With trance sounds is where really shines apparently

[@AudioPilz]

Indeed!

[@coyote-wang]

What I love about Novation in general is how they embraced webmidi so you have these nice editors that can even run on a cheap chromebook to edit their current synths.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I was sceptical at first but that really works well