Exploring Novation Peak 2.0 Firmware // Synth Saturdays

[@breslin44]

Looks like I timed picking up a 2nd hand Peak perfectly. Buzzing for it to arrive.

[@strangersun7721]

A lot of great uses of the new features. Thanks for sharing your exploration of them. I resisted bringing a big keyboard synth into my studio, but rearranged things last week and added a Summit after owning a Peak since launch. It's bliss, man.

[@crybo]

Such a great update for an already amazing sounding synth.

[@CyberWaveRadio-nn4om]

Awesome video. I think you should have the keyboard controller controlling the mpc and the mpc hooked to the novation via midi out/in cable. You have to set your midi chanel in the mpc maybe.

[@BottleMakesMusic]

Well, with that update, it's not helping my GAS any. Certainly the arp is more usable with the chord modes having more animation capability. Sounded great.

[@KaikoZOLEEV]

Very nice review! Thank you

[@jolieuke]

I want one ! Sounds so good, perfect for Dub Techno !

[@TeftyMeems]

Dub Techno for days! That arp chance plus noise modulation 👌

[@_DRMR_]

Lack of proper midi support is one of the main things holding me back from the MPC Live. Peak/Summit however .. the new fw-update is a dream! Noise as mod-source and arpeggiator probability are the bomb.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

I have a USB B the USB B cable, really tempting to plug the Peak direct to a midi keyboard but I will ask Novation if that's possible.

[@_DRMR_]

@@HOLLASOUNDS Why would this be possible? It's a client-port, not a host-port. You'll have to use some other device to link the two.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@_DRMR_ Because the midi keyboard has a optional power socket for when the keyboard is not linked to a computer and just sends information to a device like Peak via midi wire, so I thought it could do the same with this USB B to USB B cable.

[@_DRMR_]

@@HOLLASOUNDS That doesn't make any sense to me, sorry.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@_DRMR_ Keylab essential keyboard Midi cable to control Novation Peak directly. I want to know if I can use the USB b to USB b the same way.

[@xpump876]

The envelopes are really awesome ..controlling the HF/LP noise params are groovy too - had no issue w/ the update but mines a recent purchase

[@HUSH.11.1]

Wondering if they’ll ever include binaural capabilities. I know there’s only 1 x stereo output on the peak but the rev 2 can do binaural while only using 1 stereo output.

[@ToyKeeper]

The Peak is fantastic. If the Hydra and Pro 3 didn't exist, Peak would probably still be my favorite synth. I'm glad to see it's still getting updates. The sound is incredible, and it's really only missing some better performance controls and easier, more flexible modulation and routing. Like, I have no idea who decided to implement Animate as buttons instead of knobs or sliders, but it seems like a design mistake.

[@TeftyMeems]

Yup, if the Peak had Sequential style modulation routing/learning then perfection 👌

[@strangersun7721]

Animate is an idea that's been around in novation for a long time. It was a lot of fun in both the ultranova and mininova. I was happy to see it again in the Peak/Summit. There's a video floating around somewhere out there with Daniel Fischer showing off the ultranova animate. Cool thing there was that the controls were a touch sensitive set of encoders, so you could do this very fast, pulsing animate.

[@ToyKeeper]

@@strangersun7721 Yeah, the Ultranova's touch-sensitive macro knobs were great. I've been enjoying a similar feature on the current Akai products, MPC and Force. Also really dig the macro knobs and buttons on the Hydrasynth... and more generally, any synth with more performance controls than just a mod wheel. It just seems like the Peak and Summit really skimped on that sort of thing. They need more macro-type performance controls, especially the type with variable amount instead of just on/off. Could also use a quicker workflow for modulation routing. It's still one of the best synths ever made though, even if it's not perfect.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The opportunity come up to buy a used Peak for £800 so I bought it and am Not getting anything else this is My big sythersizor and the MiniNova My small sythersizor.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Can you help Me? Hi I have USB B to USB B cable, is it possible to connect Aturia Keylab essential direct to the Peak with this cable? Its unusual because normally I only ever see Two USB B to USB A going to a PC.

[@chrisscott7092]

I don't think so. But if the Keylab has midi, the best option would be Keylab midi out to Peak midi in.

[@user-fi4yd2kf6g]

I have got a rather weird question - how long could it take to learn how to use Peak properly? I only recently got into the world of synthesisers (I bought couple of nice ones) but it seems to me like they all offer endless possibilities and I learn very slowly... I have been playing the piano all my life and it is so much easier! Anyway, Peak is on my to-buy list, I just need to sell my last kidney...

[@TeftyMeems]

Tough to say honestly, the modulation matrix is a bit difficult in comparison to other synths. If you learn synthesis on one synth, the knowledge usually transfers to others. Also, it'll take time to really know what you're doing so enjoy the process of exploring and making unexpected sounds. It took me years to get where I'm at today but that was from slowly experimenting and putting all the pieces together. Good luck!

[@dcarmich00]

I'm seriously considering an MPC One above my Elektron Analog Four MkII. What made you use the Live II for this video?

[@TeftyMeems]

The MPC One is in another room hooked up. The Live 2 was being used in the last setup so I kept it on the desk 👍

[@NukanaiGaming]

That’s a destiny shirt… subscribed

[@ZETONEproductions]

Is it possible to play more than one synth sound at the time .. like elektron analog 4 or the digitone?

[@TeftyMeems]

Nope, that's multi-timbral and the Peak is not.

[@88mokeyz6]

Im torn between this one and the Model D in advise!

[@ToyKeeper]

Very, very different instruments. They're not really comparable.

[@TeftyMeems]

Very different boxes. My Model D is my go to bass synth, but the Peak can pretty much do all other duties (including bass). If Peak is your first hardware synth, you can’t go wrong with it IMO.

[@88mokeyz6]

@@TeftyMeems I think I'm going to go for both

[@soupeauxchoux714]

hello thanks for your videos it seems you changed your mpc one for a live2?

[@TeftyMeems]

Still have both. Just depends on the setup at the moment. The One is in another room with a different setup for experiments 👍

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Most people sell there Peak when they upgrade to the Summit, why do you like to have both?

[@GrootsieTheDog]

I appreciate the upload but perhaps doing just a little look through of the release notes would help to avoid getting some information wrong.