Novation // Oscillator Culture - The Story of the Polysynth

Oscillator Culture - The Story of the Polysynth explores the passions, obsessions and dreams of people who have dedicated part of their lives to this esoteric electronic music machine. Inventors, musicians, and enthusiasts take a moment to reflect on their often complex relationship with the polysynth - for many, it's an all-consuming passion.
In this documentary, we hear from Ben Rossborough (Cyberwave EMS), Nick Batt (Sonic State) and Finlay Shakespeare (Future Sound Systems). Novation's Synth aficionados, Chris Calcutt, Danny Nugent, Nick Bookman and Jerome Meunier, who were entrenched in the development of Peak while this documentary was being made, offer their perspectives on the scene.
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[@RickyTinez]

dying at all the intro music lyrics per person 😂😂

[@EdwardFist]

Enrique Martinez Sounds like Gaz Williams to me

[@scottptolomey3498]

Annoying !!!!!!!

[@Chevytravelleruk]

Yeah... that Gaz alright

[@leanderlumen1868]

Such a great and heart warming documentary. I can really feel that what these people say is true. After working with the Peak for a long time I can only say thank you for this wonderful instrument. Still haven't used the mod matrix in it's full potential, but I know there is another realm of wonders waiting.

[@NovationTV]

🙌🙏❤️

[@mikebailey783]

For an extended advert for a new synth, this is the most enjoyable I've seen! - Very nice insight into the background of Novation, and the process of designing Peak.

[@KozmykJ]

I remember bumping into someone with a prototype Novation at a festival, circa 2000, where I was booked to do the sound but got co-opted onto a bass dep job for one of the acts as well... 🤯 As we went to set up for a rehearsal in the barn, the guys with the Novation were coming out. Unfortunately I didn't have time to chat about this new toy with the tester. I guess this was what was going to be the Supernova

[@markpeters284]

RIP Chris Huggett. I will treasure my OSCar forever.

[@northerncatto]

Also, Nick Batt mentioning my favorite Japan album, never would've guessed he was a fan.

[@AnosterSharimeta]

This was one of the best things that popped into my inbox for a long time. Great work guys.

[@NovationTV]

Thanks for your support 🙏 We're glad you enjoyed this.

[@satyanpatel6403]

What a great video / documentary. I mean to see all those classics, brought together with especially all those synth legends. Great video, Novation.

[@AlexBallMusic]

There was a LOT of lols in this, but 14:27 particularly got me. Great video guys 👍👍

[@northerncatto]

omg that John Foxx anecdote, awesome.

[@xntricity6446]

An excellent documentary thank you. I have had Novation control equipment for years and have helped greatly for composition workflow. This weekend i am purchasing the Novation summit which will be my biggest spend but i know its a masterpiece and will be an iconic synth like the bass station. Outstanding engineering has gone into that synth so a no brainer.

[@NovationTV]

Thank you for your kind words and continued support. We're delighted to hear that you've decided to add Summit to your collection.

[@mc2engineeringprof]

Utterly fascinating, intelligent, sincere, and enjoyable bit. As an owner of many of the classic synths described in this video (as well as a Supernova 2 KB, a Nova desktop, an original Bass Station, two X-Stations, a KS4, and two Xiosynths) I can guarantee you that the moment that I've saved up, I'll be buying a Peak. I realize that this was only in part a marketing play for the Peak, but by God it worked! One final point, to hear the gents describing the same influential albums from groundbreaking artists as I had growing up (Human League, Jean Michel Jarre, Japan, Depeche Mode, Vangelis) really resonated with me. As an professional engineer myself, knowing that the tech geniuses behind the technology I love were influenced by the same music I was, finally confirms for me something I already suspected: Novation is the REAL deal!

[@NovationTV]

Thanks for your continued support, Brian! We're proud to have been part of your creative process for so long.

[@rdoetjes]

I found a nice balance of using a daw. I use it mainly for drums (although I love tinkering with my Yamaha RM1x for that too) it’s easy to edit variation in the basic rhythm. But for the rest I just use it as an audio recorder. No midi as it’s always a hassle with channels and suddenly other synths start playing for some reason and you need to find out why, uggghh. And back in the 80s and 90s we didn’t have that luxury either, I just recorded on a 4 track cassette. And midi really allows you to get carried away with editing and making things perfect. The irony is, that imperfection makes music. As I know damn well as a better guitarist than keyboard player. And I love the tactile feeling of knobs and sliders. It’s way more intuitive to use than clicking with a mouse on a GUI or mapping midi controls... And there’s something (it maybe suggestive) different in sound pressure for me with hardware. It feel more like a wall of sound than a vst does; which I know makes technically no sense. So use a daw for what it was initially intended for, to record :) I hope to add a novation peak to my collection at some point. Although space really starts to be an issue here :) Great work lads!

[@marzzz1]

Yeah, that was great- love my Peak!

[@dfreeman120]

Great documentary, glad to be in touch with other synth hardware users. Thx

[@ProckGnosis]

Nice...thanks much for the interesting look into what inspires some of us to geek out on synths.

[@johndjameson]

The most entertaining Peak ad yet! I’ll buy one when I’m confident Novation supports it with updates (like the Circuit).

[@albywelch]

lolol!!

[@albywelch]

fully agree...marketing marketing marketing

[@ondbraddod5212]

John Jameson )

[@GS-vz7dc]

As you can see, now is the right time ;)

[@garymcleod6260]

@ John Jameson I don't know if you've bought one yet, but they are very well supporting the Peak. The first update added 2 extra LFOs and 60+ wavetables, and today they announced a second upgrade which allows the creation and importation of your own wavetables and additive synthesis! Best thing I ever bought!

[@StellarWorks2023]

Emotional resonance. I like that phrase a lot 👍🏾

[@christoroppolo8742]

I watched and enjoyed the documentary.cheers! Hurray ! Peace Christo 👽👽🕺🕺🐕🐕🔦🔦🎶🎶🛸🛸✌🏻✌🏻🙏🙏👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️👏🏻👏🏻🤖🤖

[@TimShoebridge]

Terrific video and great insights, really enjoyed the trip down memory lane with a lot of that gear. BTW You’ve created a real modern-day classic workhorse synth with the Peak, great job :)

[@NovationTV]

Thanks, Tim. It's great to hear that you're enjoying Peak. We appreciate your support.

[@dfreeman120]

100%

[@fakshen1973]

Synthesizers are magical. They are a testament to man's technology prowess. But there's something still very organic about them (analog synths). I'm looking over at a mess of colored patch cables that appears to be a chaotic disaster at first glance. But under those cables is something musical, unique, and full of expression. But that's it. It's all about expression. It's called a voice for a reason. Perhaps it's not a vocal chord in our throats. But we hold the timbres we produce with it just as precious and with as much regard.

[@stevecurcuru]

Sound breaking free of the physical world and becoming pure expression...

[@GaitaPonto]

gotta love hardware synths

[@sethone7590]

As someone who has collected alot of synths over the last 20 years I wanted to say that Novation's work has been top quality. From Novation, I currently own a basstation 2 (which i never use for bass actually because it makes really good lead/mono arpeggio sounds too), i have 2 Ultranovas which i also love and a circuit. I run all my gear together, along with other Roland stuff, korg stuff, an access virus c and even some of the new Behringer stuff (Model D, K2 and Pro 3 being my favourites from them) but far and away my overall favourites are my Novation synths - i just love their character. As soon as I can make space, i am super-psyched to buy the Peak.

[@sethone7590]

Also..Novation, if you happen to read this, I have an idea for a synth much needed on the market which no other company is catering for, so drop me a line!

[@OddPilot_]

This was really really great. I’m not feeling so out of place or nerdy now

[@marcpinion]

fantastic thanks

[@PnPModular]

Incredible video

[@rdoetjes]

Sorry for spamming. I just came past the part on ‘emotional’ connection. And yes! I experience that more with guitars. And back in the early 90s I worked part time at a music store setting up guitars and fixing them. And every now and then a stock standard Tele or Strat or Les Paul came in that just did something with me. And I only pretty much played my own build guitar. Otten I’d name an offer to the owner. I still have one of them a Strat Deluxe. But this week I had that with a prophet 08. Last month I bought a Prophet 08 REV2 and I returned it the next day for a Roland System 8. I just didn’t like the filter it didn’t resonate (pun intended) with me. Low and behold 4 weeks later I needed something with grit and dirt. So I went online to the used section and found a desktop Prophet 08. Conveniently located a few miles away. I sat down at the previous owner’s place and immediately noticed the infamous shotty encoders. But there was something in that sound that it’s newer brother 4 weeks prior didn’t have. So I managed to talk off 200 euros because of the encoders, knowing that I’d spend 230 euros on getting the PE Conversation. So yesterday that came in, I made the modifications the day before and I’ve been recording a 80s Italian Style synth pop song. The grit and the dirt worked and because I had to hack it, it became even more loved.

[@kristianTV1974]

As someone coming from a fully hardware studio complete with Roland MC50 mkII sequencer back in the early 90's to someone who is almost completely in-the-box (a Basstation II and Korg Minilogue still though) now, this really hit a nerve. Mostly due to not having the space for all the kit anymore.. Great advert for the Peak, and very inspiring..

[@InkyDaCaT]

OMG THIS IS AWESOME😂😂😂 like all your heros, best bit of TV ever....

[@fortheloveofnoise]

The 16 voice keyboard version is going to be nice. ;)

[@Chevytravelleruk]

I'm surprised to not see Dave Spiers in this video.. I'm pretty sure he did soundbanks for the Peak, Owns and Oberheim 8-voice, and is hilarious.. Also have to say a big thanks to Novation(not sponsored)... I have had so many of their products over the years and not only do they deliver exactly what they promise, but they are also probably the best company in the business for aftersales support...

[@AdamBorseti]

Any synthesizer video that starts with the name "Concorde" is a video I shall watch! Edit: This video is a riot! Great humor

[@NovationTV]

Thanks, Adam! Glad you enjoyed it 🙌🙏

[@AdamBorseti]

@@NovationTV Come to think of it, "Concorde" would make a great synth name....

[@MadelnMachines]

I forgot this was a Novation advert until half way through! I find it funny how people talk about not wanting to squint into a screen (when you can run vsts in 4k on a 50 inch plus TV)...then use synths which have a tiny low res calculator screen. Synth makers really need to learn from midi controllers when it comes to screens... Look at push 2 and native instruments controllers. This is what people want (if you have to use a screen).

[@milkweedreflections]

Really cool video.

[@DiGiT626]

Can you share the link to the Spotify playlist of inspirational synth tracks referenced in the video??!!

[@DivKid]

very enjoyable video, great work.

[@solitaryswordsman]

Ben did a great job restoring my Roland promars, One day will buy that hawk wind Jupiter 8...

[@danaminyip]

Ive heard some really amazing tracks done on 4 track

[@Violentic81]

iam addicted to slide, fade and switch buttons:o

[@jaggass]

Ben's a top bloke he's currently repairing my Linn 9000.

[@vuvo5587]

I'm planning to release some tracks featuring novation peak sounds, having a lot of fun with it :)

[@NovationTV]

That's great to hear! We're glad you're finding Peak inspiring, we'd love to hear your tracks!

[@foxglove9]

I have the same Pac-Man lights near my synths 😍 27:24

[@tonalaxis]

Rest in peace Chris Huggett. :(

[@user-tt5js4bh2v]

31:30 Power to the people right on. As a self confessed 20 year DAWrk I've been using a midi editor on my phone to get ideas down while away from the computer (not in the toilet, that's purely for opera). It's totally useable with the free fluid synth voices and the app cost a whopping £4

[@neuzethmusic131]

Really well made synth doc! Does anyone know what (band) t-shirt Chris Culcutt is wearing at 2:18 ??! Thanks!

[@hujuu]

Can we have an Impulse with poly aftertouch to pair with the Peak, please?

[@NovationTV]

That's an interesting idea. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us, Mark. We'll share your suggestion with the dev team.

[@verbenamusic]

Jerome didn't strike me as a 3 stripe kinda guy when we spoke on the phone. I assumed he'd be more into nike

[@NovationTV]

They're actually very limited edition Novation X Adidas Superstar. True story.

[@RobLocksley]

I really love my Peak synth. I wish there where a market for an x-pander, just a box with the electronics to make it 16 or even 24 voices; right now I am actually thinking of getting more Peaks and see if there is a good midi-overflow plug-in to use in my DAW to get possibility to use allot of voices with either sustain-pedalling or just extreme decays that wont be cut off. Yes, this is a request for you to make an x-pander box ;)

[@VladTheSour]

track @ 31:00 ?

[@NovationTV]

Thanks for your interest! All of the music in this video was actually created by Tim from the Novation team, they haven't been released or made available anywhere yet.

[@PhantomStrange]

is this slowed down? the voices seem all low and slow.

[@vinyljunkie07]

Who ever did the little cut scenes must of been young no? There's no counterweight on the turntable, c'mon man lol I still have the first synth I brought, a mk1 Bass Station keyboard I brought I think in 2003

[@alimuzschmi3128]

Warum war eines der ersten videos(launchpad) auf deutsch?

[@NovationTV]

Es war? Auf welches Video beziehst du dich?

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

Is there a track list of all the music used in this?

[@NovationTV]

Novation's own Tim Harbour created all of the music in this video. Most of the tracks were actually created specifically for this video and haven't been released.

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

Ah, interesting. I assumed much of the music was from the albums people listed as inspirations.

[@ZethKeeper]

"25 000 000 views".

[@alanshewitt]

PROPAGANDA! I’d totally forgotten about them/that album

[@scottptolomey3498]

VERY annoying introductions ruins a great documentary doesn’t really give much of an insight into the old Polysynths but still worth a watch

[@CompanyFriendsTube]

That was nice, until it turned into a Peak Ad!

[@zibbybone]

Whoever edited this video has some serious ADD. The topics jump all over the place and no one really talks about polysynths until 15 minutes in. The "introductions" to each interviewee were great and so is the synth-spotting. But painful to watch and listen to.