Novation Summit review

[@sK3LeTvM1]

It took me a year to figure out what synth I should buy since they are an investment to me. I've tried Hydra, Kyra, Quantum, and many others. And Summit gave me this 'edgy darkness' no other synth offered. It doesn't sound sterile like so many others...

[@hozzer68]

I’m going through that process myself at the moment, having many synth VST’ s, my main go to is Omnisphere, so looking at something to compliment that. the new Hydra deluxe looks interesting, 73 keys of poly after touch, my budget being up to £2000, lots of analogue poly synths in that price range, digital doesn’t bother me, had a Blofeld keyboard in the past, this one, Korg prologue, Dave smith OB-6 module, Dave Smith Rev 2 16 voice, Sequential Prophet 6 module, MatrixBrute to name but a few, lots of research as it such a big purchase it has to be the correct one.

[@CookieColt]

@@hozzer68 Which one did you end up buying? I'm in the exact same situation.

[@hozzer68]

@@CookieColt none , my computer crapped out so ended up buying a new pc and the remainder just got frittered away with family stuff, however I think I would have gone for the Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Behringer Model D that along with my vst’s would have done everything I needed.

[@benh.635]

Honestly this sounds like an instant Tangerine Dream machine xD It sounds really beautiful! :D

[@mistersynth1409]

I don't know why but I don't like tangerine dream. this sound better

[@andrewgenner2613]

Agreed, with a healthy does of Jarre thrown in. Those phasey string patches!

[@benh.635]

@@andrewgenner2613 Yes! :D

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

The Froese-Franke-Schmoelling years (early 1980's), yes. But those guys also used piles of equipment that go beyond this synth (JP-8, P5, PPG, Moog Modular, old Arps, etc.)

[@RayR]

That's one meaty synth! It sounds like a winner. There are so many great choices in the wonderful synth age we live in.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Agree completely Raymond.

[@DanielBull]

What a gorgeous sounding synth, and loved what you did with it. Novation have really done a good job of that.

[@DATSound]

just a super beautiful synth , sounddesign is really intuitive and also the menus are easy and logical to use. i just needed the manual 1 time until now ( 1 year), which stands for its intuitive use. only thing i am missing is a sequencer, which would have been a great addition to the arp. all in all one i thinks its an really underrated synth. just like the nova at its time.

[@TonySway]

Incredible synth!! I got mine in January, had to wait 2 months, but well worth it!!

[@bereantrb]

Kudos to one if the best synth demos I’ve heard.

[@cheesefiend123]

long time subscriber to your channel - I made some of the presets (the ones labeled with GIL, like "GIL Deep Plane"). I was so stoked to see you playing my preset! -groundislava

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Very cool!

[@yoppoyo]

Hey friend. Just wanted to let you know that your Deep Plane cemented my decision on wanting a Summit❤

[@eaglechildkeys]

Looks and sounds beautiful this synth. 8:08 impressive. Thanks for the demo Paolo ✨

[@s.kxx1956]

Love these new modern analog synths, recently got an ob-6 and its phenomenal

[@RayyMusik]

The OB-6 is in fact great because it has VCOs. The Summit doesn’t have analog oscillators.

[@robertjameson4101]

OB-6 is so choice

[@s.kxx1956]

I kind of meant analog sound, weather digital or real analog some of the new stuff is sounding good !

[@s.kxx1956]

@@RayyMusik and goes out of tune like one should.... one of the downsides to a fully analog synth.

[@bobrobinsonmusic4180]

Nicely done! Thank you!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Glad you liked it!

[@Tidewater500]

Thank you for your thorough review and demonstration!

[@SethJohn]

This will be my first non-vintage synth. Can't wait to play it.

[@uhoh007]

A wonderful distraction in some crazy times, thank you.

[@Vissepisse11]

@11:55 Gorgeous patch and playing =)

[@bailey5924]

Dream synth for me right now 👀

[@HD7100]

It sounds wonderful.

[@MirkoMancini]

Ciao Paolo, grande video come sempre. The "simple and sublime" patch reminds me of the CS80 'glory

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

It does!

[@cameronleggett]

Nice!! I liked the sculpting you demonstrated and the FX were sounding deep under your control.

[@GalacticTravelers]

Zzounds is my go to for expensive gear purchases, their payment plans make it maybe a little 'too' easy to purchase whatever I want 😁 Awesome video as always, incredible skill!

[@Jason75913]

same, gone overboard a little bit now, lol no regrets 😸

[@MrJigstavo]

real talk. God bless them for it.

[@johntammaro]

The same issue as always for me. I can't play very well and I just can't justify the cost so I can sequence some simple riffs from my DAW. Loved the demo though. Keep them coming Paolo.

[@kiko1935]

Pretty much this. It's too much of a good thing for someone who isn't skilled enough to work it

[@hfugmann]

Very nice demo

[@MarshalArnold]

Sounds awesome Paolo!

[@sock_park]

Great video, Paulo. Really digging the fx on this synth.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you!

[@MaverickM1]

A f@cking sick piece of instrument. I hope I can aford it on this week (fingers crossed, waiting for the bank transfer). This thing simply eliminates anything out there :)

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Sick it is !

[@bio-metric-1016]

Sounds so beautiful 😍

[@venomslair137]

Whoa! Love those FM-esque presets!

[@Petsublak]

Excellent review, well delivered!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you!

[@Dolores5000]

Beautiful

[@johanvancauteren6203]

Brilliant review😊

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jasonsartain4529]

I already want one and am actually planning to get it from Zzounds here in a couple weeks, but I clicked on this anyhow because I love when you play and review synths :)

[@HonorV2ultimate1tb]

is there smooth transition when selecting a different preset?... does the sound from the first preset get cut off abruptly even though the keys are still pressed....while we select another preset for the right hand?

[@mvoproject]

Totally fantastic synth! But... SO expensive.... Anyway, for the professional musicians and producers it`s a normal, said regular price. Thanks for the great exciting demos, Paolo!

[@MrJigstavo]

bro... go on zzounds- you can get it within 3 days and pay by the month. It makes so much gear attainable.

[@joshbattaglia4574]

I am about to pulll the trigger on getting this synth, was within the month, now might be within a couple days after seeing this review!

[@janedman]

very good reviuw i whant to by a relay nice synth somtime in my life and its betwen nordlead wave 2 ore this one ,hope you can test nordlead wave 2 soon :-)

[@bateimidrashnetwork]

I'm in the same dillema. Nord Wave 2 vs Summit.

[@sK3LeTvM1]

You make great vids !

[@wesleyforman8391]

Thanks a video that doesn't comment on any of the questions

[@mac651000]

Sold!

[@synthury1858]

Hello Paolo. Thank you for your video. I have a Summit on order since November 2019. I don't know if I should wait for it, getting a rev2 + peak or getting à Nord Wave 2 ? Simple question, what would you chose between these three combos ? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@downpatmusic]

A modern version of the vintage and beloved Roland D-50. Old things come back again. The Summit has that glossy, warmth and generic pad sound making thing, in a good way.

[@JoseRojas-kv7kv]

10:54 Beautiful.

[@xin_music]

Looking for manual but not finding. Can anyone tell me if ALL the control knobs have associated MIDI CC values? I use a controller now for flexible Midi CC routing... would like to replace it with this... but need to see the MIDI chart.

[@xin_music]

Nevermind. Found it.. fael-downloads-prod.focusrite.com/customer/prod/s3fs-public/downloads/Summit%201.0%20Manual%20-%20English.pdf

[@wokalgitara9295]

How are favorite presets selected when there are no programmable buttons ?

[@dudleybaker7623]

Didn't the Peak get two more LFOs, I'm not sure it thwg happened for the Summit

[@crolodon8024]

Yeah the Summit is essentially just two Peaks in a box aside from a few unique features like the "Dual" filter modes on the Summit, ability to stack patches, a few added surface level controls, and a few other things like ability to run external gear through the Summit for FX. They both have the same engine, so the two more LFOs are on the Summit too.

[@joeyxl3456]

Great job dood

[@xnonsuchx]

It sounds nice, but some of the patches implying mimicking classic synth sounds didn't really sound close to what they were trying to do.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Agreed

[@midiplaybox3453]

Where is the keypad 0-9 for selecting sounds ?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Program YOUR OWN.

[@midiplaybox3453]

@@SPAZZOID100 Nice, but what if I preprogramed a number of sounds that I want to recall instantly on the stage? Turning wheel is not fast and precise enough.

[@NeonShores]

First patch already blew me away and gave me goosebumps. Oh no, I can't fall in love, can't afford it right now 😬

[@sK3LeTvM1]

Peak can be a cheaper 8-voice alternative. No layering though.

[@FilipMilerX]

I would like to hear how it compares to Jupiter 8.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Jupiter-8 pales in comparison to the Prophet-5 & OBXA.

[@pauljackson8282]

But how does this synth compare with the Moog One?

[@jonathankessler4684]

Digital vs. Analog, the Moog One is an absolute beast in its own category but the Summit is definitely close in comparison. Also comes down to the $2000 vs $6000/$8000 price tags. I’ve never used either cause I’m a broke pleb but from all the demo’s I’ve heard that Moog is the definition of a “larger than life” synth that can be as gargantuan or as controlled as you want it to be and the Novation here is in the same boat but would be easier to fit into a mix. It’s really like comparing apples to oranges here both of those synths are absolute pieces of artwork and sound the part too.

[@EuroDJ]

JP from Novation

[@HD7100]

It is too expensive for my budget but I would love to have one. I am however thinking seriously of the Korg Wavestate which fits my budget better.

[@nilespeterclemens8328]

Why can’t you save up a little longer?

[@crybo]

Get a Peak! Would love the Summit but more than happy with the Peak.

[@fattyboombatty7736]

@Divinital You're probably right, was going to pick up a wavestate or a hydrasynth, but the filters sound ugly. Will probably save up for the UDO or possibly a Matriach. I can only go on what my Peak does, which I assume sounds similar and it is a great workhorse; it is the one synth I use on virtually everything in my DAWless setup. For me sound is everything, I can put up with a clunky UI (if you want a tricky UI, try modular) as long as the quality of the sound is good.

[@LouisSerieusement]

I'm glad you could try this one ! Seems like a very powerful and inspiring hybrid synth ! I love Hybrid synth, unfortunately this one is way too big, too heavy and too expensive for me ; but I'm glad it exist ! Will you keep it ? :p Cheers from France ! Louis

[@activelow9297]

You said Zzounds sent it to you for a review.. but did you end up buying one?

[@makiszeg5745]

sounds wonderful.all the fx is from the summit?

[@crolodon8024]

Yes, all built-in.

[@jojeemojee4471]

Call it Supernova 3

[@hellobro123freakybob]

Could you do a comparison of the TR-707 and the LinnDrum? I've been wanting to hear them side by side because I feel like they are similar, mostly with the punchy snares.

[@MinimalWave1982]

will u keep this one?

[@infolla6769]

Surprisingly Rolandish.

[@sawlfo]

im curious about the osc drift capabilities, ive heard it has 3 types!

[@MuzixMaker]

Would have been killer to include poly-aftertouch. And a ribbon controller. Would give Hydrasynth a run for the money.

[@SPAZZOID100]

People use that?

[@MuzixMaker]

@@SPAZZOID100 Yes, keyboard *players* do.

[@danielmulholland5869]

This doesn't need to worry about chasing hydrasynth

[@jarriano]

Superfat sound

[@efmvii]

Novation’s preset names crack me up sometimes “Bored of Canada” who remembers “Mr Gurner” from the KS series?

[@JayTheLane]

I think it's a nod to the band 'Boards of Canada' who use a lot of synths.

[@efmvii]

Jay Lane I didn’t miss that, that’s why I pointed out

[@russ254]

no, ever been to Canada?

[@DestroyER82]

Thanks for awesome demo Paolo, great job as always! ;-) About instrument... I really hoped they will keep using analog oscilators from Bass Station II as well as both filters. Both Peak and Summit are amazing versatile instruments, but sadly both of them lack that awesome charisma that BS2 have. :(

[@crolodon8024]

This is just not true.

[@DestroyER82]

@@crolodon8024 You can disagree about charisma of sound, thats my very subjective feel and you actually might like it other way. About filter... Diode ladder filter which is on BS2 is simply not there on Peak / Summit, thats fact.

[@crolodon8024]

@@DestroyER82 It's been stated by the designers that the filter in the Peak is based on the filter circuit in the BSII but tuned with increased resonance. The Peak filter is an absolute monster, fully analogue, and it has multiple pre and post filter distortion stages. It sounds just as juicy and bouncy as the BSII but can also go far beyond.

[@DestroyER82]

@@crolodon8024 BS2 have two different filter designs you can swich between and use, Peak / Summit are using only one of them. Pre / Post distortion/overdrive is same, thats fine.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Great video Paolo. I can tell from the factory patches that there is a lot of fun to be had both manipulating and creating sounds on this synth. Is it tempting you to keep it?

[@jamesbeckerton1730]

Sounds superb, shame its £2k here in the UK.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

? I just took a peak at the first UK music store that came up on google, it sells for £1,785.00 Inc. VAT in the UK, not £2K. Roughly the same as anywhere else although your taxes are higher www.andertons.co.uk/novation-summit-two-part-16-voice-61-key-polyphonic-synth

[@tenzaemtade6146]

Why don't these things never come with speakers?

[@MrJigstavo]

you cant be serious

[@ignatzignatz2126]

Can you make a quicktip for joe smooth promised land? You are a Keyboard genuis. Greetings

[@gnardypascoski7]

eva ballava sul fuoco, la notte in cui nacque l'odio!

[@Musicology1975]

SynthHeaven WalletDestroyer

[@ZoeSummers1701A]

No doubt, lovely sounds, but to my ears, it just sounds...thin...like it’s missing depth / power. I don’t know why because it seems very powerful, but it’s just missing something...’heavy’. Can’t explain it better than that unfortunately.

[@mikeexits]

Could potentially be the raw oscillators not having decent low end, or perhaps because it's digital rather than analog. Then again, the OG Minilogue sounds kinda thin in some patches and it's analog, so I don't know.

[@crolodon8024]

Zoe, then you are not using speakers with enough range. Plenty of these patches had sooo much bottom end on my monitors, extremely deep. The Peak and Summit both have HUGE bass, and I have one in real life so I can say that very confidently.

[@crybo]

I have the Peak and it does not sound thin at all. Amazing synth.

[@randomaztec2208]

Tried one in a store today and its a well. Deep deep deep

[@crolodon8024]

@@mikeexits The Peak and Summit are primarily analogue, with digitally generated waveforms. The raw waveforms are already beastly and fat before any filtering, distortion, etc.

[@carl156]

I bought mine for $20.00 at a Swap meet seller didn't know what he had!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

haha....verrrrryyy funny

[@russ254]

u wuz robbed

[@wakerickman]

why is it that so many synth manufacturers dont provide there synths with a cupple of rows of instant access patch selection buttons, this for me as a live player is a deal breaker and would never buy a keyboard with out them. but it seems to me most other synth players cant care less , so i can only assume that they dont play live. apart from that his synth does sound extreemly good so its , for me a big shame that such a synth is therfore useless to me as it doesnt appear to have qick access patch buttons as many other synths like some prophets and the behringer deepmind 6/12 etc. which also dont have patch selection buttons.

[@SPAZZOID100]

carl aylward “their” & “couple”.

[@EverettDudgeon138]

carl aylward Use a midi foot controller to switch between patches.

[@randomaztec2208]

Went into a local store today and they had one of these.. It sounds massive but then so is the price tag

[@SPAZZOID100]

Price is reasonable.

[@randomaztec2208]

@@SPAZZOID100 yes I agree the sound of this thing is epic, the price comment was not intended to imply it wasn't worth the cost

[@ezquimal]

Parece un supernova con esteroides.

[@Jason75913]

probablemente lo es, desarroyando nuevos motores de sintesis(?) desde nada es costoso

[@marcinfatyga842]

I really liked this synth when I first got it but it has some pretty serious reliability issues. When you switch between poly/mono patches it's quite easy to get to the state where some voices get stuck forever (and according to Novation's support, it's part of normal functioning). I think I will get rid of it pretty soon, I advise anyone who is looking to buy one to watch out for that. Honestly, it's very disappointing for this price tier. It's even more disappointing to hear from Novation "working as expected, fix is not coming".

[@MajorOSC]

LOL dude please turn down the chorus depth. It does zero Justice for how good the course actually sounds when you have it turned that high. 😔Although I did like your A and B with the effects because a lot of reviewers never seem to do that as much

[@thelastinline6068]

My old-as-universe Yamaha Cs1x sounds better.

[@lardosian]

sure it does!

[@Rhythmattica]

If you said AN1x you could arguably be right...., But a ROMpler that is the CS1x ??? .. Sure.. It would do a better acoustic piano sound, even for a budget sample based board...... Geez.. Even a Roland SC55 would.... But for Synth sounds.? ... Not sure if Serious......

[@russ254]

ikr? I’m watching this on my phone, and this synth sounds like a phone!

[@famoustvstarr]

Not impressed with the patches or overall sound quality. Im looking for a synth that will knock my socks off. This didnt even come close.

[@MrJigstavo]

what has?

[@SPAZZOID100]

Nice synth, but seems to lack a strong sonic character. The Udo Super-6 has a very strong one.

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

I cant help myself, I’m not really impressed. Maybe it’s deepening on soundscaping skills of the player, but a synth at this pricepoint should kick your ass in a certain way, wich dont happend here. The same conventional synth architecture like in 20 years before. A boring arpeggiator, no sequencer, no audio usb, Text based display aso. The Summit can’t compete with Korg Prologue, Roland System 8, or even a Sequential Rev2. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice sounding, but not more! P. S. Iam not a cork sniffer ;-)

[@RayyMusik]

I largely agree. It‘s more or less a workhorse synth with a pretty good UI. I own a Prophet Rev2 which also has 2 layers/16 voices, and I love it. For wavetable sounds and other contrasting ‘digitality’ I recently bought a Hydrasynth instead, my FM machine is a MODX. No need for the Summit. However, it is certainly a good choice for beginners or those who can only afford one synth.

[@Robguitarjarvis]

I agree too, this sounds wonderful but the supernova 2 had so much more, you could have a whole 8 parts playing at once, each with its own (excellent ) fx too. I can’t understand why Novation missed this option, it would have been a sure fire winner especially if they’d have included a sequencer. Such a waste of design skill because it truly sounds fantastic, I would have bought this but for the fact I’ve owned a supernova 2 that was much better and there’s a lot of missed opportunity in the summit . Anyone who has a Waldorf quantum, Hydrasynth or wavestate is not going to need this, whereas the sequential pro 3 however is packed with features, sequencer, SEM, ladder filter,,etc, superb mod matrix. Thus I’ll be getting the pro 3 instead.

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@Robguitarjarvis got the pro 3 and yes it was worth it. was looking at the summit but i own a prologue. Honestly i feel the prologue sounds a bit better but this does have some nice leads, a nice layout, aux in and aftertouch. Not sure i can justify buying this though. Love Novation though. No hate there.

[@Robguitarjarvis]

Beat Wilson I just got my pro 3 last week, I think it’s a brilliant synth, sounds really nasty in a good way and the sequencer is fab, there’s so much attention to the way modulation can be controlled and applied which is one of the last great statements Bob Moog made about future progression in synth design before he passed. I’ve owned a voyager and have the Matriarch, Ob6, Waldorf Quantum ( killer synth 👍) plus a few others and can safely say the pro 3 is awesome. I’m impressed. Still be nice to have this Novation too though 😂.

[@embodie_breaks7089]

@@Robguitarjarvis Thats awesome I didnt know that about Bob. I really love the Pro 3 and how Intuitive it is. The sequencer is great and I do love how dirty it is. I was thinking about buying another synth in the near future. Ive never owned a Moog myself so I was debating on grabbing a Subsequent 37 even tho the Pro 3 covers much of that ground it would be nice to have that Moog sound for Leads. I started to glance at some poly synths... but cant decide yet. Are there any synths you suggest? I love the Waldorf Quantum but that guy is definitely out of my league in terms of price. Love the idea of Granular Synthesis though!