The Novation Peak And Friends - Comparing Synths

I thought it might be a useful exercise to try to recreate a song I originally wrote on the Peak but using a different synthesizer. After many hours of frustration and a degree of self-inflicted masochism I ended up recreating it four times on different synthesizers. This video is the result.

[@boyracer3000]

This was a very informative, high quality video! Thank you!

[@synthplayer1563]

Hi Tim, that was very very interesting and valuable. Thank you for your great effort. After a time of listening my favorites were clearly B, A, C. I was very happy that in the end these were 3 synthesizers I own. ;-) Such a comparison has much musical meaning. I thought it would be even better if one use for each track/synth the same external effects and only the raw sound of each. This is one of the best comparison videos I ever heard.

[@mentalmikebeats]

Exceptional video, thank you for you knowledge and input.

[@maxmatson1578]

I appreciate you giving props to the monologue!👌 I got mine in red and it's my little mainstay!🎹🎧💫😵👍

[@dnch]

damn thats a lot of work, thanks for doing that.. as for my favorites (judging only by the examples) very closely B, A.... gap... C, D , E

[@encrust1]

Amazing comparison. Thank you for putting so much care into a really useful video. Model D has it for me!

[@dash3dot]

Same here, throughout the entire comparison the synth B (Model D) caught my attention right away but what really shocked me was that synth C which I hated the most was a DeepMind which I absolutely love from KZbin videos. Seems like it's not suited for that kind of sound.

[@RoyMaya]

Great job putting this together. I myself preferred the sound of A and was hoping it would be the Peak. It just had more of a full stereo sound to it that I enjoyed. Next I liked B which I see is the Model D. I also didn't jell with the sound of the Minilogue when I demoed one. I think I'm really gonna like the Peak when I pick one up. Thanks for the demo.

[@MajorOSC]

Peak is a special synth. Where to begin... OSCar creator is the mastermind / designer, which is pretty special. The free expansion pack from GForce (Imposcar, Minimonsta) sound designers is a great add in. Above all, I'm amazed at the sound quality. It's clean, high resolution, precise, and immersive. Just amazing. Constantly fights my OB6 module for my attention lol.

[@MaverickM1]

Major OSC and its layout is very well organized and pretty intuitive. I love it.

[@AndyVonal]

Nicely done! There was a surprise or two in there. I would never have picked up on the Quasimidi. That was a bit of a curve ball but a nice reminder that the old stuff can sound good too. We used to use the Quasimidi 309 in a group I was in way back, and l always liked what it did even though it was limited to 909 style drums and a single bass line. Regarding the Quasimidi Polymorph, I feel much the same way as you do about my Novation SuperNova. Similar period machine. It's supposed to be "analogue modelling" but it never really manages it completely, yet it sounds great, nonetheless. It's not old enough to be "vintage" and not special enough to be a "classic" but it will always be a "great synth" and will have a place in my heart and my set up for a long while yet.

[@HOLODECK-MUSIC-PROJECT]

Andrew Brooks patches are outdated

[@Robotique69]

A HQ video, in all aspects - I enjoyed it a lot! Keep it up!

[@gossamyr]

I noticed B first obviously due to its punch, but I really liked A when it was doing leads, they were super creamy and full. As a peak owner i'm reassured a little and glad I didn't gamble on the dm. This was a mathematically necessary conversation to have, thank you for doing it. I personally love permutation type stuff, it's like strength training for tedium, so it doesn't affect some of us as much. cheers.

[@christiangibson2960]

I know I am kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online?

[@larryalan3078]

@Christian Gibson flixportal :D

[@christiangibson2960]

@Larry Alan thanks, I went there and it seems to work =) I really appreciate it !

[@larryalan3078]

@Christian Gibson No problem :)

[@AvengingEnder]

Here's what I thought: B, A, C, D, E. Though all had their strengths and weaknesses. B and A clearly sound higher quality and as MODERN synth sounds. C has a superb retro sound. D seems to have a bit lower resolution than B and A. E has a more bizarre retro character and a bit lower resolution than C. Like you said though, this is very much NOT a fair comparison in a lot of ways, as they are not remotely perfect recreations of each other. I think B and A sound like equals, just with slightly different patch settings. For example, the filter cutoff seemed higher on B than A, making A sound a bit duller in some passages than the livelier B. If not that, then the Peak has other ways to add more beef like choosing a different waveform that would sound more similar to the Model D's. I empathize with how much time it took to get it to this point, thanks for the video!

[@anton.che.musica]

Wow! Great job! Thank you for that! Soundwise the best synth for me was Monologue. I didn’t expect such a rich and warm tone from this little guy. Currently, have Circuit Mono Station as my bass synth, which has terrific sequencer, parameter locks and it’s actually paraphonic, but... I can’t bear the fact that I don’t really like how it sounds.

[@TimShoebridge]

Che Anton Thanks a lot. Yes the Monologue surprised me too, at one point I play it one octave lower than the others (by accident!) and it sounds amazing. A bit too thin for me higher up the octave range but otherwise sounded great. I was also surprised how easy it was to program given that the envelope and modulation capabilities are quite basic.

[@femto859]

Seems your thinking of a punchy mono bass sound regarding to "thick and warm" - makes sense for me regarding your cms since the bass station circuit is kinda phasey

[@uhldev]

Awesome video. It really shows how different synthesizers fundamentally are and why musicians should pursue creating our own characters, not emulations. Part of synthesis for me at least, especially in modular, is the journey to a great tone not always getting that tone immediately. I think also with synths and what I never considered is how an synth sits in a mix. I struggled for months with theMatrixBrute to get it to sit well and eventually I realized the “brute” sound is just super difficult to fit with other analog synths with warm characters. I eventually sold it. Anyways great video and production as always

[@TimShoebridge]

Thanks very much. Ah the matrixbrute! I have lusted after that synth for a long time but thankfully I have no room in my small studio for it, so I don't even have to start thinking about selling kidneys and other organs! ;)

[@cariboux2]

Thanks! Very interesting.

[@g-d-b]

Great comparison. Some surprises there! 1. A - Big, bold and clear, modern and exciting 2. E - Very unusual but very pleasant analog sounding 3. B - Solid 4. C - Unstable. Wobbly 5. D - Cheap and thin

[@davidsobel3303]

I was really surprised that B sounded very close to A. The Peak has such a rich tone that I kept waiting for that to come around to hear it again. Yeh, you really picked an odd project to do that comparison. I would've thought that with all the different setting and configurations that it would be a nightmare. But good on ya for doing it anyway:)

[@jamesallnight1291]

Really, they all sound reasonably well, a little effects and some processing can do, ps love my xd

[@alexanderbluhm8841]

B>A>C>D>E For me

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Yes it is I actually purchased a spare as well for the studio. Its an excellent instrument.

[@mrwplay1]

Great video. I was shocked when did the big reveal. Right from the start, one really shined..... “B”. It sounded smooth, warm, classy Moog. I am really tempted to buy one. My order was B, A, C, E, D. For me, I felt the Monologue was too thin. Maybe it was at lower levels. Thanks

[@Jake5577]

Great comparison. By ear, I chose A Novation Peak and the in second place C the Deepmind, which is interesting as these are the two I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better.

[@Fruitbat-tb3lg]

My favs before I saw the results were C,B,A,E,D. Surprised me when I heard which synth was which. I might take a longer look at the Behringer synths now.

[@dsuccezz]

B & C sounded great!

[@AdamsOlympia]

The Peak has surprisingly deep bass , only slightly edged out by Moogy Booger. I'm very curious how Virus TI2 would have held up on this overall test -- Just ordered one, despite never hearing any Virus synth outside of youtube. This video was has indeed helped me decide on my next purchase: B-Moog Is up there on top of my list now -- the one and only bass synth I'll ever need... (followed by Dread nymph for dreamy lead/pad.) ..

[@timothyhills3194]

Nice song 💪💪💪🎶🎶🎹🎹🎹👍👌

[@videosuperhighway7655]

If you are looking for a rich sounding polyphonic look at the DSI P6

[@laylahassomethingtosay]

For me it goes: A > E > B > C > D Spoilers below: . . . I guess it makes sense that the song sounds best on the synth it was written with. But I wonder how people’s responses would vary if a different synth were put first in the rotation because I imagine that we’re taking in a lot of information in those first few seconds and comparing every other synth with A as the benchmark. I think if that’s the case, then it only makes sense that the Model D would be so far up in many rankings because it is the most similar sounding to the Peak. And I’ll agree that the Model D can’t be beat when it comes to punchy baselines. However I still think there’s a certain charm to the Polymorph. It feels to me that the only other synth here that can even step into the same realm of its timbre is the Deepmind.

[@g-d-b]

Same for me!

[@galifettetv1238]

Hi Tim, this post was maybe the main reason to decide myself buying a deepmind. Honestly, I did not manage to actually get the sound I like, same as you with the korg. Lack of oscillators, of VCO shapes, too much menu diving to get the sweet spots, etc... Then I replaced it by a Typhon. What a good fat synth... Please help me to find a polyphonic typhon!

[@skyreadersociety6183]

what I really like about those "blindtests" is that you are really listening. To me Synth C really stood out - and I was very much suprised that it was the deepmind. I came here for the Peak ... which didn't appeal too much to me along with the monologue ...

[@EarlyMist]

I love the Korg Monologue. It wasnt my favourite in this demo in fact my second last. But for my purposes I just love the little thing. Battery power is a massive bonus (use it with a Roland SH01a and korg drum etc, Zoom L6 to record, all battery powerered)

[@markushorn]

Great job! Very interesting. When I first listened to it, Synth B was my favorite followed by Synth E (believe it or not) and A, I think the Deepmind and Monologue are the ones, that sound weakest - at least on this track. By the way, you did not mention which one you prefer yourself.

[@galifettetv1238]

Deepmind does sound weak.

[@galifettetv1238]

4 years! Since then we have had the hydrasynth, the nymphes, the polyD, the cobalt/argon...Good time for low budget synths...

[@singechamberlain2967]

That was fun. Synth A sounded the best to me, followed by B,

[@jspiro]

AC..BED. But what I really learned was that while my preference for A and C were strong and nearly a toss-up, the whole thing was nearly a toss-up because I couldn't tell you why I preferred A or C, just that I did-they all did well and you did well in the patching. I'm guessing a more low-end comparison may have been clearer, since that's the sound I'm looking for.

[@hawktoof8290]

The Polymorph is dated but has this 90's rave character that's always useful ;)

[@sbookholt]

Cool comparison! Shows to me all synths have their strengths. A has very nice stereo feel to it and sounds most like a finished production. B is most beefy, C is great for the brighter tones, and E is very snappy. Not sure where D excels in but sounds fine. I know how much work this is, thanks!

[@eduugr]

Hi! I have a Minilogue XD and I have the same sort of feeling about it. I also have a Blofeld for digital sounds: I love the unit, but it's sometimes tricky and noisy. I reached this video because I'm about to seel the XD and the Blofeld to try out the Peak.... I was wondering if that analog filter gives a "warm" sound despite the digital oscillators. What is your impression? Thanks!!

[@YanivhmTube]

Very nice video just discovered it. Can learn a lot from this project. By hearing test I liked A + C. Third was B. And didn't like D+E so much. C had very unique patch. A did good at lower ends So.. Guess Liked the deep mind and the peak 🙂

[@jasonramler]

In my opinion, the Novation Peak has a great sound that is the most balanced and pleasing. The Moog D definitely brings the beef, but it almost needs a little e.q cutting in the low end to make it sound more balanced. The tone is great though. To me the worst maybe the Deepmind. It sounds ridiculously thin compared to the others. Maybe, like you said in a comment below, it was a programming issue. The Monologue is o.k, but it tends to sound a little "mushy", not as crisp and clear as the Moog and Peak.

[@sonicenergyauthority2338]

interesting experiment.. kind of thought A would be the Peak, but thought B would be the Deepmind, so was pleasantly surprised to discover it was the Model D. Wasn't impressed by the sound of D, and E (E being my least fav).

[@CharlesFerraro]

I liked synth B the best. Synth C was bright and loud. Synth D was probably 2nd place for me. Surprised by the answers! I generally dislike the Moog sound and definitely gravitate towards Korg. I’ve never really liked the Deepmind.

[@randommcranderson5155]

I loved C and B the best - turns out I already own B. Might have to look into C or a behringer polyd.

[@lucasj7577]

I liked A quite a bit. And I somehow thought E was better than C. Maybe more character due to it’s lofi ness.

[@MakeMagic]

Blind thoughts: B - sounds lovely. Clear winner. A - is decent. Hit and miss... some parts sound better than others. C - isn't as good as B but has a really pleasant sounding filter characteristic. D - sounds horrible. Really harsh and skinny. (Please don't be a synth I own!!) E - sounds cheap and soulless. Reminds of a Virus. Revealed thoughts: Yeah I'm definitely buying the Behringer Poly D now haha; B just totally outclassed the others . I'd have thought C was the Roland JDXA as it sounds familiar and I've got one. Surprised how nice the Deepmind sounds; nothing like the others but still easy on the ear. I'm pleased D isn't anything I own or have ever considered. E doesn't surprise me it's VA! Not that VA is necessarily bad but that Quasimidi was quite early tech I think?

[@MauricioMaisterrena]

Which version is your favorite?

[@TimShoebridge]

I don’t really have a favourite, my intention was not to find the best synth or anything like that. I really struggled to get the DeepMind to sound anything like the Peak patches. The DM oscillators are very different while the Peak patches heavily rely on sawtooth waveforms, so I would say the DM was my biggest disappointment, or rather, my ability to program it was my biggest disappointment! But I’m really not using it to its strengths in this video to be honest. The closest to the Peak was the Behringer Model D, and it was the fastest for me to program. I had tuning issues with it of course but I think its likeness to the Peak is actually a big compliment equally to both those synths. And like I said the Monologue was a nice surprise, but definitely sounds better - beefier - at lower registers than higher up the scale. I have another video almost complete featuring that synth.

[@DavidMateos56]

Overall best: A Suprisingly good on smaller speakers (phone, bluetooth speakers and such...): D Close 3rd: B "OK": C Terrible: E

[@thchris]

that was interesting. A/Peak won this for me. B ist very close, and I also I really like Synth D but it feels a bit less powerful as A and B. C was OK but not really great and E felt just a bit boring and flat. I think a comparison between different synths where you would make the "same" song but with using elements and sounds that are more tailored towards the specific strengths and features of each synth could be interesting too.

[@florianinside5666]

Can we get the patch for the DeepMind, please? ☺️

[@femto859]

old video i know - for me not adjusting the volume level is a sinn for comparing synths/sounds

[@postRMO]

straught away said to myself A, theres something out the filter on the peak

[@KNHSynths]

Without any doubt, the best (for me) was the Model D, a real full and big analog sound, all the others were sounding cheap compared to it with one exception for the Monologue that was not so bad. I was disappointed to know Synth A was the Novation Peak, I love the sound of this synth, but it fails to compete with the Model D. Perhaps I was influenced by the sound of my own Behringer Model D, but it was the one that had the best analog sound in this demo. All others were very "acid" and had too much agressive trebles for my hears.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

This is why I own a Minimoog and a Peak. Both are great if you use them appropriately. I can get great sounds on both.

[@alexwestconsulting]

peak (A) and model D (B) sounded markedly similar. deepmind (C) sounded best IMO. Monologe (D) didn't sound much better that the quasmidi (E).

[@faxmurder]

1st B 2nd C 3rd A 4th E 5th D

[@df4630]

3 hours trying to match envelopes? YOLO

[@robertoovalleiconesdoprogr8887]

EXCUSE-ME BUT I DO NOT AGREE THE DEEPMIND SOUND TOO WEAK AS HE SOUND IN THIS VIDEO. I HEAR SOME VIDEOS AND COMPARISONS WHERE THE BASS SOUND ( MAINLY ) ISNT WEAK AS WE HEAR HERE. PROBABLY EQUALIZATION AND OTHER PARAMETERS MUST BE CHECKED OUT TO ENSURE THE EVALUATION.

[@kierenmoore3236]

This is an awful way of comparing synth sounds … You need to A/B the same phrase/passage … not this exercise in inconsistency …