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Novation AFX Station Analog Monosynth

Novation announced the launching of Limited Edition AFX Station.

Introducing the Limited Edition AFX Station.

The new AFX Station is a collaboration with electronic music luminary Aphex Twin.

The limited edition is the Bass Station II, meaning the Base Station II has been relaunched with an AFX twist.

There are 2 ways of perceiving the new AFX Station: – a collaborations and on the one hand, it is a powerful signature synth that might turn out to be pretty collectable – not to mention a lot of fun to play with; on the other, it is just a re-badged version of something that already existed.

The story starts in 2013, when Novation released the Bass Station II – a successor to 1993’s popular Bass Station synth. Subsequently, in 2019, a firmware update endowed the Bass Station II with the AFX Mode; designed with the help of Aphex Twin – Richard D James, this assigned a discrete set of synthesis parameters to each note.

This effectively meant that every key on the 25 note synth-action keyboard could become a new patch, enabling you to use it as an analogue drum module, sound design tool or just a good old bass or lead powerhouse. It is this AFX Mode that inspired the AFX Station – essentially a signature Aphex Twin version of the Bass Station II. The mode comes pre-installed, and there is a new look that enable it make easier to access.

In addition, you get 128 new synth patches, plus seven new overlay banks. Graphical changes include some touches of purple on the mainly black casing, plus an Aphex logo round the back. And the ‘giftbox’ is designed by AFX collaborator Weirdcore.

Base Station II owners can have all the new features for free.

The AFX Station costs $455/£399 and is available in limited numbers.

Novation Launchkey Mini (MK3) 25-Key MIDI Keyboard

Novation has come up with a new and improved version of the LaunchKey Mini. The Launchkey Mini Mk3 is designed to be a portable controller for Ableton Live and the Mk3 reworking brings it line with the style of their SL Mk3 super-controller.

The Novation Launchkey Mini MK3 has a sleek design that is similar to its predecessor, the Mini MK2. As well as its 25 mini keys – which Novation says are its best, most responsive yet – this sports new pitch and modulation touchstrips, a sustain pedal input, and new RGB backlighting for the 16 pads. The LaunchKey Mini Mk3 has an arpeggiator. It can run up to 4 octaves in multiple directions and rhythms with swing and adjustable gate time. It has a Mutate mode which brings in interesting variations and a Deviate rhythm to explore a bit of unexpected movement. There is more, though, with the Fixed Chord mode and arpeggiator enabling you to trigger chords with a single note and turn held chords into riffs, melodies and sequences. The Fixed Chord enables you to store any chord you play and then play that same chord on any key you press and the chord stays in memory until you hit the button again.

LaunchKey Mini is designed for controlling Ableton Live 10 and there is a free “Lite” copy in the box to get you started. You can trigger Live 10’s Capture MIDI feature with a dedicated button, operate the transport and mixer, and tweak Device Macros with the eight included rotary controllers. This feature would enable you to cut down on your mouse and keyboard time.

Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 comes with mapping templates for other DAWs, too, while a MIDI Out means that it can be used with hardware synths as well. The supplied software bundle includes virtual instruments and plugin effects from AAS, Softube, Spitfire Audio, XLN Audio and Klevgrand.

The Novation LaunchKey Mini Mk3 is available now.

Novation Summit Two-Part 16-Voice 61-Key Polyphonic Synthesizer

Novation have recently launched the Novation Summit, a 16 voice poly-synth. The Summit is basically a two Peaks in one box, which you can use as a single synth engine or split the keys, or pick two separate patches that can be layered, blended. The Novation Summit features 5 octaves, 61-note semi-weighted, velocity sensitive aftertouch keyboard.

The Novation Summit is a combination of digital and analogue technology, using Novation’s New Ox-ford Oscillators to provide a high-resolution digital sound source that is then processed through a stereo analogue signal path. Signal path incorporates dual multimode filters and an analogue VCA per-voice. In addition, are three stages of analogue distortion – pre- and post-filter, and post-VCA. The Oxford oscillators are capable of classic waveforms, FM synthesis and wavetable synthesis.

Besides, the Novation Summit packs an onboard arpeggiator that allows you to arpeggiate some of your favorite patches, this instrument also has two stereo outputs, a headphone out and a stereo input, which allows external signals to be processed via the onboard effects using one of the synth’s two multitimbral parts. There is a signal CV modulation input, too. This synth can also run as a MIDI controller.

Key Features:

• Polyphony – 16 Voice polyphony
• Voice Modes – 5 : Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2
• Oscillators – 48 (3 per voice)
• Modes: Layered, Split, Bi-timbral
• LFO – 2
• Ring Modulator: 1
• Noise Generator: 1
• Waveforms: Triangle, Saw, Square, Pulse
• Pre and Post Filter Distortion
• 16 Modulation Slots Per Patch
• Aftertouch
• Software Included: Ableton Live Lite

I believe this is a truly impressive synthesizer, especially for those who favor poly-synths. The Novation Summit is now available.