Analogue where it matters – Digital where it counts
Peak is an eight-voice desktop polyphonic synthesiser with three New Oxford Oscillators for each voice. The oscillators sound completely analogue by being high-quality NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators), but gain the flexibility of the digital domain with 17 digital wavetables. They can also become a linear FM source using either the analogue-sounding NCOs or digital wavetables – so are able to cross-modulate in an recursive loop.
The synth has a resonant multi-mode analogue filter for each voice, and three distortion points for each voice – pre-filter, post-filter and global – in an analogue signal chain. Peak is capable of receiving polyphonic aftertouch, which puts expression right at your fingertips. Reverb, delay and chorus effects are at one's disposal, and there is also an on-board arpeggiator.
The modulation system puts a 16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments in the main controls, cleverly arranged for intuitive patch design and sound editing. There are three ADSR envelopes and two LFOs for each voice, and more elaborate movements and secondary ‘via’ assignments are made just a few menu button presses away. In addition, two animate buttons give live performers instant one-touch transformation of patches.
Peak connects to modular systems via a CV modulation input, and has MIDI I/O on five-pin DIN ports, so other MIDI gear can be connected. Via USB, Peak can be plugged into Mac or PC, where unlimited patches can be kept using the Components software.
Features:
Innovative New Oxford Oscillators using two waveform generating techniques: NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) and 17 digital wavetables
Pre-filter and post-filter distortion per voice, plus global distortion
Polyphonic aftertouch and linear FM
Extensive modulation system, with 16-slot modulation matrix and 16 direct assignments controlled on the front panel
Three ADSR envelopes and two LFOs per voice, plus animate buttons for instant modulation switching
High-quality reverb, delay and chorus effects, and onboard arpeggiator
CV modulation input for integration with modular systems
Compact desktop module design with optional die-cast aluminium stand for positioning (not included)
What’s In The Box
Novation Peak polyphonic synthesiser
USB cable
Power supply
Included Software
Ableton Live Lite music making software
Loopmasters sounds and samples
Technical Specifications
Product Hardware Specifications
42 Control knobs
8 35mm Sliders
1 Volume knob
2 Data encoders
Rubberised knob caps with spun metal discs
30 Function buttons (not lit)
16 Function buttons (lit)
2 Animate buttons plus hold button
90 Indicator LEDs
OLED display
Kensington Security Slot
Power switch
Power supply connector
USB B 2.0 / MIDI comms only (no bus-power)
MIDI In / Out / Thru
2 1/4" jack socket for continuous or switched pedals
3.5mm jack socket for CV in
1/4" jack sockets for left and right outputs
1/4" jack socket for headphone output
Metal chassis with American walnut wooden end cheeks
Metal magnetic inset end pieces
Synth Engine
8 voice polyphonic (voice modes available unison etc.)
Mono-Timbral
5 Voice Modes - Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2
Per Voice
3 oscillators
1 noise generator
1 ring modulator
2 LFOs
1 Amp envelope and 2 mod envelopes
1 Filter
Waveforms
Sine, tri, sawtooth, square / pulse plus 17 wavetables of 5 waveforms per row
Filter
1x State variable OTA filter per voice
12/24dB slope
Low-pass / band-pass / high-pass
Pre-filter overdrive
Post-filter distortion
Modulation
16 modulation slots per patch
Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination
Mod Sources
Direct (depth)
Modulation wheel
Aftertouch (polyphonic and channel AT)
Expression pedal 1
Expression pedal 2
Keyboard velocity
LFO1 positive
LFO1 bi-polar
LFO2 positive
LFO2 bi-polar
Amp envelope
Mod envelope 1
Mod envelope 2
Animate 1
Animate 2
CV mod input bi-polar
Mod Destinations
Oscillator 1-3 frequency, v-sync level, shape amount and level
Noise source level
Ring modulator output level
Overal synth output level
Filter drive, distortion, cut-off frequency and resonance
LFO 1 and 2 frequency
Amp env / mod env 1 / mod env 2 attack, decay and release