Novation Mininova patches - my opinion
When I started working on this soundbank, I simply wanted to "transfer" the patches from my Novation Circuit patches soundbank to the Novation Mininova / Ultranova. It seemed to me that since they are the same synthesis engines, there should be no problems. However, it turned out differently.
Both engines differ in several important elements. The number of oscillators, LFOs, envelopes is different, the types of waves in wavetable osc are different (which caused me the most problems), the possibilities of the modulation matrix and the configuration of modulation knobs are different. The effects and their order are also different. Long story short: Circuit and Mininova can only sound identical if the sound you create takes advantage of the common features of both engines. Otherwise, we are dealing with two different instruments. I realized this quite quickly.
It also quickly turned out that Mininova has its own character and its possibilities are really wide. This synthesizer can sound great, which was a big surprise for me: I'm not a fan of the design of this instrument, I think that the front panel could be designed completely differently (and much better!). Creating sounds solely based on hardware is difficult and simply there is no fun at all (so I had to use a VST application). So, in a sense, this is a lost opportunity on Novation, because poor and complicated hadrware hides a really fantastic software: engine itself and effects.
The Virtual Osc function is particularly effective as it adds further harmonics to the original oscillator. Playing with it and modulating gives the Mininova its own, specific, "digital" character - that's why this set of sounds includes so many different types of "metallic" sounds - I tried to make sure that these were not cheesy and sounds - every one has its own "organic" feeling and character.
Another great idea is to attach Vsynt to the modulation knob - thanks to this we can quickly obtain a completely new type of sound while maintaining the same dynamics and types of modulation. Great fun, thanks to which I couldn't resist "playing" with the sounds I created.
I really recommend keeping this synthesizer in your collection and trying to get to know its capabilities. It will be a perfect complement to the studio setup, a fantastic generator of various types of ambient pads etc. And let's not forget - we also have very good sounding effects on board and we can arrange them in different orders. What's more - the manufacturer allows you to use the feedback effect on the effects track - you can really go crazy here.
The editing software can be installed as the VST plugin - Novation Mininova then turns into a plugin itself. Therefore, it is worth getting to know the capabilities of this instrument also in the VST version - it can be great for projects carried out in a DAW environment.
