One of my favorite features on Summit which i think you'll like (since i saw you cranking that reverb) is in the FX menu, routing D->R->C Delay to reverb to chorus, and cranking feedback up on Delay and reverb. Delay won't go past infinite and start feedback but it will go on forever. it builds into HUUUGGGEEE swells, then turn up the chorus and you're now drowning in sound. -- Incredible video, instantly sub'd!
1day Ricky has the best delivery of all synth/beat production UA-cam. Natural, passionate, humble, and great at explaining more complex ideas and concepts.
Glad to see you enjoyed it Christian. I designed a bunch of the wavetables which were added in the 1.2 update to Peak and which can now be found in Summit. I also have a bank of some presets which are being released shortly via Novation (these were also made on the Peak so none of that sexy layering available sadly). Very much recommend playing around with the modulation matrix and particularly the one for the FX section, there is a lot of fun to be had in there!
I've recently discovered your channel and I must say it's one of the best and most well put together channels in the audio geekery spectrum that's on UA-cam! Keep up the great content mate! I love your style and how it's almost shot and edited as if it's a documentary. I feel as though I'm watching a Channel Two doc each time.
I have a Peak, and love it. I play it with my Poly Aftertouch Hydrasynth keyboard. They work well together, and it has CV outs, to pair with your Summit. You might enjoy the fact that the Hydrasynth Explorer that is coming out this Winter can be battery powered, is compact, light, relatively cheap for what it is. If the Summit sits high on Hybrid Highlands, Hydrasynth is Digital Atlantis. You can carry it outside and play anywhere, where it's almost a polyphonic digital modular. But it's not rain proof.
Great demo. I'm a firm believer that it's not pure analog that is paramount, it's how much the synth can do, how capable and deep it is, and how interactive it is to program and tweak in real time between it's knobs, sliders, buttons and hopefully minimal menus. This is where the true organic sonic expression exists between the synth, and the musician.
I've slowly been brought over into the NEED THIS category. A digital synth is a missing link in my setup, so this beauty is certainly in the running for the next purchase.
Ernest Grouns I use Fl studio and use digital synths and make music using its piano roll, however you can use a midi controller like an akai mpk, However If you want to spend more money nothing would stop you from buying a digital synth.
Hybrid synth, not digital. You explain the signal path a few minutes in, but this can be really confusing to folks, based on what I've seen on various groups. The Supernova you mentioned was truly digital (and also a really nice synth), this is digital + analog(ue). Some of the effects (like distortion) are even analog(ue) here. I love my Peak, and am really interested in this. Novation has put together something really amazing. Great video.
Summit is my personal all-rounder fav of recent. The sexiest board to me right now is that new Vox Continental. Albeit, not a synth. But for synths, the Matrix Brute is very pretty and clean. The Dave Smith line-ups are always pretty.
The man who designed the Summit (and Peak) is Chris Huggett. As you said, he also designed the Wasp, Gnat and went on to create the OsCar. A very under-celebrated pioneer of British affordable synths. I love my Peak. Thanks again for an excellent channel.
So do I love my Peak, which I think is still just one of the best digital/analog hybrid synth that money can buy. Just everything is so well thought out and very well built with great sounds possible! And all this for a quite reasonable price, too! The Summit, being basically 2 Peaks side-by-side and some more certainly is an awesome machine and thus also quite big, but I'm really happy there is the Peak as a smaller brother of the Summit!
I've never actually owned a synth (only used software synths) but for me the holy grail would be to own a modern synth that had all the knobs and sliders in the right place so that I could use it as a live musical instrument, easily able to access all the patches and even record and play back multiple phrases and sounds.
It sounds almost "transwave-esgue" ala Ensoniq... this is Very interesting. So nice to hear the build quality is high! Unlike recent offerings from the big 3.. Very cool video!!
I have a peak and absolutely love it. That long tailed reverb is fantastic. It's also fun to note that the oxford oscillators have almost zero aliasing. Make sure to play with the ocillator settings (diverge and drift in particular)! I may purchase a summit to replace the leak eventually.
And if you really make ££££ out of music.Otherwise there is the perfect VST for anything.All one needs is a good masterkeyboard according to preferences(weighted or not) and a good laptop.
@@jayandgem thank you! But, like Christian mentioned, only thing u actually really need is a laptop, a DAW, and an SM75. I really need to learn more about sampling because I'm becoming lazy with all this good quality VST's by Spitfire 😂
Embrace those limitations. I am in the process of upgrading, money spent, money to spend and more to come - mostly from years of saving. I could have gone a few ways, all in the box, modular, desktops synths and mixer, Akai Force, hybrid setups. After too much thought and time I decided to spend it all on a PC setup. I know Ableton inside out, I can work fast and get quality out of it, so make it solid. So got a solid i9 laptop, UAD Thunderbolt interface with plugins, Console 1, 8 controllers with 2 grid style controllers - no keybeds, they annoy me with their stupid layout. Fast stable, sounds amazing and everything in front of me, only touch the laptop for the odd tweak or sound design sessions. And all fits on one table and goes in a backpack, not that you’d want to carry it. Best decision I ever made. Hardware synths get in the way, they slow you down, spend more time on setups and configuring then playing, and fixing timing issues. Be a digital minimalist, get good and get fast, be contemporary and relevant.
Liam Bowen Highly recommend you pick up the Waldorf XT (or an XTk if you can find one in decent condition). The sound quality is realms beyond the Blofeld. While I like the layout of the Blofeld and how it visualizes waveforms, it’s D/A conversion reveals its shortcomings. The late 90’s Waldorf synths are in a league of their own. I have not played / owned any of the newest Waldorf to compare.
Becoming a bigger fan of Novation everyday. I own a Xio and a Launchkey. They sent me free knobs that were missing on my Xiosynth. Not many companies would do that. That earned my respect. This thing rocks!
Thank you for such an indepth review. Have been deep diving UA-cam to get my head round a synth purchase. Think you've just got me to the Summit. A fun climb!
@Ehsan Gelsi uses the 8-voice Peak in many of his live setups, alongside other pieces of gear. It certainly has a very nice sound and is why I listen to his live UA-cam sessions. IMHO the DSI Pro2 is one of the greatest looking and equally awesome sounding synths. Because I own one of course. I’m certainly interested in the 16-voice Summit. Great review/walk thru. Cheers.
Ooh, I'm looking forward to this. I bought a peak sometime ago and doing a side by side comparison with omnisphere, even though the peak was immediately more playable and sounded great with basic sounds, I couldn't say the difference was enough to justify the price (the only 8 voices was a factor too), so I returned it. Since then I'm more experienced in sound design, and I've realised how much actual hardware makes a difference to me. I've been eyeing a Rev2 for some time but then this comes out and it is literally everything I want in a poly synth.
+1 for the CS-80! And while we're talking digital, Dune 3 (highly underrated imo) and Arturia Pigments are both very inspiring VSTis to work with and come up with unique and beautiful sounds...
recently purchased mine after a few months debating. I loved the look of it but was pit off by the firmware issues. The latest upgrade corrected those (April 22) and went straight out and bought it. Brilliant synth...
The Summit is a great example what can be achieved with modern digital over-clocked 3 per voice Oscillators, a great user-interface, a lot modulation options, and analog FX. Great build quality, at a price that would be difficult to beat. $1999 US MAP Price. Novation has attained a reputation for high quality and great customer service. The Summit is a Keeper!
@@maydaygoingdown5602 Over price? I don't think so. Out of reach for some people? You bet. I'm retired so I don't have $2000 laying around to spare. But compared to the Prophet Rev2 16 voice, its the same price. I've seen/played a Rev 2 a guy I know bought. My opinion is its a couple of days short of a week. The build quality is OK, the Reverb is cheesy,The Rev 2 lacks the bottom end. I wouldn't buy one. I don't believe its worth $1500, especially considering that you can get a Korg Prologue probably for the same price or less money. $2000 for a 16 voice Rev2 over a Summit? No chance. I own an original Prophet 5 Rev3.2 and its a great synth I bought new in 1981. Reliable, great filter, it has balls. But If I could pony up the money I would buy a Summit.
Heard this thing in action by a grammy winning rnb producer and HAD to get one ! Ready for it to launch in October! 🔥🔥👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 great review it is by far the best synth since the old roland days!
The Waldorf Quantum is definitely one of the most interesting synths of the past few years, however quite a price tag (but I know you are very willing to take the bullet for the team).
The Matriarch is one FANTASTIC machine. I might sell my Sub37 CV for the Matriarch. Just wish you could save patches somehow on the Matriarch. Check out Lisa's demo here: ua-cam.com/video/nbPqOfRzlGY/v-deo.html&frags=pl%2Cwn. So many KILLER synths out now!
Something about the Hydrasynth looks good. I also like the new Montage and Fantom. Then you got the Moog Matriarch which is colorful and just begs to be played.
The Hydrasynth wins in the area of workflow and user interfacing - there is no competition - full stop. However unfortunately the lower end frequencies do suffer fidelity loss, you are unable to achieve the massive sounds for one reason or the other. When you think of the background of these developers - it is troubling why is the lower end rather thin sounding.
Hi Marcus, I do not own the Hydrasynth, however I do marvel at its design with regard to the instrument panel and functions. The Hydrasynth indeed takes the lead in this area of user interfacing. What I do not like is its loss of lower end fidelity and when compared to the UDO, it lacks effects in the filter stage. All that being said, I heading towards the UDO over the Hydrasynth.
I may be biased, but I think the "Oberheim" OB12 is a good looking synth - lovely shade of blue, lots of well laid out tactile control, and a large-ish LCD screen with nice graphical displays (although the screen on mine packed in years ago)
This synths sounds great but I'm really excited about the UDO Audio Super 6 synth which sounds and more importantly looks great to me. I've seen people swapping the knobs on synths like the Rev2 and changing the skin on a B*******r Neutron and that can really improve the appearance
@ I commented 5 years ago and no idea what I was thinking at the time although I do like the look of the UDO synths as they’re similar to the Roland JP6. The layout/look of a synth can put you in a certain mindset.
Sounds very ‘Depeche Mode’, ‘Fairlight’ ish. I HAVE GOT TO GRAB ONE OF THESE! The depth and richness of the sound is quite frankly SUPERB. Has a very retro feeling to it a la Roland or Korg back in the 80,s Synths are like a beautiful woman and a lot more reliable 👍🏻😂
Damn, this thing is pricey (2200 USD) but it looks like an absolute beast. This is the type of synth that if you put the time in to learn it you could probably do 80-90% of what you're looking to do when it comes to making music with this single synth.
The Nord Lead is total eye-candy with it's red sexily shaped exterior, sleek stone mod wheel, it's unique concave pitch bend stick, and, of course, a satisfying array of knobs and led lights. Most beautiful synth design ever IMHO, and it sounds like awesomeness too.
@chief tp That's amazing. I've been playing this thing for decades and it so looks and feels like stone that I never questioned it. I even took out my volt meter to test it and, sure enough, it conducts. Thanks for the interesting info.
Lots of knobs to twiddle, but as for sound, while it is nice, I've sort of heard it all before kind of thing. With all the free virtual synths out there, some of them very good, it must be difficult to sell real ones anymore other than the bonus of real knobs. I suppose that's still fun!
Bonus of real knobs or buttons/pads can come from midi controllers. It's not just the keyboards. Also they have some decent sound engine stuff built on Raspberry Pi, so you can put this compact and robust box on a rack and not even have to drag a laptop around. A bit of an underdog as a relative newbie, but also up-and-coming. Soft-synth stuff punches well above it's weight in terms of budget - which is something that should get these companies to take notice.
Soft synths are too temporarily. I have lots of them but can't use them anymore since they don't run anymore on the newest OS or are only 32bit or not reliable anymore. ALL my hardware synths still run and some are 40 years old.
@@Jupiter8Boy64 Im with ya. I want just a few software synths to cover my basis so I have a way to save my writing sessions. Beyond that Im investing in hardware. I dumped a ton of money into software samples though.... and I dont exactly trust Native Instruments to not keep upgrading Kontakt to where you cant use your samples, and with practically no real improvements, just so they can capitalize.
You're listening through a UA-cam video, the Summit literally shits over any VST, you'd never get the same sound out of a VST as what you get from the Summit. When you understand the technology of the Summit, you'll know why. 24MHz resolution DA converters, analog filters and distortion, the best reverb out there found on any synth. I've used VSTs for over 10 years, they just don't come close to the sound quality of something like the Summit.
Probably because of when I grew up, I love the sounds of the early digital synths and samplers, yes even the DX7 and M1 lol! "Warm" was not a complement back then. As far as looks the Matrix 12 looked awesome in person and I think the DX7 still looks clean, although of course the lack of knobs is not worth it. I used Dexed now and finally understand something about FM now
davetbassbos DX7 is still a great synth. Spend time with it and learn to program it and you can make amazing sounds with it. The DX1 was a lot easier to program and shame they didn’t make it easy on the DX7. The sounds I’m hearing in this video can be done on a DX7. So this is nothing new to me.
The Udo, having effects both in the pre and post filter stages giving a 3-D experience just like that in real life, is difficult to compete. What I do not like: The interface is rather unattractive, tries to duplicate a Roland in looks and distribution has progressed little.
Definetly my favorite Digital Synth/Hybrid that I own. Diverge and Drift features in the Oscillator Section will definetly make this sound more analog-ish if desired... The Overdrive and Distortion do help make up for some of the Harmonics always lost with digital OSC's...
The Novation Supernova 2 5 octave synth is the most beautiful looking synth. They should bring it back into production. It still looks and sounds gorgeous 20 years on.
@@NathanChisholm041 The Summit is, of course, polyphonic, whereas the MatrixBrute is monophonic/paraphonic. The Summit would make me happy, but I've pre-ordered the ExpressiveE Osmose, which is due sometime this autumn (it got delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis). It has a revolutionary MPE keyboard and includes the Eagan Matrix!
M-Audio Venom is a lovely looking little synth. Gloss white with orange labels and cool curvy sides. It's a weird one too. Not Virtual Analogue in the common sense, it uses samples of hundreds of oscillators and waveforms from other synths and then processes them through VA then into digital effects. Its a shame the keybed is crap because it sounds ace!
Korg Prologue is a real looker as long as you don’t touch it! Finger print magnet would be an understatement; but otherwise Japanese aesthetic design at its best IMO. A bit jealous of the Summit; it sounds pretty powerful! Monster of a synth!
As you say it is a marvelous machine but so is mine and a couple of others I own...harder to discern here perhaps than choosing who supplied my best sample libraries ever...on that I have no doubt ..you guys produce these IMHO .🙏🦄🎩
My two favorite synths today are Peak and Hydrasynth, well Summit would be even better than the Peak, but if I had the funds and nothing to do with being practical I'd love to have the Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Summit. Even being on a limited budget I still see a Hydrasynth and Peak in my future.
I am with you. I have a Novation Summit (for warm sounds, and 80s 'retro') and ASM Hydrasynth (49-key original) for cold, gnarly gritty and complex stuff. They complement each other brilliantly. The Summit and Hydrasynth Deluxe would be synth heaven. :)
The Waldorf Microwave XTk has to be my favourite looking synth ever. It's just so utterly obnoxious, but if you don't like that orange, the Nine Inch Nails black editions look lovely. Other favourite 'eye-candy' synths would probably be the Nord Modular G2, Oberheim OB-12, Quasimidi Sirius, Waldorf Q (yellow version), and Waldorf Quantum. Most of the recent Dave Smith synths look lovely too.
Thank you .There is a sense in that the LFO's can sequence .Also I believe that the ADSR has a loop function .Sequencing from an external source perhaps ? That is a very nice view from the rock .
Summit is my personal dream synth. I was all set to own the Hydrasynth as companion to my Korg Prologue and then I heard Summit in the blind and said-aloud-THAT IS THE SOUND! I did that, I said that out loud, in a room where only my cat was there to hear. Prologue is analog OSC, then hybrid; summit [special] Digi OSC, then Analog m. Nice balance. No turning back. Along the way, I’ve studied on polys twice the price…Summit has the gorgeous sound, to me. But…who cares now, right. ..this is 3 yrs old
Waldorf Quantum is a huge hybrid synth (granular sampler, wavetables, resonators and a pletora of other features), a sound design dream come true. It costs double as much than Summit (which is sad...) but the sound you can create are infinite.
Its like a modern day Korg DW8000. Digital oscs, analog filter, f/x. Sounds beautiful. Preset patch 'Floating Ether' up there with 'Soundtrack' and 'Universe'
I always have a handful of pieces of gear in a special sort of "one day soon" category. This is somewhere between "on my shopping list" and "I'll never own that": it's stuff I can't afford yet but would buy if the money magically appeared... I now think the Summit has to be added to that category! I previously wondered about the Super 6, but I now think the Summit would suit me better. I already have the Peak, but the Summit would encourage a lot more creativity due to the immediacy of the keyboard and the layering options.
I think I am in love with this synth. Haven't considered getting a synth controller but have been in the market and going back and forth between a 61 key NImk2 or 88 key NImk2. But for a bit more cash, this kind of answers a lot of things.
I’m looking forward to buying a Peak. I think they sound incredible. That said, in my personal opinion, the best digital synth ever created is the Access Virus.
@@jordyhoutman2654 Kawai have a lot of patches on site to download, and then to be honest I just use the knobs to adjust things to liking. I have got the last version of Sounddiver (3) on my studio Mac for when I want to got to town. Pity Apple don't revive it! - it was a very good asset and I find odd late 80s and 90s digital synths cheaper and more interesting than plugins :-) (Technics WSA, Casio VZ, Yamaha TG77 et al)
@@glennmckenzie1096 thanks for the answer, yes :-) agree on both revival of sounddive aand that 80s/90s digital synths are great and cheaper. However, the k5000(s) is getting more and more expensive.
Excellent choice, sir. It's encouraging to see a proper new flagship keyboard from Novation. It's been a long time since the Supernova II. If I didn't already have a Peak, I'd be seriously gassing for a Summit. I feel that there is only one area it's a little weak in, and that is classic osc sync sounds. But it's so brilliant at everything else...
Congratulations sandy, who’s the lucky synth!?
You win this one buddy
i think u need some sort of certificate
All synths are beautiful!
That was very nice to say! :)
... but some synths are more beautiful than others.
Sure, It has to work all that nonsense about analog or digital ....
no, only black synths matter 🤣🤣
I agree. To have access to such devices is really a blessing.
One of my favorite features on Summit which i think you'll like (since i saw you cranking that reverb) is in the FX menu, routing D->R->C Delay to reverb to chorus, and cranking feedback up on Delay and reverb. Delay won't go past infinite and start feedback but it will go on forever. it builds into HUUUGGGEEE swells, then turn up the chorus and you're now drowning in sound. -- Incredible video, instantly sub'd!
I totally read that in your voice lmao.
@@ceniza_honey me too! I also first thought of ricky when saw that this would be about the summit.
1day Ricky has the best delivery of all synth/beat production UA-cam. Natural, passionate, humble, and great at explaining more complex ideas and concepts.
Glad to see you enjoyed it Christian. I designed a bunch of the wavetables which were added in the 1.2 update to Peak and which can now be found in Summit. I also have a bank of some presets which are being released shortly via Novation (these were also made on the Peak so none of that sexy layering available sadly). Very much recommend playing around with the modulation matrix and particularly the one for the FX section, there is a lot of fun to be had in there!
I've recently discovered your channel and I must say it's one of the best and most well put together channels in the audio geekery spectrum that's on UA-cam! Keep up the great content mate! I love your style and how it's almost shot and edited as if it's a documentary. I feel as though I'm watching a Channel Two doc each time.
Bought Summit about 6 weeks ago and its probably one off the best synths ever made period!!
NATH C and what else you got?
I have a Peak, and love it. I play it with my Poly Aftertouch Hydrasynth keyboard. They work well together, and it has CV outs, to pair with your Summit. You might enjoy the fact that the Hydrasynth Explorer that is coming out this Winter can be battery powered, is compact, light, relatively cheap for what it is. If the Summit sits high on Hybrid Highlands, Hydrasynth is Digital Atlantis. You can carry it outside and play anywhere, where it's almost a polyphonic digital modular. But it's not rain proof.
Great demo. I'm a firm believer that it's not pure analog that is paramount, it's how much the synth can do, how capable and deep it is, and how interactive it is to program and tweak in real time between it's knobs, sliders, buttons and hopefully minimal menus. This is where the true organic sonic expression exists between the synth, and the musician.
Always loved the sound of Novation synths...and this certainly does not disappoint! Thank you for the vid
I've slowly been brought over into the NEED THIS category. A digital synth is a missing link in my setup, so this beauty is certainly in the running for the next purchase.
Paul Mina Storm Just too uninspiring. I enjoy a more tactile experience.
The Summit isn’t a digital synth. It’s a hybrid. It has analog filters, distortion, and amps.
Ernest Grouns I use Fl studio and use digital synths and make music using its piano roll, however you can use a midi controller like an akai mpk, However If you want to spend more money nothing would stop you from buying a digital synth.
Roland Jupiter X. Everybody needs one. Bit more expensive than an iPad though ;)
I’m having quite a lot of fun with the Solaris. It’s incredible....
Hybrid synth, not digital. You explain the signal path a few minutes in, but this can be really confusing to folks, based on what I've seen on various groups. The Supernova you mentioned was truly digital (and also a really nice synth), this is digital + analog(ue). Some of the effects (like distortion) are even analog(ue) here.
I love my Peak, and am really interested in this. Novation has put together something really amazing. Great video.
I love my Peak because it offers so much in a compact format. Summit is double the fun, but I just don't have any more space for big keyboards.
Summit is my personal all-rounder fav of recent. The sexiest board to me right now is that new Vox Continental. Albeit, not a synth. But for synths, the Matrix Brute is very pretty and clean. The Dave Smith line-ups are always pretty.
The man who designed the Summit (and Peak) is Chris Huggett. As you said, he also designed the Wasp, Gnat and went on to create the OsCar. A very under-celebrated pioneer of British affordable synths. I love my Peak. Thanks again for an excellent channel.
Jeff Boult the OSCar has the greatest sounding filter ever made. Chris Huggett is an exceptional synth designer. The UK’s Bob Moog.
So do I love my Peak, which I think is still just one of the best digital/analog hybrid synth that money can buy. Just everything is so well thought out and very well built with great sounds possible! And all this for a quite reasonable price, too! The Summit, being basically 2 Peaks side-by-side and some more certainly is an awesome machine and thus also quite big, but I'm really happy there is the Peak as a smaller brother of the Summit!
Chris Huggett is awesome, and trust me - he is not under-celebrated.
RIP Mr Huggett. Thank you for this beast of a synth. 🎶❤️
I've never actually owned a synth (only used software synths) but for me the holy grail would be to own a modern synth that had all the knobs and sliders in the right place so that I could use it as a live musical instrument, easily able to access all the patches and even record and play back multiple phrases and sounds.
That is a gorgeous sounding synth!
I have the summit - now partnered with the Arturia PolyBrute - you really must take a look at that! WoW!
It sounds almost "transwave-esgue" ala Ensoniq... this is Very interesting. So nice to hear the build quality is high! Unlike recent offerings from the big 3.. Very cool video!!
Mid-late 70s Roland SH-5 and SH-7 are some of the sexiest synths ever, imo.
I have a peak and absolutely love it. That long tailed reverb is fantastic. It's also fun to note that the oxford oscillators have almost zero aliasing. Make sure to play with the ocillator settings (diverge and drift in particular)! I may purchase a summit to replace the leak eventually.
Love my Korg Prologue16, this Summit is a beauty though Novation.
You can’t beat the ARP Quadra for looks - sounds pretty good, too... 👍😛😍🎹❤️
Unfortunatly I need to stick with VST's for now, can't afford this beauty 😔
I'm with you there haha.
I feel yor pain
And if you really make ££££ out of music.Otherwise there is the perfect VST for anything.All one needs is a good masterkeyboard according to preferences(weighted or not) and a good laptop.
@@jayandgem thank you! But, like Christian mentioned, only thing u actually really need is a laptop, a DAW, and an SM75.
I really need to learn more about sampling because I'm becoming lazy with all this good quality VST's by Spitfire 😂
Embrace those limitations. I am in the process of upgrading, money spent, money to spend and more to come - mostly from years of saving. I could have gone a few ways, all in the box, modular, desktops synths and mixer, Akai Force, hybrid setups. After too much thought and time I decided to spend it all on a PC setup. I know Ableton inside out, I can work fast and get quality out of it, so make it solid. So got a solid i9 laptop, UAD Thunderbolt interface with plugins, Console 1, 8 controllers with 2 grid style controllers - no keybeds, they annoy me with their stupid layout. Fast stable, sounds amazing and everything in front of me, only touch the laptop for the odd tweak or sound design sessions. And all fits on one table and goes in a backpack, not that you’d want to carry it. Best decision I ever made. Hardware synths get in the way, they slow you down, spend more time on setups and configuring then playing, and fixing timing issues. Be a digital minimalist, get good and get fast, be contemporary and relevant.
Told you it sounded like an absolute beast!
Waldorf Blofeld. One of the most versatile and budget friendly synths ever made. Especially the keyboard version!
Liam Bowen Highly recommend you pick up the Waldorf XT (or an XTk if you can find one in decent condition). The sound quality is realms beyond the Blofeld. While I like the layout of the Blofeld and how it visualizes waveforms, it’s D/A conversion reveals its shortcomings. The late 90’s Waldorf synths are in a league of their own. I have not played / owned any of the newest Waldorf to compare.
I got a novation peak when it was released and was blown away by how amazing that synth was. I definitely want the summit
Wow, this sounds so beautiful. I must have one.
Korg's minilogue is ultrasleek and gorgeous
Appears to be an awesome synth. Also very excited about the digital capabilities. Thx for sharing.
Becoming a bigger fan of Novation everyday. I own a Xio and a Launchkey. They sent me free knobs that were missing on my Xiosynth. Not many companies would do that. That earned my respect. This thing rocks!
Dave Smith does
Thank you for such an indepth review. Have been deep diving UA-cam to get my head round a synth purchase. Think you've just got me to the Summit. A fun climb!
Wow, I’m blown away at the clarity that thing produces.
@Ehsan Gelsi uses the 8-voice Peak in many of his live setups, alongside other pieces of gear. It certainly has a very nice sound and is why I listen to his live UA-cam sessions.
IMHO the DSI Pro2 is one of the greatest looking and equally awesome sounding synths. Because I own one of course.
I’m certainly interested in the 16-voice Summit.
Great review/walk thru. Cheers.
Your studio/set up looks amazing I could spend hours and hours tinkering in there ......heaven
If I had one of these I would never leave the house!
I don't have it, but I have heard that the Roland JD-XA digital/analogue hybrid synth is criminally underrated. Also looks very good.
JDXA is a hidden gem ... a true killer ...
I will second that emotion. Looks + flow + beastly big sound + relatively affordable...... So glad I have it,,,,
Ooh, I'm looking forward to this. I bought a peak sometime ago and doing a side by side comparison with omnisphere, even though the peak was immediately more playable and sounded great with basic sounds, I couldn't say the difference was enough to justify the price (the only 8 voices was a factor too), so I returned it. Since then I'm more experienced in sound design, and I've realised how much actual hardware makes a difference to me. I've been eyeing a Rev2 for some time but then this comes out and it is literally everything I want in a poly synth.
The yellow Waldorf Q is beautiful IMO
To name a few:
- Sequential Circuits Prophet 5
- Yamaha CS-80
- Moog Little Phatty
... beautiful.
+1 for the CS-80!
And while we're talking digital, Dune 3 (highly underrated imo) and Arturia Pigments are both very inspiring VSTis to work with and come up with unique and beautiful sounds...
a lot of new Synths are gorgeous as well tho! The new Waldorf Quantum looks nuts.
The Peak is awesome. It's is one of my few "keeper" synths. So usable.
The Summit is overkill for me, but I'd love a keyboard version of the Peak.
Stephen Anthony Sort of. It’s like two Peaks in a keyboard, plus extra features. More than I need.
"eye candy synth" Moog subsequent 37
recently purchased mine after a few months debating. I loved the look of it but was pit off by the firmware issues. The latest upgrade corrected those (April 22) and went straight out and bought it. Brilliant synth...
Finally! Very good review! Thank you! Wish that was me unboxing that. Another month or so I guess.
The Summit is a great example what can be achieved with modern digital over-clocked 3 per voice Oscillators, a great user-interface, a lot modulation options, and analog FX. Great build quality, at a price that would be difficult to beat. $1999 US MAP Price. Novation has attained a reputation for high quality and great customer service. The Summit is a Keeper!
Against many out here it's way overpriced.
@@maydaygoingdown5602
Over price? I don't think so. Out of reach for some people? You bet. I'm retired so I don't have $2000 laying around to spare. But compared to the Prophet Rev2 16 voice, its the same price. I've seen/played a Rev 2 a guy I know bought. My opinion is its a couple of days short of a week. The build quality is OK, the Reverb is cheesy,The Rev 2 lacks the bottom end. I wouldn't buy one. I don't believe its worth $1500, especially considering that you can get a Korg Prologue probably for the same price or less money. $2000 for a 16 voice Rev2 over a Summit? No chance. I own an original Prophet 5 Rev3.2 and its a great synth I bought new in 1981. Reliable, great filter, it has balls. But If I could pony up the money I would buy a Summit.
Agreed! Best synth ever...
@@johnadams5489. I have a Summit and a REV2-16-KB. Both great, but excel at different things.
Heard this thing in action by a grammy winning rnb producer and HAD to get one ! Ready for it to launch in October! 🔥🔥👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 great review it is by far the best synth since the old roland days!
Love my Juno 106s - ah, you just mentioned it. Had it for 37 years.
Sounds pretty stellar to me!
The Waldorf Quantum is definitely one of the most interesting synths of the past few years, however quite a price tag (but I know you are very willing to take the bullet for the team).
My God that's beautiful sounding 🤤
Great demo Christian, this thing seems to be a beast! Congrats Sandy!
The Moog Matriarch is my favorite :) I have the grandmother, but the matriarch looks cool :)
The Matriarch is one FANTASTIC machine. I might sell my Sub37 CV for the Matriarch. Just wish you could save patches somehow on the Matriarch. Check out Lisa's demo here: ua-cam.com/video/nbPqOfRzlGY/v-deo.html&frags=pl%2Cwn. So many KILLER synths out now!
deffs a dream synth of mine now. Having both would be a nuts setup.
LOVE your doggies Christian! Vid is also great :)
Something about the Hydrasynth looks good. I also like the new Montage and Fantom. Then you got the Moog Matriarch which is colorful and just begs to be played.
The Hydrasynth wins in the area of workflow and user interfacing - there is no competition - full stop. However unfortunately the lower end frequencies do suffer fidelity loss, you are unable to achieve the massive sounds for one reason or the other. When you think of the background of these developers - it is troubling why is the lower end rather thin sounding.
Bobcatt22 I would love to get my hands on a hydrasynth. Do you have one? Or played one?
Hi Marcus, I do not own the Hydrasynth, however I do marvel at its design with regard to the instrument panel and functions. The Hydrasynth indeed takes the lead in this area of user interfacing. What I do not like is its loss of lower end fidelity and when compared to the UDO, it lacks effects in the filter stage. All that being said, I heading towards the UDO over the Hydrasynth.
I've always been fond of how the Oberheim Matrix 12 looked. Sounded pretty decent too.
I may be biased, but I think the "Oberheim" OB12 is a good looking synth - lovely shade of blue, lots of well laid out tactile control, and a large-ish LCD screen with nice graphical displays (although the screen on mine packed in years ago)
This synths sounds great but I'm really excited about the UDO Audio Super 6 synth which sounds and more importantly looks great to me. I've seen people swapping the knobs on synths like the Rev2 and changing the skin on a B*******r Neutron and that can really improve the appearance
“more importantly”?, Lol
@ I commented 5 years ago and no idea what I was thinking at the time although I do like the look of the UDO synths as they’re similar to the Roland JP6.
The layout/look of a synth can put you in a certain mindset.
Sounds very ‘Depeche Mode’, ‘Fairlight’ ish. I HAVE GOT TO GRAB ONE OF THESE! The depth and richness of the sound is quite frankly SUPERB. Has a very retro feeling to it a la Roland or Korg back in the 80,s Synths are like a beautiful woman and a lot more reliable 👍🏻😂
Damn, this thing is pricey (2200 USD) but it looks like an absolute beast. This is the type of synth that if you put the time in to learn it you could probably do 80-90% of what you're looking to do when it comes to making music with this single synth.
Analogue voice cards makes the price higher
The Nord Lead is total eye-candy with it's red sexily shaped exterior, sleek stone mod wheel, it's unique concave pitch bend stick, and, of course, a satisfying array of knobs and led lights. Most beautiful synth design ever IMHO, and it sounds like awesomeness too.
@chief tp That's amazing. I've been playing this thing for decades and it so looks and feels like stone that I never questioned it. I even took out my volt meter to test it and, sure enough, it conducts. Thanks for the interesting info.
Novation: How long do you like your reverbs?
Christian: Yes!
I think it looks nice! And I like the look of the Moog Grandmother
Really happy with my Novation Peak. Highly recommend.
Lots of knobs to twiddle, but as for sound, while it is nice, I've sort of heard it all before kind of thing. With all the free virtual synths out there, some of them very good, it must be difficult to sell real ones anymore other than the bonus of real knobs. I suppose that's still fun!
Bonus of real knobs or buttons/pads can come from midi controllers. It's not just the keyboards. Also they have some decent sound engine stuff built on Raspberry Pi, so you can put this compact and robust box on a rack and not even have to drag a laptop around. A bit of an underdog as a relative newbie, but also up-and-coming. Soft-synth stuff punches well above it's weight in terms of budget - which is something that should get these companies to take notice.
@@pauljs75 So true. The U-HE virtual synths are just killer. But there are others as well.
Soft synths are too temporarily. I have lots of them but can't use them anymore since they don't run anymore on the newest OS or are only 32bit or not reliable anymore. ALL my hardware synths still run and some are 40 years old.
@@Jupiter8Boy64 Im with ya. I want just a few software synths to cover my basis so I have a way to save my writing sessions. Beyond that Im investing in hardware. I dumped a ton of money into software samples though.... and I dont exactly trust Native Instruments to not keep upgrading Kontakt to where you cant use your samples, and with practically no real improvements, just so they can capitalize.
You're listening through a UA-cam video, the Summit literally shits over any VST, you'd never get the same sound out of a VST as what you get from the Summit. When you understand the technology of the Summit, you'll know why. 24MHz resolution DA converters, analog filters and distortion, the best reverb out there found on any synth. I've used VSTs for over 10 years, they just don't come close to the sound quality of something like the Summit.
Probably because of when I grew up, I love the sounds of the early digital synths and samplers, yes even the DX7 and M1 lol! "Warm" was not a complement back then. As far as looks the Matrix 12 looked awesome in person and I think the DX7 still looks clean, although of course the lack of knobs is not worth it. I used Dexed now and finally understand something about FM now
davetbassbos
DX7 is still a great synth. Spend time with it and learn to program it and you can make amazing sounds with it. The DX1 was a lot easier to program and shame they didn’t make it easy on the DX7. The sounds I’m hearing in this video can be done on a DX7. So this is nothing new to me.
I hate that I'm going to suggest this but the Korg Minilogue is very handsome.
Fav new digital synth: Peak
Fav new analog synth: Matriarch
good looking synth: Moog Voyager, ARP 2600, Prophet 5, Roland System 100
You mean Summit? Why would you choose the Peak over the S? Cheers
Holding out for Udo Super 6.
The Udo, having effects both in the pre and post filter stages giving a 3-D experience just like that in real life, is difficult to compete. What I do not like: The interface is rather unattractive, tries to duplicate a Roland in looks and distribution has progressed little.
Definetly my favorite Digital Synth/Hybrid that I own. Diverge and Drift features in the Oscillator Section will definetly make this sound more analog-ish if desired... The Overdrive and Distortion do help make up for some of the Harmonics always lost with digital OSC's...
Teisco 110F is definitely an eye-candy synth
The Novation Supernova 2 5 octave synth is the most beautiful looking synth. They should bring it back into production. It still looks and sounds gorgeous 20 years on.
Agreed! Such a special sound!
Shows you how old I am being an DX7 previous owner. This little thing makes the DX look like a white elephant. Thanks for the dream buddy. :-)
My Arturia MatrixBrute is a big beautiful monster.
I was tossing up between the Brute and Summit! Got the Summit and its amazing but would love to get the Arturia some day to...
@@NathanChisholm041 The Summit is, of course, polyphonic, whereas the MatrixBrute is monophonic/paraphonic. The Summit would make me happy, but I've pre-ordered the ExpressiveE Osmose, which is due sometime this autumn (it got delayed due to the Covid-19 crisis). It has a revolutionary MPE keyboard and includes the Eagan Matrix!
M-Audio Venom is a lovely looking little synth. Gloss white with orange labels and cool curvy sides.
It's a weird one too.
Not Virtual Analogue in the common sense, it uses samples of hundreds of oscillators and waveforms from other synths and then processes them through VA then into digital effects. Its a shame the keybed is crap because it sounds ace!
Elektron Digitone!! Great little FM synth and sequencer. Totally at home in modular world as well. Not too expensive :)
I have the same sonic taste, this was my choice, really pleasant and after the wavetable related upgrades extremely powerful
Korg Prologue is a real looker as long as you don’t touch it! Finger print magnet would be an understatement; but otherwise Japanese aesthetic design at its best IMO. A bit jealous of the Summit; it sounds pretty powerful! Monster of a synth!
As you say it is a marvelous machine but so is mine and a couple of others I own...harder to discern here perhaps than choosing who supplied my best sample libraries ever...on that I have no doubt ..you guys produce these IMHO .🙏🦄🎩
I always think my old Roland SH3A and 7 are gorgeous looking - pale green and cream. And Tolex cases! Lovely.
17:30 Beatiful harmony between finger, sound and chord.
Have you hired the Top Gear production crew? Your videos are beyond top level
Gordon Houseman that’s very kind. I actually did the top gear theme!
The synthesizers that really look good, to my eye, are still these: JX-3P, Juno 6/60, Jupiter-8, PPG 2.2/2.3, and Matrix-12.
Luv it. Want one. Thanks for the upload
My two favorite synths today are Peak and Hydrasynth, well Summit would be even better than the Peak, but if I had the funds and nothing to do with being practical I'd love to have the Hydrasynth Deluxe and a Summit. Even being on a limited budget I still see a Hydrasynth and Peak in my future.
I am with you. I have a Novation Summit (for warm sounds, and 80s 'retro') and ASM Hydrasynth (49-key original) for cold, gnarly gritty and complex stuff. They complement each other brilliantly. The Summit and Hydrasynth Deluxe would be synth heaven. :)
Korg DW 8000 ..Digital oscillators.. analog filter.. One of the best analog filter ever.. trust me
Aah yes...so happy to be an owner. Any time I switch it on, I remind myself not to sell.
The Waldorf Microwave XTk has to be my favourite looking synth ever. It's just so utterly obnoxious, but if you don't like that orange, the Nine Inch Nails black editions look lovely. Other favourite 'eye-candy' synths would probably be the Nord Modular G2, Oberheim OB-12, Quasimidi Sirius, Waldorf Q (yellow version), and Waldorf Quantum. Most of the recent Dave Smith synths look lovely too.
Thank you .There is a sense in that the LFO's can sequence .Also I believe that the ADSR has a loop function .Sequencing from an external source perhaps ? That is a very nice view from the rock .
Summit is my personal dream synth. I was all set to own the Hydrasynth as companion to my Korg Prologue and then I heard Summit in the blind and said-aloud-THAT IS THE SOUND!
I did that, I said that out loud, in a room where only my cat was there to hear.
Prologue is analog OSC, then hybrid; summit [special] Digi OSC, then Analog m. Nice balance.
No turning back. Along the way, I’ve studied on polys twice the price…Summit has the gorgeous sound, to me.
But…who cares now, right. ..this is 3 yrs old
Always great to view your music making
Waldorf Quantum is a huge hybrid synth (granular sampler, wavetables, resonators and a pletora of other features), a sound design dream come true. It costs double as much than Summit (which is sad...) but the sound you can create are infinite.
And what a looker that Quantum is...... It'd be my island synth.
The Noise Pad around 7:38 reminds me of a certain Preset from the Albino 3 VST.
Waldorf Microwave XT: digital but with many knobs and in lovely orange...
Such a great synth, my first real synth and i still have it and love it!
You sold me mate, excellent presentation...meat and potatoes straight way. That synth is a beast for sure, great sounds.
Its like a modern day Korg DW8000. Digital oscs, analog filter, f/x. Sounds beautiful. Preset patch 'Floating Ether' up there with 'Soundtrack' and 'Universe'
I always have a handful of pieces of gear in a special sort of "one day soon" category. This is somewhere between "on my shopping list" and "I'll never own that": it's stuff I can't afford yet but would buy if the money magically appeared... I now think the Summit has to be added to that category! I previously wondered about the Super 6, but I now think the Summit would suit me better. I already have the Peak, but the Summit would encourage a lot more creativity due to the immediacy of the keyboard and the layering options.
I think I am in love with this synth. Haven't considered getting a synth controller but have been in the market and going back and forth between a 61 key NImk2 or 88 key NImk2. But for a bit more cash, this kind of answers a lot of things.
I’m looking forward to buying a Peak. I think they sound incredible. That said, in my personal opinion, the best digital synth ever created is the Access Virus.
Virus is amazing
Isn't the Peak, mono while the Summit is stereo?
@@bobcatt2294 No the Peak is stereo.
@@voicemagic Thank you for the definitive answer.
Ive made a buch of supersaw sounds on my channel for this synth. Not really any videos that show the powerful supersaws on the Peak or Summit.
My favs though not that modern but very digital and very innovative for their time - the V-Synth and the Kawai K5000s.
I recently aquired a k5000 and still need to deep dive into it. I think its also one of the most complex synthesizers. Do you use a specific editor?
@@jordyhoutman2654 Kawai have a lot of patches on site to download, and then to be honest I just use the knobs to adjust things to liking. I have got the last version of Sounddiver (3) on my studio Mac for when I want to got to town. Pity Apple don't revive it! - it was a very good asset and I find odd late 80s and 90s digital synths cheaper and more interesting than plugins :-) (Technics WSA, Casio VZ, Yamaha TG77 et al)
@@glennmckenzie1096 thanks for the answer, yes :-) agree on both revival of sounddive aand that 80s/90s digital synths are great and cheaper. However, the k5000(s) is getting more and more expensive.
And thankyou Focusrite for the lovely new plug-in via Plugin-Alliance! ... I once had the pleasure of working on console #9 of the 10 that were made.
Excellent choice, sir. It's encouraging to see a proper new flagship keyboard from Novation. It's been a long time since the Supernova II.
If I didn't already have a Peak, I'd be seriously gassing for a Summit. I feel that there is only one area it's a little weak in, and that is classic osc sync sounds. But it's so brilliant at everything else...