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Place your votes now!

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Remix // Rework competition is now closed!

We had a fantastic response to the competition and feedback so far shows you all had fun creating your entries! Due to the number of entries we received, we had to extend the shortlist to 30 as our task became impossible.

It's time to go and make your vote count on our Facebook page

NEW NOVATION TWITCH VIDEO: Twitch mash-up video from Moldover .... check this out!

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

New video from Novation.... Brooklyn based artist Moldover shows how it's done with the Novation Twitch live

Find out more about Novation Twitch!

Keep up-to-date with the latest videos from Novation on Youtube. Visit our channel to subscribe.

Novation NAMM 2012 Artist Takeover

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Gear Showcase at NAMM Show & Controllerism.com Event

Novation artists are hitting the 2012 NAMM show with a bang, with gear showcases from three artists on the show-floor demo stage.

San Fransisco-based DJ/producer/vocalist Ill-Esha will be performing with Twitch, the Touchstrip Controller, using its external mic inputs and one-to-one effects control inside Serato ITCH to blend her vocals and dubstep-infused beats.

Controllerist supremo Moldover will also be using Twitch as a controller, this time with Ableton Live and a host of custom-designed Max patches, which transform Twitch from a dedicated DJ platform into a powerful and versatile music controller.

Also on the Novation line-up is Adriano Clemente, who uses Ableton Live and Max For Live alongside multiple Launchpads to create an interactive music-making experience. Adriano will also be implementing Novation's UltraNova synthesizer into his performances to provide additional sound sources, but also to take advantage of its unique touch features. The full schedule for artist performances will be posted on the Novation booth at the Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California (booth #6464).

Also during NAMM week, Novation are sponsoring an event with the Controllism.com music-making community, featuring a performance from NYC-based Mike Slott on the Launchpad.

Press Kit: www.novationmusic.com/namm2012

Nick Hook: acting on Impulse

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Nick Hook is a man of many talents. Founding member of Brooklyn-based electronica/R&B band Cubic Zirconia, signed to Fools Gold Records, he also works with and produces lots of other artists, including Azealia Banks, L-Vis 1990 and El-P. In 2012, he plans to focus on his solo work, using his experience in front the monitors to propel him as a standout artist.

We know Nick as a die-hardware guy — he might as well have wooden endcheeks — and it's clear from the second you step into his Greenpoint loft space that his studio is a prime example of old meets new. Accordingly, we thought he'd be perfect to work with us on a video that showcases the Impulse 61 as the hub of a recording studio.

NOTE: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

You'll find Nick on Twitter: @nickhook @cubiczirconia

Rustie uses Twitch for album launch party

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In 2007, Rustie started causing a stir in the bountiful Glasgow electronica and hip hop scene — home to the LuckyMe and Numbers camps — making music that latched on to the dubstep boom but sidestepped the mainstream path it later followed. Rustie's journey at this time took him down avenues of liquid-like hiphop and techno, with R&B-inspired vocals, pure ’80s synths and breakneck beats. In 2010, he signed to Warp records, where he was able to reach a broader audience and state his claim to a unique sound we like to call freakfunk. 2011 saw the release of his debut album Glass Swords, to much critical acclaim from the likes of the The Guardian, XLR8R and Fact Magazine.

It was in a secret corner at the BLOC festival in March that we first showed Rustie Twitch. His eyes immediately lit up. 'That's amazing', he said, or words to that effect. So when Twitch became available in late 2011, at the same time as Glass Swords dropped, Rustie chose it for his set at his London album launch party.

"It lets me be really creative with my tracks. There's nothing out there that lets you do what Slicer does with Itch and it just lets you do lots more during your set. The effects are cool too — I like having all the controls right in front of you."

Zero SL MkII On Stage With Kojo Samuel

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Kojo Samuel is a regular on the UK pop music circuit. Having cut his teeth as a keyboardist on various large-scale tours, he is now musical director for Jessie J, Tinchy Stryder and Plan B, plus many others, and worked on all of their tours and live performances throughout 2011.

As is the norm with large tours, band members play live to accompaniment from multitrack playout machines, which provide extra instrumentation and the drummer's click track. Kojo's rig allows any one of the on-stage players — usually the drummer — to run the set, all using the Novation Zero SL MkII as a remote control for the backstage hard disk machine rack. "The Zero can select different MIDI locate points on the multitrack," says Kojo, "and I give each locate point a song name and save it as a template. I upload that template to the SL MkII, which can then be placed on stage and used to trigger songs via a long MIDI cable while the multitrack sits off stage."

The Zero SL MkII has some specific features that make it perfect for Kojo's setup, as he explains. "Because the Zero has two MIDI outputs, you can trigger two hard disk machines at exactly the same time: one main, one backup. Additionally, as it has a visual display, it allows you to see song names, which is important. By being able to access these from the various features on the Zero, it means that selecting the songs is easy, regardless of the order of the set list."

You can find out more about Kojo at www.kojosamuel.com.

Bass Station 1.7

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Fixes:

+fixed issue where BassStation could cause Logic Pro to crash on bouncedown

IMPORTANT: This installer will prompt for your username and serial number the first time you load your DAW after installing, so please have this information to hand.

UltraNova SoundPacks

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Additonal SoundPacks for the UltraNova.

Please see THIS video for information on installing the SoundPacks.

Automap 4.2

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Automap 4.2

Supported systems:

-Mac OSX (Snow Leopard) 10.6.8

-Mac OSX (Lion) 10.7.2 or later

-Windows XP SP3 32-bit

-Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit

Fixes:

- Fixed Automap asking for password on launch when running in OSX. It will only ask once after installing.

- Fixed potential crash when running new installs on OSX 10.6 or 10.7

- Fixed permissions with VST folders on OSX Lion by adding 'Installer Helper' after installation.

- Fixed Automap crashing Logic's AU 32 bit Bridge.

- Fixed missing screenshot for Logic and Remote SL setup guide.

- Fixed VST plug-ins not loading when downgrading version of Automap on Windows

- Fixed VST plugins requiring to be re-enabled when updating Automap on Windows. Automap un-installer will now only run when installing from version 3.x to 4.x.

- Fixed potential crash when disabling VST3 plug-ins on Windows.

- Improved Ableton Live setup procedures and guides for Nocturn, Nocturn Keyboard and Ultranova.

- Improved Ableton Live setup procedure and guides for Impulse.

- Removed plug-ins enabling for Impulse when using Ableton Live in setup wizard.

- Added notification message when trying to use an Automap 'thing' with Impulse when it is used under Ableton Live control surface.

- Fixed not being able to launch mapping editor by clicking status bar > edit mapping with Impulse and Ableton Live.

- Fixed crash when unplugging Impulse while using Ableton Live.

- Updated Impulse DAW Setup guides.

- Fixed Nuendo Setup guides mis-referencing on Windows

Known issues:

- Ableton Live mapping does not reload if Midi channel 1 is already in use. This only affects Nocturn/Nocturn Keyboard/Ultranova, restarting the hardware will solve this.

Notes:

- Windows users upgrading from 4.0 are advised to disable and re-enable your VST plug-ins after the installation to ensure you have the latest Plug-In wrapper.

- Users are advised not to downgrade to an earlier version after installing this version.

- Pro Tools 9 users upgrading to version 10 are advised to disable their RTAS plug-ins first in Automap before uninstalling Pro Tools 9 and installing version 10.

Ultranova Software Package

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This package includes:

The UltraNova Editor plug-in - which allows you to control the UltraNova from your DAW software.

The UltraNova Librarian - which allows you to manage your UltraNova patches and move them to and from your computer

The latest firmware (operating system) for your UltraNova.

Version Info:

Windows

UltraNova Plug-In Editor 1.1

UltraNova Librarian 1.1

Novation USB Driver 2.3

UltraNova firmware 1.1.13

OSX

UltraNova Plug-In Editor 1.1

UltraNova Librarian 1.1

Novation USB Driver 2.3

UltraNova firmware 1.1.13

Installation and operating instructions can be found in the UltraNova Editor and Librarian User Guide.

Ultranova 1.1 Release Notes

Firmware:

- Updated firmware to version 1.1.03

- Added display to show the big knob Control Lock assignment.

- When editing it is fairly easy to lose your edits by navigating away from the patch. Now, if you do navigate away by mistake, you can press the Compare button to revert your edits.

- Pressing any of the synth menu buttons a second time will return to the main patch menu.

- An asterisk is now displayed next to the patch number to show that the patch has unsaved changes.

- Arpeggiator now outputs notes via MIDI and USB. This is controlled from a setting within the global menu.

- Delay, EQ and distortion are now full stereo effects. Many more of the factory Vocoder patches will now maintain stereo width.

- A compressor with fixed settings has been added before the input to the modulator for the vocoder: this improves the overall sound.

- Fixed Octave button LEDs becoming out of sync with Octave setting.

- Fixed bug preventing envelope decaying to zero in some cases.

- Fixed long release times did not allow the envelope re-trigger to work correctly.

- Fixed issue when very long envelope release was combined with touch trigger envelope: touch now gates properly.

- Fixed an issue with the release of a touch envelope during the release stage of a voice that prevented the proper operation of touch trigger.

- Fixed an issue with chord function when triggering notes if a patch was set to poly2 voice mode.

- Improved anti-aliasing filter on sine wave: as a result all patches that used this, in particular bass patches, sound cleaner.

- Improved smoothness when modulating filter to avoid unwanted artefacts.

- Improved interpolation between legato mono voices with different velocities.

- Improved Mono Auto-glide legato portamento consistency.

- Improved oscillator level modulation from LFO sources.

- Improved LCD layout for audio menu to make headphone level control more obvious.

Editor:

- Added Touch on and off as an on-screen automatable parameters.

- Added Ultranova Editor as an AU insert FX. Logic users are recommended to use this.

- Added further selection options in the Mod table.

- Editor now installs RTAS to 32 bit directory when running Windows 7 64

- Fixed value mismatch when syncing certain parameters.

- Fixed Editor not updating synth parameters when instantiated while in Automap mode.

- Fixed not being able to automate using hardware in Ableton Live.

- Improved CPU usage when changing patches.

- Improved mouse sensitivity on stepping parameters.

Editor known issues:

- Metering will not display when using the AU FX editor when mod wheel, aftertouch, expression, velocity, and keyboard is in the Mod table.

- 32 bit plug-ins crashes 32 bit bridge when running under 64 bit. Users are advised to use 64 bit version of the plug-ins.

- Mac VST version of the editor in Ableton Live only: Touch parameters not configurable as automatable parameter if the hardware is connected. Users are advised to configure the parameter first without the hardware connected or use the AU version of the plug-in instead.

Librarian:

- Grabbed patches folder now cannot be dragged to/from other banks/folders.

- Fixed not being able to drag hardware banks to the 'My Patches' folder.

- Improved time taken to create new user banks on a Mac.

- Fixed Librarian 'busy' status when double clicking patch when there is no hardware connected.

- Fixed not being about to drag and drop in OS X Lion.

- Fixed parameters with patch A079.

- Fixed glitch on patch C031.

Librarian known issues:

- Copy and paste a bank from hardware to a computer folder will be blank in some situations.

- Patch cannot be dragged from bank to bank at the same position.

- Graphic icon for folder and bank may not appear if Librarian is in icon view.

Driver:

- Updated Novation USB driver to version 2.3 for Mac and Windows.

An Audience with Focusrite Novation - Live Webinar

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When? Wednesday 7th December (see below flyer for times)
Where? Anywhere you have internet access!

Join Focusrite and Novation at this online webinar to learn about the Focusrite heritage and VRM technology. Also find out about Novation's new Automap 4 software and how it can make life in the studio 10 times easier. You'll also see how to put some of Ableton Suite 8's most exciting features into practice!

200 online seats up for grabs - the first 100 registrations get a free authorisation code for the Focusrite Scarlet Plug-in Suite!

Online event registration for An Audience with Focusrite Novation - Live Webinar

Novation sponsors Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Novation is proud to be an official partner of the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival (BEMF), which takes place in Williamsburg, NY in November.

The BEMF showcases the cutting edge of the electronic music scene, with artists including Hudson Mohawke, Cubic Zirconia and Four Tet, and DJs such as Matthew Dear and Fischerspooner on the lineup.

The event takes place over two nights on the 11th and 12th November 2011, in bars and clubs in North Williamsburg. For further details, including lineup and location information, head to www.brooklynemf.com.

Novation have partnered with Ableton as tech sponsors of the festival. To buy tickets, visit http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/71379.

DRC Music (Warp Records) Remix Competition

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Kinshasa One Two remix competition launched...

Focusrite and Novation are proud to announce their support of the DRC Music project, a collective of 11 UK & US producers who worked with over 50 musicians from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to make 'Kinshasa One Two', an album released by Warp Records in early November 2011.

Focusrite and Novation are contributing prizes to the DRC Music Remix Competition — organised by Warp Records — where the producer of the best submission picks up a collection of music gear, including a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface and a Novation Impulse 25 controller keyboard. Other prizes have been provided by Blue Microphones and Soundcloud.

To enter the competition, simply visit http://remixhallo.drcmusic.org/, download the stems, and submit your completed remix to the same web site. The competition runs until November 25th 2011. The album Kinshasa One Two is available to purchase in physical format from Bleep.com and Amazon, and online from iTunes and FairShareMusic.

Profits raised by the DRC Music project will go towards Oxfam's work in DRC (http://drcmusic.org/oxfam). For more information on the remix competition, visit http://remixhallo.drcmusic.org/

Twitch - at Scratch DJ Academy, Los Angeles

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Twitch - The Touchstrip Controller - at Scratch DJ Academy, Los Angeles, Wednesday November 16, 7pm.

Everyone who attends will get a free copy of the Novation Bass Station worth $179!

Win 1 of 2 Twitches on the night
Full demos from Novation product specialists
Performances from Ill Esha & Cal Green
Get totally hands on with Twitch

Please register here to reserve your place at this free event - hurry, places are limited!

7-10pm Wednesday November 16 @ Scratch DJ Academy, 2324 Cotner Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (click to view on map).

Ableton Live TWITCH Template Live Set

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

This a set for Ableton Live with pre-mapped Twich settings. For use with the Live Twitch Translator and Ableton Live.

Note: You must have the latest Novation USB drivers, the Live Twitch Traslator and Ableton Live installed to use this set

Introducing Automap v4.1

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Automap 4.1 is here, bringing the brand new, full-featured version of Novation’s music software control application to all Novation controllers, including the flagship SL MkII.
Automap is free software that comes with all Novation controllers. It gives you instant access to your DAW and plug-ins so you can get hands-on control of your music software. It features a software edit page that graphically shows what software parameter is assigned to which knob, fader or button on the hardware. Automap 4 also has a re-designed GUI and now features a notification system that pops up in the corner of your monitor to tell you what you are controlling when you move a knob, slider or button.

Automap 4 was launched with the Novation's new Impulse controller keyboard range in Summer 2011. The v4.1 update enables Novation’s top of the range SL MkII controllers to work with Automap 4 for instant assignment and convenient control. Other Novation controllers and keyboards are now also compatible with Automap 4, including: Nocturn, Launchpad, UltraNova, ReMOTE SL, Nocturn Keyboard and the SL Compact.

Automap is the original music software control technology. It was launched in 2006 and has evolved over the years with significant workflow improvements. It is simple to set up and start using right away, and gives you unparalleled control over your DAW’s mixer, effects and virtual instruments. It will be available for free download by the beginning of November 2011.

Launchpads take centre stage at NY installation

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Interactive Ableton Live Installation debuts during AES weekend...

Ableton Certified Trainer, sound designer and musician Adriano Clemente will be debuting an interactive sound installation during the 131st AES Convention in New York. Featuring eight Novation Lauchpads and two computers each running Ableton Live 8 and Max For Live, his installation demonstrates numerous creative uses of these powerful audio production tools. Adriano explains the system: “I'm using two computers running Ableton Live 8, synced via a WiFi network, so I can control eight Launchpads simultaneously. My system uses native features of Live, such as follow actions and Max4Live patches for step sequencing, instrument performance and real-time loop manipulation.”

“I think that the Launchpad's ability to put Live's interface under your fingers with visual-LED feedback is fun and powerful”, says Adriano. “My installation takes advantage of the LEDs to recreate an environment similar to a gallery exhibition. The paintings are made by light and sound, and the frames are the Launchpads themselves: some of them are used to play sound atmospheres, others to sculpt in real time improvised rhythmical parts.”

Although there are numerous controllers that could perform a similar role, Adriano chose Launchpad because of its simplicity and ease of use. “As a Sound Designer I'm constantly looking for new and intuitive ways to create, edit, and perform my music. When Ableton asked me to create something for AES in NYC, I immediately thought about the Launchpad. It's been part of my studio setup since it hit the market. At Devotion Gallery, along with Ableton Certified Trainer Brian Jackson, I teach Ableton Live 8 classes, and the Launchpad is the controller that we use to immerse the student in Session View from the very first day of class. Once we did an experiment using 6 of them, which is also the maximum number of control surfaces you can use in Live. Now it's the time to try something bigger.”

Remote template editors

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Amsterdam Dance Event

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

We will be joining Dave Clarke, Derrick May, Len Faki, Andy Weatherall and more at the Amsterdam Dance Event special at Melkweg on Friday 21st October.

It will be a techno extravaganza with Joseph Capriati, Daniel Miller, Darko Esser and Estroe joining the line-up. If you are heading to ADE or planing on being in Amsterdam for weekend drop in for some of techno's biggest names and freshest talent.

Novation will also be at the new ADE 'Playground' area which is open to the public as well as ADE delegates. This will be an area where you can get hands on with our gear, talk to product specialists or just relax and have a beer! Come and visit us at the Playground which is between the Felix Meritis and the Dylan at the Amsterdam Dance Event 2011.

Free Dino Soldo Soundpack for UltraNova

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Novation proudly present the latest free Soundpack for Novation's UltraNova synthesizer, developed by multi-instrumentalist and musical genius Dino Soldo (credits include Leonard Cohen, Lionel Richie and Beyoncé.)

The soundpack is for players who want to play; Dino's sounds beg you touch UltraNova's keys, use your expression pedal and free your hands to create. While most sounds also utilise UltraNova's extensive touch controls giving you the freedom of a one-finger rocker, all you need is the mod wheel and your foot to move massive amounts of colour in your performance.

Dino was first attracted to UltraNova through Novation's range of controller keyboards. "They strike the perfect balance; doing what no other company does in its class by providing an excellent feel to every model of keyboard they have. I always know that Novation has my back when it comes to getting a consistent performance." With this underlying quality and reputation, Dino is empowered to create, "sound design in real time has once again become a reality for me. Now my hands can tweak till my brain explodes! UltraNova's editor/librarian lets me know how things are going and where I can find all of my sounds easily, and I don't have to take my mouth, hands or feet away from making music. It's been quite a trip to use the vocoding tools for tweaking my harmonica sound. I keep giving UltraNova my dumb ideas and, like an alchemist, it keeps turning those ideas into gold!"

The Dino Soldo Soundpack for UltraNova is available for free here.

Novation FX Suite 1.2

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

- Fixed license activation in OS 10.7

Novation at Outlook festival

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Outlook festival was one of the most talked about events on the festival calendar this year. 12 000 people crammed themselves into a fort on the wild coastline of Croatia for a strict 4 day diet of bass-music. We went along to give the revellers something to play with in-between helpings…

Check out our facebook page for more images - www.facebook.com/novationmusic