Novation Vstation

The award-winning synthesis technology developed by UK manufacturers Novation is now available to the desktop computer music market for the first time. The new Novation V-Station virtual analog synthesizer recreates the power and rich sound of the K-Station synth as a plug-in for Mac or PC platforms.

At the core of the Novation V-Station is Novation’s Liquid Analog synthesis engine, delivering rich, dense sounds that offer vast creative potential. The plug-in combines these with a clear and responsive front panel interface, with all the key sound shaping controls a simple mouse click away.

Any one of the 200 high quality factory presets can be recalled, modified and saved instantly in one of 400 program locations. The patches, that are named and not numbered, cover a huge sonic range, from searing leads and passionate pads, to delicate electric pianos and phat, funky bass.

Analog Modelled oscillators

Three powerful oscillators provide all the classic waveforms, including a sine wave for intense, sub-bass grooves. All waveforms feature Novation’s "Double" facility, providing twin waveforms with no loss of polyphony. Oscillators may be set to unison or sync’d operation and can utilise FM for the generation of metallic or percussive timbres. A Noise Source is also included in the waveform engine.

Liquid Analog Filters

Novation coined the term Liquid Analog to describe its powerful filter engine, which delivers unprecedented levels of fine, fluid sound. Selectable low-pass, 12dB or 24dB cut-off curves, with resonance and overdrive, make it easy to recreate anything from a distorted TB303 to a tightly rounded bass patch.

Additional editing screens

Three additional parameter editing screens are incorporated with the Novation V-Station plug-in. For simplicity, the additional parameters for the main sound creation blocks, such as the oscillators and filter, are on the first page, with the wheels, breath and aftertouch controls on the second page; the third page features global settings.

Arpeggiate, tweak and sync to the beat

An arpeggiator with programmable speed, synchronisation and sweep range is available within each instance and comprehensive synchronisation of time-based effects can be implemented with ease. For example, the speed of an LFO may be set to modulate a delay effect every quarter note, while another LFO (built in to the effects unit) can sweep the phaser every two bars.

All parameters respond to MIDI controllers, which can be recorded in real-time on a track on the selected sequencer, enabling access to rich and complex sound patterns with a single key press or mouse click. All running arpeggiators and LFOs can be synchronised individually to MIDI clock, in different time signatures.

Integrated effects on each instance

Novation’s Supernova synthesizer set a new industry standard by enabling a complete set of powerful effects for each part on a multi-timbral synthesizer. The Novation V-Station adopts this sound structure, allowing six simultaneous effects per instance.

On-board effects include a distortion unit that adds edge for harder sounds, a synchronised stereo chorus or phaser for spatial effects and a reverb unit to add extra dimension and realism. A synchronised panner and a comprehensive delay engine are also incorporated.

Multi-timbral parts

Depending on the power of the PC or Mac used, the Novation V-Station delivers eight voices for each instance. With the ability to run multiple instances simultaneously, the Novation V-Station can run as many multi-timbral parts as the power of the host computer will allow.

Novation V-Station System Requirements:

Minimum PC

• Windows 98SE/ME/2000 SP3/XP
• 450 MHz PIII Processor
• 128 MB RAM
• 10 MB free hard disc space
• 800 * 600 pixel display

Minimum Mac

• Mac OSX 10.2.4
• 450 MHz G3 Processor
• 256 MB RAM
• 10MB free hard disc space
• 800*600 pixel display

Recommended PC

• Windows XP
• 1.5 GHz P4 processor
• 256 MB RAM
• 10 MB free hard disc space
• 1024*768 pixel display

Recommended Macintosh

• Mac OSX10.2.4 or higher
• 1 GHz G4 processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 10 MB free hard disc space
• 1024*768 pixel display