Reorganised my home studio yesterday, dug this out now i have dedicated space again for it. Hands on its a bit of menu diving to get to effects etc but for me launch the novation mininova editor VST with a controller and its puts all the features right in front of you in a really well laid out way. Then I start having real fun. :) If you have not tried the editior and librarian combo, I highly recommend.
Wonderful! I bought a 2nd-hand Ultra Nova a while ago. These are really difficult to beat, especially at 2nd-hand prices. I think they hold their own against many mid-priced synths. Of course, manufacturers are always trying to push us into the latest gear but it's not always necessary. I think they are powered by G.A.S. 😀
Absolutely agree with all your comments there. Over the last ten years all that's really changed with gear is appearance. There has been little in the way of genuine ingenuity. Glad you liked the video :)
@@IanWaugh That's correct so if you should by Circuit Rythem and MiniNova as if you buy the Nova and Tracks you have two machines making the same sounds or if you buy Tracks and Rythem you have two machines that look the same.
It’s an EXCELLENT instrument I’ve got one. I’ve just changed the key bed as a key snapped while I was playing it. Novation were very helpful sent me a key next free of charge. I’ll keep the other key bed for spare parts. However I’m going to hook it up to another keyboard I’ve got with full size keys.
Damn dude, here you are again! Every fricking synth I buy LOL. Well this is my new fav and I look forward to this video. Cheers! A little explanation, I've been buying up used keyboards at thrift stores for years and started buying and selling them a few months ago, which is when I discovered your videos. I've gradually "traded up" to the Mininova, really looking forward to it. Always glad to find your videos. 😀
Mininova is definitely one of our faves to work with Nails that classic Nova sound from their classic VAs, and it's super versatile and easy to tote around for gigs, etc Definitely punches way above its price range
Yep it's one of those synths that has a real personality of its own. So approx how many synths do you have there? I know there's at least two DJX's :) :)
@@gearfacts Oh ... a lot and a lot more than most amateur, famous and pro bands and musicians. You asked, so, here is a little peak under the hidden and dark shroud of the band, ElectraGlide. Total of about 25 to 30 synths or a bit more. I think cause there are few at cousin Claire's house, but most are at my home. All were purchased at under $1000 cause spending more for any synth is just plain stupid foolish. Just like, well, La Dee Daa!, we have a $10,000 Burkenmooge K63Xii synth with 100,000 voices - just joking - no such thing and I wouldn't buy it anyways! We have the two DJX's plus the Yamaha DJX2 keyboard synth. Two Venoms, two Karmas, two Roland JP-08's. The others are singles from vintage to recent, like the Krome, Radias, Gaia, others are Korgs, remainder like Novation, Casios, Rolands, Akai, Alesis, Quasimidi. I just sold the Korg M3 EXP and a Kross. Still got to thin it out a bit, but some can make very unique sounds from any other, so it's difficult to decide. Not even going to mention the 60+ electric guitars, FX pedals, processors and amps we have. Probably would not even believe me anyways, so, basically, we are just trying to stay under the public radar and have fun at the same time. Ya can tell by our current and past subscriber counts that we are succeeding. Keeps us out of trouble, ya know? :D
@@dawnr8511 Ahem - yes. Yes I am! There are lots of things I'd like to know about this studio of yours, and related projects, but I don't want to be too intrusive. That's a world of musical potential you've got there, not to mention your playing skills. It'll be great when Elektraglide busts out of its coccoon!
@@HOLLASOUNDS almost = The Synth Engine in the Circuit and Circuit Tracks are based on the Novation MiniNova synthesiser, but with fewer controls than the MiniNova offers." ( thank for the effort!
Novation Circuit Tracks and Circuit Rhythm look the same both pad focused device's but the Rythem has a sampler where the Tracks has the MiniNova engine inside. So the best choice is to get the MiniNova and the Rythem that way you get all the sounds and two different looking machines.
This, like the Microkorg and the Roland JD-Xi, were intended to be budget intro synths for the masses. It seems as though synth manufacturers have abandoned this end of the market as there has been nothing new like this in years. Instead we have the high end Novation Peak and Jupiter XM, though I guess Korg are still producing innovative mid-tier stuff. I wonder why we haven’t had a modernised mini nova or Microkorg? And don’t get me started on Waldorf. I’d love a Blofeld MarkII but instead they have pushed their offerings into the stratosphere.
Maybe the rise of serious ipad apps has made that market less viable for those companies. Just a theory, I don't really know. But this is why i review so much older gear. Most of it is not really obsolete, it just looks different. There's so much great synthing to be found for just a couple of hundred dollars :)
The mini nova is light-years better then the microkorg. I think most of these micro synths were targeted for djs for live performance.. like mabey a basic lead, vocoder ect.. nothing too over the top. The microkorg can run on batteries too so this does make sense. I'm not sure if the mini nova does but I wouldn't be surprised
@@gearfacts that's the sad fate of engineering now.. computers and iPads ect have gotten so powerful no hardware synth can match them apart from analog filters and effects ect.. even my local music stores don't carry too many synths.. you can order them but no ones really buying full scale synthesizers these days.. it's all about software now.
One of many little synths I wish I had the money to buy my friend! I do have 2 of the bigger brothers the Ultranova, from when times were better on the late planet Earth!
Yeah poor old Earth is really taking a pounding from us and our music industry is not without sin! That's part of the reason I review all the old stuff. Re-use, re-cycle, up-cycle!
I played £260 For one of these a cupple months ago. Played with it yesterday just thinking about how to add it into My music production. The arpeggiator sounds ar great and it's got some nice synth leads and bass sounds.
@@gearfacts I think it definitely was. The whole mini and micro synths never really took off for whatever reason. Granted I still own a microkorg and while fun is very limited in what it can do. I think for most people they would rather have a full featured synth then a stripped down version.
Some very nice presets, particularly the “Broadway” lead. I suspect it might be inspired by Billy Currie’s ARP Odyssey sound on Gary Numan’s “On Broadway” cover. Was hoping to hear the standard vocoder “Transformers” speech test (the vocoder version cliche of “Stairway to heaven”) but alas it was not to be 😜.
im looking to buy a first one to start.. i looked at : Kord M1 -Yamaha CS1X -Novation(here) -Roland XM -Casio CZ 101 .. but one thing i would like is MANY presets, good polyphony and built in speakers.. i want to record, have accompagnements and beats drums.. and plays melodies over the other (as in keyboards like yahama with 5 channels) and easy to use..for beginners! : - ) Which one of thoses you think is the best? Any suggestions? Thanks!
I don't think any of those will suit your needs to be honest. To get all those features in a nice simple package, I'd suggest something like a Casio CT-S500, Korg EK-50 or if you really want or have fun try a Yamaha PSR-E463, it's a little more crazy :)
@@gearfacts I played keyboard since long but i want to get a try in synthetizers! I will look at thoses 3 with the reviws here and will give you news of which one i will buy! thanks for your reply! I know pretty much keyboards but I am noob in synthetisers ; )
@@gearfacts I made my choice and went for the Korg ek 50 ! I was simply not expecting Korg to make something like this! They were too much expensive. and it have lights as i like! I liked less the styles of the casio and since i have already a Yamaha dgx 200 and dgx 650 the basics styles repetes a bit.. i want to try something all new! But i wont say no to a yamaha PSR E463 if i find one really cheap one day ; ) I found a quite cheap Korg on ebay for 355 USD! all others were 100 USD or more above. Thanks!! I will for sure one day get the Casio CZ-101 for a try at pure synth .. its looks like the easiest of them; ) That was a really tough choice.. you really pulled me off 3 greats one!
I wonder why these are selling for more than the microkorg? Obviously what it was meant to compete with. Possibly just cause far fewer were produced. You should do a comparison if you own one!
Having played the microkorg and owned a mininova, i found the latter just has more mojo to it. I found the microkorg to be pretty lifeless. It's difficult to describe but the mininova just feels better to play and has a better sound to it.
That's an interesting perspective. I liked both in different ways but certainly the Novation had more slice, more bite. I think the M'Korg had the edge with its pad sounds. If I had to choose though ...it'd be tricky.
I do not recall exactly how I connected my Mininova in 2016, I finally returned home from a 4 year assignment. Can anybody let me know if I can plug in the mini nova directly to a Speaker using the scarlet focusrite audio interface without using any computer ( I just need to hear the sounds of the mini nova and not the sounds of ableton for example) ... I appreciate your advice! Thank you!
Ive been researching to buy a keyboard for quite some time, here is what i am notesing, Anything under 500 dollars sounds too electronicy the sounds, yes you can make toons, but its like robbots playing music, then you have the 6-7 hundred and up boards, and you hear REAL music instruments playing, like "saxophone" "guitar", am I mistaking here? I will end up buying a yamaha , bc thats the only keyboard im hearing so far producing melodies...
Yep I think you'll be pretty happy with that budget. Personally I go more for the 'fun' factor in keyboards rather than technical specs. If the gear makes you happy, good music will follow. And the opposite :)
I bought my Mininova this year 2022 ... I'm so so so happy and in love of this beautiful and powerful gear
Yeah man, it's packed with expressive power :)
I got my mininova in 2023, happy about it, i made a wooden case with speakers and battery
Reorganised my home studio yesterday, dug this out now i have dedicated space again for it. Hands on its a bit of menu diving to get to effects etc but for me launch the novation mininova editor VST with a controller and its puts all the features right in front of you in a really well laid out way. Then I start having real fun. :) If you have not tried the editior and librarian combo, I highly recommend.
Wonderful! I bought a 2nd-hand Ultra Nova a while ago. These are really difficult to beat, especially at 2nd-hand prices. I think they hold their own against many mid-priced synths.
Of course, manufacturers are always trying to push us into the latest gear but it's not always necessary. I think they are powered by G.A.S. 😀
Absolutely agree with all your comments there. Over the last ten years all that's really changed with gear is appearance. There has been little in the way of genuine ingenuity. Glad you liked the video :)
Navation still use this exact sound engine in there latest products, if it ant broke dont fix it.
@@HOLLASOUNDS Is this the same one in the Circuit Tracks?
@@IanWaugh That's correct so if you should by Circuit Rythem and MiniNova as if you buy the Nova and Tracks you have two machines making the same sounds or if you buy Tracks and Rythem you have two machines that look the same.
Thanks.Ah. I have the Ultra Nova. Was interested in Tracks for the interface but not worth it if the sounds are the same.
Mine's on the way. March, 2024.
It’s an EXCELLENT instrument I’ve got one. I’ve just changed the key bed as a key snapped while I was playing it. Novation were very helpful sent me a key next free of charge. I’ll keep the other key bed for spare parts. However I’m going to hook it up to another keyboard I’ve got with full size keys.
Awesome customer service by Novation there!
The animate pads are the best feature on this. Vocoder is pretty great. I don't mind minikeys, though some say it's like playing Chiclets.
Yes I wish I'd had the time to show the animate pads in more detail. I have a follow up video which I'll publish soon.
Damn dude, here you are again! Every fricking synth I buy LOL. Well this is my new fav and I look forward to this video. Cheers!
A little explanation, I've been buying up used keyboards at thrift stores for years and started buying and selling them a few months ago, which is when I discovered your videos. I've gradually "traded up" to the Mininova, really looking forward to it. Always glad to find your videos. 😀
Mininova is definitely one of our faves to work with
Nails that classic Nova sound from their classic VAs, and it's super versatile and easy to tote around for gigs, etc
Definitely punches way above its price range
I have the UltraNova, but with so many synths, we haven't used it a lot. It's a keeper for sure.
Yep it's one of those synths that has a real personality of its own. So approx how many synths do you have there? I know there's at least two DJX's :) :)
@@gearfacts Oh ... a lot and a lot more than most amateur, famous and pro bands and musicians. You asked, so, here is a little peak under the hidden and dark shroud of the band, ElectraGlide.
Total of about 25 to 30 synths or a bit more. I think cause there are few at cousin Claire's house, but most are at my home. All were purchased at under $1000 cause spending more for any synth is just plain stupid foolish. Just like, well, La Dee Daa!, we have a $10,000 Burkenmooge K63Xii synth with 100,000 voices - just joking - no such thing and I wouldn't buy it anyways!
We have the two DJX's plus the Yamaha DJX2 keyboard synth. Two Venoms, two Karmas, two Roland JP-08's. The others are singles from vintage to recent, like the Krome, Radias, Gaia, others are Korgs, remainder like Novation, Casios, Rolands, Akai, Alesis, Quasimidi. I just sold the Korg M3 EXP and a Kross. Still got to thin it out a bit, but some can make very unique sounds from any other, so it's difficult to decide.
Not even going to mention the 60+ electric guitars, FX pedals, processors and amps we have. Probably would not even believe me anyways, so, basically, we are just trying to stay under the public radar and have fun at the same time. Ya can tell by our current and past subscriber counts that we are succeeding. Keeps us out of trouble, ya know? :D
@@gearfacts Jealous? :)
@@dawnr8511 Ahem - yes. Yes I am! There are lots of things I'd like to know about this studio of yours, and related projects, but I don't want to be too intrusive. That's a world of musical potential you've got there, not to mention your playing skills. It'll be great when Elektraglide busts out of its coccoon!
We?
"another review 15 years too late" lol. LOVE these reviews for older gear that can be picked up pretty reasonably 2nd hand.
Absolutely! There's so much affordable gear out there that really performs well. Thanks for watching the vid :)
The MiniNova engine is inside Navation circuit Tracks.
@@HOLLASOUNDS really?
@@Bonn5656 Yes, Its identical.
@@HOLLASOUNDS almost = The Synth Engine in the Circuit and Circuit Tracks are based on the Novation MiniNova synthesiser, but with fewer controls than the MiniNova offers." ( thank for the effort!
Novation Circuit Tracks and Circuit Rhythm look the same both pad focused device's but the Rythem has a sampler where the Tracks has the MiniNova engine inside. So the best choice is to get the MiniNova and the Rythem that way you get all the sounds and two different looking machines.
Wow! Thanks for the demo. It sounds very analog. And the lights are cool! I bet it's a great compact Controller. Cheers!
The new Novation Tracks has the same engine.
No it doesn’t loo
This, like the Microkorg and the Roland JD-Xi, were intended to be budget intro synths for the masses. It seems as though synth manufacturers have abandoned this end of the market as there has been nothing new like this in years. Instead we have the high end Novation Peak and Jupiter XM, though I guess Korg are still producing innovative mid-tier stuff. I wonder why we haven’t had a modernised mini nova or Microkorg? And don’t get me started on Waldorf. I’d love a Blofeld MarkII but instead they have pushed their offerings into the stratosphere.
Maybe the rise of serious ipad apps has made that market less viable for those companies. Just a theory, I don't really know. But this is why i review so much older gear. Most of it is not really obsolete, it just looks different. There's so much great synthing to be found for just a couple of hundred dollars :)
The mini nova is light-years better then the microkorg. I think most of these micro synths were targeted for djs for live performance.. like mabey a basic lead, vocoder ect.. nothing too over the top. The microkorg can run on batteries too so this does make sense. I'm not sure if the mini nova does but I wouldn't be surprised
@@gearfacts that's the sad fate of engineering now.. computers and iPads ect have gotten so powerful no hardware synth can match them apart from analog filters and effects ect.. even my local music stores don't carry too many synths.. you can order them but no ones really buying full scale synthesizers these days.. it's all about software now.
@@stevewallis661 True. It's good for ppl like me though, who have a weird obsession with the machine rather than the quality of the output :)
@@gearfacts True and Android apps which there are many and some are free.
One of many little synths I wish I had the money to buy my friend! I do have 2 of the bigger brothers the Ultranova, from when times were better on the late planet Earth!
Yeah poor old Earth is really taking a pounding from us and our music industry is not without sin! That's part of the reason I review all the old stuff. Re-use, re-cycle, up-cycle!
With the vocoder a “Mr. Blue Sky “ from ELO would be in order hear .
Heckin based
I played £260 For one of these a cupple months ago. Played with it yesterday just thinking about how to add it into My music production. The arpeggiator sounds ar great and it's got some nice synth leads and bass sounds.
Yes I think those (and only those) are the areas where it really shines. Great synth for 260, defs :)
I had the ultranova, powerful synth! Just wish it didn't feel so cheap and plasticky. However, it was definitely a beast in the sound department!
Many people have replied saying that they have the Ultra ...I wonder if it was a bigger seller?
@@gearfacts I think it definitely was. The whole mini and micro synths never really took off for whatever reason. Granted I still own a microkorg and while fun is very limited in what it can do. I think for most people they would rather have a full featured synth then a stripped down version.
@@stevewallis661 The MiniNova seems popular so I'd assume it did ok on sales.
I have two Ultranovas and they do'nt feel cheep or plasticky to me :-)) in fact very sturdy feel.
You lie
💯🤘💯🎹
Awesome breakdowns any chance you could do one onNovation Launchkey 61?Love your work👍
Eventually I'm hoping to :) Glad you liked the vid
I deeply regret having to sell mine to Cashies for 200 bucks to pay an overdue bill that i wasnt aware of. I miss it so much.
Ahh, damn Cashies. A warehouse of broken dreams :(
Do you know if it’s possible to apply the filter to an external synth through the ext input? That big filter knob is super handy.
I’m not aware of any way to do that
Some very nice presets, particularly the “Broadway” lead. I suspect it might be inspired by Billy Currie’s ARP Odyssey sound on Gary Numan’s “On Broadway” cover. Was hoping to hear the standard vocoder “Transformers” speech test (the vocoder version cliche of “Stairway to heaven”) but alas it was not to be 😜.
ha, I never thought of doing that. "More than meets the eyyyyyeeeee"!
I’ve often wanted a good review of these and yours is the best . Now if I can get some cash together .
cheers Kim. And cash, yep, that's the age-old problem innit :)
@@gearfacts yes sir
Same synth engine in the Novation Circuit as well
I thought it was the Tracks not the Circuit?
im looking to buy a first one to start.. i looked at : Kord M1 -Yamaha CS1X -Novation(here) -Roland XM -Casio CZ 101 .. but one thing i would like is MANY presets, good polyphony and built in speakers.. i want to record, have accompagnements and beats drums.. and plays melodies over the other (as in keyboards like yahama with 5 channels) and easy to use..for beginners! : - ) Which one of thoses you think is the best? Any suggestions? Thanks!
I don't think any of those will suit your needs to be honest. To get all those features in a nice simple package, I'd suggest something like a Casio CT-S500, Korg EK-50 or if you really want or have fun try a Yamaha PSR-E463, it's a little more crazy :)
@@gearfacts I played keyboard since long but i want to get a try in synthetizers! I will look at thoses 3 with the reviws here and will give you news of which one i will buy! thanks for your reply! I know pretty much keyboards but I am noob in synthetisers ; )
@@gearfacts I made my choice and went for the Korg ek 50 ! I was simply not expecting Korg to make something like this! They were too much expensive. and it have lights as i like! I liked less the styles of the casio and since i have already a Yamaha dgx 200 and dgx 650 the basics styles repetes a bit.. i want to try something all new! But i wont say no to a yamaha PSR E463 if i find one really cheap one day ; ) I found a quite cheap Korg on ebay for 355 USD! all others were 100 USD or more above. Thanks!! I will for sure one day get the Casio CZ-101 for a try at pure synth .. its looks like the easiest of them; ) That was a really tough choice.. you really pulled me off 3 greats one!
@@emixam101 I love your enthusiasm! I'm glad I could help :)
What do you mean by V2? That looks like the original. Are you talking about the OS version?
Yep. I'm told that the version 2 firmware is quite hard to coe by. I don't remember the full details of why that is, now...
I wonder why these are selling for more than the microkorg? Obviously what it was meant to compete with. Possibly just cause far fewer were produced. You should do a comparison if you own one!
Having played the microkorg and owned a mininova, i found the latter just has more mojo to it. I found the microkorg to be pretty lifeless. It's difficult to describe but the mininova just feels better to play and has a better sound to it.
That's an interesting perspective. I liked both in different ways but certainly the Novation had more slice, more bite. I think the M'Korg had the edge with its pad sounds. If I had to choose though ...it'd be tricky.
I got one for £260 used. I dont have the plugin for Daw so I hope Navation send Me a download code.
This one does wavetables too doesn’t it, or am I thinking of a different Novation?
Hmm I'm not aware of that capability in the Mininova... Could be true though, I'd have to do some research.
Check the plugin ! Really lnterresting!
I do not recall exactly how I connected my Mininova in 2016, I finally returned home from a 4 year assignment. Can anybody let me know if I can plug in the mini nova directly to a Speaker using the scarlet focusrite audio interface without using any computer ( I just need to hear the sounds of the mini nova and not the sounds of ableton for example) ... I appreciate your advice! Thank you!
You can plug speakers into the headphone socket. Don't need an interface. Or run it into a guitar amp if you have one.
At 2:27, is that mini saw lead patch a factory preset?
Yep that was a preset. I might have made some minor changes but essentially yes.
What means V2?
Nowhere info about v2
Its a firmware update I think
@@gearfacts oh, ok :)
No mention of the V2. Is it really a V2, looks like a normal V1,buttons and layout is V1 so what`s the hype.
What u mean with v2
Firmware update :)
@@gearfacts where do you get the v2 Update ? wasnt it the latest is from 2017 (the v 1.5) ?
@@pelikanst3817 I just got it from the Novation website, it was quite easy if I remember correctly
@@gearfacts Strange. The latest firmware on the Novation website is still V1.5. Does it really say OS Ver 2.0 in your synth's global menu?
@@pentaneon I don't have it anymore but yep I'm pretty sure it did. Hmmm...
But those tiny keys!
Yes. Deal breaker...
If keys are a issue buy a Ultranova or use the keys from one of your other keyboards and link them via midi.
Good value but lack of multi timbrality is a big sore point
Agreed on this point
Yes that's its biggest downside.
I'd rather have more oscillators than multiple timbres. But I guess it's a matter of taste.
Ive been researching to buy a keyboard for quite some time, here is what i am notesing, Anything under 500 dollars sounds too electronicy the sounds, yes you can make toons, but its like robbots playing music, then you have the 6-7 hundred and up boards, and you hear REAL music instruments playing, like "saxophone" "guitar", am I mistaking here? I will end up buying a yamaha , bc thats the only keyboard im hearing so far producing melodies...
Yep I think you'll be pretty happy with that budget. Personally I go more for the 'fun' factor in keyboards rather than technical specs. If the gear makes you happy, good music will follow. And the opposite :)