Thank you for purchasing the MiniNova synthesiser. The MiniNova is a powerful compact digital synthesiser equally at home in live performance or a recording environment.
Note
The MiniNova is capable of generating audio with a large dynamic range, the extremes of which can cause damage to loudspeakers or other components, and to your hearing!
Note
To download this user guide in PDF format, go to: downloads.novationmusic.com.
This is Version 2.0 of the MiniNova user guide.
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Built-in digital FX section with compression, panning, EQ, reverb, delay, distortion, chorus and gator effects
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Four assignable rotary controls for immediate access to up to 24 primary sonic parameters
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Eight performance pads for arpeggiator control and adding expression while playing
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12-band Vocoder with dynamic gooseneck microphone (supplied)
We don’t know whether you’ve got years of experience with electronic keyboards, or if this is your first synth. In all probability, you’re somewhere between the two. So we’ve tried to make this manual as helpful as possible for all types of user. This inevitably means more experienced users will want to skip over certain parts of it, while relative novices will want to avoid certain parts of it until they’re confident they’ve mastered the basics.
However, there are a few general points useful to know about before you continue reading this manual. We’ve adopted some graphical conventions within the text, which we hope all types of user will find helpful in navigating through the information to find what they need to know quickly:
As the four rotary controls in the PERFORM area of the control panel are referred to throughout the manual, we’ve abbreviated them to RCn, where n is a number between 1 and 4, referring to the control in question.
Where top panel controls or rear panel connectors are referred to, we’ve used a number thus: [x] to cross-reference to the top panel diagram, and thus: {x} to cross-reference to the rear panel diagram. (See Top view – controls and Rearview – connections)
We’ve used BOLD CAPS to name top panel controls or rear panel connectors.
Tip
These do what it says on the tin: we include bits of advice, relevant to the topic being discussed, that should simplify setting up the MiniNova to do what you want. It’s not mandatory you follow them, but generally they should make life easier.
Note
These are additions to the text of interest to the more advanced user and can generally be avoided by the novice. They are intended to provide a clarification or explanation of a particular area of operation.
MiniNova has a fantastic degree of flexibility in tailoring sounds, as you will see in the second part of this manual, where each individual parameter available in the menu system is described. However, to avoid navigating menus during live performance, the most useful and commonly-needed parameters are immediately available for adjustment by the four rotary controls in the PERFORM area of the control panel. We have clearly indicated these parameters within the parameter descriptions.
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Novation MiniNova
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USB-B to A cable
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External 12 V DC mains Power Supply Unit (PSU)
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Gooseneck microphone
You can register your MiniNova online using the registration card. You will then be able to download the additional software you are entitled to as a MiniNova purchaser.
The MiniNova is shipped with a 9 V DC, 900 mA power supply. The centre pin of the coaxial connector is the positive (+ve) side of the supply. The MiniNova can either be powered by this AC-to-DC mains adaptor, or by the USB connection to a computer. To obtain the best possible audio performance from the MiniNova we recommend using the supplied adaptor.
There are two versions of the PSU, your MiniNova will be supplied with the one appropriate to your country. The PSU comes with detachable adaptors; use the one that fits your country’s AC outlets. When powering the MiniNova from the mains PSU, please ensure your local AC supply is within the range of voltages required by the adaptor – i.e., 100 to 240 VAC - BEFORE you plug it into the mains.
We recommend you only use the supplied PSU. Failure to do so will invalidate your warranty. Power supplies for your Novation product can be purchased from your music dealer if you have lost yours.
Tip
If you power the MiniNova via the USB connection you should be aware, although the USB specification agreed by the IT industry states a USB port should be able to supply 0.5 A at 5 V, some computers are unable to supply this current. When powering the MiniNova from a laptop’s USB port, it is strongly recommended that the laptop is powered from AC mains rather than its internal battery.