Novation MiniNova Synthesizer and Vocoder
I purchased the combination; Mininova & gig bag. Compared to other sites Bax had the best deal. So that's a plus for Bax! Considering the fact that the Mininova looks like a toy, i's awesome! With the upgraded firmware and latest patches, it competes very well with the newest VA synths on the market. The vocoder is very good. However, I have to say the included mic while functional is not as good as using an external mic. I use a Shure SM58 and to me gives better results than the included mic. The included (or downloaded) user manual is helpful but doesn't explain everything. EG: The manual says there are 8 (EIGHT) favourite slots, whereas there are actually 32 (THIRTYTWO!) You have 8 in each bank. The manual says there are 3 banks but there are actually 4 banks - A,B,C & D. You can save 8 favourites in each bank. You hit the favourite button, select your bank, then select a slot and retrieval is same & simple. Novation website (as of writing this) says they've removed the included software editor/librarian for the time being due to bugs. They direct you to using alternative FREE midi software (Midi-OX) but I also use, Bome SendSX & KnobKraftOrm, all these are freeware, I found perfectly usable and simple to save & load patches. The only thing you can't do with these freeware alternatives is program sounds - shame. A software interface would be nice but hey, I don't find menu-diving too much of an issue on the Mininova. I suppose it depends on your experience with synth programming. If Novationdo get their act together and sort the editor/librarian software out that will be a bonus. Being primarily a pianist, I find the mini keys, although usuable, a bit spongy and fiddly for my liking, so I play the Mininova connected via midi to other full sized keyboards. I bought the Mininova for it's sound capabilities and it's vocoder. Although it's mono-timbral, I haven't found that a drawback, as this little machine can sound huge. In comparison, the specs (aftertouch aside) are not that far short from a Hydrasynth Deluxe and my Hydrasynth doesn't have a vocoder! The Mininova is an impressive powerhouse once you get beyond the factory presets which can all be overwritten. Although I made a full back up before over-writing the ones I didn't like. All in all, for the price, it punches way above its looks. I am more than happy with it.
May 20, 2026
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Les
