Novation Supernova II, User Manual

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There are 3 types of “Sounds” you can select in the Supernova II Rack. These are Programs, Drum Maps & Performances.
When the Program Button is selected a single Program is recalled from memory. A Program is the most basic type of sound in the
Supernova II Rack. This sound is made up of the 3 oscillators, the 2 ring modulators & the noise generator. These are Mixed
together & are fed through the Filter, Amplifier & effects processors. The sound produced by a Program in Program Mode comes
out of outputs 1 & 2. A Program uses the “Global MIDI Channel” to receive MIDI Data. A Program covers the entire range of notes
on a master keyboard & has the standard velocity curve. On other synthesisers, a “Program” is sometimes referred to as a “Patch”
or “Partial”. This is fairly standard amongst synthesisers except the Supernova II Rack differs in 2 areas.
Firstly, the Effects Section is memorised with the Program. Although this may seem standard in comparison to other equipment, the
real difference happens when a Performance is selected. Because the Supernova II Rack can run 56 Effects at once, all 8 “Parts”
of a Performance have their own Effects Section. This allows all the “Parts” of a Performance to sound exactly the same in
Performance mode as they do in Program mode. This is unique to the Supernova II Rack & is literally like having the equivalent of
8 separate synthesisers with 8 sets of effects sections allowing a very high level of production to be achieved with just one box.
Secondly, the Arpeggiator Sections parameters are also memorised with a Program. Similarly because the Supernova II Rack can
run 8 Arpeggiators at once, all 8 “Parts” of a Performance have their own Arpeggiation.
Below is a simplified block diagram of a “Program” in the Supernova II Rack.
In a Program, incoming MIDI messages get processed by the Arpeggiator ( If it is “On” ) & control the Oscillators. The signals pro-
duced are mixed together in the Mixer section & the resulting signal is passed on to the Filter. The signal then is passed to the
Amplifier which then sends the signal into the effects section. This signal path is refected on the front panel of the Supernova II
Rack allowing easy understanding of the synthesis process. All the essential controls of this process are on the front panel & in
Program mode, adjusting the controls will directly effect the sound produced. For a deeper understanding of the creation of sounds
refer to the section “About Analogue Synthesis” on page 6 for details.
Arpeggiator Oscillators
and Ring
Modulators
Mixer Filter Amplifier Dist EQ Pan
Reverb
Chorus
Delay
LFO 2
Envelope 2
Envelope 1 LFO 1
Envelope 3
MIDI
Program
Comb
Effect Section
( Shown in Normal
Configuration, D + R + C )
ABOUT PROGRAMS
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