6
gettIng StarteD
Standalone and computer operation – a foreword
The UltraNova may be used as a standalone synthesizer, with or without MIDI connections
to/from other sound modules or keyboards. It may also be connected - via its USB port - to
a computer (Windows or Mac) running a DAW application. The UltraNova can then be
controlled entirely from the computer by using the UltraNova Editor plug-in. The UltraNova
Librarian is a separate software application which greatly assists in the organising, saving
and recall of patches.
The methods of connecting the UltraNova to accommodate the various methods of working
are covered in the documentation supplied with the UltraNova Editor and UltraNova Librar-
ian software packages. The Installers for this software, and the related USB drivers may be
downloaded from
http://novationmusic.com/support/ultranova.
Standalone operation – audio and MIDI connections
The simplest and quickest way of getting started with the UltraNova is to connect the two
rear panel jack sockets marked
Master Output 1
and
2
{10} to the inputs of a stereo
amplii er, audio mixer, powered speakers, third-party computer sound card or other means
of monitoring the output.
If using the UltraNova with other sound modules, connect
MIDI OUT
{4} on the UltraNova
to MIDI IN on the i rst sound module, and daisy-chain further modules in the usual way. If
using the UltraNova with a master keyboard, connect the controller’s MIDI OUT to
MIDI
IN
on the UltraNova, and ensure that the master keyboard is set to MIDI channel 1 (the
UltraNova’s default channel).
With the amplii er or mixer off or muted, connect the AC adaptor to the UltraNova {1}, and
plug it into the AC mains. Turn the UltraNova on by moving the rear panel switch {2} to
Ext
DC
. During power-up the display shows the i rmware version number for a few seconds:
after which the Patch Menu appears:
Turn on the mixer/amplii er/powered speakers, and set the Monitor Balance [28] to 12
o’clock, and turn up the Master Volume control [29] until you have a healthy sound level
from the speakers when you play the keyboard.
Using headphones
Instead of speakers via an amplii er and/or an audio mixer, you may wish to use a pair of
stereo headphones. These may be plugged into the rear panel headphone output socket
{8}. The main outputs are still active when headphones are plugged in.
NOTE:
The UltraNova headphone amplii er is capable of outputting
a high signal level please take care when setting the output level.
The factory default setting for headphones’ level is for their volume to be controlled by the
Master Volume control. However, it is possible to set the headphones’ level independently;
although the Audio Menu is discussed in detail later in the manual, it may be useful to know
how to do this now. Press the
AUDIO
button [30] to open the Audio Menu, then press the
PAGE NEXT
button [4] to access the Headphone Page:
Turning
RE1
anticlockwise changes the Headphone Level Control setting to
Use Level
and Balance 1+2/3+4
. Then the headphone level can be adjusted independently of
the main outputs with
RE6
(and any balance between synth sounds and inputs with
RE7
).
A word about Menu Navigation
The UltraNova has been designed to give the player maximum control over sound character
and system operation with the minimum of hassle. All the main menus are selected by a
single press on a dedicated button; for example, pressing the
OSCILLATOR
button will
always open the Oscillator Menu regardless of whereabouts in the menu system you might
currently be. There is no need to “back up” or “Exit” any menu, you can always go directly
from one menu to another with a single button press.
Several of the synth processing blocks - such as the Oscillator and Envelope Menus – are
duplicated; for example, there are 3 separate oscillators, each with its own menu. When
you re-select a menu for such a multiple block, it will open at the one you last used. For
example, if you adjust parameters of Envelope 4, then go to another menu to adjust some
other parameters, and then press the
ENVELOPE
button again, the Envelope Menu will
re-open with the parameters for Envelope 4 visible. The same principle applies to menus
which have multiple pages – UltraNova remembers which parameters you were last adjust-
ing, and re-opens the menu at the last-used page.
Audio In
Audio Out
USB
UltraNova connected to a computer via USB.
USB transmits audio and MIDI to and from the computer
Audio In
Audio Out
USB
FireWire/USB
UltraNova connected to computer soundcard
via analogue audio outs.
USB transmits MIDI to and from computer
MIDI In
Controller Keyboard
MIDI Out
Sound Modules
Novation UltraNova
Version
1.0.00
Patch
Name
A000
Clock}
156 BPM
Ext-Auto
Status}
Circuit Motion
ClockSource
Fly-Wheeling
Novation UltraNova
Version
1.0.00
Patch
Name
A000
Clock}
156 BPM
Ext-Auto
Status}
Circuit Motion
ClockSource
Fly-Wheeling
FX - COMPRESS 1/2
COMPRES1
C1Ratio
C1Thrsh
C1Attack
C1Rel
C1Hold
C1Gain
2.0
-20
0
64
32
127
FX - DISTORT 1/2
DISTORT1
Dst1Type
Dst1Comp
Dst1Lvl
Diode
100
0
FX - REVERB 1/2REVERB1
Rvb1Type
Rvb1Dec
LrgHall
90
GLOBAL
Protect
Local
MidiChan
MidiOut
Touch/Filter
Off
On
1
Off
Set by Patch
TuneCent
Transpse
KbdVel
VelResp
DfltRate
FootSwth
Whlights
0
0
Curve 4
Medium
48KHz
Auto
On
ClockSource
Clock}
120 BPM
Auto
Status}
Internal Clock
DUMP to
Bank
Patch
Name
Current
OnePatch
OneBank
AllBanks
USBport
A
0
Init Program
DUMP to
^^
USBport
GLOBALS & AUDIO
Calibrate
BendWhl
ModWhl
Aftouch
SetAftouch
Current O/S Transmit ^^
Current O/S Version 1.0.00
Startup O/S Version 1.0.00
AUDIO
In12Link
In1Gain
In2Gain
In1 -60 |--------|
0dB
In1
FX
In2
FX
Indept
Off
Off
In2 -60 |--------|
0dB
0
0
HeadPhones Level Control
Level
Balance
1+2/3+4
Follow master volume (1+2 only)
127
0
OUTPUTS
Synth
Input1
Input2
RECORD Mode
1+2
127
0
0
Synth
OUTPUTS
Synth
Input1
Input2
Level
Balance (Host3+4/Synth+Inps)
3+4
0
127
0
127
0
Off
Novation UltraNova
SPDIF
Note: the UltraNova is not a computer MIDI interface. MIDI can be transmitted
between UltraNova synth and computer but MIDI cannot be transmitted to and
from the UltraNova MIDI DIN ports from the computer.
