At the heart of the synthesizer lies the high-powered processor component called a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which far surpasses traditional DSP chips. Each of Peak's eight voices has an independent oversampling digital-to-analog converter (DAC). These DACs are oversampling at over 24 MHz (24 million times per second), using a simple RC (resistor-capacitor) filter on their output in the analog domain. Peak's ability to generate waveforms at the oversampling frequency (up to 512 times the traditional rate) ensures that Peak's waveforms are pure at all frequencies and free from digital artifacts, no matter how aggressively the pitch is modulated.

The front panel of the synthesizer provides a variety of controllers for 1:1 control over most of its parameters. There are 42 control knobs, 8 sliders, 2 data encoders, 46 total function buttons, 2 Animate buttons, 90 indicator LEDS, and a crisp OLED display. What's more, most of the control knobs, switches, and sliders transmit continuous controller data for recording and playing back automation from your sequencer of choice.

The rear panel offers a 1/4" headphone output, stereo (left & right) 1/4" outputs, two 1/4" pedal inputs, and an 1/8" CV modulation input for incorporating modular synthesizers. Additionally, the instrument features MIDI In, Out, and Thru via standard 5-pin DIN connectors. The on-board USB port is class compliant and transmits system and MIDI data. Peak includes a 12 VDC power supply, USB cable, and a download card for Ableton Live Lite 9 and Loopmasters sample content.

Firmware v2.0 Features
Stereo: New spread modes, panning per voice, and panning in the mod matrix give additional control and allow for sound design in the stereo field. Now you can create bigger, wider, and more intricately textured soundscapes.
Modulation and Unpredictability: Create deeper and more experimental sounds with new mod destinations, noise as a mod source, and additional LFO 3 and 4 parameters. Animate Envelopes and Arpeggiator Chance features open more creative performance possibilities.
Effects: New effects, including Chorus Modes, Flanger, and Phlanger add new tonalities. Additional effects modulation destinations open up more experimental sound design. The new Lo-Fi delay mode enables a more vintage style sound.
Bug Fixes: The firmware update v2.0 includes a number of bug fixes.
Key Features
FPGA-based numerically controlled oscillators (NCOs) running at 24 MHz generate waveforms indistinguishable from those produced by analog oscillators
Eight-voice polyphony
Three multiwaveform oscillators per voice
Waveform shaping on all waveform types
Analog signal path (filters, distortions, VCA)
Traditional, dedicated-function rotary controls
LP/BP/HP filter with variable slope, resonance, overdrive, and modulation options
Two independent LFO sections
Separate Amp and Mod envelope sections with ADSR fader controls
Ring modulator inputs (Osc 1 and 2)
Versatile arpeggiator with wide range of patterns
Glide (portamento) with dedicated time control
Pre-loaded with 256 brand new patches
Memory for 256 additional user patches
Two Animate buttons for adding spot effects in live performance
Powerful effects including distortion, delay, chorus, and reverb
Class-compliant USB port (no drivers required), patch dump, and MIDI
OLED display for patch selection and parameter adjustment
External DC input (for supplied AC PSU)
External CV input for integration with other analog equipment
Headphone output
Supports any two pedals (sustain or expression)
Kensington security slot
Optional stand available
Synth Engine
Structure
8-note polyphony (dependent on voices used per note)
Mono-timbral
5 voice modes (Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, Poly2)
Per voice
3 oscillators
1 noise generator
1 ring modulator
2 LFOs
1 Amp envelope and 2 Mod envelopes
1 filter
Waveforms include sine, tri, sawtooth, square/pulse, plus 17 wavetables of 5 waveforms per row
Filter
1 x state-variable OTA filter per voice
12/24 dB slope
Low-pass / band-pass / high-pass
Pre-filter overdrive
Post-filter distortion
Modulation
16 modulation slots per patch
Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination
Mod sources
Direct (depth)
Modulation wheel
Aftertouch (polyphonic and channel)
Expression pedal 1
Expression pedal 2
Keyboard velocity
LFO1 positive
LFO1 bi-polar
LFO2 positive
LFO2 bi-polar
Amp envelope
Mod envelope 1
Mod envelope 2
Animate 1
Animate 2
CV mod input bi-polar
Mod destinations
Oscillator 1-3 frequency, v-sync level, shape amount, and level
Noise source level
Ring modulator output level
Overall synth output level
Filter drive, distortion, cut-off frequency, and resonance
LFO 1 and 2 frequency
Amp env / Mod env 1 / Mod env 2 attack, decay, and release
FM osc 1 -> osc 2, osc 2 -> osc 3, osc 3 -> osc 1, and noise -> osc 1
Osc 3 -> filter cutoff frequency
Noise -> filter cutoff frequency
Effects
Analog distortion
Chorus - 3 types
Delay with 16 types of delay sync, LP and HP damping, slew, and stereo
Reverb - 3 types
Miscellaneous
Arpeggiator w/ key latch – 33 patterns
Patch storage - up to 512 on hardware (ships with 256 factory patches)
Glide
All knobs (excl. volume), sliders and most buttons transmit and receive MIDI cc commands for external control and mapping
Sound Collective
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Register your Novation hardware to access innovative software every couple of months courtesy of the Sound Collective
Free and discounted synthesizers and effects available every two months when you purchase and register any Novation product
Novation Peak Specs
Hardware
Connectors Headphone: 1/4" / 6.35 mm
Outputs (Left and Right): 2 x 1/4" / 6.35 mm
Pedal 1: 1/4" / 6.35 mm
Pedal 2: 1/4" / 6.35 mm
MIDI In, Out, & Thru: 3 x 5-pin DIN
USB: Type-B
Power: 12 VDC connector (center pin positive)
Controls 42 x control knobs
8 x 1.4" / 35.0 mm sliders
1 x volume knob
2 x data encoders
1 x rubberized knob caps with spun metal discs
30 x function buttons (not lit)
16 x function buttons (lit)
2 x Animate buttons plus hold button
Indicator LEDs 90 x indicator LED
Display OLED display
Security Kensington security slot
USB USB socket for system / MIDI communication only (no bus power)
Sound Generator
Synthesizer Structure 8-note polyphony (dependent on voices used per note)
Mono-timbral
5 Voice Modes: Mono, MonoLG, Mono2, Poly, and Poly2

Voice Specifications 3 x oscillators
1 x noise generator
1 x ring modulator
2 x LFOs
1 x Amp envelope and 2 Mod envelopes
1 x Filter

Filter 1 x state-variable OTA filter per voice
12/24 dB slope
Low pass / band pass / high pass
Prefilter overdrive
Postfilter distortion

Modulation 16 x modulation slots per patch
Each slot has 2 sources to 1 destination
Effects Analog distortion
Chorus: 3 x types
Delay: 16 x types of delay sync, LP & HP damping, slew, and stereo
Reverb: 3 x types

Arpeggiator Arpeggiator with key latch
33 x patterns
Patch Memory Patch Storage: Up to 512 on hardware (ships with 256 factory patches)
Portamento Glide: Yes
MIDI Data All knobs (excluding volume), sliders, and most buttons transmit and receive MIDI CC commands for external control and mapping
Software
Software Compatibility Ableton Live Lite 9 is included
Peak is a USB-MIDI, class-compliant device
Physical
Material of Construction Metal chassis with American walnut wooden end cheeks
Metal magnetic inset end pieces
Power Maximum Power Consumption: 12 VDC, 1 A
Dimensions 9.2 x 18.3 x 2.8" / 23.3 x 46.4 x 7.1 cm
Weight Not specified by manufacturer
Packaging Info
Package Weight 12.15 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 25.95 x 12.1 x 5"