Novation KS4

Using an enhanced version of the K-Station sound engine, the KS4 (four octave keyboard) and the KS5 (five octaves) offer many additional features and benefits.

The keyboards have aftertouch, are semi-weighted, and each of the 33 knobs and sliders transmit MIDI. There is four part multi-timbral operation with four individual assignable outputs. A big plus is a separate effects section for each part - a unique Novation feature from the Supernova. Also featured are 4 Arpeggiators and 16 note polyphony with a 16 band Vocoder.

Novation KS5

The KS-synths have 3 oscillators which provide sawtooth, triangle, sine, pulse width modulation and other waveforms. There's even a simple FM synth engine which can be dialed in for sharpening the sound. Oscillators may be set to Unison or Sync'd operation and a Noise source is also included in the waveform engine. There is a nice low-/band-/high-pass resonant filter with switchable 12 or 24dB/oct slopes and ADSR controls. A second ADSR envelope is available for the amp, as well as two LFOs with sample-and-hold and MIDI sync.

On-board effects include reverb and delay/chorus/flanger. Their send levels can be controlled by the Mod wheel which is a nice effect. A 12-band vocoder is also on-board for processing external mono sounds such as drum loops or vocals. Pads sound great when vocoded with external sounds. External sounds can also be used as an oscillator, run through the filters, envelopes, etc. with much better results than were possible on the original Bass Stations.

Novation KS Rack

The K-Station was a great little keyboard, and the new KS4 and KS5 offer a much more professional package to stage and studio musicians! But for those who already have enough keys, a rack module was also released, the KS Rack. It came in a very professional 5-space rack / desktop module with all 33 knobs, sliders and controls as the keyboards. Full of clean analog sounding synth bass, punchy leads, pads, filter sweeps and more, the KS-synths have been used by Infected Mushroom.

Angels_In_Bondage

March 25, 2011 @ 7:03 pm

One of the most underrated VA synthesizers. Alot of people completely bypassed this neat synth after bad aliasing issues with the Nova/Supernova. Dont let the specs of the Nova series fool you, this thing doesnt sound as thin or nasally as the Nova.

This synth has a pretty sound to it, and is a much better engine than the K-Station (no system crashing bugs either).

The filters are pretty decent as well, you can get this to sound like a Virus KB with not too much work.

Sold mine to my good friend NormalBoy - but if i had the chance id probably pick up a KS4 rack.

Jimbo Jones

February 19, 2011 @ 9:28 pm

After a week of owning and fiddling with it, I like it. I also own a Supernova 2, which I love. The technology in this is descended from the Supernova via the K-Station, But it's different sounding enough to warrant me owning both of them.

It produces some interesting sounds that can't be produced on the Supernova. The extra waveforms are very usable. And it's a good all rounder. HOWEVER! The clicking Bug is still evident, even on the latest OS 2.1.02 Especially if you try and run 2 LFO's at different speeds on different Oscillators, That is the main cause of it.

gridsleep

January 17, 2011 @ 2:09 am

Oh, and battery power (6 C cells, lots of hours of playing) and USB power. Can't leave out real, actual portability. X marks the spot.

gridsleep

January 17, 2011 @ 2:02 am

There is one of these inside the X-Station alongside the MIDI controller and audio processor, on top of real aftertouch. The X is the best of all worlds. Expect a review soon.

Fred

September 25, 2010 @ 2:27 pm

My first ever synth bought new when first released. I don't play it as much these days, attached to it, so not going anywhere. Made in England, rare - we don't make anything here anymore!
One of the best when you consider how much you can get them for, I paid £400 new, so unbelievable value considering.
Liquid describes it well as you can get real wetness out of it, Novation certainly crammed in the features, except a sequencer. Running all 4 arpegiators can lead to note drop out but that would be the same with real analogs and you can always get around it.

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