I recently purchased a Novation UltraNova. As I was researching I compiled specs form manufacturer web sites and placed them into a spreadsheet from other synths at this price point so I could compare the instruments side-by-side. I thought I’d pass this info on to save you time if you were in the market.
Now while I chose UltraNova, you may read this information and come to a different conclusion based on your particular priorities. For example if you have an absolute need a multi-timbral synth Venom would be of interest. If near one-for-one knob for parameter control was a high-priority Gaia becomes more interesting.
As a synthesist and controllerist, the UltraNova was a clear winner for me because of it’s analog modeling, wavetable synthesis, strong modulation matrix, aftertouch, strong effects, VST/AU editor and touch encoders.
I compiled this manually so if you find a mistake let me know. After you checkout this table, swing by my UltraNova 411 post.
| Spec | UltraNova | Venom | Gaia |
| Price | $699.00 | $499 | $699 |
| Aftertouch | Yes | No | No |
| Analog Modeled | Yes | No | Yes |
| Waveforms | Square, sine, tri, sawtooth, pulse, 9x saw:pulse combinations. 20x digital waveforms, 36 Wavetalbes (w/ 9 waveforms each) | 41 oscillator waves and 53 drum sounds sampled from vintage synths. | SAW, SQUARE, PULSE/PWM, TRIANGLE, SINE, NOISE, SUPER SAW |
| Wavetable Synthesis | Yes | No | No |
| Modulation Matrix | 20 Slots | 16 Slots | None |
| Modulation Sources | 17 | 31 | None |
| Modulation Destinations | 66 (Includes FX Params!) | 17 | None |
| Filter Drive | Yes | Yes | No |
| Filter Types | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| FM Synthesis | No (There are however some FM waveforms in wavetable) | Yes | No |
| Envelopes Per OSC | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Audio Input Can Be Processed by Synth Engine | Yes | No | No |
| Vocoder | Yes | No | No |
| Computer Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes but costs an extra $99 |
| Editor Runs as | VST/AU | Stand-Alone | Stand-Alone |
| Control | 8 Touch Encoders, Filter/Last Param Knob, Mod & Pitch Wheel | Matrix, Mod & Pitch Wheel | Nearly 1-for-1 knob sliders, D Beam, Mod & Pitch Lever |
| Front Panel Editing Experience | LDC + Page linked knobs with touch encoder focus. More dedicated back lit buttons for selecting sub menus than Venom | Matrix + LCD | Clear signal flow on front panel with nearly 1-for-1 |
| User Preset Slots | 508 (4 banks of 127 Slots) | 512 single, 256 Multi | 64 |
| Effects | Distortion (up to 2 instances), Compressor (up to 2 instances) , Chorus/Phase (up to 4 instances), Delay (up to 2 instances), Reverb (up to 2 instances) , Gator, EQ, 12 band vocoder |
Global: Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser. Insert: Compression, EQ, Distortion, Bit Reduction, Decimation, | DIST, FLANGER, DELAY, REVERB, LOW BOOST |
| Audio Interface | 2 in 4 out | 2 in 2 out | None |
| Multittimbral | No | 4 | No |
| Polyphony | 20 | 12 | 64 |
| MIDI | IN/OUT/THRU | IN/OUT | IN/OUT |
| Power Options | Bus Power/AC | AC | AC/Batteries |
| Ableton Integration | Automap/Stream Audio via USB | Stream Audio via USB | Stream Audio via USB |
| Keys | 37 | 49 | 37 |
Mark Mosher
Electronic Music Artist, Boulder, CO
Synthesist | Composer | Keyboardist | Performer
www.ModualteThis.com
Official Web Site: www.MarkMosherMusic.com
Listen/Download Albums: www.MarkMosherMusic.com/music.html
Nice!
Posted by: Mark Mosher | October 26, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Hi mark,
Nope, yr absolutely right. I was unsure (hence "i think") as to whether the RCA inputs on the venom would give access to the synth but it can't be routed through the oscillator, as you suggest. Thanks for such a helpful comparison chart.
Posted by: capt fumo | November 13, 2011 at 04:26 PM
:^) Thanks for dobule checking. BTW here is a video I did on USTREAM where I process Blofeld and Theremin with UltraNova http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut8TYGVVxm8
Posted by: Mark Mosher | November 13, 2011 at 05:45 PM
I really wish I would of read this before buying the Roland Juno-Gi... Novation sounds excellent for creating ambient effects etc.
Posted by: Mike | November 19, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Ultranova is the only 48k output for audio
Posted by: JT | December 08, 2011 at 06:08 PM
ultra is truly the best value
Posted by: JT | December 08, 2011 at 06:09 PM
After great deliberation, the deciding point for me was the fact that the UltraNova had aftertouch.
On its own, that feature should have driven the price of this board twofold.
I have owned a GAIA in the past and it's extremely fun and it's exceptional for teaching the basics of analogue synthesis, but as far as flexibility, the Nova has it down.
USB power was also a plus but not really a deal maker.
Also would like to extend my thanks into 2012. I read this post once in a while because it's great.
Posted by: CSReichard | April 09, 2012 at 01:14 PM
Glad to be of help. I think you'll really enjoy UN so let me know how it goes. If you put anything up on soundcloud let me know as well.
Posted by: Mark Mosher | April 09, 2012 at 01:18 PM
That is not really a fair comparison with the Venom (based solely on specs), because it has a unique architecture that uses a modeling matrix and a patch collider - you can do some amazing sound design (very quickly) with it that does not exist anywhere else and now that the price is dropping you should rethink it!
Posted by: Buckminster Darwin | May 18, 2012 at 05:06 PM
I agree, specs are just specs. But, they help people match priorities to product. If priority #1 was aftertouch then there is one choice out of these three synths - UltraNova. If priority #1 was FM then then Venom wins. If priority #1 was near one knob per function UI than Gaia wins. They are all great synths in their own way (Davezilla owns Venom and UltraNova and loves them both). Posts like this just surface the facts about what is under the hood so people can make educated decisions. No doubt you can shred with Venom :^)
Posted by: Mark Mosher | May 18, 2012 at 05:34 PM
Great comparison, I was just about to buy Venom, but doing my homework found this and I better keep saving some money until I can afford Ultranova! I'm an eyecandy or good desing lover so I totally love the physical design on Venom so it's a shame Ultranova is much more superior! I might buy Ultranova by now and then save some money to buy Venom just because it's pretty and futuristic design! :yaoming: XD lol
Thanks a lot again! This have helped me a lot! You just saved me from a bad buy! =)
God Bless Ya'!
Posted by: Migra | June 25, 2012 at 10:34 AM
There is one glaringly important thing nobody has mentioned: the Venom is the only one with 49 keys!!! I currently own a Novation X-station 49 and I may have to replace it. These seem to be the only hardware synth options under $1000. If I want to model crazy sounds I can do it in Ableton. I need a hardware synth that I can play in conjunction with my MIDI sounds, as well as bring to a jam. Dial up a sound & play without dragging my laptop/MIDI rig around. I can't imagine being confined to 37 keys for that. Any thoughts on this aspect?
Posted by: woodswalker88@gmail.com | September 11, 2012 at 03:35 PM
If # keys and less than $1000 are requirements then Venom seems like a good synth to try.
Posted by: Mark Mosher | September 12, 2012 at 09:17 AM
I don't know. I bought the Ultranova first. Was extremely excited due to specs but was very disappointed with the sounds (not just preset but sonic depth/quality). I then got the Venom because it was being discontinued and was dirt cheap...sounds were killer...different, but killer. In the end, I ended up getting the Gaia as well. I like the sounds much better than the Ultranova and the ease of use can't be beat between the 3. You really can't judge a synth by the specs.
Posted by: synthjunkie | February 14, 2013 at 06:51 PM
Very thorough and helpful comparison table. Thanks! :-)
Posted by: Bent | April 11, 2013 at 12:37 PM