[MBTC]

Originally Posted by trance gate

sorry for the late reply!

Well, As I told I really like the ultranova but I've got one of the first sold units. It's full of bugs and problems.
Beginning with the hiss on the headphones output, the unreliable big knob (it fell of the shaft in maybe 3 hours of use) and sometimes the synth just doesn't want to turn on.

Thanks for the response. I haven't used the headphone output much or had the other problems you mentioned, could just be early production bugs as you say. Although, the big knob does seem to "lose it's grip on the value" if I move it too fast if that makes sense? Its like the software can't keep up with the synth knob.... I meant to contact Novation to see if that's normal, but it didn't bother me too much because I have so many ways to overcome it (such as mapping a knob from my MK II or my Cubase AI controller to the filter on the VST, which works just like any soft synth).

Originally Posted by trance gate

The software is pretty buggy, the drift of the oscs sometimes works, the same happens with the delay time.

I've had problems with the librarian (specifically loading bulk patches) recently, which is weird because before I had no problems and I haven't applied updates since. The software itself is a little quirky, but I find it to be quite solid for an "integrated hardware solution" (my only other experience for a valid comparison would be with Virus control which was way buggier by comparison).

Originally Posted by trance gate

About the supersaw IMHO, I don't find it bad but I feel it begins to sound really thin as you detune it to a point it sounds like a real supersaw. To avoid it you only have to stack another set of detuned saws an octave appart but it usually makes the sound muddier and full of white noise.

Again, IMHO the virus hypersaw sounds better and the sylenth1 detuned saws too.

I can believe that's true, I just don't have a Virus ATM to compare and contrast. When I first got the Ultranova I did some raw supersaw comparisons with Zebra, which I have gotten some insanely rich supersaws out of in the past, and I found the Ultranova to be roughly comparable. But like all synths, great sounds don't just jump out at you from nowhere, sometimes finding the sweet spot of sound design takes some time. Biggest difference for me is that with something like Zebra, Massive, Sylenth1 etc I have huge libraries of already great sounds when I don't feel like investing the time to start from scratch, while the Ultranova is lacking a little on third party patch availability.

I do admit to kind of a love/hate relationship with the software, because on one hand it is very rich in features but on the other hand you sometimes run into limitations that are just in your way, more so than with a good soft synth. As you said though the combination of mod matrix and the touch controls bring a lot to the table.

Originally Posted by trance gate

Appart of my crappy full of bugs unit the synth is really nice. The mod matrix is really nice to use with a lot of destinations and the touch control is clever.
About presets I can't tell you anything as I never use them in any synth, I prefer creating my own sounds.

If I'd only have 700 euros to spend it would be a fight between this and a blofeld keyboard.

Not sure how pricing is where you are, but in the US I paid the equivalent of 450 euros for this unit brand new direct from Novation! Admittedly, the price contributes greatly to my satisfaction.

Originally Posted by trance gate

Both of them full of nice sounds and a crappy build quality to reduce costs.

Whatever, after having it for 2.5 years, I've never planned to sell it, it's a nice synth with a nice keybed and a great size.

I'd definitely agree the build quality is not in the same league as Virus or any high-end instrument. The keys even feel light and cheap to me, but for certain types of playing I find this to be easier on the hands and good for quick movements. I don't expect to see these selling in "mint condition" on eBay 20 years from now.