Novation Digital Music Systems Ltd, established in 1992 by visionaries Ian Jannaway and Mark Thompson, has been a cornerstone in the electronic music landscape for over three decades. Renowned for its innovative approach to synthesizers, MIDI controllers, and more, Novation has continually redefined musical expression through technology.
So let’s take a second to break down what’s going on behind the scenes at one of the more innovative companies in the music production space by tracing Novation’s impactful journey, underscoring its significant contributions from the past, its dynamic present endeavors, and its visionary future in electronic music.
The Past: Foundation and Revolution
The genesis of Novation marked a revolutionary shift in the music technology sphere. The debut of the MM10 in 1992, a collaborative effort with Yamaha, was a game-changer – a portable, battery-operated keyboard controller that laid the groundwork for modern music workstations. Following this, the 1993 Bass Station, inspired by the Roland TB-303, demonstrated Novation’s prowess in analog sound with its digitally controlled oscillators and helped lay the foundations for the company’s entire future. But things were only just getting started at this point!
Novation’s breakthrough in Analogue Sound Modelling (ASM) came with the 1995 Drum Station, an innovative product that replicated the sounds of iconic Roland drum machines but at a more affordable and approachable price point.
This era also saw the involvement of Chris Huggett, a luminary in synthesizer design and one of the guiding lights behind breakthrough synths like the Peak and Summit. His contributions, particularly in designing the Supernova synthesizer, further propelled Novation into the upper echelons of music technology spaces and solidified the brand as a true powerhouse.
The Present: Innovation and Expansion
In the current music technology landscape, competition is fierce, and many companies choose to race to the bottom with more affordable and less-quality replicants of the titans of synthesis originally made decades before; Novation distinguishes itself through continuous forward-thinking innovation. The Circuit groove boxes exemplify this, encapsulating the power of the Supernova in a compact, portable device that’s designed for a modern producer, AKA one who is producing on the go, collaborating in others’ studios, and who needs to get the maximum amount of functionality out of a few limited studio investments. These products represent Novation’s philosophy of integrating cutting-edge technology with user-friendly interfaces, making music creation accessible and enjoyable.
This becomes evident with the latest additions of Circuit Tracks and Rhythm, offering compact tools for production that draw inspiration from the traditional glovebox design yet elevate it to an entirely new level. The Circuit Tracks, akin to a standard groovebox, offers features like six-note polyphony and robust MIDI sequencing, extending the boundaries of what’s achievable with such a product. It enables the Tracks to compete with other products twice its price or more. In contrast, the Circuit Rhythm, serving more as a standalone sampler, boasts a broader range of features regarding playability and raw sample manipulation than most standalone samplers on the market today. Together or independently, these two products equip producers of all skill levels with powerful tools for creating professional-level music wherever they go. This makes collaboration one of the most critical aspect of Novation’s immediate and long-term strategies for growth.
Partnerships with companies like Ableton have fostered technological advancements and nurtured a community around music creation. Novation’s integration of industry-leading technologies in all forms of music-making tools highlights its commitment to staying at the forefront of tech-driven creativity while preserving the essence of creativity that makes us all human, which is no small feat considering the constant push-and-pull dialogue going on between generative tech and artistic authenticity as machines and machine learning work their way into artistic spaces further each day.
The Future: Vision and Sustainability
Novation’s vision for the years and decades is grounded in innovation and environmental responsibility. Their commitment to sustainable manufacturing is reflected in their involvement in the Focusrite group’s green initiatives. Novation actively pursues using recycled materials, reduced carbon footprint, and sustainable packaging, aiming to harmonize technological advancement with ecological awareness.
The future for Novation involves creating more sophisticated instruments and maintaining the tactile joy and intuitive interaction that musicians cherish. In balancing these elements, Novation strives to remain a beacon of innovation in the music tech industry.
Empowering Artists: Creativity and Community
Novation’s commitment extends beyond product development to empowering artists and fostering a sense of community. They focus on tools that enhance creativity and facilitate sharing musical experiences.
By supporting individual and communal music-making, Novation plays a crucial role in developing a vibrant, collaborative music culture that fits more into the lifestyle of a producer and creative than simply being just another studio tool to collect dust on a rack. This approach also underscores the importance of music in fostering social skills, cognitive development, and artistic expression.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation
Novation’s journey from a pioneering startup to a leader in music technology is a narrative of constant evolution, innovation, and commitment to quality. As they continue to shape the contours of electronic music, their influence extends beyond product design to the culture of music creation.
Novation remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians, blending tradition with innovation, and forging a sustainable path forward in electronic music.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
