Novation Summit just arrived

[The Elf]

One thing that was a revelation to me was just plugging a guitar into the input. The effects had to me at least a certain clarity that I didn't get on many of my pedals. Appreciate not what you bought the synth for - but its a nice bonus.

Thanks for that. I rarely use synth inputs, but it sounds like I should give this one a try.

[IAA]

Thanks for that. I rarely use synth inputs

me neither. In fact last and only time I did was to put my electric guitar into my Roland SH09 after following the diagram in the manual. I was underwhelmed at the time and never went there again. Mind you synths have moved on, so I too might try again!

[BillB]

One thing that was a revelation to me was just plugging a guitar into the input. The effects had to me at least a certain clarity that I didn't get on many of my pedals. Appreciate not what you bought the synth for - but its a nice bonus.

Thanks for that. I rarely use synth inputs, but it sounds like I should give this one a try.

Given that the Peak/Summit effects are universally well-regarded, it is frustrating that the only thing you can put through the Peak's FX is the Peak itself. That is a definite plus for the Summit in my book, and as the Novation sales guy said at Synthfest, its not only the FX you can use but the filter and probably other aspects of the synth engine.

Haven't looked into it in any detail, I don't need more reasons to a buy a Summit!

[Arpangel]

It’s a Novation, of course it’s good.
It’s the type of synth that just "does it" boringly so.
I have an A-Staion, and some of my favourite sounds are on that synth, god knows what I’d do with a Summit.
A friend of mine has a Summit, and he's the fussiest guy I know, but he’s more than happy with his. I think I’m not attracted to it simply because it is so perfect, and versatile, I’d have nothing to moan about.

[BillB]

I think I’m not attracted to it simply because it is so perfect, and versatile, I’d have nothing to moan about.

Your good friends on this forum suspect you would find something...

[Arpangel]

I think I’m not attracted to it simply because it is so perfect, and versatile, I’d have nothing to moan about.

Your good friends on this forum suspect you would find something...

You’re right, where’s the Hammond sound? and the Rhodes?

[The Elf]

As yet I don't know how to transfer my custom patches between Peak and Summit. If anyone can provide a steer I'd be grateful to hear.

I've just discovered that 'Components' has a dedicated function for importing Peak Banks to Summit. Job done!

[BillB]

As yet I don't know how to transfer my custom patches between Peak and Summit. If anyone can provide a steer I'd be grateful to hear.

I've just discovered that 'Components' has a dedicated function for importing Peak Banks to Summit. Job done!

Interesting. This guy...
https://okreza.gumroad.com/l/juno-60-summit-patches
...has created a set of 'Juno-60' patches for Summit, but says, in the product PDF, that there is no way to transfer patches created on the Summit to the Peak. Have you found anything to the contrary?

I know 'Juno' patches won't interest you as such, Elf, but I do think it is testament to the flexibility of the Summit/Peak engine that he was able to do this.

[The Elf]

You can get some fairly convincing Juno sounds out of Peak. As long as you stick to one oscillator and keep everything cleanly tuned (especially if you add a sub) then you can get that flat Juno 'twang'. All it really lacks is the right kind of chorus to add the icing.

Personally I prefer the more powerful/lush multi-oscillator Jupiter/JX-ish sounds I'm able to conjure, which come courtesy of some subtle de-tuning. The Summit is taking me further into this realm.

There doesn't seem to be any way to go from a Summit Bank back to Peak, but if I find anything I'll add to this thread.

I'm about to add a thread about my other Synthfest purchase, which may be of interest to you and other Juno fans...

[Arpangel]

If I was vaguely thinking of getting a Summit, this demo would well and truly push me over the edge, especially the first bit, it has to be one of the best demos, and one of the best sound wise, I’ve ever seen, his chordal work, truly inspiring, and not flash either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5kNDdsPG34

[bonefixer]

If I was vaguely thinking of getting a Summit, this demo would well and truly push me over the edge, especially the first bit, it has to be one of the best demos, and one of the best sound wise, I’ve ever seen, his chordal work, truly inspiring, and not flash either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5kNDdsPG34

These things should coming with a warning, “talent not included”. I bought a high-end John Petrucci signature guitar and still can’t play much convincing Dream Theater

[Arpangel]

If I was vaguely thinking of getting a Summit, this demo would well and truly push me over the edge, especially the first bit, it has to be one of the best demos, and one of the best sound wise, I’ve ever seen, his chordal work, truly inspiring, and not flash either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5kNDdsPG34

These things should coming with a warning, “talent not included”. I bought a high-end John Petrucci signature guitar and still can’t play much convincing Dream Theater

Yes, I’d say it’s probably 90%+ talent and a very small proportion of the instrument itself.

[BillB]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but the title is just right for me. As of today I traded in a Peak, System-8 and an SH-201 for a Summit at RichTone in Sheffield. I know they got the better part of the deal price wise, but the convenience of doing a straight swap for a synth I have wanted for some time, was too good to miss. I liked the sound, and even the look, of the System-8, but Roland’s convoluted hoop-jumping with the Roland Cloud, and lack of Sysex, just made it too complicated to be comfortable with.

So as a new Summit owner, can anybody tell me how they organise patches in banks on the Summit? Components can do it but is a bit clunky. I did see but haven’t checked out a Peak/Summit VST editor/librarian (Sigabort?). Any other suggestions?

[The Elf]

I've not found a better way of organising patches and banks other than knuckling down and sweating it out with Components.

I may just now nip down and put in a quick-win offer for your System-8!

[BillB]

I've not found a better way of organising patches and banks other than knuckling down and sweating it out with Components.

I may just now nip down and put in a quick-win offer for your System-8!

Thanks Elf. The Sigabort Editor/Lib looks good, £70! Will have a play with the demo, and with Components. I know Peak/Summit has categories for browsing, but I do like to organise my favourite sounds in category groups, placed sensibly across the banks. IIRC, Components doesn’t show the categories of the left-side banks, so you can’t see what they are until you drag them into the main window. You also can’t see a full set of 128 patches in the main window.... it’s the little things that make patch organisation easy, or difficult.

The System-8 isn’t on the website yet so you may be lucky. I think they had a target sale price of £900. I thought you already had a System-8 - are you needing a spare?

[The Elf]

The System-8 isn’t on the website yet so you may be lucky. I think they had a target sale price of £900. I thought you already had a System-8 - are you needing a spare?

Just acting the goat! I do really like my S8. It remains my favoured Jupiter-8 replacement. Anyway, back to the Summit...

What I've done is created my own banks just by copying stuff around. For me that's that's a one-off job. I don't worry much about gathering patch types - I can always find what I need from Cubase's patch selection system, for which I've made my own Patch Script. Happy to share that if it might help.

[BillB]

That’s very kind, Elf, but I’m not a Cubase user, so it would be wasted on me.

I didn’t really want to part with the System-8... but I wanted the Summit more, and 3-for-1 does slightly simplify my (more synths than talent) setup.
Also a keyboard had to go to make space...

[The Elf]

That’s very kind, Elf, but I’m not a Cubase user, so it would be wasted on me.

I didn’t really want to part with the System-8... but I wanted the Summit more, and 3-for-1 does slightly simplify my (more synths than talent) setup.
Also a keyboard had to go to make space...

I feel your pain.

Well, if a list of Summit patch names alongside bank/patch numbers might be useful to you, you know where I am.

[BillB]

Aah, so you can import sysex(?) banks and spit out Cubase patch scripts or text lists? That might be useful once I have collated/curated the banks that I want.
Won’t be any time soon

I’m more likely to use .ins files than anything else, but it’s not usually difficult to edit in a spreadsheet and/text editor to make them useable.

Thanks for the offer.

[The Elf]

Aah, so you can import sysex(?) banks and spit out Cubase patch scripts or text lists?

Nothing that clever - just some creative spreadsheet use and a downloaded list of patch names (and adding my own).

[BillB]

Partly answering my own question. Just discovered two options this week for Summit patch management (and one editor).

https://squest.com/Products/MidiQuest13 ... index.html
MidiQuest version 13 supports quite a number of new instruments including Summit & Peak. I know not everyone gets on with it, but I think I’ll be upgrading. It has a new feature of importing the category types from the Sysex of certain synths (inc Summit) into its Tags system, so should make patch organisation by Category much easier.

MidiQuest 13 new device support (scroll down)
https://squest.com/Products/MidiQuest13 ... tails.html

https://github.com/christofmuc/KnobKraft-orm
This is an interesting free patch librarian software. I tried to use it to organise my SQ80 patches into banks, but struggled. It was much easier with MidiQuest bank management. However, I just noticed it has support for Summit (not Peak) so will be checking it out.