V3.

0 ADDENDUM

Version 3.01
TROUBLESHOOTING

No Power.

Power Supply not connected properly. If applicable, check fuse in mains plug.

No Sound.

Check the“Volume” knob is not set at zero. Check that the correct MIDI receive Channel is selected. Check that all mixer parameters are
not set to zero. Check that a Volume MIDI Message of zero is not being transmitted to Supernova / Nova. Check that the Filter Frequency
knob or Sustain and Decay knobs of Env1 are not set to zero. Check that Local On/Off in Global Mode is not set to Off. Check Arp Mute is
not active. ( lit ) Check Part Polyphony is not set to Off. Check Pass to Effects parameter in Dist/EQ/Config menu is not set to Input 1 or 2
but program. Check that the Arpeggio notes to: parameter in Arp Menu is not set to MIDI only. Check Part levels in a Performance are not
set to 0.

LFOs, Delays and/or Arpeggiator do not sync to MIDI Clock.

Check the Clock parameter in the Global Mode is set to Ext. ( refer page 35 ) If this is set to external, check the Supernova / Nova is
synced by varying the tempo of the Sequencer. If the Supernova / Nova speeds up and slows down accordingly, Supernova / Nova is
synced to MIDI Clock. However it is possible to synchronise the LFOs, Delay and Arpeggiator to many different time signatures. This can
lead to a situation where the Supernova / Nova may be synced but synchronised at a strange time signature. Check the synchronisation
parameters refer on page 65 for the LFOs, page 74 for the Delay and page 44 for the Arpeggiator for details.

LFOs, Delay and/or Arpeggiator is stuck/stopped/does not work.

This is almost certainly because the LFOs, Delay and/or Arpeggiator are set to sync to MIDI Clock. To check this see if the Clock parame-
ter in the Global Mode is set to Ext. ( refer page 35 ) If it is set to External then setting this parameter to internal will restore the operation
of the LFOs, Delay and or Arpeggiator. If you wish these to be synced to MIDI Clock, leave this parameter in External and confirm that the
sequencer is actually sending MIDI Clock. A lot of software sequencers default to NOT transmitting MIDI Clock. If the LFO / Delay / Arp is
stuck / not functioning and you have the Clock parameter in the Global Mode is set to Ext, the sequencer is not sending MIDI Clock. There
is no other reason.

Cannot record knob movements on the sequencer.

Some sequencers / software feature a “filter” for filtering out unwanted data. Controllers is usually an option. This data must not be filtered
out by the program. Consult the sequencer / software's owners manual for details.

Cannot change “Banks” via MIDI.

Bank changes are different from program changes and are actually two messages. For this reason, some sequencers / software have a
“Bank Box” or similar in an attempt to simplify things. However sometimes on early versions of software this function may not be available.
If this is the case and your sequencer does not have a “Bank Box” or similar you will have to enter in the data manually in a “List Edit” or
similar function within the sequencer. You will have to enter a controller with specific values and then a program change message, all with
the right values and in the right order and on the right channels. If the message you send does not change the bank on the Supernova /
Nova then you are not sending the right messages and values. Consult your sequencer / software owners manual for details. Bank change
messages are as follows. They must be sent as shown and in the correct order. A Program Bank “A” message is as follows: enter a con-
troller 32 message with a value of 5 followed by a program change message with the value of the program you want. i.e. for program 6
enter 7. A Program Bank “B”message is as follows: enter a controller 32 with a value of 6 followed by a program change message with the
value of the program you want. Alternatively simply select the desired Performance / Program from the Supernova / Nova’s front panel
while recording into a sequencer. Make sure the MIDI output of the Supernova / Nova is connected to the MIDI input of your sequencer /
computer either directly or via a merge box.

NOTE:

There is a Table of Bank messages recognised by the Supernova / Nova on page 99.

Supernova / Nova does not respond to Program Change / Bank select mes-
sages.

Check that the Incoming Program change parameter in the Global mode is set to Enabled &/or the Prog change filt parameter in MIDI
menu of the Part edit section is not On.

Supernova / Nova does not respond to Controller messages.

Check that the Incoming control change parameter in the Global mode is set to Enabled &/or the Controller filt parameter in MIDI menu of
the Part edit section is not On.

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 TROUBLESHOOTING

The knobs & buttons do not alter the sound / do anything.

Check that the Local On/Off parameter in Global mode is not set to Off.

Cannot receive Sysex dumps ( Progs-Perfs )

Check that Memory Protect is set to Off and Sysex reception is set to Normal ( RX as sent ). If you are sending C or D Bank Perfs or
E,F,G or H Bank Progs from an Expanded Supernova ( Supernova Pro ) to a standard Supernova, or If you are sending B, C or D Bank
Perfs or C, D, E, F, G or H Bank Progs from an Expanded Supernova ( Supernova Pro ) to a standard Nova then these sounds will not go
into the Supernova / Nova as corresponding banks do not exist in the receiving machine. You can however specify All Progs to bank A, B,
C or D and All Perfs to bank A or B to get around this.

The Supernova / Nova switches itself from Perf mode to Prog mode.

This is because the MIDI out and MIDI in of the Supernova / Nova is connected to a sequencer which is remapping Bank/Program mes-
sages (generated by changing Program/Bank on a Part) to a channel corresponding to the Global channel of the Supernova / Nova. The
solution is to Filter out Bank messages in the Sequencer, or disconnect the midi out of the Supernova / Nova, or disable the “Thru” function
on the sequencer, or to change the Global channel of the Supernova / Nova to one not being used in the sequencer.

When editing a Part in Perf mode, other parts are being edited as well.

This is because the MIDI out and MIDI in of the Supernova / Nova is connected to a sequencer which is remapping controller messages
(generated by editing parameters on a Part) to a channel corresponding to the channel of the other Part. The solution is to switch the local
control parameter in global to off. This means all edits will be carried out via the MIDI chain rather than directly and the sequencer will dic-
tate which part is being edited by the MIDI channel setting on the track. The alternatives are not very friendly, they are to filter out con-
troller messages in the Sequencer, or disconnect the midi out of the Supernova / Nova, or disable the “Thru” function on the sequencer.

When using the Fast Data knobs and Bank/Prog buttons the number on
the display changes but the name of the sound and the sound does not.

You are using the unit with the “Local” parameter in the Global Mode set to OFF & have no suitable MIDI loop connected. The display
shows that the message has been transmitted by changing the number and the sound name & sound stay the same because that mes-
sage was not received via MIDI. Connect up a suitable MIDI loop as shown in the Applications Advanced section or turn the “Local” para-
meter back to ON.

(NOVA Only) Only the signals from outputs 1&2 appear on outputs 5&6.

This is because the “Headphones out” parameter on page 9 of the Global mode is set to 1&2 ( refer page 39 for details ). This is the
default setting so that outputs 5&6 can be used as Headphones that monitor the master 1&2 outputs. Simply reassign the parameter to
5&6 and these out puts will behave as outputs 5&6 and no longer monitor as headphones would.

(NOVA Only) Where is the breakout cable for outputs 5&6.

This was a misprint in the Version 1 manual for the Nova. No breakout cable is supplied with the unit. They can be easily obtained from
stores such as such as Radio Shack, Tandy or Maplin.

Novation Tech Support:

Tech support is available from 2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday on 01646 672605
Email support is available on our website http://www.novationuk.com or http://www.novationusa.com.

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UPGRADING THE SOUNDS IN YOUR SUPERNOVA / NOVA

New sound banks are available on our Web site ( http://www.novationuk.com or http://www.novationusa.com ) and are free to download.
This is actually very similar to upgrading the OS in your supernova / Nova.
1 - Connect the MIDI out of the sequencer to the MIDI in of the Supernova / Nova.
2 - Turn the Memory Protect OFF ( in page 6 of the Global mode ) & make sure your Supernova / Nova is set to global channel
1. ( page one of the Global mode )
3 - Load the Total.mid file into your sequencer.
4 - Play the sequencer. ( The display will show the status of incoming messages )

NOTE:

If you experience problems with this file, it is probably due to similar problems that can occur when updating the OS. Please refer to page
86 “Problems that can occur when updating an OS & sounds”.

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 HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR SUPERNOVA / NOVA OS

On our Web Site ( http://www.novationuk.com or http://www.novationusa.com ) the latest Operating System Software is available free to
download. Please follow the instructions below for details on how to upgrade you Supernova / Nova’s Operating System.
1 - BACK UP YOUR DATA.
Make a backup of your data to computer. By this I mean everything. Use the “Total data” setting in the Sysex transmission parameter in
global mode.
2 - VERIFY YOUR BACKUP.
Change the name of one of the sounds and write the change in. Then reload your sounds from YOUR BACKUP that you have just made.
If the name has changed back to what it was when you made the backup. Chances are the backup is OK.
3 - SWITCH THE SUPERNOVA / NOVA OFF.
4 - CONNECT MIDI OUT OF THE SEQUENCER TO MIDI IN ON THE SUPERNOVA / NOVA.
5 - LOAD THE SNVnn.mid ( Supernova) or NVnn.mid (Nova) FILE INTO YOUR SEQUENCER.
6 - HOLD DOWN PART BUTTON 8 (Supernova) or MUTE BUTTON IN THE PART EDIT SECTION (Nova)& SWITCH THE
SUPERNOVA / NOVA ON WHILE STILL HOLDING IT DOWN.

The display should show:

Waiting for midi O/S

7 - PLAY THE SEQUENCER.

If everything is OK you’ll get a display like so indicating the amount of file received.

Receiving OS 3.n

progress... 10%

Once the file has reached 100% the display will show:

OK - updating flash

progress... 10%

The Supernova / Nova is now updating the OS in Flash Memory.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances switch off the Supernova / Nova while this procedure is happening. Doing so may result in very erratic behaviour
and may lead to the Supernova / Nova needing to be sent back for service!

Once the Flash has been loaded the Supernova / Nova will automatically reboot as normal running the new OS.

Problems that can occur when updating an OS & sounds.

While we have taken every precaution in designing the OS to be upgraded trouble free, sometimes problems can occur. This is not solely
down to us but in almost all cases rests with the sequencer/hardware used to perform the upgrade.

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HOW TO UPGRADE YOUR SUPERNOVA / NOVA OS

If an error occurs during the upgrade process the display will show:

Packet error!!

Switch off and re-try

This is an indication that a error has occurred in the download process that does not make any sense to the Supernova / Nova.

NOTE:

This is not caused by the Supernova / Nova but by the transmitting device. This is caused by the software or the hardware used to trans-
mit the OS to the Supernova / Nova. Do what it says, switch the Supernova / Nova off and re-try.

If the problem re-occurs, then please look below.

PC’s

PC’s have the most problems. As said above this is not a fault in the Supernova / Nova but the transmitting device.
In these devices it seems to be a compound problem with hardware and software. Some applications will work with some MIDI interfaces
and not with others.

Solution 1 is try another sequencer/application.

Solution 2 is try another MIDI interface.
Solution 3 is try another sequencer/application with a different MIDI interface.

Cubase works most of the time depending on the version and interface.
Cakewalk works sometimes depending on the version and interface.
Logic works most of the time depending on the version and interface.
Media Player works sometimes depending on the version and interface.
Freeloader works most of the time depending on the version and interface.

If none of this works...Try a different computer. Feel free to ask the sequencer manufacturer why large sysex files as .mid files are incom-
patible with their application. (.mid files are meant to be an international standard)

Macintosh

Mac’s seem to be relatively trouble free. I have encountered some problems with older ones though. The same solutions apply.

Solution 1 is try another sequencer/application.

Solution 2 is try another MIDI interface.
Solution 3 is try another sequencer/application with a different MIDI interface.

If none of this works...Try a different computer. However I would say that this is rarely necessary.

ATARI

Never had a problem ever, an 8meg 16 bit machine can cream the lot of em.

AMIGA

I have only had one of these queries to date. Apparently Bars & Pipes Pro works but it could be down to the interface.

WORKSTATIONS

Workstations such as KORG’s Trinity/X-series/O1w and ROLAND Workstations do not to our knowledge at this stage support sysex in .mid
files. They have Utility modes which can load sysex files but not in the Midi File format.

Basically this means the files downloadable from our site are not compatible with your workstation. You will have to use a computer to
upgrade your unit with this file.

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 HOW TO USE THE INPUTS (NOVA ONLY)

input 2 (pedal) input 1 input sensitivity

Setting up the Sensitivity/Input level of the Inputs.

First set the sensitivity switch to the +4dB position by setting the slide switch on the rear panel of the Nova to the 4 Dot position. Then plug
a sound source into one of the Nova's Inputs. Next adjust the sensitivity switch to suit the type of sound source connected. As described
the 4 Dot position is for accepting signals from Studio equipment such as Samplers, Synths, Workstations, Mixers etc. (+4dB) In the 3 Dot
position the sensitivity is suitable for Consumer Audio Equipment such as Cassette decks etc. (-10dB) In the 2 Dot position the sensitivity
is suitable for guitars etc. (-25dB) In the 1 Dot position the sensitivity is suitable for Microphones etc. (-40dB) To set this correctly press the
in /out button in the Part edit section and go to page 1 of Program mode or page 2 of Performance mode. The display looks like so:

: : : : : : : ::: ::: = Trim 1 + 1 0

: : : : : : : ::: ::: = Trim 2 + 1 0

In this page meters are available showing the level of incoming signals on the 2 Inputs. As can be seen the 2 fast data knobs access
"Trim" controls allowing 10dB of boost or gain to the signal. When the meters reach the highest segment of the display the signal is clip-
ping. Use the sensitivity switch on the rear panel in conjunction with the "Trim" controls to get the loudest possible signal without clipping.

NOTE:

The "Trims" can be set individually for each channel but the settings for the sensitivity switch cannot.

The Inputs on the nova can be used in 3 different ways, Firstly an Input can be used to "Tack on" to an effects chain in a Program or to the
Effects chain of a Part of a Performance. Secondly as waveform that con be processed by the Filter, LFOs, ENVs and in turn the Effects.
Thirdly as a Modulator or Carrier in a Vocoder setup. Lets look at these individually.

Setting the Inputs to be routed to the effects.

Set up the Input sensitivity and “Trim”parameters as shown above. To connect an Input to an effects chain in Program or Performance
mode simply press the dist/EQ/config button and then press the menu button, both of which are in the effects section. Go to page 5 and
set the "Pass to effects:" parameter to either Input 1 or 2 or Program & Input 1 or 2. Input 1 or 2 settings mean only the selected Input
goes to the effects on the selected Program or Part and the sound assigned to the Program or Part is mute. Program & Input 1 or 2 set-
tings mean that the selected Input & the sound assigned to the Program or Part go the effects. Remember there are 7 effects available in
each program or Part so a lot of effects processing can be used on the Inputs. Additionally in a Performance the output of the effects can
be routed to different output pairs allowing separate returns to be realised. To do this select the Part of the Performance you wish to re-
route and set the Part outputs parameter on page 1 of the in/out menu in the Part edit section to the output pair you require.

Passing an Input signal through the Filter & effects.

Passing loops and other signals through filters has become popular over the last couple of years and the Nova allows either Input to be
processed in this way. Set up the Input sensitivity and “Trim”parameters as shown above.

To set this up it is necessary create a program that is set up so that an Oscillator waveform is substituted with an Input signal & to supply a
MIDI note to “trigger” the Envelopes ( the Amp Envelope in particular ) so that you can hear the signal.

The best thing to do is to use B127 Init Prog as a starting point from which to create an “Input” Program.
Select Prog B127 Init Prog.
Select Oscillator 1 and then press the Mix button ( so that it is lit ) in the Oscillator Mod Matrix.
Turn the Level knob in the Oscillator Mod Matrix fully clockwise to a value of 127. ( This turns Osc 1 up to a volume of 127 )
Select Oscillator 2 and then press the Mix button ( so that it is lit ) in the Oscillator Mod Matrix.
Turn the Level knob in the Oscillator Mod Matrix fully anticlockwise to a value of 000. ( This turns Osc 2 down to a volume of 000 )
Select Oscillator 3 and then press the Mix button ( so that it is lit ) in the Oscillator Mod Matrix.
Turn the Level knob in the Oscillator Mod Matrix fully anticlockwise to a value of 000. ( This turns Osc 3 down to a volume of 000 )
Now the only audible Oscillator should be Oscillator 1.

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HOW TO USE THE INPUTS (NOVA ONLY)

Select Oscillator 1 and then press the Special waveform button. Use the lower fast data knob to select the desired Input.
Now when pressing a note on a master keyboard that is MIDIed to the Nova the Input signal should be heard.

NOTE:

If no signal is present on the Input no sound will be heard.

NOTE:

If no MIDI note is sent to the Nova no sound will be heard & if no signal is present on the assigned Input at the moment the MIDI Note is
played then no sound will be heard.

Now all that remains to be done is set up the Filter,Envelopes, LFOs & Effects to the type/settings that you require. Once that is done then
save the Program so you can recall it later. Some cool things can be done here. Filter sweeps can be carried out by the envelopes. LFOs
can of course be synced to MIDI clock and used to Modulate the Oscillator Mix level thereby creating “Gater” effects. In an unsynced mode
and with the LFO range parameter set to Fast strange effects can be achieved when “Gating” the Inputs at Khz ( similar to Decimator type
effects ). Remember that Envelope 3 can also modulate the speed of the LFO that is used for the “Gating” effect.

NOTE:

Input choices are memorised with the program so different programs could use different Inputs or even both at once by using Oscillator 2
or 3 for the other Input.

Setting up the Inputs for use with the Vocoder.

Set up the Input sensitivity and “Trim”parameters as shown on the opposite page. Next select a Program that is going to become the
“Carrier” for the Vocoder. The best “Carriers” tend to be bright Pads or similar. In fact Program B127 “Init Prog” is actually quite good for
this purpose. In the following example B127 “Init Prog” will be the “Carrier”.

Select Program mode or Performance mode.

If in Program mode select B127. If in Performance mode select the Part to be used for the vocoder, then assign Program B127 to that
Part.
Press the Vocoder button in the Effects section ( the button is lit ) and then press the Menu button ( the button will flash ) in the Effects
section.
Use the page buttons to go to page 2 of this menu and the display will show:

Voc input input 2

Voc insert Program

Assign which Input to use as the “Modulator” source using the higher fast data knob. In program mode this will be limited to Input 1 & 2. In
Performance mode the options increase to Input 1 & 2, Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6. The bottom parameter determines what is going to become
the “Carrier”. In program mode there is only one choice, the currently selected Program. In Performance mode the options are Part 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 & 6. ( Only one part can be assigned at once & only one Vocoder is available at once.)

Now the Vocoder should be working and all that remains is to adjust the Sibilance & width parameters to taste. Also note that the full
effects section is available on the selected Part or Program as well. In addition to this in Performance the “Effects used” parameter in the
Output menu of the Part edit section allows the use of completely different effects settings from those found in the original Program. ( This
is in fact almost exactly how the factory Performance A119 is set up.) Once this is done then the Program or Performance can be written
into memory.