Novation's Peak architecture proved so compelling that they decided to build an entire flagship around it—and the result is a synth that feels less like an upgrade and more like a completely different instrument. The Summit takes everything that made Peak special and doubles down, literally: dual filter paths, dual distortion chains, and the ability to run two independent synth engines simultaneously from a single keyboard.
At its core, the Summit is a 16-voice hybrid synthesizer built on Novation's New Oxford Oscillators, which are FPGA-generated digital oscillators that handle subtractive, wavetable, and FM synthesis with remarkable clarity and character. Each of the 16 voices gets three of these oscillators, a noise generator with integrated filtering, a ring modulator, dual LFOs, and a pair of analog multimode filters that can operate in 12dB or 24dB slopes across low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass modes. The signal path runs through three stages of analog distortion per voice before hitting the effects section, which includes distortion, chorus, delay, reverb, flanger, and phlanger modes. The 61-key semi-weighted keybed features velocity sensitivity and polyphonic aftertouch, giving you real expressive control over individual notes. You get a comprehensive modulation matrix with 16 slots and dual sources per destination, plus stereo audio inputs that route directly into the effects chain—perfect for processing external gear or vocals.
The two-part multitimbral architecture is where things get genuinely powerful. You can layer both parts across the full keyboard, split them at any point, or run them as completely independent synth engines with separate MIDI control. This flexibility has made the Summit a favorite for live performers and studio producers alike, particularly those working with complex arrangements or needing to trigger multiple timbres from a single performance surface. The firmware 2.0 update added stereo spread modes for spatial voice distribution and expanded modulation destinations, making the effects integral to sound design rather than just polish. At roughly 40 inches wide and under 12 kilograms, it's substantial but manageable for a flagship synth of this capability.
