Novation

Novation MiniNova 37-Key Analog Modelling Synth

4.7 (259 reviews)

Novation's compact MiniNova packs 256 sounds, a pitch-correcting vocoder, and analog-modelling power into a portable 37-key synth.

$449.99*$529.99Save 15%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 28, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Novation MiniNova is a 37-key analog-modelling synthesizer designed by British synth legend Chris Huggett, whose five decades of experience are evident in the depth and character of its sound engine. Despite its compact dimensions of just 22 x 10 x 3 inches, the MiniNova delivers up to 18 voices of polyphony and stacks five simultaneous effects per voice — including reverb, delay, distortion, chorus, and compression — enabling everything from deep, gritty basses and soaring leads to expansive atmospheric pads. The 256 factory presets are organized by type and musical genre for fast browsing, and 128 additional user slots provide room to store your own creations.

What sets the MiniNova apart from other compact synths is its performance-oriented feature set. The eight backlit Animate buttons allow you to assign dramatic real-time sound transformations that activate with a single press, turning subtle patches into aggressive textures or evolving soundscapes on the fly. The built-in vocoder with VocalTune pitch correction — powered by the included gooseneck microphone — lets you sing or speak through the synth engine, automatically tuning your voice to the notes played on the keyboard. A real-time arpeggiator adds rhythmic motion to any sound, and pitch and modulation wheels provide traditional expressive control. Whether used on stage, in the studio, or as a portable writing tool, the MiniNova offers a remarkable amount of synthesis power in a format that fits in a backpack.

Key Features

Make Huge Sounds- Create deep, gritty bass, soaring leads, lush pads, and vintage sounds with up to 18 voices and powerful effects

Built By a Legend- MiniNova’s synth engine was conceived, shaped, and refined by British synth legend Chris Huggett and has his five decades of passion, experience, and expertise behind it

Gently Tweak or Instantly Warp- Subtly tweak your sounds with the knobs, or totally warp them with the Animate buttons, pitch, and modulation wheels

Create Unique Vocals - Talk or sing into the mic and run your voice through the keyboard and effects engine. Use MiniNova’s secret weapon for the perfect vocal – VocalTune. Your voice will automatically be tuned to the notes you play on the keyboard

Animate and Arpeggiate- Switch to 'Animate' mode and press one of the eight backlit buttons to trigger awesome performance functions or 'Arpeggiator' mode to jam with arpeggiator rhythms in real time

Find Your Sound Fast- Instantly search through 256 sounds by type or musical genre and save 128 more sounds of your own

Specifications

Brand
Novation
Model
MiniNova
Keys
37
Synthesis Type
Analog Modelling
Polyphony
Up to 18 voices
Factory Sounds
256
User Sound Slots
128
Effects
5 per voice (layered)
Vocoder
Yes, with VocalTune pitch correction
Performance Controls
8 Animate buttons, pitch wheel, modulation wheel, arpeggiator
Dimensions
2.95 x 22.04 x 9.84 inches
Material
Plastic
Color
Blue

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 256 factory sounds searchable by type or genre let you find usable patches quickly during performance or production.
  • Built-in vocoder with VocalTune pitch correction and included gooseneck mic adds vocal processing without extra gear.
  • Eight Animate buttons enable dramatic real-time sound manipulation at the press of a finger.
  • Compact 37-key form factor at under 23 inches wide makes it highly portable for gigging musicians.
  • Five simultaneous effects per voice provide deep sound-shaping without relying on external pedals or plugins.

👎 Cons

  • 37 mini-style keys may feel cramped for players accustomed to full-size weighted keyboards.
  • 18-voice polyphony can run thin when using complex layered patches with multiple effects.
  • Plastic construction feels less robust than metal-bodied synthesizers in the same price range.
  • 128 user patch slots may fill up quickly for sound designers who create a large number of custom presets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The MiniNova ships with 256 factory presets organized by type and genre, and provides 128 additional user-savable slots for your own patches.
VocalTune is Novation's built-in pitch-correction effect. You sing or speak into the included gooseneck microphone and the MiniNova automatically tunes your voice to match the notes you play on the keyboard.
The MiniNova provides up to 18 voices of polyphony, which is sufficient for chords, pads, and layered patches in most performance and studio scenarios.
The eight backlit Animate buttons can be programmed to trigger real-time sound transformations — pressing one instantly warps or modifies the current patch for dramatic performance effects without needing to reach for multiple knobs.
The MiniNova includes a gooseneck microphone for its vocoder and VocalTune features, so no external mic is required out of the box.