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Getting Started Guide

The Nova is a MIDI controller. While it doesn't play sounds on its own, MIDI is a universal standard, so it easily works with thousands of existing sounds and effects!

Overview:

Connecting the Nova

Use the included extra long USB-C cable to connect the Nova to your computer / tablet / phone.

Right angled connector connects to the guitar, the other end of the cable connects directly or through the included adapter to USB.

Important: 

  • Never use the angled connector without feeding the cable through the strap.
  • If you use the straight connector when sitting, make sure to keep the connector end from bumping the seat.

USB connectors are more fragile than guitar jacks. Being rough with the cable connection can permanently damage the Nova's USB plug.

Connecting to your Computer / Phone / Tablet

Your included USB cable has USB C connectors on both ends and an adapter to USB A in case your computer doesn't have a USB C connector available.

Connecting to Something Else

You can connect to a synth or anything else that takes a midi connector. You can use a midi cable with a DIN connector plugged into the Nova, and then into your synth. In this case you will still need to have the USB cable connected to a charger or battery pack to provide power.

Now turn it on!

Turn on the power switch next on the Nova!

Getting Sound

When you first turn on your Nova, it should show up on your device as a midi controller. The Nova is a class compliant midi device, which is a fancy way of saying it should just work.

The Nova is a midi controller which means it doesn't make any sounds of it's own. It relies on software (or hardware) that understands midi and translates the keys you press on the Nova into sounds playing from your device.

Typically we can use music software. We just tell it to use the Nova, plug in some speakers, and we are good to go!

Types of Music Software

Music software can be a lot of things. It can be:

  • A stand alone player - Takes midi and just plays sounds.
  • A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) - Lets you compose songs, and use a lot of different sounds at the same time. These typically have their own instruments.
  • A VST (Windows) or AU (Mac) - A plug in into a DAW, to let you choose from thousands of free and paid types of samplers / synths and classic synth emulations.


Quick Tip: If you are just starting out you may want a stand alone player (Like the free Surge XT ).

In a lot of our videos you can see we are using Ableton Live (A DAW) using a plugin called SynthMaster.  For some examples of setting up with various computers / soft synths, you can check out the Knowledge Base.

  • Using the Nova with an iPad - Quick and easy!
  • SynthMaster (Mac,  Windows) - Lots of sounds that work well with the Nova's touchpad.
  • Surge XT - Great, free, stand-alone synth with some custom sounds we've designed for the Nova.
  • Options for DAW's - A list of applications you might want to check out for composing music.

Computer Connections

In your software you will most likely need to map the MIDI device to look for the Mosi Nova. Go to your Midi Settings and select the Midi device listed. You should see:

  • USB Midi Device (On Mac)
  • USB A (On Windows)

Note: This varies across operating systems and versions.

The Nova will play on Midi Channel 1 when it is turned on.

Load up the Surge XT, and set it up! Instructions Here

You should be able to play now! Try pressing a button on the fretboard, and tapping on the touchpad at the same time.

Playing

You can keep a finger down on the pad, and every button on the fretboard will play as you press it. Try moving your finger to morph the sound.

You can also go into Finger Tapping mode by pressing two buttons on the same string six or more frets apart. This mode means you do not need to touch the pad to trigger notes. To exit this mode, just touch the pad.

The pad itself triggers CC values which can be mapped to different sound modifiers in your software. It generates MOD (CC1) for the Y axis and CC20 for the X axis.


X-Y Mappings for the Touchpad.
To map CC 1, touch next to vertical Y edge.

To map CC 20, touch next to a horizontal X edge.


Special Functions:


Wireless Setup

If you want to try playing without being tethered by a cord, check out this article on playing wireless: Wireless Setup

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