Full Description
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Motorised control for instant feedback
NINA's motorised control surface transforms the way you interact with a synthesizer. Instead of relying on endless encoders or hidden parameter pages, every knob moves into the correct position as soon as you load a patch, change layers, morph between sounds, or replay automation. This gives you immediate visual confirmation of every setting, helping you understand complex patches at a glance.
Modulation routings are also reflected directly on the front panel, making sound design easier to follow during programming or performance. The controls use brushless motors and contactless optical sensors rated for more than 50 million cycles, providing smooth operation and long-term durability.
Analog warmth meets modern synthesis
At the heart of NINA is a flexible sound engine built around two discrete transistor VCOs and a classic transistor ladder filter for rich analog character. Alongside these sits a digital wavetable oscillator and the complete Mutable Instruments Braids engine, bringing 45 synthesis models across all 12 voices.
Originally developed as a single voice Eurorack oscillator, Braids becomes a fully polyphonic sound source inside NINA, opening the door to granular textures, formant synthesis, digital timbres, evolving pads, and much more. Combined with analog oscillators and filtering, the result is a broad palette that supports traditional synthesis as well as more experimental approaches.
Compose and perform without extra gear
The integrated four-track sequencer gives NINA the flexibility of a dedicated performance workstation. Each track supports up to 64 steps with independent sequence lengths, allowing evolving polyrhythms and layered compositions. Per-step automation records front panel settings directly into your sequence, while the motorised knobs physically replay those movements as playback progresses.
Additional features include micro-timing, shuffle, probability, gate length adjustment, clock multiplication, and 64 built-in noise types covering percussion, metallic textures, buzzes, and digital sounds. Pattern chaining allows up to 16 sequences to be linked together, making complete performances possible from the instrument alone.
Designed for expressive musicians
Four-part multitimbral operation allows NINA's 12 voices to be divided across four independent synth parts, making it easy to build layered textures, keyboard splits, or multi-keyboard setups. MPE compatibility brings detailed control over pitch, pressure, and slide for every individual note, helping compatible controllers deliver a highly expressive playing experience.
Waveform and wavetable visualisers also provide clear graphical feedback as sounds evolve, making it easier to understand complex oscillator shapes and modulation. Combined with extensive preset storage for more than 16,000 sounds, NINA offers a workflow that encourages experimentation while keeping every important control close at hand.
Features
- 12-voice polyphonic synthesizer with four-part multi-timbral operation
- Two discrete-transistor analog VCOs for rich classic synth tones
- Moog-style transistor ladder filter for warm analog filtering
- Digital wavetable oscillator for an expanded range of timbres
- Complete Mutable Instruments Braids engine with 45 oscillator models
- Motorized control knobs automatically recall saved parameter positions
- Knob movements provide physical feedback for modulation, morphing, and automation
- Contactless optical controls deliver 15,000-step resolution for smooth parameter changes
- Brushless motor technology is rated for more than 50 million control cycles
- Four independent synth layers can share the available 12 voices
- Quick layer switching automatically repositions controls to match each sound
- Patch morphing enables smooth transitions between sound configurations
- Recallable modulation matrix keeps complex routing accessible from the front panel
- Four-track polyrhythmic and polyphonic sequencer for standalone composition and performance
- Sequences support up to 64 steps with an independent length for each track
- Per-step parameter locking provides detailed sequence automation
- Motorized automation physically displays recorded parameter movements during playback
- Up to 12 sequenced voices can be distributed across four tracks
- 64 noise sources cover percussion, metallic sounds, buzzes, and digital textures
- Sequencer timing tools include shuffle, micro-timing, clock multiplication, variable gate length, and probability
- Up to 16 patterns can be recalled and chained for extended arrangements
- Integrated recording and quantization allow sequencing without additional equipment
- MPE support provides independent pitch, pressure, and slide expression for individual notes
- MPE performance works across all four sound layers with compatible expressive controllers
- Morph modulation expands expressive real-time sound manipulation
- Waveform visualization displays evolving signals while designing sounds
- Oscilloscope and XY viewing modes help visualize panning and spatial movement
- Wavetable visualization makes browsing and selecting waveforms easier
- Classic onboard effects provide additional sound processing
- More than 400 factory presets offer a large collection of ready-to-play sounds
- Storage capacity supports up to 16,000 presets
- Designed for hands-on sound creation, sequencing, automation, and live performance in one instrument
Specifications
- Oscillators:
- 3 oscillators per voice: 2 analog VCOs, 1 digital wavetable
- Oscillator 1 & 2 with waveforms morphable between triangle to sawtooth and PWM square-wave
- Sub octave mode for VCO 1 square wave
- Hard sync oscillator 2 from VCO 1
- Fine & course tune control with up to 8 octave range
- 96kHz 24bit wavetable oscillator resolution
- User loadable wavetables
- Selectable fuzz & noise sources: Pink, white, oscillator 1 & 2 XOR (fuzz)
- LFO with selectable shapes, through-zero modulatable rate & level controls
- VCF:
- Classic 4 pole transistor ladder VCF
- Modulatable resonance, available as a matrix destination
- Extremely over-drivable, or perfectly smooth low noise modes
- Dedicated control for envelope to cutoff modulation amount
- VCA:
- Traditional ADSR envelope with ultra-fast slopes possible
- Melbourne Instruments designed four-quadrant (through zero) VCA
- Stereo: 2 VCAs per voice
- Infinite panning
- Unison polyphony:
- Play up to 12 voices in unison or polyphonically
- Mono triggered and legato modes
- Selectable polyphonic panning schemes
- Modulation:
- Extensive modulation matrix: 16 sources to 27 destinations. No bus count limitation
- Morphable modulation settings
- Quick to edit MOD mode: Select a source and dial in amounts instantly on control panel
- All MOD amounts are through zero (bipolar)
- Patch morphing:
- Morph between patches to create new timbres
- Morph entire patch including modulation matrix
- ADSR envelope generators:
- 2 x ADSR envelopes available as mod sources
- Modulate attack, decay, sustain, release, and level using velocity or any other mod source
- Multi-timbral layers:
- Up to 4 layers for 4 timbres controllable via MIDI channel and note ranges
- User selectable number of assigned voices per layer
- Optional linked note ranges across layers for quick keyboard splits & layering
- Effects:
- Apply 3 effects simultaneously in series or parallel, using independent levels and up to 3 effects slots
- Upgradable VST3 effects algorithms built on an open source architecture
- 96kHz 24bit resolution
- Parallel or series mix modes: Parallel mode retains analog sound
- Sequencer:
- Up to 16 step polyphonic
- Adjustable note value
- Hold mode
- Send sequencer to arpeggiator
- Tempo sync from external source
- Computer:
- Hackable open source software built on a powerful Raspberry Pi 4 running Elk Audio OS
- Connectivity:
- Audio out:
- 4 assignable line level outputs
- Stereo main outputs with effects
- Aux outputs (3 & 4)
- Headphone output
- Audio in:
- 3 TRS balanced line or CV inputs
- 1 TRS/XLR combo. Mic for line/CV input
- CV +/-10V max. Analog gain and offset trim
- Physical:
- Weight: 5.5kg (12.1lb)
- Dimensions (length x width x depth): 446mm x 230mm x 71mm
- Solid metal construction
- 19” rack mount ears available
- Product code: MINNA001
