Novation Play
Bridging the gap between software and hardware
Our friends at Novation asked us to create a bold digital extension of the new Launchkey MK4. Over the last year, we’ve teamed up with their fantastic team: designing, developing, playing, sweating and sampling. Today, all that work finally comes to life with the launch of Play: an instrument filled with legendary synths and rich influences from both Klevgrand and Novation.
A story of innovation and legacy
So we got to work. Together with the Novation team we shaped what became Play - A digital synth that runs both as a plugin and standalone app, tightly integrated with the Launchkey workflow. Making use of its specific hardware features and delivering instant feedback. After all, a MIDI keyboard on its own is silent so we had to decide, what is the sound of Play?
We and Novation wanted to make Play an instrument that you turn to when starting a new project. An instrument with readymade sounds that can spark a whole track idea right out of the box. To achieve this, legendary synthesizers like Prophet 5, OB-6, and Bass Station II was sampled extensively. Then shaped in Plays powerful synth engine to create 80+ designed presets Including basses, leads, pads, FX, drum kits. Combine that with effect units, pad tricks, and a browsing system that just makes sense - and now you have an idea machine that combines Novation’s hardware legacy with our approach to sound and design.
Design & a new step for Klevgrand
In its design and structure, the influence of both Novation and Klevgrand is evident. The visual design language picks up elements from the hardware, for example by making use of the nice dot grid found on the keyboards. In Play, they are used as a tiny LED grid, forming a decorative and informative parameter visualization that gives instant feedback when interacted with. This creates what we think is a fun way to Play! with the UI.
For us, Play is also somewhat a milestone, being the first time we’ve worked this closely with a hardware company and will in the future be followed by a serie of our own Klevgrand hardware concepts, where software and hardware work seamlessly together. Stay tuned! ;)
