Novation KS Rack

$572.04 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (5)

1 Review

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1 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jun 24, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 24, 2026.

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Price

$572.04 2 available Used

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Average Price: $572

Standard/Professional

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Novation KS Rack is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Discover the Novation KS Rack, a versatile synthesizer designed for both studio and live environments, offering musicians a wide range of sonic possibilities. This robust rack module is the perfect companion for those seeking a powerful synthesis engine without the bulk of a full keyboard. Equipped with four-part multitimbrality, the KS Rack allows you to layer and split sounds across up to four parts, giving you the flexibility to create complex, rich textures or intricate sequences.

At the heart of the KS Rack is the renowned Novation Analogue Sound Modelling synthesis engine, capable of producing everything from classic analog warmth to cutting-edge digital timbres. With 33 knobs and 50 buttons on the front panel, hands-on control is at your fingertips, making sound design intuitive and engaging. Whether you're tweaking filters, adjusting envelopes, or modulating parameters, the KS Rack ensures you have the tools you need to shape your sound with precision.

Key Features:

Four-part multitimbral capability for complex layering and sequencing
Novation Analogue Sound Modelling synthesis engine
33 knobs and 50 buttons for hands-on control
Wide range of onboard effects including reverb, delay, and chorus
MIDI compatibility for seamless integration with your existing setup
Comprehensive arpeggiator and 16-voice polyphony
High-quality build designed for both studio and live performance environments

Product specs

Brand	Novation
Model	KS Rack 8-Voice Synthesizer
Finish	Silver
Year	2002
Categories	Digital Synthesizers, Rackmount Synths
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony	8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Novation KS Rack synthesizer polyphonic?: Yes, the Novation KS Rack is an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, allowing you to play up to eight notes simultaneously.
What type of synthesis does the Novation KS Rack use?: The Novation KS Rack is a digital synthesizer, utilizing a range of digital synthesis techniques to produce a wide variety of sounds.
Does the Novation KS Rack have MIDI connectivity?: Yes, the Novation KS Rack features MIDI Input, MIDI Output, and MIDI Through, making it compatible with a wide range of MIDI devices and setups.
What are the standout features of the Novation KS Rack's sound engine?: The Novation KS Rack's sound engine is known for its versatile digital synthesis capabilities, offering a wide palette of sounds suitable for various musical styles.
Can the Novation KS Rack be integrated into a modern digital audio workstation setup?: Yes, the Novation KS Rack can be easily integrated into a modern DAW setup using its MIDI capabilities, allowing for seamless control and sound manipulation.

Videos

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musictrackjp

novation KS Rack Demo & Review

musictrackjp

Novation KS Rack (Perform presets)

3rdStoreyChemist

Novation KS Rack and Furman RV-1 Spring Reverb

Max B

RS032 Novation KS-Rack: Poor Man's Virus

rejected synths

Novation KS Rack (Programme presets - Part 1)

3rdStoreyChemist

Novation KS Rack Sound Demo

Ethan Van Guard

Novation KS Rack - 1st test

lcaise

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Novation KS Rack.

Features and functionality

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The KS Rack is noted for producing "creamy" sounds, though some users feel it lacks the dimensionality found in other synths like the Hydrasynth.
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The KS Rack offers four-part multi-timbrality, providing versatility for complex sound layering and arrangements.
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Users highlight the KS Rack's FM capabilities on each part, adding depth to its sound design potential.
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Comparisons

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Users compare the KS Rack's filter and resonance capabilities to Roland's "Gaia," with some reporting less satisfying performance past 50% cutoff/resonance.
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The Hydrasynth is frequently praised for its deep programming potential and polyphonic aftertouch, providing more exploration opportunities compared to the KS Rack.
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The V-Station software is mentioned as having a similar sound engine to the K-Station, offering a digital alternative for similar sound profiles.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners interested in external modulation and long-term exploration may prefer the Hydrasynth for its comprehensive modulation capabilities.
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Owners frequently recommend the KS Rack for trance and techno music, noting its digital VA sound and unique filter character.
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Value and pricing

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The KS Rack is available at a lower price point than the Hydrasynth, though it lacks a return policy unless defective, influencing purchasing decisions.
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User experience

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The KS Rack's sound may struggle at max resonance, affecting its performance for users who prioritize high resonance in their sound design.
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It's noted that the KS Rack's filter overdrive can be harsh, suggesting cautious use for optimal sound.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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groovizm

533

over 2 years ago

Nice virtual analog

Voices

The basic architecture consists of 3 identical oscillators, mixer, 1 state variabele filter, amp and for modulation 2 lfo's and 2 envelopes.

The oscillators have your basic waveforms like sinus, triangle, saw and square with pwm, but there are also capable of playing a variety of samples. There are a few instrument samples, but most are drums.

The oscillators pass through the mixer section before going into the filter. Here noise, ring modulation and the external input can also be added. All mixer levels can be modulated, which is interesting.

The filter has 12db and 24db slopes and lowpass, highpass and bandpass modes. A big bonus is the dedicated overdrive knob which adds drive before the filter. (Unlike the distortion in the effects section, which is, of course after the filter.)

The lfo's have also have the basic waveforms like sinus, triangle, saw and square but are complemented with a host of interesting additional waveforms.

Programms

Programms are rounded off by a simple to use effects section, consisting of delay, reverb, chorus distortion, EQ, panning and vocoder. Each effect has only a few parameters, but what is outstanding, is that all effects are available simultaneously.

There's also an arpeggiator and hypersync. Hypersync is a fun feature: there are 8 slots where you can store different timings for modulations based on the arpeggiator tempo or incoming clock.

Performances

The performance mode on the KS rack is one of the best I've seen. There are only 4 parts (programs) but and is extremely easy to use. Performances can be used as layers, which is ideal with a master keyboard, or as separate parts for playing from a sequencer.

Two standout features make it really awesome:

When you edit a program from within a performance it's stored within that performance so you never accidentally change a program that's also in other performances!
Each of the 4 parts has it's own effects, programs do not share the effects within a performance.

Personal Opinion

I think the KS rack offers quite a lot of features in a relatively small and sturdy package. It sounds pretty good, especially for big pads and trancy stabs, brass and bass. Most of the parameters that you would like to tweak during a performance are on the front panel, but when your doing sound design you'll be digging round the menu's as well.

Although I find that a big drawback I must add that the menu's are logically layed out so don't need the manual to find stuff.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic