The Novation Bass Station II 25-key monophonic analog synthesizer is a powerful reminder of Novation's legacy of synth prowess. As the name implies, the Bass Station II is primed for gut-grabbing bass sounds, employing two oscillators plus a sub-oscillator for foundation-shaking sonics. You'll find it's primed for leads and hypnotic arpeggiations too, and you can seriously mangle your sounds in realtime with distortion and FM effects. With an array of hands-on controls and a huge analog sound, you'll be inspired as soon as you get your hands on the Novation Bass Station II.
The right ingredients for epic, expressive sounds
While the Bass Station II packs the bread-and-butter synthesis controls to create a wide range of leads, pads, and effects, it's primed for heavy-hitting bass. Two main oscillators can be hard-synced for tighter, more punchy tones. And a sub-oscillator is on hand to fill out the bottom end. And because its 25-note keyboard supports aftertouch, you'll find it easy to really put some expression in your performances.
Get creative with a built-in arpeggiator and step sequencer
When you switch on the Bass Station II's arpeggiator you can choose from 32 different rhythmic patterns in different directions, with control over the octave range. You can also play up to four of your own patterns into the step sequencer, and play them back using one of the 32 rhythms. The step sequencer records legato and rests too, so you can create more expressive sequences on the fly than you can with simple note on/off sequencers found on some synths.
Two filter designs for two very distinct sounds
The Bass Station II packs two discrete filter designs, each with an overdrive circuit for seriously distorted tones. The "Classic" filter is based on the original Bass Station synth, giving you LPF, HPF, and BPF modes. The "Acid" filter is a diode ladder design that can get very squelchy - think 303 and you've got the idea.
AFX Mode
AFX Mode is the realisation of electronic music legend Richard James, aka Aphex Twin. Put simply, it lets you modify your Bass Station II patch on a key-by-key basis. Use it to introduce subtle changes to a sound as you play up and down the keyboard; divide the keyboard into multiple zones (one per key if you like!), each playing its own sound; or create entire drum kits in a single preset for triggering manually or via the Arpeggiator. It’s a truly inspiring feature that really does open up a whole new world of sound design and performance possibilities.
AFX Mode is part of the v4.14 firmware update, available as a free download via Components.
Novation Bass Station II 25-key Monophonic Analog Synthesizer Features:
Technical Specifications:
- 25 note synth-action keyboard
- Aftertouch can be assigned to modulate:
- Filter frequency
- LFO 1to Osc pitch
- Osc 2 speed
- Pitch wheel
- Modulation wheel can be assigned to:
- LFO 2 to filter frequency
- LFO 1 to Osc pitch
- Osc 2 pitch
- Octave up/ down buttons
- 64 factory presets
- 64 slots for user patches (and patch dump facility for storing more)
- Master volume dial
- Inputs and Outputs
- USB 2 socket for MIDI (for connecting & powering Bass Station II via host computer)
- Mono output on 1/4" TRS jack
- Headphone output on 1/4" TRS jack
- External input on 1/4" TRS jack
- Sustain pedal input on 1/4" TS jack
- MIDI IN / MIDI OUT ports on 5 pin din
- DC power input
- Switch between power off / DC powered / bus powered
