Novation Bass Station II Updates Classic Analog Design

Novation-Bass-Station-II

Musikmesse 2013: This morning Novation announced the launch of Bass Station II – a new analogue bass synthesizer that they say is equally well adapted to leads.

Based on the classic Novation Bass Station from 20 years ago, the Bass Station II has been “completely re-worked for the 21st Century,” with two filters, two oscillators plus a sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully-analogue effects section.

Plus the Bass Station II boasts a step-sequencer, an arpeggiator, a two octave (25-note) velocity-sensitive keyboard with full-sized keys and a powerful modulation section. There’s also MIDI I/O and USB connectivity.

And the street price is a cool $500. Schwing!

Want to know more? We’ve got the details:

Key Features:

  • Analogue synth: brand new version of the classic Bass Station: Bass Station II has a pure analogue audio signal path, reviving the spirit of the original Bass Station with an all-new design optimized for bass
  • Two distinct analogue filters: In addition to the original Classic Bass Station filter, there’s a brand new Acid diode ladder filter for squelchy 303-esque bass sounds
  • Load and save patches: 64 factory patches on-board with room for 64 more of your own: save more to your computer via USB
  • Pattern-based Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator: Bass Station II has an arpeggiator with a programmable step sequencer
  • Instant hands-on control: Instant hands-on control of the sound engine via a traditional analogue synth control panel
  • Two Oscillators plus an additional Sub Oscillator: Bass Station II has two sync-able, tune-able oscillators with four selectable waveforms, plus a third sub-oscillator for generating enormous bass sounds
  • Analogue effects section: Bass Station II includes fully analogue distortion and filter-modulation effects and a separate filter overdrive to add aggression and crunch
  • Powerful modulation section featuring two Envelopes and two LFOs: Two ADSR envelopes for amp, filter, pitch and pulse width modulation alongside two LFOs with waveforms including triangle, sawtooth, square and sample & hold

Here’s what Novation has to say about the new Bass Station II:

Twenty years ago, Novation released the ground-breaking Bass Station: a compact, analogue synth designed for fat bass sounds and bubbly leads.

The original Bass Station became a classic; now we present the new Bass Station II: an analogue monophonic synth but with a total re-design that brings it firmly into the 21st century, bigger and bolder than ever. It’s more than a bass synth; it’s versatile enough to kick out sharp leads and crisp arpeggios.

Bass Station II’s signal path is all analogue, including the effects section. It is based on three analogue oscillators (two independent oscillators plus a sub for rich bass sounds) and a noise generator; two discrete filters, Classic and Acid, with built-in overdrive; Distortion and Osc Filter Mod effects; two ADSR envelopes, two LFOs, and an Arpeggiator and programmable Step Sequencer. And that’s just scratching the surface of the synth engine. Bass Station II’s traditional control layout breaks everything into modules with dedicated pots, switches and sliders. Unlike a traditional analogue synth, there’s plenty of storage for your own sounds – there are 64 factory presets plus 64 more slots for your own sounds in the hardware – and you can store more on your computer.

About Bass Station II’s design

The original Bass Station was released in 1993, but its heritage goes back a lot further: to the 1970s, thought of by many as the golden era of synthesis. Synth designer Chris Huggett has remained a constant design force for Novation over the years. Huggett has decades of experience in hardware synth design, having pioneered the development of digitally controlled analogue synths including the OSCar. He also designed such classics as the Wasp, released by Electronic Dream Plant in 1978 – and there is a direct line of descent from the Wasp filter to the awesome ‘Classic’ filter in Bass Station II.

Pricing and Availability:

  • The Bass Station II is expected to be available worldwide in June 2013.
  •  $629.99 MSRP / $499.99 at dealers

See the Novation site for details.

34 thoughts on “Novation Bass Station II Updates Classic Analog Design

  1. Well done Novation. This is what Roland should have done with the SH101 format.
    I suspect this will be DCO not VCO but either way it’s a potential gem.

  2. Yeesh, just how many new analogs am I going to have to buy this year! This is such a great announcement. My X-Station’s arpeggiator is one of my favorite music making tools. Adding a step sequencer is absolute gravy.

  3. Just looking at the website about this and im curious how they deal with parameter jumping
    because things have dual purposes or loading up patches it could get messy if you wanna load and minipulate in one motion.
    Pick up positionings or right now just braing storming it could move exponentialy until it matches the point .

  4. 92-95 part of that video should say “korg m1 and akai sampler sold separately! ” Nice breakbeat hardcore track though 🙂

  5. mi KS-rack was full of bugs in the arpeggiator, some artifacts in the waveforms and inestable delay, non usable machine. I hate to see it in that video showed like all the problems with that instrument never happened.

  6. Yeah ks was utter shite. Couldn’t use it has weedy oscillators and weedy filters. nothing like the supernovas etc. This being pure analogue is good. A match for the mopho. What I really like is the mixture of faders and rotary controls like what roland use. I get so fed up with seeing envelope controls with rotary. This is a nice design. I would say its the modern sh101

  7. I pay 399.99 for the Minibrute New in Box, and let me tell you, this synt kick ass. VCO not DCO, but if you just looking for a Synt with memori patches and DCO, hey this is your keyboard.

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