This video, via Bonedo Synthesizers, explores the sounds of the Novation Bass Station 2.
The Bass Station 2 is a modern version of Novation’s classic Bass Station analog synthesizer design.
While the ‘Bass Station’ name might suggest it’s best for bass duties, it’s a flexible dual-VCO analog monophonic synthesizer that works equally well for leads and other sounds.
The Bass Station 2 is currently one of the most affordable analog monophonic synths available, and unlike other synths in its price range, it offers a full-size keyboard, with velocity sensitivity and aftertouch.
If you’ve used the Bass Station 2, leave a comment and share your thoughts on it!
Sounds great. If i’d heard this demo, I would have gotten this over my Microbrute.
I sing BSII praise to anyone who will listen. It is without a doubt one of the best values in the monosynth market. Not only does it sound excellent and have a full featured synth engine, but full digital control and memory as well.
* I really wish the Peak would have been a polyphonic BSII. At the very least, poly-chain would have been awesome!
Is this different enough from the Peak to warrant getting if you have a Peak?
I had the Peak only briefly. I got one from the first batch and it had problems with the firmware. Additionally, I just didn’t like the sound of the NCOs. So, I returned it. I much prefer the sound of the BSII, but your mileage may vary.
Yea I think I will get a Sledge Black and a BS2.
I had a Sledge v2, the sound engine is a crippled Blofeld and the desktop software for loading samples etc is dire. Blofeld is way better, other than the control surface & keyboard. Strongly recommend you try a Sledge before buying.
I really want a Blofeld too….but the interface puts me off. Does it auto-map well to midi keyboards (concerning the knobs for the functions)
Knob per function is the most important thing to me. It works better with my flow and makes the experience greater.
There’s an iPad editor for it! Problem solved.
Lost me at Ipad…..I only do hardware editors. I dont like software synths or editors. The more physical control, the better….even if features have to be sacrificed.
I have one, it sounds very good, especially at low frequencies, playing with the Freq / Distortion / OSC Freq Mod, amplitude ADSR and arpeggio mode for interesting artefacts. The addition of reverb in the video ads more presence to the patches.
Its DCO, not VCO.
DCO’s are by definition VCO’s…
No they are not. Tsk Tsk.
If only they made a keyboard less version. Mono Station lacks 2nd lfo, envelope, etc.
And I wish they didn’t crippled the bass station in the circuit mono so much. (haven’t heard one single sound that I like coming out of that thing.)
I think the Bass station offers good value for money. The plus points are the two types of filter and also options for low pass, band pass and high pass. The overdrive, distortion and filter feedback offer scope to bring in some dirt, the oscillator sync is handy and the ergonomics are good, there’s something right about sliders for ADSR envelopes and whilst not difficult to programme the memories provide useful starting points The aftertouch is great too, I find this really handy for growly basslines, bringing to mind of some of the DX type sounds. It doesn’t quite have one knob per function, with rocker switches determining what the knobs do and little LEDs to indicate what’s going on which isn’t great, but must have kept the cost down. I wish they went for sliders for oscillator mix like on the SH101. It has decent midi implementation and all in all I think its a nice modern mono synth.
I have no more desk space in any of my studios to comfortably add anymore keyboards, can’t someone start making rack versions of stuff again? When you spend hours and hours making music or sound designing, the older you get, you find that ergonomics and comfort become more and more important each day.
Bring back the racks. Valid debate: ModX or FS1R.
My studios are all set up in horseshoe config, main computer in center, double stacked boards on either side with instrument and FX racks above.
For me, after many years of studio design this is the way I work. Menu diving on any gear IMHO has always sucked but today iPad editors can make editing much easier on most anything, I hate the screens on my KRONOS synths and until Roland released V2 I could use the iPad app to edit my JP80.
Two concerns dictate what gear I buy ; lack of physical space for those of us that have multiple keys/synths where rack versions would allow me to build “up” and still work comfortably, the second would be offering iPad editors as an option for gear not inclined to generous knob twisting. JMOs
FTR, I would by a MoDX rack in a nanosecond. ?
Yeah, iPad editors make so much easier to edit synths especially racks. I wish more of the ones I have like Morpheus or TG77 had decent iPad editors, but iPads make editing/organizing patches a dream. Perfect combination of old and new, especially since I only got into racks in last few years.
? ve personally used bass station 1 and liked that. Can u compare 1 vs 2?