NOVATION Bass Station II Analogue Bass Synthesizer

The Novation Bass Station ii is the rebirth of the classic bass synth from 20 years ago. The Bass Station II has a 25 note keyboard with two filters, analogue effects section, arpeggiator and 3 oscillators - which thanks to the latest update can now be tuned to create triad chords!

Bass Station II is an analogue mono-synth with a talent for bass, but a sound-engine that is versatile enough to kick out sharp leads and crisp arpeggios. It brings the best elements of the original Bass Station into a brand new design with re-worked modulation, effects, filters and more; like the Bass Station, but a much much bigger sound.

The signal path is pure analogue - including the effects section. The hardware has been laid out in modules with dedicated pots, switches, sliders and buttons for all major parameters. Critically, you can store and recall patches on Bass Station II. It comes with 64 killer factory presets, space for 64 of your own sounds on the hardware, and you can store more on your computer.

The key-mech consists of 25 full sized keys that are velocity sensitive with assignable aftertouch. It has been developed as a ‘synth-action’ keyboard, where each key is individually sprung so it is light to the touch and highly responsive to the synth engine. Bass Station II is a fully class compliant MIDI device with MIDI I/O on 5 pin din ports – for connecting to other MIDI outboard – and with your computer over USB. You can even connect an external instrument and run it through Bass Station II's analogue filter and effects.

Create a huge variety of sounds
Two pure analogue, sync-able and tuneable oscillators with four selectable waveforms, plus a third sub-oscillator, noise and ring modulation.

Enormous bass and shrieking leads
Switch the multi-mode Classic Filter between low, hi and band pass with 12 and 24dB slopes.

Improved analogue filter stage
A 24dB Acid Filter that is even darker, wetter and smoother than the Classic.

Turn Jekyll to Hyde
Create crunchy, aggressive sounds with fully analogue distortion, filter-modulation effects and a separate filter overdrive.

Easily load and save patches
Comes with 64 patches that cover a huge range of styles, but you can create, save, archive and swap 64 of your own too.

Get instant inspiration
Record notes, ties, rests and rhythms in real time using the step sequencer and arpeggiator, then easily store them, recall them and use them with any patch you like.

Experiment easily
Get your hands on loads of controls, cleverly arranged for intuitive patch design and sound editing.

Flexible modulation
Triangle, sawtooth and square LFO waveforms, as well as sample and hold, and two ADSR envelopes for filter, pitch and pulse width modulation.

Connect to hardware and software
Connect and sync to your music software and MIDI-compatible hardware.

AFX Mode
Perfect for sequencing and arpeggiation, every key on the instrument can become a new patch, making it a powerful analogue drum machine, a flexible sound design tool, or a killer bass or lead module.

Player's Keyboard
Full sized 25-note velocity-sensitive keyboard, with a fast synth-action and aftertouch.

Store unlimited sounds
Keep as many patches as you like on your Mac or PC using the Librarian Software.

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.

Three year warranty
Wherever you happen to be in the world, you can rely on a three-year warranty if any Novation hardware needs repairing or replacing due to a manufacturing fault. Novation will send you replacement gear in the UK and the US, and they’ll cover the shipping costs both ways. In the UK, they'll send you a replacement before you return your hardware to them.

Included Software

• Ableton Live Lite
• 4BG Loopmasters
• Free Melodics lessons

Synth engine

Oscillators

• Osc 1
• Osc 2
• Sub Osc (3)
• Noise generator

Osc 1 & 2

Select between waveforms:

• sine
• triangle
• sawtooth
• square/variable pulse width

Features

• Sync 1 & 2
• Detune 
• Octave range
• Pitch bend
• Pitch modulation from Mod Envelope and/or LFO 1
• Pulse width modulation from Mod Envelope and/or LFO 2

Sub Osc (3) which is tracked to Osc 1

Select independently between waveforms:

• Sine
• Square
• Narrow pulse

Features

• All modulation and tuning tracked to Osc 1
• Independent octave select 

Mixer 

• Osc 1 level
• Osc 2 level
• Sub Osc level
• Noise generator level
• Ring modulation depth
• External signal level

Filter

Two filter types

• Acid type (diode ladder filter design)
• Classic type (derived from original Bass Station)

Features

• Cutoff
• Resonance
• Overdrive
• Filter frequency to Mod Envelope depth
• Filter frequency to LFO 2 depth

Select 'Classic' filter between:

• Low pass
• Band pass
• High pass
• 12dB slope
• 24dB slope

Envelopes

Two ADSR Envelopes  (Attack/Decay/Sustain/Release)

• Amp Envelope
• Mod Envelope
• Combined control of both Envelopes

Select triggering mode between:

• Single trigger (holds envelope state when new note is played)
• Multi trigger (re-triggers with every new note played)
• Autoglide (engages portamento) 

There is also a VCA limiter

LFO

Two LFOs each selectable between:

• Triangle
• Sawtooth
• Square
• Sample and hold
• Both LFOs independently adjustable between rate and delay time
• Key sync LFO 1 & 2
• LFO slew on LFO 1& 2 (low pass filter on the LFO waveform)

 Effects   

• Distortion send
• Oscillator filter mod amount (FM effect created by Oscillator 2 modulating filter freq)
   

Step Sequencer/Arpeggiator

Arpeggiator

• Up to 32 different patterns
• Select between 1-4 octave range
• Swing function
• Select direction:
• up
• down
• up / down 1
• up / down 2
• As played
• Random
• Latch (hold the arpeggiator)

Step Sequencer

• Up to four sequences
• Assign one of 32 preset rhythms or create your own
• insert rests or legato (slide)
• Sequencer re-trigger function

Portamento

• Adjust glide time
• Single trigger or re-trigger modes
• Integrate into step sequencer and arpeggiator

Hardware & controller assignment

• 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 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

Dimensions

• 18" wide x 10.75" deep x 3" tall

• Analogue synth based on classic version
• New paraphonic mode - play two notes at once
• 2 unique analogue filters
• Load and save patches
• MIDI i/O and USB
• 25 full size keys
• Includes software: Ableton Live Lite, Loopmasters
• AFX Mode for unlimited possibilities
• Three-year warranty