Product Detail

Introducing Bass Station II

Bass Station II is an analogue mono-synth based on the classic original Bass Station but re-worked for the 21st century. It has two filters, two oscillators plus a third sub-oscillator, patch save and a fully analogue effects section. Add a step sequencer, arpeggiator, full sized keys and a powerful modulation section and you have the makings of a synth that is built for bass, but capable of so much more.

Bass Station II marks Novation's 21st birthday - find out more about Novation's early synths and how the technology evolved over 20 years

What is it?

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.

Specifications

Key Features 6
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 optimised for bass.

Two distinct analogue filters
A brand new Acid filter joins the Classic original Bass Station filter -(Classic switches between low, hi and band pass with 12 and 24dB slopes).

Load and save patches
Bass Station II ships with 64 factory patches and a further 64 user slots. Patch dump enables you to archive and swap sounds.

Pattern-based Step Sequencer and Arpeggiator
Bass Station II has an arpeggiator with a programmable step sequencer that enables you to store and call up patterns and quickly sketch-out ideas.

Dedicated Tweakable Controls
Analogue synth layout includes dedicated controls for all major parameters enabling instant hands-on control of the sound engine.

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 an aggressive, crunchy sound-quality.

Analogue effects section Flexible modulation featuring 2 Envelopes and 2 LFOs
LFO waveforms include triangle, sawtooth, square and sample & hold. Two ADSR envelopes are available for filter, pitch and pulse width modulation.

MIDI I/O and USB connectivity
Bass Station II can be connected to your music software as well as your MIDI compatible hardware.

Players 'synth-action' keyboard with aftertouch
The keyboard mechanism is a two-octave (25 note) velocity sensitive synth-action keyboard with full-size keys and assignable aftertouch

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 to Mod Envelope and LFO 1
Pulse width modulation to Mod Envelope and 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